In our world of constant tensions and warnings of extremism on both sides, some people can be worried about training and organizing as a group. They ask, “but what will people think”? In fact, DHS guidance in recent years has listed “preoccupation with preparedness” as a sign of potential extremism, along with such scary things as canning and food preservation. Congrats, you’re all extremists.
Even Paul had to hide his true purpose, which is our Tactical Wisdom today:
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
1 Corinthians 9:20-21
You see, in order to operate without drawing attention to himself, Paul did things to make him and his people blend in with local society.
That’s why I never recommend calling your group a “militia”. It has negative connotations despite being the proper legal term and being perfectly legal. Community Defense Group has issues too, as people will ask “defense from what? We have police for that”. Note: The police have ZERO obligation to protect you.
My friend Mike Shelby of Forward Observer had a great suggestion and I recommend it too. Organize your group as a “Search and Rescue” (SAR) team. This gives you cover for training in individual movement, field living skills, rucking, land navigation, medical, and radio training. As a side note, you will automatically be labeled “good guys” and not some backwoods “militia group”. Get some “SAR” patches and you’re golden.
Most Search and Rescue teams are organized as a private nonprofit company, and here in Montana, several are organzed as contractors, like Two Bear Air Rescue Foundation. This also enables your group to apply for and get a business license from the FCC, enabling things like encrypted communications.
Another option comes right from our friends at FEMA. Every community now has a “Community Emergency Response Team” made up of civilians trained and supervised by the local emergency management office with funds from FEMA. To take advantage of this name recognition, your group could also be an “emergency response team” or ERT. Leave the goals and objectives vague and again you automatically are seen as “good guys”. CERT units train on light rescue, first aid, traffic control, and lots of other things that match the skill sets we want to train on.
Get known in your community now as a voluteer force for good, so that when the lights go out or a disaster strikes, the locals all look to you as a net positive in the area. Attend community events. Be civically active locally as a group.
The biggest wrong move you can make is trying to keep your group secret and undercover. First, people gossip. I heard from a local shopkeeper about how we are training people on night-time sniper operations at the camp, which is completely false. I explained the truth, that we were teaching people how to use night vision and thermal equipment, which is not the same thing. Also, SAR and ERT groups use night vision and thermals. I asked where she heard this and it was from a neighbor who has never attended a single event or class at the camp. Second, when there is no messaging from you, people will make one up to get attention (see the above story – he said he was helping us out, yet I had never met him). Third, when word inevitably gets out, you look like you are hiding something.
Not only do we run our classes here at the camp nad post them on local bulletin boards, but I also volunteer to teach land navigation and first aid for free at community events, like the Swan Valley Youth training day. When you are open and have a public facing story, people generally accept it. It enables you to do more. For example, sure, we train on firearms – but we also open some basic firearms courses to the public, showing that we have nothing to hide.
A side benefit to this is that when the local busybody Karen starts telling her friends that “something is going on” with those kooks that get together every weekend, her friends will defend you, pointing out the public facing story and the good you do for the community.
Show up with a team when someone is missing and offer to help search. During a disaster or power outage, send tems to check on neighbors to make sure they’re OK. Hand out water and MRE cheese (you know you have cases of it). Don’t always act like you have things to hide or that you are only out for yourselves.
The one danger is putting yourself under control of the Sheriff’s Department or other governmental agency. Sure, coordinate and meet with them, but retain your independence. They may not fully involve you in every rescue after you tell them you are a private group, but no one is going to turn down more searchers and people will see you helping. Do your best to be cooperative, but be firm about your independence.
Give your group a cover for action and don’t be afraid of people finding out.
On a related note, had a bunch of guys here this weekend and the training season is open. We’ve got Fieldcraft coming up, followed by Community Security Operations. NC Scout and K from Combat Studies Group will be here with classes June 12-17, and our friends from Mobile Outdoor Skills Training will be holding Wilderness First Aid classes here all summer. Check the schedule and get registered today.
Sign up for Mountain Readiness using code WISDOM5 to get a discount on tickets, either in NC or MT.
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