Organizing A Preparedness Network

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: There are a few recent developments that concern me, which I’ll share. I’m also writing about how I’ve organized my area preparedness network. Building a local network is one of the most important things you can be doing right now. – M.S.

In Monday’s Early Warning report, I mentioned the potential that Russian President Vladimir Putin would call up the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which is Russia’s version of NATO. (Forward Observer subscribers can read that report here: https://forwardobserver.com/early-warning-russian-media-paints-bleak-picture-about-afghanization-of-ukraine/)

The CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. So far, those countries have mostly balked at joining the “special military action” in Ukraine. It looks like the Belarus army is still staging, and there are reports of a train in Kazakhstan carrying infantry fighting vehicles.

This conflict has always held the potential to expand beyond the borders of Ukraine, making World War III a possibility. (In my opinion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is trying very hard to get NATO militarily involved. And there are Beltway insiders trying to oblige. Dangerous.) Dustin and Max will cover the risk of expanding war and more in tomorrow’s Warning Roundtable.

It’s not that I feel as if nuclear apocalypse is likely, nor do I feel that doomsday is around the corner — it’s more that when a bunch of low likelihood events start to stack up, you just have more opportunities for something to go wrong.

So we can look at expansion of the Russia-Ukraine war, the likelihood of disruptive cyber attacks (which already occur with some frequency), the risk of a policy misstep by the Fed and a severe economic reaction, a market crash due to extreme equity valuations, a recession caused by a spike in oil prices, food prices and availability driving unrest, etc., etc. There’s a good chance that 2022 pops off with something ruinous.

So, with that in mind, let’s talk about organizing preparedness networks. If you missed my first email about building a preparedness network, here are five tips to help you get started: https://www.grayzoneactivity.com/blog/the-preparedness-network-start-one-now

I’m sure there are a lot of ways to organize, but here’s what I’ve found: the military actually already has a great organizational model, believe it or not.

We use the Army staff system for key roles and responsibilities. Consider this a steering committee. These people keep our network moving:

S1 – Admin and Personnel. This person is responsible for contacting members and distributing key information, such as upcoming meetings and updates. Also in charge of outreach.

S2 – Intelligence and Security. I’m responsible for updating members on concerns at the local level, as well what’s happening at the national/strategic level. This also helps direct our focus (e.g., warning in previous years about future increases to food costs and decreased availability meant prioritizing local food sources).

S3 – Operations/Training. This person is responsible for lining up training opportunities that are a) realistic and b) beneficial for members. Think medical classes like treating cold/hot weather injuries and Stop the Bleed. We’ve heard talks on how to expand your pantry, financial preparedness, and active shooter considerations. And we’ve organized an upcoming ham radio exam, as well. 

S4 – Logistics/Supply. Sometimes we need specialty items for preparedness projects, and sometimes we break things. It’s been great having a guy who can find parts or fix just about anything. We’ve made a gear list for the next time we head out for hurricane/flood recovery, and the S4 can help source that equipment.

S6 – Signal/Communications. Whether it’s one guy or a team doing the work, establishing an area communications plan is vital. Having your own VHF/UHF ham radio repeater when cell towers go down is a major advantage. Our S6 helps make this possible.

I hope this gives you a little more direction on building out a preparedness network. Even if you can’t fill out each staff member now, keep recruiting and organizing. You’ll get there.

And when it comes time to decide what to teach next, task these guys to teach what they know or prepare some research and share it with the group. (E.g., “It’s warming up outside. Here are some pictures of this area’s poisonous snakes and spiders. Here’s how you can identify them, and here’s what do to if someone is bitten.” Or a class on three ways to purify water. Or how to keep backyard chickens. The list is endless.)

Beyond our monthly meetings, having members hop in our chat group to link “for sale” ads and discounts on gear has been great. People share news, local concerns, and a lot of other valuable information. It’s a value-added benefit for new members, too, who are just getting into preparedness and have questions.

Building these relationships has been a blessing, even if the world doesn’t end. And if we do get into something really bad, then the skills, knowledge, and bonds we’ve developed make us better prepared.

If you have questions, please reply and let me know. I really want to help you build these organizations because they’ll pay dividends for you in our gray zone future.

I wouldn’t try to go through this alone.

Until next time, be well and stay out front.

Always Out Front,

Mike Shelby