Thoughts on Militias? Could be local, unsanctioned, sanctioned, etc. How do you all feel about them and are there any you'd tell others to avoid?
Posted by SonsOfValhallaGaming@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 36 comments
From my point of view, I personally support the idea of militias, especially if they are Tuesday/Doomsday Prepper groups rather than militarized ones, as the government already has plenty of those, but that's just my take.
I am involved in many militias, some in a big way, some in just observational or conversational, and Im really curious how you all feel about them, if you're a part of one, or have had encounters with any that make you want to avoid them?
If I had to tell someone to avoid some, I'd say avoid any militia that has outrageous or extremist mindsets revolving around politics. Also, as a specific note, I would personally avoid ZERT, as their reasoning sounds cool at first but it's just a cash grab for cosplayers sadly. Curious to hear about y'alls experiences.
Personally, In SHTF, it's my family first, local community second, everything else after, but I live in a small town and don't have to worry about too many folks here.
ballskindrapes@reddit
Imo, you are going to really have to screen hard for any far right types in an armed group. They love militias, and typically do not have the mindset that encourages unity and team work.
preppers-ModTeam@reddit
Comments involving politics are never acceptable on r/preppers, and further violation of our no-politics rule will result in you being banned from the subreddit.
datguy2011@reddit
I've been in a militia and the far right isn't the problem. Most far any direction people you can tone down in these settings. The biggest issue i seen was the leader was trying to start a cult type community. Then there was another guy that just wanted to do illegal shit
preppers-ModTeam@reddit
Before asking a question here, please use the search feature of Reddit, Google, or another search engine to make sure your question hasn't already been asked and answered. There have been countless threads about community preparedness, including mutual assistance groups, but your post frames your question in a loaded manner and uses an outdated buzzword with negative baggage, so this is not a useful post.
jprefect@reddit
In my state that word has a specific legal definition, so you can't just run around calling yourself that. No joke.
Also, if you prefer less "militarized" militia then I'm not sure I understand any more what you mean by using that word. A militia is by definition militarized. Structured and armed.
The whole post seems either poorly thought out, or designed to get people to say stuff they shouldn't say on the internet.
orrzxz@reddit
I'd never trust a group of random ass people to have my back.
The only ones I'd trust to group with are my mates from my army unit, and my friends who also served in combat oriented roles.
Other people are a great way to a) be left for dead as they'll run off at the first sight of conflict or b) get a hole in your back because they're shite with using weapons under stress.
AlexTaylorAI@reddit
I am repulsed by the idea of militias. Bunch of dweebs cosplaying and fantasizing about getting to hurt others. Why on god's green earth would I want to spend my evenings and weekends following some yahoo's orders? no thank you.
looking forward to being downvoted by said LARPers.
SonsOfValhallaGaming@reddit (OP)
Don't worry buddy, take my upvote. This is a big reason I avoid the religious/political/militarized groups, and focus solely on prepper based groups
mr_misanthropic_bear@reddit
Why are you calling all these separate groups with different purposes militias?
blacksolocup@reddit
Did they?
mr_misanthropic_bear@reddit
In the title and first sentence of the post.
CreasingUnicorn@reddit
I get the feeling that a lot of these militia guys would also be the first ones to show up at my front door if SHTF to offer "protection" in exchange for food and resources.
The type of people i would want to protect my community against.
retromullet@reddit
“Sure, I’ll drop some supplies at your camp later via drone. Good luck out there boys!”
Myspys_35@reddit
Good point about the hierarchy - honestly, people need to find a way to meet their "boss" needs at work or realize maybe thats not on their dance card. Im all for bringing people together to ensure the safety and well being of the community - but if someone tries to tell me what to do? Lol yeah that ain't happening
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
For me this looks a lot like a neighborhood patrol. Someone who knocks doors. Asks if everything is ok at a regular time. Makes food and water happen. Makes help is coming if the horn is sounded. Makes Korean bbq or something fun happen. Maybe have a horn code. 5 second blast. Mean the cracking is a happening, we need warriors. One is a visitor. Two is a let's cook and be merry. Three is a confusing situation.
Offers a firearm. An air horn. Some training. An arm band. Friendly fire eint so friendly.
Your neighbors have skin in the game. Someone from 30 miles away. Raiders.
Myspys_35@reddit
This is whats needed - groups that officially call themselves a militia, at least where I am, are much more focused on arms and force and less on community safety.
Im part of my neighborhood watch - practically every household in the area signs up to support (not everyone is active, but they are part of the info and support the actions). In a decade we have never had a situation where police were first on the scene haha, any unsocial behavior is caught on camera and there is prompt resolution. There are also patrols of parents out during weekends / bigger events. On the community side we support the elderly and lonely, organize celebrations, support library's etc. and keep an eye out on permits and things happening in the area
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Militia looks a lot less like guns and war. And a lot more like love. This is how we won ww2. Through abundance, sharing, and taking care of everybody. Even the enemy.
Somehow this has gone backwards. To some one man army or one Militia to rule them all.
Not particularly Christian. But love thy neighbor. I agree with this notion. And when the call is sounded. To see a whole street come to arms. To be fed. Clothed. Warm. Happy. This is the Militia. We take care of our own.
i-Hermit@reddit
How WW2 was won is a little more complex than this.. it also involved millions more dead soviets.
Myspys_35@reddit
Sadly, at least where I am, that's not what the ones who call themselves militia stand for today. Neighborhood watch, and other groups have picked up the baton though and keep up the community
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
This is the way.
SonsOfValhallaGaming@reddit (OP)
This. This is more my speed as well. I can't worry about some group of cosplayers ten miles down the road when I have people who need me right down the sidewalk
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Yeah. I like my neighbors. I know them a little. They know me a little. We will not go hungry. We will not go thirsty. Cold. Or otherwise. It might suck eventually. But the women and children will be taken care of.
A daily are you ok knock. If you are sick. You will be taken care of. If you are thirsty. You have water. If you are hungry. You get fed.
This is the militia. Friends. Family. Neighbors. And when the horn is sounded. You see a mini army appear. The better armed the better. But basics work too.
One man armies don't work. Whole street or three do. They have something to protect likely. Every American invasion recently failed because of this. Family comes first.
Derfel60@reddit
Big groups of heavily armed men are generally not a good idea in a disaster situation. They need a lot of food and will most likely resort to stealing it when they cant create it. Once the rule of law is gone, theres probably other stuff they will take too.
PearlButter@reddit
To me a militia should be aimed towards community defense and aid as a baseline and I mean that as your neighbors and townsfolk gathering and networking together rather than some weird cult kind of “community” or internet group that identifies off of some larp meme that cannot be made tangible. Then comes the county, state, and country.
Context can matter too. I think the media has put “militias” in a lot of negative light because they see it completely black and white, thus influencing wrong impressions to the public.
Spuckler_Cletus@reddit
In my state, it’s actually unlawful to assemble more than a few people and have armed drills. Only the official State Guard may do that, and they are not allowed to have ammunition while parading. Which is about all they do.
Any militia will be declared to be an extremist group. It’s all part of ostracizing anyone who recognizes the folks behind the curtain.
CadetThrowAwaway@reddit
I'm not saying being involved in a community before a disaster is bad, but being in a militia sounds counterintuitive to prepping.
You go from being a noncombatant civilian to being a combatant/domestic terrorist depending on the narrative.
I think the survivability onion tankers use is a good place to start.
The easiest way to not get shot, SHTF or otherwise, is to not look like something that needs to be shot at, aka "Don't be there" and by "There" I mean a militia. Whoever has guns and thinks they are in charge at the moment may see you as a threat. You know who they aren't going to see as a threat? People minding their damn busines trying to survive like everyone else.
There is a very fine line between "Neighborhood Patrol" and "Vigilante" - 20 years later looking at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, no one is looking at the folks shooting at unarmed "looters" in their neighborhood as heroes.
The whole militia thing sounds like a lot of liability, paperwork and legal trouble while increasing your chances of getting shot... for what? So you feel like a badass with a III% decal on the back window of your truck? Run around feeling like a cool guy with a bunch of dorks who "would have joined the military, but they didn't because they would have punched the drill instructor"? Your community will need people to help clear roads and get old ladies out of their house, not armed patrols and tactical gear.
Salami__Tsunami@reddit
Shit, when I got out of the army, I went to college, got a degree and everything. Only to find out I can get paid more to do private security.
I really don’t foresee that the collapse of a government is going to make reliable private security less valuable of a commodity.
I don’t know the first thing about farming. But if you want a bodyguard while you’re bartering your crops, I’m your dude.
thegracefulbanana@reddit
In theory, the concept is great but in reality they attract a lot of nuts and they usually are great way to end up on a fed’s watchlist who is a “member”.
You’re better off being a grey man.
No_Gear_1093@reddit
In a long term survival situation I think alot of them would turn into cults. Basically in every group there is one person that doesn't follow the rules, doesn't pull their weight ect. You need a strong leader to insure that it doesn't happen to your group/ punish / kickout those who put the group in danger. But you put a strong leader in charge of an isolated group and you have a recipe for disaster.
Secure_Ad_295@reddit
Everone I come across is gun nuts and very anti government and doom day nuts. Thrive in there own little world.
If there was militia that was about the community I live in and help when things go bad that be different.
We had some flood damage a few years ago and most militia not care. Same with storms damage
DeFiClark@reddit
CERT : yes to people whose interest is helping others
Militia : no to people whose interest is hurting others
cplforlife@reddit
I don't trust anyone ive ever met enough to be in a militia with them.
Goes double for anyone i was in the army with.
Hot-Profession4091@reddit
I like the idea, but dislike the kinds of people who join one.
Mysterious_Touch_454@reddit
Totally depends on the situation and location. Militias can be overly protective and agressive mindset that causes more trouble than security.
But if youre living in chicago outskirts, i would rather have militia than not. ;)
vatdoyoutinkurdoing@reddit
“I am involved in many militias” Are these just separate groups of friends?
SonsOfValhallaGaming@reddit (OP)
You would think but no. Many of the groups I'm involved with are Prepper groups, and I'm a certified wilderness survival instructor, combat veteran, and known for being quite decent with prepping, and I enjoy helping others in that regard as well. In an unofficial capacity, I am affiliated with or working with about a dozen militias in my state, and regularly host training events, outdoor skill workshops and more.
Im only ''friendly'' with two of the groups, and yes, those ones are the ones that I have a few friends in, and spend a majority of my spare time assisting, but I am not an official member of either. My family is my little militia lol