Q: "Should I Build A SHTF Survival Team For A Collapse?"

[@Warrior]

I get this question a LOT in our survival classes. I like to think of things from the "prison survival" perspective. Who would YOU add to your "survival team" if you would build one? What roles would they have? I'd love to get your input in the comments!

[@KT_survival]

Lone Wolf attitude may work only for a short period of time. Just like in the military, we all need specialized units to survive. Gathering a good team of skilled people is essential.

[@BandGeek2210]

I work for a large utility company. And l was an 11 Bravo from 1983-1988. Truthfully.....if the grid goes down....my skill set as an 11 Bravo will be more useful than my skill set as electrical worker

[@steve03260]

Harmony Church or Sand Hill?

[@BandGeek2210]

Sand Hill...E-6-1

[@phillipstroll7385]

Really? What skills would you say you have that any boy or girl scout doesn't?

[@BandGeek2210]

@@phillipstroll7385 l am not certain...but l don’t think boy or Girl Scouts have weapons or tactical training. I’m not sure if they have traumatic injury training. Their ability to survive is going to be above that of someone with no training. However l don’t think it will be as thorough as my training as an army infantry soldier. So...those skills. And...my statement was that my skills as an 11 Bravo would be more useful in a grid down survival scenario than my skills at repairing electrical equipment...for my own survival

[@phillipstroll7385]

@@BandGeek2210 wow what does did you join? Or does sure did have weapons training. Trauma and wildness survival. In fact after the year was up we were dumped in the woods for two weeks in groups of two. We were give a paper sac with odds and ends in it and left to survive and thrive on our own. Those whom made it out passed. Those whom didn't, well, they just didn't. Has the military ever sent you into the woods with an empty tuna can, an enough coffee can, a paper sac, a peice of a cardboard box, half a broken candle with no wick, one 7 in 1 knife and 1 empty water bottle for two weeks and wished you luck? Also, everyone in my school had to complete a hunters safety course, but 4 out of 5 clays with a pistol, and 5 out of 5 with a shot gun, plus complete a first aid, cpr, wilderness first aid before we could move on from junior high. We also had to memorize the constitution and the preamble to the declaration of independence but that's neither here nor there. If we couldn't complete all tasks we couldn't go to high school. You're right though, ability to survive comes down to the will of those whom choose to survive, have been trained to think outside of the box and have been trained to survive without being given the best equipment on earth. Which makes me wonder, why do people assume it is that the survival rate of women and young girls triples that of "trained" men? I've always wondered that since I heard of the Alaskan case of a family. Father and son (both trained in is forces) two daughters (one cheerleader one girl scout). Lost in the Alaskan wilderness. They got separated. Both girls were found alive and well living in a hole they dug by the banks of a frozen coast. The father and the brother were found dead inside a cabin with a heater, ammo, gun, extra clothing, food. It's just me no doubt but I'd rather get lost with a woman with no training than a veteran or active g.i. male every time. They can just go longer. Ever watch naked and afraid? The women almost always outlast the men and almost always keep their heads. Just me though. Btw, where did you grow up that they didn't have weapons training, hunters safety course and first aid and trauma as part of the curriculum?

[@steve03260]

You're "team" is going to sell you out just as soon as one if them realizes that the deal they make with whoever is holding them, is worth more than you are to them. I have seen guys sell out their "teammates" for extra food in SERE training let alone what they will do in a real world situation. We have family members turning in their parents for trespassing on Jan 6 and are extremely proud of it thanks to the public indoctrination program formerly known as "school". The only one that you can trust is yourself and you better keep an eye on that guy, he might talk too much.

[@danielstevenson1250]

When we trained in the marines,we always worked in a team of 4 to 6 men. Elite forces operate the same way.

[@canadafree2087]

Illegal to do in Canada. However, get out there and hunt, fish, camp with your buddies; basically anything where you can experience some discomfort and where you don't have access to goods beyond what you brought with you. You will learn which of your family/friends can live with less, live with hardships, and which ones will fall apart.

[@MasterK9Trainer]

Personally I think "playing soldier" is a mistake. I have seen videos of people with their former military friends hunched over looking through their AR-15 sights and ready to fire strings of fire. In a societal breakdown or apocalypse you won't have a supply chain or hospitals or those things might be expensive or hard to acquire. Therefore one needs to be low key, quiet and try not greet everyone you meet with violent intent. I think our real enemy will be gangs, criminals, thugs, cult members, etc., and then desperate people who are only trying to survive, but don't really want to hurt anyone. We should form groups, teams and friendships. That's not to say we do not arm ourselves and learn how to use weapons and how to defend ourselves. But even a warrior based society requires people to grow food, to build shelter and so. So guys with guns sounds cool, even prudent, but without medical knowledge, without clothing, without animals and many other things we won't survive. We want to build communities versus remain weaker in small groups.

[@charlenaprough5610]

I dont know many people let alone those who are like minded. It seems that those i do know are in different parts of the country.

[@yafuker6046]

Same here. The wife and I live in a condo community, and as far as I can tell, WE are the only ones half way prepped. (food, ammo, water). Unless our neighbors are as tight-lipped as we are. But I think not.

[@robpolans4582]

You are best off in a small team, each with his/her specialty. Cooking is general, so is sniping. Survivalists come in many forms: gunsmiths, electricians (screwed if the grid goes down? no, there is still solar, but not the panels). Use The Lost Ways and similar books.

[@robpolans4582]

And you'll be well served learning bartering. Daunting at first, keep at it and be surprised at what people want. Daily stuff you would not give a second thought, but remember this is life or death time.

[@samwilliams5283]

Absolutely a small team is best. Also our distribution is fossil fuel dependent. Which is also under attack. The larger the team is easier infiltrate. Building clearing is too dangerous, but covering each other should be taught you got to watch your six and flanks.

[@arthurleslie9669]

Currently, we have a 3 man team. We’ve planned and trained together for years. We also know all our potential bug-out locations like the back of our hand. An added asset is the ability to link up on foot through the woods faster than driving on roads. Which we do on a regular basis all year at different hours of the day. We especially focus on after dark treks without using any lighting ... just in case. Keeps me on my toes at my age. Not as spry as I was back during Vietnam. :)

[@KT_survival]

Well done Arthur!

[@dustinwestfall8710]

I recommend reading the book called Avalon the retreat, it's a series and very eye opening on this subject. Very educating and a great read

[@pawel_tips911]

what author?

[@pawel_tips911]

But we don't have gangs in most of EU prisons, I guess it's mostly only in the USA and some Asian countries.

[@Warrior]

Wow! Remind me to go to the EU for all my future crimes! :-)

[@batrocbjj7866]

lone wolf all the way! just trust yourself

[@mikewalrus4763]

The collapse has happened - it's called a Pandemic! So far I've done fairly well from being a "lone wolf" - it works for me, but as a veteran I would not hesitate becoming a "unit" should the need occur. But first I would check closely on the other members or intended members.

[@danielstevenson1250]

You gotta sleep.