I’d like some feedback on the efficacy of NOT belonging to a group/tribe/MAG. Conventional wisdom is that you can’t make it alone for any number of legitimate reasons so I understand the argument fully, and yet, since I have been unsuccessful at finding or forming a group of like-minded folks in my area who are serious about preparedness, I‘m determined to survive whatever type of SHTF scenario comes along. I figure you’ve got to fight with the army you’ve got, not with the army you wish you had.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone in the same situation, either by choice or by circumstance, with suggestions about how to optimize my chances until I can locate or form a functioning network. I figure there’s plenty of advice about how I can’t. Looking for suggestions about how I can, if any.
Your sentiment about what you've got is exactly how I feel as well. Not that I'm not open to others, but being realistic, it just doesn't seem to be happening. So I do what I can in all areas of survival. Stressing about finding a group isn't going to do you any good. Talking to people on here and other places may bring a bunch of good people together. To be honest, right now I am taking it very slow with joining anything. I am looking at this with a skeptical mind and a hopeful heart. I have met a lot of good people on here. Some even close enough for us to do a meet-up at some point. I think the getting to know someone is best done on here first, before any type of meeting right now. You find someone on here who hits the spot for you, message them in the chat. Once comfortable with that, exchange phone numbers and talk. You might get lucky! I know I have with a couple, 2 or 3 of them. No meet-up yet, but lots of good and productive conversation. Just saying, do as Bear has said repeatedly...Treat this like dating and move on from there. You actually may find the right ones to 'marry' in the end. If you can't trust that someone has your back, why would you want them around you in the first place? Do what you can do, as if you were going to be alone and keep looking in a picky way. It's not a game or a social thing. That's the Forum. An actual group is a family that you are committed to being a part of.
in general its not a good idea to be alone too many things can go wrong for you.
but lets not forget those 1-2 japanese soldiers that survived for like 30-40 years on some islands in the pacific, yes they did raid locals for stuff but they were relatively on their own for some time. but like haunted55 says get out there on the forum and make connections it will help.
I think it entirely depends on the SHTF circumstances. If its a natural disaster with no break down of rule of law, you could most likely be just fine on your own until things return to a more "normal" state. If we are talking full on Mad Max end of the world and there is no humanity left, then on your own you are probably going to have a short existence.
Everyone makes a big deal about the "tribe/MAG/group/etc" concept. From what I read my own experience has been similar to others. I find groups but they fall into a few categories. Either they are so loosely formed they fall apart or the have too much leadership and everyone wants to be a "chief". Then there are the groups that like to buy gear and pack it away in their basement with hundreds of pounds of rice, beans and bottled water and wait until the SHTF. This group has no interest in training, practicing, or testing their gear or capabilities (or lack there of). So many people I have met want to prepare for a complete end of the world. While this is important, how about preparing for the most likely scenario for your area and then work outward from there. For example, if you live in an area the floods quite often wouldn't it be smart to be prepared for a flood or storm conditions?
I agree and understand not disclosing everything to people you just meet but I know to many people in my area that I've had in my home, consider friends and known for years but they still go full on "OPSEC" about everything. I wish more people would realize that not everything has to be secret agent stuff and pretending that there are microphones around every corner. Be mindful of who you deal with and what you share but there is little reason to be full on "OPSEC" 24/7 with people you fully know.
What I would look for in a group would be a reasonably sized number of people who share a basic common knowledge, capabilities and physical fitness. Within the group there would be people who maintain expert level knowledge in areas such as agriculture, mechanics, medicine, communications, tech, construction, electrical, plumbing, firearms, etc. Not everyone has to be a work horse or and not everyone is an expert in every subject. Even within military units everyone has a basic knowledge and there there are people that have specialties. Above that you have written standard operating procedures so that if the "expert" is unavailable for any reason others in the group that can read would use the documents to work through the task that needs to be completed. Additionally as time permits the procedures are used to train others to augment the abilities and availability of the experts in the group.
I know there are some very organized groups out there but they appear to be very few and far between. I think that unless you live in an area with a fully supported and recognized militia you aren't going to find very many "real" groups that are actually prepared for a disaster or SHTF moment.
Just my .02
What does OPSEC mean?
Its a term used when people think that certain subjects, topics, equipment or aspect of your preparations needs to be kept secret.
Same situation here we live in an area where everyine is bujois aka stuck up no one talks to anyone and if they do there least one upping one another it’s sick,unfortunately we didn’t think it would be like this when we moved from up north ans purchase here, Also the very few I’ve tried to warn for example a neighbor who happends to be elderly laughed at me. Minir aquantances have also avoid the conversations either in pure denial or to stuck up see what’s really happening as for us Here , I’ll keep prepping the best way I can ,if they ask for help or advice I’ll give, if not oh well. Ain’t nobody Got time for Distractions.