I’ve had some older folks suggest that they are useless should the SHTF. They talk about their bad knees, inability to run, or other physical limitations. Others will say they are just not “tactical” enough and don’t have an aggressive mindset. It is disappointing to hear talk like this and the display of such defeatist perspectives.
We all have value. We all can contribute. The fact is we also all have limitations and some of those limitations can be determinantal. While certainly there are cases which weakness can be changed the reality is we are who we are. For preppers, those weaknesses must be identified and dealt with.
Example: Your group has 12 members. Two are over 70 years old. Three of the others are obese and have physical limitations when it comes to exerting themselves. One member is a Crossfit athlete. The rest are ordinary people in average shape. The decision on sending a patrol out 3-5 miles from the property to watch for traffic on a popular rural road and report back their observations would have to take physical limitations – as well as mental ones – into consideration.
Example: The group arrives at the retreat. The retreat arrival checklist is pulled out and responsibilities are divided. Responsibilities and tasks revolving around food prep, cooking, sanitation, logistics/inventory control, security, water/water filtration, etc. are all critical to the success of the group. The Crossfit athlete has a serious reading/writing problem, and one of the 70-year-olds worked for the Post Office in logistics. Strengths and weakness must be considered.
Example: Over the last three days the perimeter of the property has been tested by someone on a motorcycle. It is apparent they are testing the waters to see how the group is reacting and to gather intelligence. Two of the group members are ex-military and suggest an attack is imminent. A defensive plan specifically geared towards this known threat must be implemented. One of the 70+-year-olds fought in Vietnam. The other member was in the first Gulf War. The tactical experience and knowledge level must be considered for all members as a plan is devised.
It would be great if we could all be John J. Rambo with advanced medical degrees. That is just not realistic. Having the ability to not take offense is also important. There’s no room for ego’s when it comes to survival.
Assessing skills and making decisions that are in the best interest of the group is critical. Everyone needs to be on the same page and the entire topic should be discussed well before the “bug out” takes place.
Lastly – if you realize you have weakness consider making changes to eliminate them. Certainly, some are unavoidable. Having limitations due to being overweight can be improved. If your cardio just plain sucks and you could not walk 6 miles if your life depended on it then get out there and start walking. Even small improvements over time will add up.
p.s. A self-sufficient home base is one of the best force multipliers for any prepping group. Begin planning your homestead at Homestead Launch.
Change is hard certainly.. but yeah you have to take responsibility for your particular situation. Be realistic .. set goals and do the best you can .. if you goof it up .. start over ..
It is a good idea to have some young strong folks in your group.. but around here groups are usually 40+. The younger folks are really busy with kids, soccer, violin, PTA, homework, and careers.. to feed those baby’s. There are a few that get it in more rural areas .. It’d be good to have a mix. There is no way to replace knowledge and experience form a lifetime either. Everyone can work on knowledge.. everyone can be working on diet and exercise.. even if minimally.
and old saying “You don’t fight with the arm y want, you fight with the army you have,”
So we do our best.
GG58
gg58and JR, I agree, we all have positions in a group we can fill whether do to age or physical limitations, myself and a few of us older members are task with security, cooking, police call, and commo.
Post and re-post this, Rourke. My son went through a very negative phase of “Why bother; we don’t stand a chance”, and I think it’s finally sunk in that as long as we’re alive, we have not only a chance but a duty to survive. I’ll be d*mned if I’m going to sit down and die just because the odds seem to be against me, but I will need help. I wouldn’t think of bugging out without my mother, and while she’s headed towards 80, she can walk better than I can. She grew up during the post-war years and lived on a farm for half her life. She also has a medical background and spent many years with a military husband. While she may not be able to chop firewood or run with a loaded backpack, she does know how to shoot, and her knowledge and experience would be invaluable. We’re all getting older, and the best group is one with a wide assortment of ages and skills, but never count yourself out until they’re shoveling dirt on your grave.
A really good post, Rourke.
Odd that you should post this topic Rourke. I just finished reading on another site about the potential plight of the old folks. One comment was very compassionate and stated that if we have a definite SHTF event, we should very gently put them down. What a crock! Here’s my comment to that person:
It is a conundrum. I know a few oldsters. I see one every morning when I look in the mirror and I’m the “baby” of the family at only 71. My sister is 76 and had a debilitating stroke 2 years ago and now she cannot drive, really cannot take care of business etc. Her son, my nephew, is a 10 year old trapped in a 49 year old body. My mom is 98. Still full of life but she has had 2 stokes. My nephew and his wife, God bless their little hearts, wanted to incarcerate, that is, lock them up, I mean send them off to an assisted living facility. Kinda got my goat. I packed them up and moved them here to my property. They now live in a double wide, so called modular home. Regardless of what happens, I intend to take care of them here. I have increased my garden, will increase my flock of chickens this spring. SHTF, what ever. We were raised to value and cherish our parents for the knowledge they bring and the memories they have of our history. They are not burdens, they are gifts to be cherished.
GOD BLESS YOU my sentiments exactly
Fantastic article Rourke, I believe that many of us are in these conditions, and most of us won’t change until the event happens, with that being said having a area to grow in safely off the beaten path will be critical to the bug out location, as people will adapt quickly, and without screens to stare at any longer and all the chores involved in grid down, they will quickly get into better shape, adapt to their surroundings, and learn the necessary skills to survive, I believe the it is critical to have a location with enough food and water the defence capabilities will bring out survivor in all off all us. As I said the key is “time” without the worry of finding water, food, shelter, and security they will offer you a great advantage do you adapt to the changes! People are very adaptable to change if in the proper atmosphere, without the stresses of trying to find food, water, shelter, and security… they will have the “time” to focus their energies to adapting and overcoming the issues facing them. Take for example the people you love, friends and family who don’t think the world will end or these events will never play out, just because they think that way and can’t understand the danger, are you planning on leaving them? I’m not, so I’ve adapted my plans to try to have enough supplies, location, and security to bring them with me, I want to give them “time” to acclimate to the event, then get them focused. Would I have a lot more supplies without them? Yes, but would I want to live in a world without them? No and when it comes to security, groups of people will be far more secure, exspecaily if you know a few of them BEFORE the event well enough to know they will do the same for you if need be.
this was a refreshing taste of reality for a realistic survival group. There seems to be a strain of “crossfit” elite-ism in prepper circles these days. Ordinary people can (and do) survive tough circumstances — without six-pack abs.
Nice article. About the obese members and those who are just in average shape, my bet is that in 4-6 months everyone will be lighter in weight and in much better shape due to less abundant food resources and the emphasis on more physical labor required in a
SHTF scenario. There is considerable anecdotal evidence that many forms of heart disease vanish in societies that have been ravaged by untoward events due to the population eating less and consuming more basic food. And the old ones that can no longer go on patrol can become caregivers of small children and to protect the core sanctuary if needed. And they can educate and impart wisdom as well.
Excellent reminder! Some of my family & friends have made jokes about “in a zombie apocalypse, I’m only good for bait” but I always try to point out the ways they can help that most wouldn’t think of. Even something like “can wrangle kids like a dream” or “thinks up crazy ideas that surprisingly work really well” is a benefit.
And attitude is important. I’ll take a half-crippled accountant who is willing to take direction from anyone who can teach him something, over a gung-ho super-soldier who thinks he’s always right and won’t consider any way but his.