Militia or not?

**myakka** · 05-18-2012, 10:58 PM

There is a militia group starting up about 2 hours north of me. I have been to a couple prepper meetups, but havent felt like "Wow, these are the people I want to face SHTF with yet."
Nothing against them, I am going to some of the meetings, and maybe I just need to get used to them and them to me.

But I see this group forming. Now I know I am paranoid, (a little)
but here is my problem: I read about the militia on a local forum, and looked at their site.
I think going and training with these guys would be fun. I would probably learn some stuff that post SHTF would be useful. But I also worry that once you train with a group, then you are linked to them, and known by their name. If someone in this group flips his wig and does something stupid, then anytime I am looked at by LEO, there would be a tag by my name that I had "TRained with the xxxxx militia"

I just can imagine news comments: "Johnson had trained with the _______"
Even attending a meeting means that you are known by the actions of the whole.

What do yall think? Is there any big difference going to meetings with folks who call themselves preppers, or with a group of guys in cammo calling themselves a militia?

And to explain where my head is at, I backed into prepping by being interested in self-reliant living. I work in emergency response, so it just makes sense to me to be preppared.
I am not a big conspiracy theory guy, it isnt that I trust people in power, I just feel too small to do anything, and am not interested in making myself a target.

I prep with a mindset of getting preppared for natural disasters, and if there is a man-made one and I am ready great.

SO..... would YOU join a militia? would you go to a local training with one? even if it is just supposed to be about general prepping?

**longhunter** · 05-18-2012, 11:21 PM

This question really hit a note with me. I do a lot of research for my hobby (historical reenactment) that centers on 1760-80 time period. Back then a man answered the call to duty in the militia. Even though you were allowed to hire someone to take your place, most served including many of our founders, early presidents, representatives etc. Somewhere along the way we've, as a society, lost that sense of duty and service to protect our community and have come to a point where those that do hold to our founding principles are, at best, looked at with suspicion and usually considered extremeist. As much as I hate to say it, the way things currently are, I would avoid such groups even if they're the most law-abiding, well intentioned people. Just no sense in making myself a target for the man...

**Hondo** · 05-18-2012, 11:51 PM

I'm a loner, good or bad, thats the way my stick floats. I would not join a group, but you have to decide for yourself. Remember---you are judged by the company you keep. Camaflouge is the art of blending in to your surroundings, be it in town or in the backwoods. Why draw attention to yourself with the way things are going in this "society" we live in. Enough said.

**Oscar Wilde** · 05-18-2012, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by myakka62

.... What do ya'll think? .... SO..... would YOU join a militia?

Why do they identify themselves as a militia? What is their mission statement? Two hours from you, do you believe you can benefit from them and they you?

Do they go by aliases or their legal names?

We can't continue to cower at the thought that govmnt scum might disapprove of our rightful existence.

I would be willing to interact with a group but with even the slightest hint of antisocial actions I would first, expect the senior members to make corrections to the roster. Barring this I would RUN and not look back.

O.W.

**Hondo** · 05-19-2012, 12:00 AM

Why draw attention to your self by joining a group. The art of camaflough [sp] is to blend in to your surroundings, be it in the city or the backwoods. You are judged by the company you keep and in these times we have seen some tragic examples. I'm a loner, good or bad, thats the way my stick floats. You have to decide what is best for you, it would not be something I would do. Enough said.

**dalewick** · 05-19-2012, 02:29 AM

This is just my opinion. I live in WV, worked in WV. Retired from federal LE in WV. I love my home state, but the label "militia" has made for a lot of bad PR. I'm not saying every militia is bad, but legally (right or wrong) you will be known by the company that you keep. Maybe a new name for the group or maybe a new group? Maybe pay for professional instruction? Most of the individuals that I've meet that talked about being in a militia, were what I consider "wannabees" that wouldn't enlist for the real thing. Military training, done incorrectly, is more dangerous than gangrene when you need it the most. I would encourage anyone that wants to learn the art of war to do so. Do so though, with your eyes wide open. Done correctly, it does change you.
For an idea of how long it takes to really learn these skills, look at how long the military schools are for these skills. 11B, 18B, ranger, UDT, etc. Figure the mil. school at 20 hours a day, 7 days a week for every week of the school. Then figure how long it would take you in civilian time. Even after the schooling, in the military your still considered a cherry until you prove your skills.

Anyone that may be a militia member, I did not write this as an insult, just as my personal observations.

Dale

**myakka** · 05-19-2012, 07:38 AM

Thanks for the feedback. It kinda resonates with what I was thinking. I think going up there and training would be honestly "fun". I have some military training and experience, so I am not necessarily desperate for that. But for example, i have 20 years studying and teaching self-defense, including LEO control and compliance. I see that this is something they are going to be working at their next meeting. So knocking the rust off and working out would be fun.
But not worth it to me till they are established and show a track record of respectable behaviour.

**snake35** · 05-19-2012, 08:14 AM

The miltia is the new training ground for undercover feds. If you join your chances of ending up in prison go up dramatically. The government hates competion!

As far as training goes the military turns out an 11b in thirteen weeks. Remember that America has not won a war since 1945. That shames me because I am a combat vet.

Long story short. I feel the risk outweigh the reward.

**lalakai** · 05-21-2012, 10:44 PM

O.W. had some very good points and I would start there. What is their mission statement?? What are their public activities?? Are they linked with any local groups; do they come out in support of local programs?? If they work with March of Dimes/Relay For Life/Big Brother-Sister/ect, organize as support for lost or missing individuals, show up with their children at sporting events and school activities...............if they are supporting and interacting with the local community in a positive way, then I think it could work well. But if they are just training in weapons and tactics.............I would stay far far away.