Guerilla Minuteman Skills

Introduction

In a hypothetical scenario involving a civil war, revolution, or societal collapse in the United States leading to a WROL/SHTF situation, a civilian preparing as a guerrilla revolutionary or minuteman fighter would need a comprehensive set of skills, supplies, relationships, and group training to maximize preparedness.

Below is a list of areas of training and critical supplies, followed by guidance on relationships to form and group training (including small unit tactics and other sub-topics). This response assumes a focus on survival, self-defense, and operational effectiveness in a chaotic environment, while emphasizing legal and ethical considerations in preparedness activities.

Individual Training

Firearms Proficiency

Training

Master handling, maintenance, and accurate use of firearms (e.g. rifles, handguns, shotguns). Focus on marksmanship, reloads, malfunction clearing, and shooting under stress.

Supplies

Firearms (rifle, pistol), ammunition (minimum 1,000 rounds per weapon), cleaning kits, and spare parts.

Close-Quarters Combat (CQC/CQB)

Training

Learn hand-to-hand combat, knife fighting, and defensive tactics to handle threats in confined spaces. Learn 2-4 man team CQB how to move with some other team members in an enclosed environment (building, rooms) as safe as possible.

Supplies

Training knives, protective gear for sparring, airsoft pistol/rifle, mantis laser.

First Aid and Trauma Care

Training

Master combat casualty care (Stop the Bleed, MARCH, TCCC courses), including tourniquet application, wound packing, and treating shock.

Supplies

Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) with tourniquets, (hemostatic) gauze, chest seals, and bandages.

Land Navigation

Training

Learn to use maps, compasses, and GPS. Practice orienteering and terrain analysis (e.g. through scouting programs or wilderness survival course).

Supplies

Topographic maps, compass, GPS device, water proof notebooks/pencils.

Survival Skills

Training

Develop skills in shelter-building, fire-starting, water purification, and foraging through bushcraft or survival schools.

Supplies

Fire starters, water filters, tarps, cordage.

Physical Fitness

Training

Build endurance, strength, and agility through running, weight training, and functional fitness. Go rucking with at least 35LB dry ruck pack for at least 5 miles. Be able to do explosive movements.

Supplies

Workout gear, running shoes, rucking boots, resistance bands, access to gym solves the workout stuff.

Communications

Training

Learn to use radios, signal mirrors, and encrypted apps. Ham license for more expanded abilities.

Supplies

Two-way, dual band radios, batteries, solar chargers.

Intelligence Gathering

Training

Practice observation, reconnaissance, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques, such as monitoring social media or local news.

Supplies

Binoculars, notepads, secure digital storage devices (android phone/tablet).

Stealth and Evasion

Training

Study how to avoid detection, including camouflage techniques, noise discipline, and evading trackers (e.g. through wilderness tracking course).

Supplies

Ghillie suit, face paint, and scent-masking materials.

Urban Survival

Training

Learn scavenging, bartering, and navigating urban environments under WROL conditions (e.g. through urban survival courses).

Supplies

Multi-tools, lock picking kits, urban camouflage gear.

Critical Supplies to Acquire

Food and Water Storage

Supplies

Stockpile at least 6 months of non-perishable food (e.g. freeze-dried meals, MREs, food buckets of beans/rice) and water (1 gallon per person per day). Include water purification tablets or other ways to filter water.

Training

Learn food preservation techniques (e.g. canning, dehydration).

Medical Supplies

Supplies

Stock advanced medical kits, prescription medications (if applicable), and OTC drugs (e.g. painkillers, antibiotics).

Training

Understand long-term wound care and medication management.

Power and Energy

Training

Learn basic electrical repair and solar system setup.

Supplies

Solar panels, portable generators, and battery banks for off-grid power.

Clothing and Gear

Training

Practice wearing and moving with full gear loads.

Supplies

All-weather clothing, body armor, load-bearing equipment (e.g. chest rigs, backpacks) and cold-weather gear.

Tools and Repair Kits

Training

Learn basic mechanical and fabric repair.

Supplies

Multi-tools, knives, duct tape, sewing kits, and spare parts for critical equipment.

Defensive Fortifications

Training

Study fortification design and defensive positioning.

Supplies

Sandbags, barbed wire, and materials for reinforcing a safe house or retreat location.

Trade and Barter Items

Training

Learn negotiation and bartering skills.

Supplies

Stock items like alcohol, tobacco, batteries, or precious metals for bartering in a collapsed economy.

Documentation and Knowledge

Training

Memorize key skills and practice knowledge retention without digital reliance.

Supplies

Physical books on survival, tactics, and medical care.

Group Training

Group training is essential for coordinating effectively as a unit in a guerilla or minuteman role. Below are key areas of group training, with an emphasis on small unit tactics and other sub-topics.

Small Unit Tactics (SUT)

• Fire and Movement - train in bounding overwatch, where one element provides suppressive fire while another advances. Practice in pairs or fire teams (4-6 people).
• Patrolling - learn formations (e.g. file, wedge, staggered column) and patrolling techniques (e.g. recon, security patrols) to gather intel or secure areas.
• Ambushes - practice setting up and executing ambushes, including L-shaped ambushes, using terrain for advantage.
• Defensive Operations - train in establishing defensive perimeters, fallback positions, and rally points.
• Room Clearing - Learn CQB techniques for clearing buildings a a team, using stack formations and communication.
• Training Resources - study military manuals or take courses from tactical schools.

Communication Drills

• Practice using radios for clear, concise communications under stress. Develop code words and brevity codes to maintain OPSEC.
• Train in non-verbal signals (e.g. hand signals for silent coordination).

Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)

• Conduct drills for extracting and treating wounded team members under fire, including carrying techniques and triage prioritization.
• Assign roles (e.g. medic, security) within the team

Logistics and Resupply

• Train in caching supplies (e.g. food, ammo) in secure locations and retrieving them discreetly.
• Practice distributing resources among team members to sustain operations

Scenario-Based Training

• Run simulations of WROL scenarios, such as defending a homestead, evading pursuers, or conducting a raid. Use airsoft or laser for realistic but safe practice.
• Incorporate stress inoculation (e.g. loud noises, time pressure) to simulate combat conditions

Leadership and Decision-Making

• Train team leaders in decision-making under pressure, including mission planning, delegation, and contingency planning
• Practice rotating leadership roles to ensure redundancy

Cross-Training

• Ensure all members have basic proficiency in each other’s roles (e.g. everyone can use a radio, provide first aid, or navigate) to maintain functionality if a member is lost.

Relationships to Form

1. Trusted Family and Friends
   1. Create a small, reliable group of like-minded individuals who share your values and preparedness goals. Ensure mutual trust and discretion to maintain OPSEC
2. Local Community Allies
   1. Connect with neighbors or local groups (e.g. preppers, veterans, or community watch members) who can share resources, intelligence, or mutual defense agreements.
3. Skilled Professionals
   1. Build relationships with individuals who have specialized skills, such as doctors, mechanics, electricians, or former military personnel, who can contribute expertise.
4. Regional Networks
   1. Engage with regional preparedness or militia groups (where legal) for broader support, but vet members carefully to avoid infiltration or unreliable allies
5. Information Sources
   1. Establish contacts with individuals who can provide real-time intelligence, such as ham radio operators, local law enforcement (if trustworthy), or community leaders.