What is Your Plan

[JohnyMac]

I know we have covered this before but as times and events change so does your survival plan.

“No battle plan, survives contact with the enemy.” - Helmuth von Moltke

Here is an interest article to read (Takes four minutes0 to get the discussion started.

So what is your plan?

[JoJo]

 Excellent and interesting article. To answer you challenge ---- WOW that's a hard one. I've given it much though but not that complete.
 ISOLATION-  We're surrounded by farms, woods, swamp and a lake and we are five miles to the closest town.   
 COLLABORATION- From June to October the fields are either wheat, corn or soy bean so trading with a farmer would be the best idea. Trade security of his produce for food. Winter, well if you saved enough corn, wheat and soy bean you won't have to worry.
 DEFENSE- That's the scary part. If SHTF in winter people will be short of food including almost all of my neighbors but they have guns. How do you get hungry people to defend what they don't have? OPSEC is the most important item on my list.
 ECONOMICS- I am not fully prepared but I am far far ahead of everyone else in my community. They will have nothing to trade but my life. 

It scares the hell out of me that I might have to defend my wife and I from my neighbors.       

[JohnyMac]

Yeah I hear you JoJo when you wrote, "It scares the hell out of me that I might have to defend my wife and I from my neighbors."   

I have to reassess our plans as y brothers tribe has moved from a heavy duty prepper to thinking I need to back-off since Mr. Trump was elected. The good news is that out neighbors re still prepping and preparing however have slowed a bit.

ISOLATION: We are about four miles to a small community of 800. Eight miles to a 1,600 person community and thirty-five mile to the closest city of ¬75K. I suspect that pretty quick off
                 people would start hunting so game will not last long. The good thing is there is only two ways in to the redoubt. Easy to barricade so vehicles could not pass but not enough
                 neighbors to man 24/7. With the exception of a few hay fields it is 95% wooded and steeply wooded I might add.
COLLABORATION: We farm BUT only enough for MrsMac and me. There are a two hobby farms with our prepping neighbors being one. All (Maybe) twelve families on the mountain have their
                 own garden which is a good thing.
DEFENCE:  Currently with my brother and his family falling out of the fold, 2-3 man patrols will be difficult. Currently the best we could muster is to have enough people to block the road
                  in/out and then have LP/OP with rapid response teams ready to go to a issue. Currently I am shaking hands and kissing babies in the small village four miles away. Hopefully
                  if the SHTF I will be able to convince the folks to organise. Organise to plant if time allows, put up roadblocks & man 24/7, and to organise 2-3 man patrols. The good news is
                  we are WAY off the beaten path. The bad news is most of the town is on town water and sewage.
ECONOMICS: Although we are not 100% like you JoJo, we are way ahead of the curve. Which makes us a target. Its a balance to recruit folks and to keep a low profile.                                                                                                                                                     
   
Anyhow, I am still working through a revised plan with my brother and his family temporarily dropping out of the equation.
                   
I know that many of you are not religious however, I am leaving part of the revised plan up to the good Lord.   
                                                                                                                                           

[Kbop]

interesting thought experiment JM, thanks for the post.
Isolation 15 miles from the nearest major highways.  in a valley with mountains on three sides.  Only two roads and one trail to watch.
Collaboration mostly farm and working class only about 400 people within a 4 mile radius.  everyone knows each other (pros and cons there).  everyone pitches in when someone needs help - seems to be ingrained here.  already a barter economy in some aspects here - we trade eggs for pork (for example).
Defense a few Vets.  alot of whitetail hunters.  we're far enough from the state police everyone has a passing familiarity with fire arms and will check up on each other.  several backyard ranges around here.
Economics farming, practical skills typical in rural communities. alot of mechanics and trades people around here.