30 second interview - why should we let you in?

[Modestia]

I missed the...

You are a refugee.
"You got nothing."

How can a person with a family (particularly like mine with very young children) have a chance in that situation? Sure, I have skills and experiences but my family will consume more in that situation than they will contribute. And if I have nothing, how can I ensure my family's safety in a group that I don't know? My wife and I have always been very careful about who we allowed to have contact with our children.

I'm in the same boat. I have five children between the ages of 1 and 8 (the youngest are twins ). We wouldn't likely get the nod due to the resource drain. I've noticed that many preparedness / libertarian types seem to stick to small families as a rule. We have a lot to offer, but if you are strictly looking at the cost to benefit ratio, most well stocked groups would likely pass on us. (let alone the security issue)

Ironically I was thinking about this a couple of months ago and came to the conclusion that in a true TEOTWAWKI situation, even friends and family wouldn't be able to help us much, more likely they would rely on us because we already know how to live well with little in the way of resources.

If we were refugees that were without means, we're not giving up without one hell of a fight, but objectively we would be in a world of suck...

[Morrigan]

Modestia,
In a teowaki situation you are an asset because you are real and potential manpower. That's lots of hands, and even the 4 year old/ 5year old can do farm chores, like gathering eggs, churning milk, pulling weeds, kneading bread, picking from the garden, picking from local edibles, and at age 7, Annie Oakley was shooting squirrels to feed her family, who had 7 children.

Forget the boxed diapers, it's cloth or furs or moss.

Meals become lots of biscuits, soups and stews.

a dozen chickens will make enough eggs to feed you each day-even if you have egg drop soup 3 times a day!

If only you, your wife, and your eldest child can shoot, that's 3 more sets of hands.

The best thing to do with a large family is plan, plan, plan-produce alot and store alot, and make friends with a group. Use the group to help care for the kids and provide security. And be careful about the group-choose wisely and that group can save your whole family.

[mosby's men]

just because a family has a few children would not be a major problem for me , if the mom and dad had skills and if they are not the type of
people who get on your nerves in the first 5 minutes.
the thing i would look at for the kids would be how well behave them seem to be considering the postion they were in .
even small kids can do a few chores.
i would say ok, let take a week and look each other over , if we dont like what we see in a week you have to go , if you dont like what you see you
can move on.
its like some one posted after they have a few good meals you may see more of what they are really like.
any new folks would be held at arms lenth for a while , no there not getting the full tour.

[navedo]

I have to agree with spiffy--the whole thing sounds a bit "off". I would have to seriously consider whether or not it would be worth my precious time in such a precarious situation to stand in their little queue awaiting my interview. However, if I did decide to go for it, I would use my 30 seconds to sell the idea that what they need infinitely more than someone with this or that skill is a person with absolutely unimpeachable character. After all, what good am I to you if I'm the world's best [insert extremely important skill set here] if I'm loafing, stealing, bringing down morale, etc. If I managed to pique their interest with the fact that I've spent almost my entire life studying and seeking to emulate the Greatest Example who ever lived, and backed up mere words by risking an unfavorable reaction, I would request additional time to discuss the skills I have that would benefit them in the short and long term.

[Fusilier]

I figure, TSHTF, and I show up in the midwest, at a time when nothing is working or moving and I've made
it across the country, through deserts and mountains, through hostile bands, on my own, for months, with just
what I could carry... I just might be an asset.

It is a good question and I'm still mulling it over.

[Low-key]

You know, I was giving this a little thought the other day, while showering of all things, and an answer came to me. This is one I've used a few times, I know it's gotten me jobs a couple of times, acceptance with certain peer groups and some professional respect occasionally....and it's honed down to four simple words:


"I was a Marine."


Sure it's not quite as cool, sexy, mysterious as "I was a Green Beret." or "I was a SEAL.", but it'll do. Especially since it's the truth. Not that I was a particularly good Marine, definitely not one of the "High Speed Boyz", but still a son of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor none-the-less....

[Joe]

Once a Marine - ALWAYS a Marine
Semper Fi!

[Ziptie]

A lot of my Gyrene buddies would take offense at that statement, because they would be quick to point out that there are no former Marines, or ex-Marines, or used-to-be's, but only "formerly active duty Marines" or "Marines waiting for the next call"!!!!

I'm only poking fun, not trying to put you in your place. Joe, this has been quite a mental exercise, and the more I read others responses the more I feel it's necessary to rethink my approach.

Ziptie

[kaiservontexas]

I hold a BA in liberal arts focused in political science/law and history with a minor in theology that was concentrated across the entire spectrum of Judeo-Christianity. I follow instructions well, and know how to solve some firearm issues due to having to solve my own. I have also done plenty of maintenance work ranging from janitorial to installing floors. I would add that I did do IT work, but being this is collapse that would not be worth much and it was just covering basic junk answering questions over the phone. And just in case they are a brother Knight in the KoC, I am a 1st degree knight. Hey you never know who you run into. I lack a green thumb but can help provide security.

That is all I got in 30 seconds.

[Rich]

I don't have any problems with KoC but there are some groups that mention of would bring automatic disapproval if I had anything to do with choosing new members.

I'm not trying to derail the thread but just remember that when you claim a group you will be judged by the actions of other members of that group and I've had some very negative experiences with a few 'groups'. And no, I'm not talking about religious groups, I'm talking about supposed brotherhood groups. Just something to keep in mind.