"Shooting and Drone Reconnaissance"... Americans Preparing for the 'Last Day of Humanity'

NYT Highlights Companies Leading Preparedness Training
Education for Civilians on Disease, Disaster, and War Preparedness

Americans are actively stepping up to cope with unexpected situations such as war, epidemics, and severe climate disasters on their own. Known as 'prepared citizens,' they are gradually growing in number with the help of private companies that provide the necessary tools and education for preparedness.

On the 9th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that these 'prepared citizens' are no longer considered fringe but have now become mainstream. Their activities are also changing perceptions of gun ownership, which was once regarded as the exclusive domain of far-right groups.

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Last month, ten men dressed in camouflage and wearing vests loaded with AR-15 rifle ammunition gathered under the shade of oak trees in central Florida. They had come together to learn sniper tactics commonly seen in special operations forces and elite law enforcement units. Christopher Eric Rosher (35), a former Air Force instructor, introduced himself and prayed with the group: "Lord, you use them as assets, and please make them protectors in this world full of evil."

The people gathered that day were neither soldiers, police officers, nor far-right militia members. They were civilians, including two pilots, one nurse, and one construction company executive. The class name, 'Full Contender Minuteman,' is derived from the term used for civilian soldiers during the American Revolutionary War.

Josh Eppert, an executive at a construction company in Florida, was an ordinary newcomer participating in the training. Equipped with an AR-15 rifle fitted with a close-range sight, silencer, and infrared laser, he said, "I have no illusions about becoming Rambo. But it is important to act wisely in the face of threats like the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes, where self-defense is necessary."

The training was organized by a company called 'Barrel and Hatchet.' Rosher (35), who founded the company in 2020, felt the urgent need for such training when he saw countless civilians pouring into the streets without the means to protect themselves during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 'Prepared citizens' are expanding their training areas beyond firearms to include communication, medical treatment, night shooting, drone reconnaissance, and homestead farming.

Rosher uploads videos titled "Things to Remember Before the Dark Chapter Comes" on YouTube and Instagram, providing guidance on how to respond to social risks such as attacks by drug cartels or terrorists and economic recessions.

Former Army officer Ben Spangler has been posting short videos explaining military infantry tactics such as patrols, ambushes, and outpost setups on Instagram since 2023. His videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views and are widely shared within the 'prepared citizen society.' Spangler also sells training kits online that include maps, protractors for marking navigation points, compasses, and field guides.

The NYT reported that 'prepared citizens' are gradually expanding their activities with the support of companies that provide tools and training. One such startup is Open Source Defense. Karim Shaya, co-founder of the company, said, "Five or ten years ago, there were not enough startups in this field, so it was not possible to do what we do now. But now, we can see more and more companies expanding civilian defense and the tools for it."