Setting up paramilitary Security Forces

[ArmySGT.]

Originally Posted by Matt W

BUILDING A PARAMILITARY SECURITY FORCE

Originally Posted by Matt W

What is needed?

A way to something that channels fighters into areas where they are challenged and do more than just fight. First I would name them and give them a mission that emphasizes guarding or protecting. Next, I would restrict the training I give them to defensive measures and emphasize medical, sanitation, and recovery skills. I would only train them in rifle, and pistol, then limit the training ammunition to a semiannual qualification with a limited personal load.

Originally Posted by Matt W

Who will make decisions about the Security Force?

The people being secured ultimately, as the MP can really only suggest or facilitate. Trying to force is only going to bring resistance and the MP was not meant to govern anyway.

Originally Posted by Matt W

What are the costs and how will they be paid?

Initially the weapons and ammo….. even the basic equipment will probably come from TMP stocks. Likely Korean era surplus that is still serviceable. The shelter, food, fuel, will come from those being protected probably by bartering at first…… TMP gives the village a water filtration unit in exchange for a bunkhouse + food for a year, as an example. There is room in the TMP plan to barter emergency relief supplies as the impetus to steer cooperation.

Originally Posted by Matt W

Is the existing force corrupt?

If one is ….. the MP probably would hold back support and assist someone else. The TMP would probably set up near with a better lot and use persuasion, political subterfuge, and Maquis tactics to bring about a gentler regime change.

Originally Posted by Matt W

How do you get the best recruits?

Honor and Prestige…. Sense of Community, Respect……. This will draw in some…… Three hots and a cot is all some others need. Good equipment, a good reason, good food, along with good training will get you recruits and keep your people. You have to be able to gently turn away or repurpose volunteers that are not the best recruits so as not to create an antagonistic voting block.

Originally Posted by Matt W

Does everyone understand that Security is more than "killing bad guys"?

If you emphasize a mission of Search and Rescue, with some guarding the people, the ones that are looking to fight will gravitate out to something else or somewhere else.

Originally Posted by Matt W

Does this Security Force frighten the neighbours?.

Borrow from ancient capitals or the old soviet system….. Exchange soldiers….. Soldiers from village A guard village B, Village B soldiers guard village C, and Village C soldiers guard village A…… fosters respect, prevents one from becoming aggressive with their force, lowers the chances of revolt….. etc.

[cosmicfish]

Originally Posted by ArmySGT.

Initially the weapons and ammo….. even the basic equipment will probably come from TMP stocks. Likely Korean era surplus that is still serviceable.

Not having read any 4ed, this would seem counter to what 3ed indicated for the Project - the only firearms or military equipment made available for distribution to locals was a non-military survival rifle. You cannot take away weapons they have, but you can risk a lot by arming the locals, and risk avoidance seems to be a Morrow catch phrase.

Plus you are talking about a lot of additional storage.

Originally Posted by ArmySGT.

If you emphasize a mission of Search and Rescue, with some guarding the people, the ones that are looking to fight will gravitate out to something else or somewhere else.

I don't think you will be able to sell a post-apocalyptic community on having a SAR organization that sometimes performs police or military functions - no one is going to buy that people getting lost is that big of a problem!

The issue of overly-homicidal candidates for police and military is a long understood (if never fully-solved) problem. If you create a "danger scale" for recruits, then you can place windows on that scale where you can have someone enter the police (which requires more independent action and restraint), enter the military (which can tolerate more dangerous recruits with appropriate controls), or be inappropriate for both (either by being too pacifistic or too homicidal!). Where those windows lie depends on what you need and what you have...