A Letter From An Aging Patriot

Via WRSA

 

I recently received an email from an older Patriot concerned about his role in the III% movement.  His email along with my response is posted below.

I am 59 years old. I am a Vietnam Era Air Force veteran who has never seen combat or fired a weapon at a human being. I am an Oath Keeper, in my own mind at least. In my younger days I was an above-average athlete. I was given my first firearm by my WWII combat veteran father at age 12.

In the past few years I have been lurking the internet for III-per information and contacts. I fancy myself a III-per but the embarrassing fact is that I have no combat experience, and as I age I begin to think I would be more of a hindrance to an active III-per unit than a asset. I am still fairly healthy and strong. All my parts work. I can do about a 12 minute mile.

I have made substantial investments in AR platforms in 7.62 and 5.56 with ACOG optics. I also have built a Remington 700 (.308) long-range rifle with HorusVision optics and I am very accurate at up to 300 yards. I am sure I can add to that effective range. I have better-than-avaerage woodcraft skills. No plate carriers or LBE.

I have acquired basic handgun training and I am proficient but certainly no expert.
I have not been trained in the tactics of any kind.

Am I kidding myself to think that I could actually serve in an active III-per unit if TSHTF?

Would you have someone like me in a unit you were leading, or tell me to beat it?

I am not asking to be coddled. I am asking what it would be like to be you, if you had to choose between allowing an old man into a unit simply because he had gear and could shoot fairly well, but would surely slow down a unit of 20-year olds.

Thank you for your honest comments if you have the time.
- Aging Patriot

I understand your concern that you aren’t combat experienced but neither were most of the original III%.  And neither are most of the III% community today.  As a very unscientific estimate of the US population, it’s something like 1% in the military; of which maybe 50% have been deployed to an actual combat zone (I don’t know the exact percentage); and perhaps 10% of that fraction have trigger time.  Very, very few people.  There are active militias out there that have no combat experience among their ranks.  There are plenty of Americans like you; but combat experience isn’t a prerequisite to defend the Liberty and security of the Republic.

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