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Field Manual of the Free Militia: Section II

Introduction to the Free Militia

1994
By the Free Militia
See also: Section I

"I promise to defend and observe the Constitutional liberties embodied in the Bill of Rights for all American citizens by example, persuasion, and force of arms if necessary." -- From the oath of office for the Free Militia

2.1.1 Who, what, when, where, why, and how?

Who is the Free Militia?

The Free Militia is composed of private citizens who carry on normal civilian lives. While some members may have former police or military experience, they are presently civilians simply exercising their right to keep and bear arms and form militias.

What is the Free Militia?

The Free Militia is a locally organized body of armed American citizens committed to defending their Constitutional liberties. We call it "free" for two reasons. First, it is free or independent from the control of any local, state, or federal government. Second, our whole purpose is to defend our freedoms. So, the Free Militia acts freely to defend freedom.

We also call it a "militia" for two reasons. First, we are a military organization. Our purpose is, if necessary, to defend our liberties by force of arms. Second, we are a militia in the sense that we are composed of private citizens instead of professional soldiers. Hence, the Free Militia is a combat team of private citizens.

The name Free Militia was selected partly to describe what we are. But the terms were also carefully chosen to conform to the language of the Second Amendment to indicate our intentions are Constitutionally legal. "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The Free Militia is an independent, organized group of private citizens who are armed and ready to fight for their Constitutional rights and liberties.

When will the Free Militia fight?

The Free Militia's "agenda" is the Bill of Rights. Our purpose is solely to defend these rights for ourselves and our neighbors. We will mobilize and fight as a militia only when these rights are seriously and intentionally threatened or denied. As a result, there are several things we are not:

• We are not aggressors. It is not our purpose to "make something happen" or to start bloodshed. We will not venture outside the region of our community to strike first, nor will we fight over material possessions. We will fight only for principles.

• We are not vigilantes. It is not our purpose to replace the police or judicial system. We will not obstruct justice, nor will we take it into our own hands by forming "lynch mobs." Indeed, as defenders of the right to a fair trial we will strongly oppose such injustices. However, members may, at their discretion, make citizen's arrests and turn criminals over to the police.

• We are not criminals. Anyone hoping to use the Free Militia to perpetrate a violent crime or to extort the citizens of our community will be sorely disappointed. Free Militia commanders will cooperate with any police investigations of such corruption and will turn members over to the police for arrest and trial.

The Free Militia's operations are confined in and around the local community where its members reside. Training may occur in the countryside, but the Free Militia's membership and organization is tied to the locality.

Why does the Free Militia exist?

The Free Militia exists because our Constitutional liberties are systematically under attack by state and federal authorities. While these threats to our rights have not yet justified armed conflict, it is apparent that we must act now to organize and train ourselves for the possible day when a genuine tyranny is established in the United States by a coup within our government or invasion from without.

How does the Free Militia hope to succeed?

For the time being, the Free Militia cannot possibly be capable of fielding a significant fighting force. We are too small and too isolated to stand up to a professional armed force. However, we can be an effective and significant fighting force in the future with the right foresight and preparation now.

For now, our purpose is not to raise a full-scale army but to put things in motion and prepare to readily do so if and when circumstances require it.

We can prepare now to develop the framework that can incorporate large numbers of law-abiding, liberty-loving citizens if and when a crisis in our government obviously calls for resistance by the people.

• We can spread the word and encourage the forming of independent Free Militias in other communities.

• We can develop a working command structure using our current members so that a large number of men could be quickly recruited, trained, and organized for combat. For example, an existing command structure of 100-200 men could readily integrate and lead 600-1200 men later on.

• We can develop, perfect, and implement effective training methods, contingency plans, and communications systems for defending our community and liberties in a time of crisis.

• We can develop and disseminate political and ideological arguments for freedom to prepare the way for cultivating favorable attitudes among our neighbors and fellow citizens.

• We can stockpile the equipment necessary to outfit a militia that the masses of recruits will not likely have available to them when we face a "crunch." (For instance, they may have guns but not radios.)

• We can identify potential minutemen by looking for sympathetic citizens armed with weapons, or with military experience, or with special skills and equipment.

• If worse comes to worse, and we cannot actively recruit after a crisis has developed, we can at least act as an effective underground or guerilla movement to harass the efforts of a tyrannical enemy.

If and when you decide to commit yourself to the Free Militia, you will be required to take an oath. No certificates will be signed. No centralized list will be maintained with your name on it. However, you must take the oath in the presence of those men who will be in your immediate combat unit (called a cell). They are the ones that need to know you mean business since they are the ones who will be depending on you.

The oath you will have to take embodies your main duties to the Militia and is worded as follows:

"I, __________________, promise to defend and observe the Constitutional liberties embodied in the Bill of Rights for all American citizens by example, persuasion, and force of arms if necessary. To that end, I intend to arm myself, I voluntarily join the Free Militia, and I agree to obey its commanders -- to the extent that my conscience allows -- for the duration of my service in the Militia and I pledge never to willfully betray the Militia's principles, members, or tactics."

It is important that you know explicitly what this means so let me comment on each clause.

• "I, ____________________, promise to defend and observe." You are not only committing to militarily defend the Constitution, but to observe it as well. Thus you are pledging not to violate the personal liberties of other citizens (whether civilians or enemies) in order to defend the Constitution. The ends do not justify the means. We must conduct ourselves by the same principles we seek to uphold.

• "The Constitutional liberties embodied in the Bill of Rights." While we are interested in the entirety of the Constitution, it is the Bill of Rights and the liberties therein that you are pledging to defend. You will not be expected to fight for peripheral issues or causes.

• "For all American citizens." Again, you are not motivated by personal gain or selfishness. You are committing to defend an idea, not to defend your own rights, per se. Hence you must be willing to recognize the rights of all American citizens. This means that you will not ignore violations of others' rights and will be willing to defend them as well as your own. It also means you will not violate their rights by acting as a vigilante (contrary to their legal rights) or by looting (contrary to their property rights). The only "looting" that will be permitted is the confiscation of weapons and munitions from prisoners and casualties in actual combat.

• "By example, persuasion, and force of arms if necessary." You must be an example by observing the rights of others and leading an upright life as a law-abiding citizen. You must be persuasive by recruiting people to our cause (if not the Militia itself) within the guidelines of our recruiting procedures. And, of course, you may someday be called upon to stand up and fight for what you believe in.

• "To that end, I intend to arm myself." The Free Militia has no tax base or authority to impose taxes. We must therefore fund ourselves. The most equitable and practical method of doing so is for each man to purchase the necessary equipment for outfitting himself. Details of what is involved in this self-arming are included in Section 2.2.

• "I voluntarily join the Free Militia." It is assumed that you are joining of your own volition and not out of coercion. You must also realize that as a volunteer organization there is no compensation or salary for your work other than the satisfaction of standing up for what is right.

• "And I agree to obey its commanders." No military organization or operation can survive or succeed without discipline and obedience. The Free Militia is no exception. So you are pledging to obey your superiors in all matters pertaining to organization, training, secrecy, and actual tactical combat. Particularly, you will be expected to adhere to the Free Militia's rules of engagement which ensure decent behavior towards your comrades, civilians, and the potential enemy. Section 2.3.4 has more on the lines and limits of authority in the Free Militia.

• "To the extent that my conscience allows." We expect that you will conduct yourself according to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. We also expect you to be guided by the Constitution above your superiors. The commanders of the Free Militia are no more above Constitutional principles than our elected officials. Accordingly, you are not pledging to blindly obey your leaders no matter what. You are permitted and even expected to disobey any orders that are biblically immoral or Constitutionally illegal. Again, refer to Section 2.3.4 on lines and limits of authority in the Free Militia.

• "For the duration of my service in the Militia." We also realize that you cannot and should not commit yourself to the Militia indefinitely. If you happen to move, become disabled, or simply lose the will to resist, you are free to make your exit at any time. (After all, we cannot enslave people to fight for liberty!) However, you are expected to give reasonable notice of any departure so as to give time for you to be debriefed and for your cell to reorganize. Under normal circumstances, a two-week notice is sufficient. During an "alert" a month may be needed depending on the judgment of your superiors. Under times of mobilization we will simply have to take departures on a case-by- case basis, but it is hoped that you will not leave under such circumstances since doing so may endanger both you and those you serve with.

• "And I pledge never to willfully betray." Your obligation does not end with resignation. Your commitment to actively serving in the Free Militia is limited and contingent on your continued desire to do so. Your loyalty to the Free Militia must be unreserved and unending.

• "The Militia's principles, members, or tactics." Particularly, there are three things you must never betray, even after you decide to leave the Militia. In your heart you must always remain committed to the Constitutional liberties that we seek to defend. In your actions, you must never inform on the identities of those in the Militia nor on the plans and tactics of the Militia by adhering to the rules of secrecy and security in the Free Militia (see Section 2.4).

2.1.3 Alert and mobilization of the Free Militia

Precisely when will the Free Militia commit itself to fight? This question can be answered best by stating the conditions that will result in the Militia being alerted or mobilized. Under usual conditions, minutemen in the Free Militia lead normal, private lives interrupted only by occasional cell meetings for training and other preparations. However,

An alert is a level of readiness that is not convenient in everyday life. Mobilization is a level of readiness totally incompatible with daily life.

While the details of our procedures for alerts and mobilizations must remain confidential for now (you are not yet a member of the Militia), we can give you some examples of what would transpire under these conditions. For an alert, a prearranged system of notification is used to contact all minutemen. They continue to lead their lives by going to work, attending church, shopping, and keeping appointments. However, the frequency of contact among cell members is stepped up and certain preparations are taken individually. For instance, rifle magazines that are normally left empty are loaded and then packed in their pouches. Uniforms and gear are made readily accessible by hanging them in convenient order in your closet.

For a mobilization, developments are serious enough that normal life is interrupted. You do not simply keep gear and weapons handy, you actually wear them. You do not simply keep in contact with your cell, you gather together with them. Under mobilization you take all the steps possible to prepare yourself and brace yourself for actual combat with an emerging enemy.

Now the Free Militia may go on alert or mobilize under any number of unforeseen scenarios. However, alerts and mobilizations will be called for automatically under the four following conditions.

• An alert will be sounded whenever any member of the Free Militia is arrested or killed under circumstances suggesting that his fate was related to his involvement in the Free Militia. The alert will be upgraded to mobilization if it is confirmed that portions or the rest of the Free Militia is at risk.

• An alert will also go out whenever we discover that there has been an infusion in our community by state or federal law enforcement officers who are working independently of the local police. This alert will be upgraded to mobilization if it is confirmed that the infusion is a precursor to operations against the Free Militia or its allies (i.e., house-to-house searches, gun confiscation, widespread arrests, etc.).

• We will mobilize whenever any constitutional right to keep and bear arms, privacy, or fair trial is being infringed by laws that are actively and widely enforced in our area. For instance, house-to-house searches or waiving of all trials by jury in other communities will cause us to prepare for similar measures in our community.

• We will mobilize if and when there is an invasion of the United States by a foreign power or an attempted overthrow of our constitutional government.

2.1.4 Can we win an armed conflict?

Suppose you join us. Suppose we mobilize. Can we win? The enemy police and military forces under the control of a growing autocratic government will have and wield great might. So how can we stand against such a powerful foe? To some extent, whether we win or not is immaterial. If we are right, our duty is to resist whether or not success is likely. But we can win! Initially, the potential enemy will be greater in numbers, have superior firepower, better training, more equipment, and closer coordination. But we have three things in our favor that they do not have: the people, our own advantages, and a cause.

The people

Notice I said initially they will be greater in numbers. This is because most Americans are dull to the things happening around them and don't have a clue to their Constitutional rights and liberties. But there will come a time when the Leviathan State will show its true colors and cross a line that even the average citizen will recognize as threatening. At that time, men willing to fight will come out of the woodwork.

And remember, there are between 100 and 200 million firearms in the hands of private citizens of this country. These are in the hands of people who, almost by definition, would side with the Constitution rather than the government in a struggle. (The possession of firearms tends to either result from or result in a person favoring gun rights as well as a healthy distrust of the federal government when it seeks to take them away.) Moreover, all of the armed forces and local law enforcement agencies are sworn to defend the Constitution and many soldiers and officers love their personal liberties. So it would not be long until we are the ones with superior numbers and perhaps even superior firepower.

The very acts by the government that will cause the Free Militia to rise up will also arouse the general public to resist and seek skilled leadership.

In the meantime, our inferior numbers do not have to spell defeat. It is said that just prior to World War I, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany visited Switzerland and reviewed some of its troops. Of course, Germany's army was much larger than little Switzerland's. So while the proud Kaiser was reviewing the troops, he stopped to talk to one of the enlisted men: "I am impressed. You are well disciplined and well trained. But what could you possibly do if Germany attacked you with forces twice yours in number?" The enlisted man boldly replied, "I suppose, sir, that we would have to shoot twice!" Switzerland was never attacked due to its neutrality, mountainous terrain, preparedness, and the confidence to resist exemplified by this one soldier. The fact is that superior numbers can be defeated!

Corresponding advantages

This leads us to the next issue. It is true that the potential enemy will have serious advantages. But they do not have all the advantages. For just about any strength that they have, the Free Militia will have a corresponding strength. These balancing factors should be sufficient to tide the Free Militia over until the tables are turned and we have the advantage of numbers. Some of these advantages which will counteract the advantages of the potential enemy are as follows.

• Superior numbers. Initially the enemy will probably have greater numbers of troops since they can commit whole military units and police forces to the field. But many such men have had exposure to liberties and cannot all be counted on to obey and fight. This will cause division, uncertainty, and poor morale within enemy ranks.

  Superior dependability. Consisting of patriotic volunteers, the Free Militia should be able to count on every one of its men. Few men in our ranks will refuse to fight on conscientious grounds, nor are they likely to desert or betray their leaders, comrades, or tactics since they are committed to the cause.

• Superior training. Clearly potential enemy forces will be better prepared technically and have more perfected skills in combat since they are, for the most part, professionals. But, again, it is uncertain how prepared they will be psychologically to turn their weapons on American citizens.

  Superior motivation. Consisting of volunteers, the Free Militia must expect to have inferior training since its member also lead private lives. But since the Free Militia consists of patriots we should be able to expect higher motivation to fight and win an armed conflict.

• Superior firepower. Being equipped by the government, any potential enemy will have tremendous firepower at their disposal. But much of this firepower is useless unless they are willing to inflict great casualties and material destruction on innocent bystanders and their property.

  Superior concealment. We may not be armed with automatic weapons, aircraft, or armored vehicles. But we will have the advantage of being well concealed and fortified within the friendly and familiar territory. They enemy will have to expose themselves to use their firepower.

• Superior mobility. No doubt an enemy will not only have the capability of moving quickly on the ground in motor vehicles, but they will have and use airplanes and helicopters to quickly insert troops, strike, and leave prior to an effective counterattack by us.

  Superior knowledge of terrain. We may not be able to move quickly, but we will know where we are and where we're going. The Free Militia will be intimately familiar with terrain in and out of our town because we will be fighting in our element.

• Superior surveillance. The capability of the enemy to spy on our positions will be enhanced by their technology. They may have night vision equipment, wire-tapping capabilities, infrared scanning viewers, and other means of eavesdropping or looking in on us.

  Superior intelligence. While those of us in the Free Militia may not have access to or be able to afford expensive technology, we will have the people on our side. Virtually every liberty-loving civilian is a potential spotter, observer, or spy.

• Superior supplies. A potential enemy will probably have unlimited supplies of ammunition, food, water, and fuel. But they will have to depend on these supplies being transported over long distances since local supplies will be unreliable.

  Superior logistics. While we may have to live with limited supplies, our supplies and quarters will be close by since we will be fighting close to home. We will also be able to depend on friendly neighbors to supply us with food and water.

• Superior communication. The potential enemy will be well outfitted with effective radio equipment and will be able to coordinate most or all of their forces simultaneously. But they will have to have definite targets to coordinate themselves against.

  Superior improvisation. The Free Militia can thwart the enemy by providing an elusive target that is difficult to trap or systematically attack. Moreover, our units will be organized and trained to improvise and act independently.

Many people think that "might makes right." In other words, it is presumed that whoever wins a war is justified in dictating the terms of peace. In fact, RIGHT MAKES MIGHT! Being in the right and knowing it energizes resistance and gives a strength of resolve largely absent among those who fight for the selfish motives of mere survival or personal gain.

The drafted soldier is motivated to survive until his tour of duty is up. The career soldier is motivated by promotions in rank and higher salaries. The patriotic volunteer is motivated to win for the sake of a higher cause.

All three types of motivation will cause a man to fight tooth and nail when he has to fight. But one motivated by survival only "has" to fight when he is convinced that fighting is less hazardous than disobeying his superiors. He will hold back to avoid risks. He will not go beyond the call of duty. The career of soldier only "has" to fight to the extent needed to gain recognition. His boldness will be tempered by the desire to live and enjoy the promotions and benefits he seeks. But while the patriot will not desire to risk or sacrifice his life in vain, he "has" to fight to win. He will be willing to go beyond the call of duty because he is energized by an idea, not by self-preservation or selfish ambition.

So the most critical thing on our side is principle. We are right, we are justified, we have a cause. Never underestimate the power of ideology.

Patrick Henry said: "...millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.... The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone: it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."

Major H. von Dach of the Swiss Army wrote: "The military expert who undervalues or even disregards guerrilla warfare makes a mistake since he does not take into consideration the strength of the heart" (Total Resistance, Paladin Press, 1965, p. 173).

The U.S. Army field manual on suppressing guerrillas states: "All troops committed to operations against irregular forces must be trained to appreciate the effectiveness of irregular forces.... Troops must be indoctrinated never to underrate guerrillas. To look down on guerrilla forces as inferior, poorly equipped opponents breeds carelessness which can result in severe losses" (FM 31-15, Irregular Forces, 1961, p. 46).

Are you vigilant, active, and brave? Do you have a strong heart? If you do, then join us! Take the oath of office and arm yourself. You will be enlisting with a small but determined group that is resolved to make a difference in protecting our precious liberties. Barry Goldwater was the 1964 Republican nominee for president. As he aptly said, "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vise and let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

2.1.5 Discussion questions

Do you have any questions about what the Free Militia is or what it stands for? What are they?

Do you have any questions about our strategy of not raising an army but building the structure or framework to organize, train, and lead one?

The Free Militia oath of office reads as follows: "I, ___________________, promise to defend and observe the Constitutional liberties embodied in the Bill of Rights for all American citizens by example, persuasion, and force of arms if necessary. To that end, I intend to arm myself, I voluntarily join the Free Militia, and I agree to obey its commanders -- to the extent that my conscience allows -- for the duration of my service in the Militia and I pledge never to willfully betray the Militia's principles, members, or tactics." Do you have any questions about what this oath means or what might be expected of you if you join the Free Militia? If so, what are they?

Do you have any reservations about making the commitments outlined in the oath of office? If so, what are they?

In your own words, describe the difference between an alert and a mobilization of the Free Militia.

Take a look at the four reasons given for alert and mobilization in this section. Why do you think it is important to take unusual measures to ready and prepare ourselves under these conditions?

What are your feelings about the "risks" of participating in the Free Militia either under peaceful circumstances or times of combat?

Do you believe that the Free Militia will be capable of holding its own during (or even being victorious in) potential armed conflict? Why or why not? What conditions would have to change to make victory possible or probable? How would or could your own participation in the Free Militia contribute to those favorable conditions and ultimate victory?

One of the rules of warfare is that "anything you do can get you shot, including nothing." If a genuine tyranny was imposed in the United States, you could remain a civilian, minding his own business, or become an armed combatant. Which way would you be more threatened? More of a threat?

Personal questions

Note: Answers to the following questions will help determine your fitness for service in the Militia in terms of loyalty and dependability. No space is given to write answers down because no records should or will be kept on your responses. They are strictly for discussion between you and your sponsor. Any notes he may take are only for discussion with his immediate superior and will be destroyed after said discussion.

How physically fit are you in terms of strength, stamina, and health?

Do you have any disabilities which might hinder your physical ability to serve in the Militia such as epilepsy, asthma, poor eyesight, etc.?

Have you ever been an alcoholic, a heavy drinker, a drug users, or a drug addict? If so, how long have you been free of substance abuse?

Have you ever attempted suicide, battled severe depression, or suffered any other mental illness? Describe the times and circumstances.

Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime other than traffic violations? Again, describe the times and the circumstances.

How nosey, talkative, and trustworthy is your wife? Can she keep a secret?

Can you name one or two references, besides your sponsor and known by your sponsor, who can vouch for your integrity, dependability, and stability?

What are your reasons for desiring to enlist in the Free Militia?

Main ideas of this section

The Free Militia is an independent, organized group of private citizens who are armed and ready to fight for their Constitutional rights and liberties.

For now, our purpose is not to raise a full-scale army but to put things in motion and prepare to readily do so if and when circumstances require it.

An alert is a level of readiness that is not convenient in everyday life. Mobilization is a level of readiness totally incompatible with daily life.

The very acts by the government that will cause the Free Militia to rise up will also arouse the general public to resist and seek skilled leadership.

The drafted soldier is motivated to survive until his tour of duty is up. The career soldier is motivated by promotions in rank and higher salaries. The patriotic volunteer is motivated to win for the sake of a higher cause.

"To that end, I intend to arm myself." -- From the oath of office for the Free Militia

2.2.1 Choose your weapon!

As a minuteman in the Free Militia, you are responsible for arming and equipping yourself. Your first priority, of course, is to effectively arm yourself. All firearms have their place. Some are good for hunting, some for plinking and target shooting, some for self-defense. But only a few are really effective combat weapons.

When selecting a firearm, remember that you are a member of a team, not a loner. It is therefore to your advantage to select a weapon that is more or less standard in your unit. This will facilitate exchanging ammunition, magazines, and even spare parts when supplies are limited. You are also preparing for combat, not hunting or personal defense. Thus, hunting rifles, shotguns, and handguns are generally (but not always; see below) undesirable weapons. Ideally your weapon should be a medium- to high-power semi-automatic (automatic only if licensed) rifle with a detachable magazine. The following are suggested firearms with their pros and cons.

The weapon of choice

The Ruger Mini-14 is the ideal rifle for service in the Free Militia.

• It uses the .223 caliber cartridge which packs a high muzzle velocity of over 3000 feet per second and is therefore capable of penetrating most Kevlar body armor. This .223 ammunition will also be most readily available in a crisis since it is the same that is used in M-16s/AR-15s which are standard weapons of the U.S. military and police.

• The Mini-14 is semi-automatic and has a detachable magazine. Although Sturm, Ruger only sells 5-round magazines to the public; larger capacity magazines (10, 20, 30, and 40-round) are made for the Mini-14 and sold by other companies. You can pick these up at gun shows.

• At about $400 to $500, the Mini-14 costs about half or a third as much as an AR-15. And this savings is in spite of the fact that the Mini-14 surpasses the AR-15 in many specifications! The cost is held down because Sturm, Ruger makes maximal use of investment casting instead of machining of parts, not because of any inherent lack of quality.

• In fact, the Mini-14 is one of the most dependable firearms ever made. Several gunsmithing book authors have never encountered a Mini-14 that has had a part fail or break! Magazines feed the chamber well with infrequent jamming, and the Mini-14 is one of the easiest rifles to clear when it does jam.

• The Mini-14 is one of the most popular and manufactured firearms on the market. It is therefore more easily found on the used gun market than some other so-called assault rifles. It also has more military accessories made for it than any other rifle including synthetic and folding stocks, scopes, bipods, bayonet lugs, flash suppressors, etc.

Of course, not everyone in the Militia will be able to find a Mini-14. Some diversification is both inevitable (since many recruits will already be armed) and useful. So, there are several alternatives to the Mini-14.

All-around combat rifles (in the order of my preference)

• The Springfield M-1 Carbine is common, inexpensive at [illegible] semi-automatic, uses detachable 15 or 30-round magazines, and a [illegible] with a medium punch. It can, however, be unreliable. Magazines tend to jam in the cold and sometimes a full 30-round magazine puts too much pressure on the bolt to seat and lock for semi-automatic firing. Be sure to avoid Universal- manufactured copies since these do not have fully interchangeable with G.I. carbines.

• The Colt AR-15 is the semi-automatic civilian version of the military M-16. Parts and ammo would be easily obtained in combat since a potential enemy will likely be armed with this weapon. While the army's use of the M-16 shows the usefulness of this weapon, it is expensive at $1000-$1500 each. The Galil 223 AR and Berretta AR-70 are suitable substitutes.

• The Springfield M-14 and M-1A are very dependable semi- automatic weapons and their .308 caliber packs a punch that is well-suited for long-range sniping. Their drawbacks are high price (around $1000) and the fact that their ammunition would not be quite as common as the .223 cartridge.

• The Russian SKS, AKM, and AK-47 are somewhat common, reasonable priced, reliable, semi-automatic, and use detachable magazines. But it is unclear how easily the 7.62mm Russian ammunition could be obtained in a crisis.

• The Heckler and Koch rifles in the 9mm, .223, and .308 calibers are top of the line, dependable, effective, and very expensive firearms.

• Submachine guns like the TEC-9, MAC-10, Colt 9mm, and UZI are not especially well-suited for the typical minuteman. While the semi-auto versions do provide rapid fire, they are not particularly accurate on a battlefield and their calibers are generally lack the punch of assault rifles since they use pistol ammunition (9mm or .45 ACP). They are, however, excellent commando and policing weapons, especially in close quarters.

• The Barrett Model 82A1 is a semi-automatic assault rifle with a 10-round magazine that uses .50 caliber machine gun ammunition. You would not want to carry this on a patrol, nor can many people afford its $2500+ price tag. But as a static defense weapon it packs a punch that is unmatched.

• High-power hunting rifles with suitable scopes make excellent sniper weapons. (The .308 caliber M-21 is especially useful but expensive as a standard NATO sniping weapon.) Unfortunately, most hunting rifles are bolt-action and are therefore undesirable as standard weapons for a minuteman.

• Shotguns are generally ill-suited for the battlefield since they do not have the precision, range, or velocity needed for typical combat. One exception is the "street sweeper." These are semi-automatic and have a 9- to 12-round magazine capacity. Such shotguns are useful for self-defense in close quarters or for certain types of raids as was proven in Vietnam.

2.2.2 Outfitting yourself for combat

While your gun is important, it is useless without magazines and ammunition and virtually useless without other equipment. Consequently the minimum necessary equipment for a Free Militia minuteman is as follows.

The previous list is the bare minimum for outfitting yourself. With this equipment you can basically shoot, hide, move, and take care of your gun. Many desirable items are neglected. No provision is made for survival in the wilderness. Consequently, if you can afford it, the following items are desirable to have. They are listed in their rough order of importance considering the probable enemy and circumstances.

Of course, there are also some kinds of equipment needed at the platoon, company, and battalion levels. Some examples include:

• Electric generators to run equipment during power outages/failures.
• Ham/short-wave radios to communicate over longer distances than CBs.
• CB radios to communicate over short distances with neighboring cells.
• Batteries to power flashlights, radios, other electric equipment.
• Portable lights/flares to give light for combat during darkness.
• Laptop computers/printers to prepare plans and training materials.
• Photocopiers/printing presses for training materials and persuasion.
• Shovels/picks/spades for digging and preparing field fortifications.
• Chain saws for clearing fields of fire in heavily wooded areas.
• Gasoline for powering chain saws, vehicles, and electric generators.
• Vehicles (trucks and vans) for transportation in and around our town.
• Fire extinguishers for fighting fires that break out during combat.
• Office supplies for supplying computers, photocopiers, and so on.

What you must do is be sure that you are adequately equipped for combat and contribute (time, money, or things) to the equipment needs of your cell.

It is admittedly expensive to adequately equip an individual or team for effective combat. But your Constitutional liberties and life are worth it!

2.2.3 Be careful how you buy

It is just as important how you go about buying the things you need to equip yourself as it is what you equip yourself with for future combat.

The last thing you want to do is to draw attention to yourself when you buy or leave a "trail" after buying. Gun registration records will no doubt be used to track down and confiscate weapons. Even though those yellow forms you fill out for a gun dealer stay with him, they are subject to BATF inspection and also will compromise your guns. The mailing lists and invoices of suppliers for paramilitary books and gear might also be used to hunt down gun owners. And don't forget about your checking account: it is an open book to the government revealing what, when, and where you buy. Consequently, there are several guiding rules you should follow when you begin to outfit yourself for the Free Militia.

• Never sign anything. Don't buy guns through dealers since they require you to fill out paperwork.

• Never give your name and address. Don't order through the mail since invoices will record your name, address, and what you ordered.

• Always pay with cash. Don't use your checking account or credit cards since these types of transactions leave a record.

• Be inconspicuous. Don't go to gun shows or dealers decked out in your camouflaged battle dress uniform and body armor.

• Slowly build up a supply of cash. Large withdrawals of cash from the bank can trigger (and $10,000 transactions automatically trigger) a report to the federal government.

• Buy what you can at area gun shows. Your cell leader should have a list of places and dates. Other cell members will be glad to go with you. Virtually everything you need will eventually be found at gun shows, even guns without paperwork! Sometimes private individuals or dealers selling their own personal guns will sell without papers. Look for private individuals carrying around weapons at gun shows and ask if they are selling.

• It is alright to buy ammunition and supplies from gun dealers, just be sure you pay in cash and don't give your name.

• There are also other good sources of the types of things you will need like sporting goods stores and military surplus stores. Pay cash!

• Watch the classified ads in the paper, especially for firearms for sale. Private sales are exempt from paperwork and are confidential.

• Check with members of your cell. Perhaps they have extra or redundant guns and ammo that they have stashed just for people like you to buy!

In addition to area gun shows and classified ads in the newspaper, there are several sources of firearms, ammunition, and gear in the area.

Look up "gunsmiths and gun dealers," "sporting goods," "military surplus," etc. in the yellow pages of the phone book. Write down the addresses and phone numbers for each listing in the space provided on the next page. As time permits, check them out to get an idea of what they have available. Shop around since prices can vary quite a bit from store to store. Even if you can't afford something now, this shopping will pay off in the future when you can afford to buy.

In any event, buy the priorities first. Don't spend a lot of money on body armor and high-tech "toys" before you own a rifle and ammunition!

Area sources of equipment

Name:____________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________ Phone:____________________

Notes on supplies they stock:_________________________________________________

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Name:____________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________ Phone:____________________

Notes on supplies they stock:_________________________________________________

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Name:____________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________ Phone:____________________

Notes on supplies they stock:_________________________________________________

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2.2.5 Discussion questions

What, if any, experience have you had in gun safety, cleaning, or shooting (i.e., hunting, target shooting, etc.)? What type(s) of firearm(s) have you used in the past? What type(s) of firearms would you say that you are proficient in? How accurate are you?

What firearms do you own? Are any of them formally registered with a government agency? Informally registered using the yellow forms retained by gun dealers? (You may opt not to write down the answers.)

How familiar are you with the firearms discussed in this section? Are you planning to buy any of the firearms recommended in this section? If so, which one(s)? How do you plan to acquire it (them) without leaving a record of you as the buyer? (You may opt not to write the answers.)

Among the firearms that you currently own or intend to buy, which one is your "weapon of choice"? Why? (You may opt not to write the answers.)

How much of the necessary equipment, if any, do you already own?

Do you intend to buy the remaining necessary equipment in the future? If so, how quickly do you plan to do so? (List in the order of priority.)

How much of the desired equipment, if any, do you already own?

Do you intend to buy any of the remaining desired equipment in the future? Which items (list by priority)? How fast do you plan to get them?

Why is it very important that you be careful not to leave any records of sensitive purchases you make like guns, ammunition, and military gear?

Please list the four principles of outfitting yourself confidentially.

Do you agree to follow these principles in the future?

Personal inventory

Note: The following is intended to assist the Free Militia commanders in planning. If you have any of the following items, your sponsor will make a note of it and pass it through to his superiors without your name. Thus, the commanders will have an idea of what might be available in a crisis without having any central records of who has what. We trust that you will freely make these items available when the need arises.

Do you possess any binoculars, field glasses, hand-held CB radios, first aid kits, or gunsmithing tools that you would be willing to let your cell use?

Which of the following items do you both own and volunteer to loan to any Free Militia "war effort" in the event that we must mobilize?

For a standard, inexpensive, effective, dependable, and versatile rifle, you will be hard-pressed to do much better than the Ruger Mini-14!

It is admittedly expensive to adequately equip an individual or team for effective combat. But your Constitutional liberties and life are worth it!

It is just as important how you go about buying the things you need to equip yourself as it is what you equipment yourself with for future combat.

"I voluntarily join the Free Militia, and I agree to obey its commanders -- to the extent that my conscience allows -- for the duration of my service in the Militia." -- From the Oath of Office for the Free Militia

2.3.1 The cell structure

In any military organization, there needs to be a clear chain of command to insure effective coordination of smaller units. At the same time, units must be capable of responding to the immediate circumstances without having to ask higher authorities for permission to "go to the bathroom." A good example of a sound balance between these ideas was demonstrated by the U.S. Marines during World War II. The discipline and obedience to authority in the Marine Corps is well known. Yet the Marines retained a degree of initiative and individuality not found in many foreign counterparts, due to their American heritage. An isolated Japanese soldier was not a great threat in the Pacific Theater because he was incapable of functioning without orders. Yet isolated Marines could still be quite effective, cunning, and ingenious in harassing the enemy, by improvising.

Obviously, this kind of loyalty to authority but capability to respond individually is essential to the Free Militia. However, the necessity for personal and small-group freedom and initiative is compounded by several factors. First, the potential enemy may be superior in numbers, meaning that Militia units could be cut off and isolated from other units. Second, the potential enemy will probably be technologically superior, either eavesdropping on or jamming our communications, leading to a different kind of isolation. Third, Free Militia commanders of necessity will have some public exposure as a result of living their private lives.

Even with wise precautions, this endangers command elements by exposing them to possible arrest or attack leading to "decapitation" of combat elements. In any of these situations, combat units of the Free Militia must be capable of carrying on the fight without support from above or beside.

The fundamental rule guiding the organization of the Free Militia is centralized principles and planning but decentralized tactics and action.

What is meant by this key statement is that the whole Militia must be committed to the same cause and coordinated in their joint defense of the community. Thus, there must be allegiance to a higher command. But specific tactics should be left up to the individual elements so that the compromise of a part does not compromise the whole. Furthermore, all training and combat actions should be up to the smaller elements, again so that isolation or decapitation does not render the smaller units inept.

The way a balance between these competing concerns is achieved in the Free Militia is to organize all elements into "cells."

A cell is a group of eight men who train and work together to accomplish a particular goal or task important to the broader purposes of the Militia.

We use the term "cell," because a cell is the basic building block in any living organism. Just as all life, growth and reproduction is based on living cells, all Militia "life" is centered around its cells. The identities of cell members are known only within the cell and by their immediate superior. All basic training is done within a cell. all codes, passwords and telephone networks are determined by and held in confidence within the cell. All fortified positions are determined, prepared and concealed by the cell. All combat orders are executed by the cell as the cell sees fit within its own context. So the Free Militia is its cells.

Why the cell structure?

Military operations must depend on teamwork. But the teams that comprise the larger organization must be small for several reasons:

• The small size facilitates camaraderie. For the most part, the men who train, work and fight together in a cell will stick together and the cell will remain intact, even though the cell as a whole may be transferred from unit to unit. This will develop personal closeness, trust and loyalty among its members that is critical to effectiveness.

• The small size allows for personalized training. By knowing and having frequent personal contact with each member, a cell leader can train each man at his level and pace simultaneously with developing a strong cohesiveness among the team.

• The small size is conducive to secrecy. Since each man knows and trusts everyone else in his group, they can communicate freely and openly while shrouding the particulars of their tactics, positions and signals to everyone outside the group.

• The small size means manageable communication and coordination. The cell leader easily conveys clear orders to a small group of men. The higher command elements can give orders to the whole Militia through the chain of command without direct contact with the individual soldier.

Cells ideally consist of eight men (plus or including their leader), because eight men can effectively and independently accomplish a wide range of military tasks, whether defensive or offensive, rural or urban.

• Rural defense. Eight men can occupy four two-man foxholes. With four foxholes, all four directions to a position can be covered. With two men in each foxhole, morale is increased in combat due to a buddy system and each approach remains covered even when some casualties are sustained.

• Urban defense. Eight men can occupy a house or small building. Again, all four sides of the house can be covered by two men, allowing for good morale under stress and the integrity of defenses when a casualty is sustained.

• Rural offense. Eight men can form an eight-man patrol. A very effective combat or reconnaissance patrol formation is the diamond- shaped patrol. Two men take the point, two are at each flank and two are in the rear. At each corner, one observes the ground and the other for tree snipers. This maintains all-around security as the patrol moves in formation.

• Urban offense. Eight men make an effective house assault team. While four men give suppression fire, the other four can advance on and enter a house or small building. Once inside, two men may enter and clear rooms while the other two provide security in the hallway or open areas.

While the cell is the basic building block of the Free Militia, there is, of necessity, diversity among the cells just as there is in the human body. One kind of diversity is found in a cell's specialty. For instance, although each combat cell receives basic training for general tasks, each one emphasizes and perfects particular skills needed for different scenarios. (The range of these specialties must remain confidential until you formally join the Free Militia.)

A second kind of diversity is found in the function for which the particular cell is designed. There are four types or functions of cells in the Free Militia: (1) command, (2) combat, (3) support, and (4) communique.

Putting it in human terms, some cells in the human body serve the function of a muscle while others form bones, skin and organs. But among those cells dedicated to making muscles, some are specialized as arm muscles, some as leg muscles and others as chest muscles. They do basically the same thing but in somewhat different ways and different places. So, also, Free Militia cells may function in four different ways and specialize in several ways within their function.

Again, there are four types or functions of cells in the Free Militia: (1) command, (2) combat, (3) support, and (4) communique.

• Command cells. Command cells consist of the leadership of the Free Militia and provide the plans and orders to be implemented or carried out by all other elements. As a headquarters unit, they include their own minimal combat element for self-defense and move frequently to undisclosed locations, often secret even to other command cells. They provide training for future cell and platoon leaders. They are the "mind" of the Free Militia.

• Combat cells. Combat cells provide the patrolling and fighting capability of the Free Militia. Each cell consists of about eight able-bodied "minutemen" with its own leader, communications, rendezvous points, staging areas, and standing orders. They execute the orders of their command cells and do all their own training within the combat cell itself. They are the "arms" of the Free Militia.

• Support cells. Support cells consist of sympathetic men and/or women who are unable, unwilling, or ill-equipped for combat. Their task is to provide whatever non-combatant support is needed by the combat cells. Supply cells acquire ammunition and provisions for other cells. Medical cells set up aid stations for companies and/or battalions. Vehicle maintenance, messengers, construction, etc. are provided by support cells. They are the "arteries" of the Free Militia.

• Communique cells. Communique cells consist of bright, capable, and convincing men and women who communicate with and influence the public. Their duties include rhetoric to and fostering resistance, reconnaissance and recruiting among the community. They are the "mouth" of the Free Militia.

The cell is the smallest unit of organization within the Free Militia. All larger units consist of cells organized together under the same command. For instance, four cells comprise a platoon and are led by a lieutenant. Four platoons comprise a company and are led by a captain. This system is illustrated in the following organizational chart.

This chart shows the ideal strengths and organization of units. While all units must be organized into cells, the number of men in any particular cell or platoon may be more or less than the ideal, depending on how many men have joined the Free Militia at any point in time. Indeed, whenever a new militia is established, it is very unlikely that it will have the strength of a company or even of a platoon. Perhaps only one cell will exist at first. As new recruits join up, seasoned men will be promoted and new cells formed. Eventually platoons, companies, or even battalions (four companies), will form.

Assuming that a full company has developed, the manpower and ranks within the company would break down as follows:

Explanation of company organization

Combat elements

• The command cell is the "mind" of the company. Its responsibilities include:
  • Dissemination of constitutional principles and the ideology of the Free Militia to its rank and file members within the combat cells.
  • Development and dissemination of training materials and methods to be used within the individual combat cells.
  • Development and security of tactical (as well as strategic if this is the highest level of command)contingency plans for implementation by the combat cells when the need arises.
  • Coordination of the various combat, supply and medical cells during actual combat.
  • If this is the highest level of command, guide the development and operation of communique cells within the community.

• Within the command cell (company headquarters) the company's second in command oversees the radio and intelligence unit. The radio team maintains contact with the platoon leaders. The mapping team registers the positions and movements of friendly and enemy forces. The intelligence team gathers and distributes information received from civilian spotters, observers and so on.

• The company's third in command oversees the security cell for company headquarters. This unit provides the mobile self-defense capability for the company command post. It is also a pool of promising men who are trained and groomed to lead their own combat cells or platoons whenever there is a large influx of fresh recruits that the existing combat cells cannot absorb.

• All basic training is done within and by the combat cells with oversight from their platoon lieutenant. This includes training in ideology, individual combat skills and team combat skills. Particular orders or instructions are conveyed through the chain of command and are carried out by the combat cells. In the event the combat cell is isolated from the main group, it is designed to continue to fight on its own, using guerilla tactics.

• The supply cell supports the company by procuring and delivering needed equipment and supplies. They may also be used as messengers between the command and combat units in certain circumstances.

• The medical cell supports combat operations by setting up a combat aid station to receive and care for wounded in the event of combat.

• Communique cells will be isolated and independent of combat companies. It will be the responsibility of the "high command" to develop and control these units. They will serve as the liaison with the civilian population of our community.

The chain of command

To avoid complication, the Free Militia does away with "sub-ranks" or ranks within ranks. Thus, there are not privates and privates first class, just privates. There are no first and second lieutenants, just lieutenants. There are no lieutenant colonels and colonels, just colonels.

Promotions are made by superior officers. Any officer may promote men in his unit from two levels to one level of rank below him, provided there is a genuine leadership need for the promotion. Thus a sergeant may select one of his privates to be his corporal and a new captain may promote as many sergeants to lieutenants as he needs to command platoons.

Who do you know?

On one hand, there must be the ability to communicate and coordinate within the Free Militia. This capability must be maintained even when individual leaders are arrested or become casualties. On the other hand, there must be some insulation and isolation among elements of the Free Militia so that one part being compromised will not compromise the whole. Both needs are maintained with one relatively simple principle:

In the Free Militia, your contact and exposure to other members will be limited to direct lines of command and two levels of rank above and below.

You do not need to know your superior's peers since they have no authority over you. Nor do you need to know your own peers in other cells. You do, however, need to know your superior's superior for the following reasons:

• If your superior is somehow eliminated, your contact with the rest of the Free Militia is preserved through your acquaintance with his superior.

• If your superior requires discipline, you must know his superior so you can see to it that higher command will address the problem.

• If your superior must be demoted or discharged, your superior's superior will know who will need to be reassigned to other elements.

• Example #1: A cell member will know his cell, his sergeant and his sergeant's lieutenant.

• Example #2: A cell sergeant will know his cell, his lieutenant and his captain.

• Example #3: A platoon lieutenant will know all his cells, his four sergeants, his captain and his major.

• Example #4: A company captain will know his cell sergeants, his lieutenants, his major and his colonel.

With this structure, two entire echelons of officers would have to be wiped out to sever ties between cells and the high command. At the same time, an entire echelon of officers (for instance, all lieutenants) would have to be captured and "spill their guts" in order to compromise the entire organization. If we keep a low profile and keep ourselves spread out, this will be virtually impossible for the potential enemy to do.

Who do you answer to?

Related to who you know is who you must answer to. Clearly, you must obey superior officers. Obviously, you can only obey superior officers you know. However, it is possible that you will know several superior officers through previous service in the same cell or joint maneuvers. What do you do when two lieutenants tell you to do two different things?

In the Free Militia, you are only responsible to obey those of superior rank who are in direct line of authority over you in the chain of command.

For instance, you are only answerable to your particular cell leader and no other cell leader; to your lieutenant and no other; to your captain and no other. If two superiors tell you two different things, respectfully ignore the one that has no direct authority, even if he has a higher rank. If both have direct authority over you, obey the one higher in rank.

The limits of authority

Assuming that orders come from a superior officer who is in the direct line of command above you, you are expected and required to obey them in all matters pertaining to:

• Organization. You may request a transfer to a different cell or unit,but it is the final decision of your leaders where you will serve.

• Secrecy. You are never allowed to violate printed or verbal orders concerning secrecy and security within the Free Militia.

• Training. It is up to your leaders to determine what methods of training will be done, when, how, where and what you will train for.

• Combat. In the heat of combat, you must obey your leaders immediately when they issue a directive to move, shoot, or attack certain targets.

• Tactics. You cannot change or reinterpret general tactics or specific field orders in the Free Militia. You are on a team, not a loner.

You are not expected to obey your superiors concerning how you lead your private life, except as it affects your ability to serve in the Militia. Nor are you expected to obey your superiors when they order you to do something immoral (like shooting unarmed women and children) or unconstitutional (like shooting a criminal without a civil trial). And, of course, you may freely make recommendations to your leader when time permits. But when an order is issued, your own personal preferences and desires are immaterial. You must simply obey.

Discipline in the Free Militia

You will never be punished for failure in the Free Militia. You may have to endure further instruction or more training. But you will not be belittled or humiliated for failures assuming you gave it your best effort.

You will, however, be disciplined for defiance or disobedience. We do not, as a private Militia, have the right or authority to imprison or physically harm you (that is reserved for the civil court system). We do, however, have the authority to undo what we have the authority to do. We also have the authority to do what any citizen can do. Therefore, your superior officers have a range of possibilities at their disposal for disciplining your behavior as they see fit:

• Reprimand either privately or openly in front of your whole unit.
• Demotion in rank and removal from command over some or all troops.
• Fines imposed to make restitution for material (not punitive) damages.
• Discharge entirely from the Free Militia with no further support.
• Arrest by the local police if you commit a crime and we turn you over.

Have you had any previous military or law enforcement training or experience? If so, please describe.

Have you ever had any leadership training or experience like starting you own business, supervising a group of workers, holding a political office or church leadership? If so, please describe.

What types of occupational or job experience have you had? Which type(s) of work do you like doing the most? Are you most proficient at?

In your own words, please describe what a cell is. Why is it so important that we be organized into semi-independent cells?

Do you have any questions about the general organization of the Free Militia?

The Romans often advanced on their enemy with their rectangular shields side-by-side, forming a moving, protective wall. With swords or javelins protruding this wall of shields, the Romans were virtually invincible as long as they stayed together. But if they would break ranks, they would expose themselves to attack, death and defeat. If you were a Roman soldier, would you be more likely to survive if you obeyed a "stupid" order along with everyone else, sowed discord and division among the other troops, or individually followed a "wiser" course of action like attacking a flank? Why?

Why is it better for you today to obey less than ideal orders as a group instead of doing the ideal thing individually?

In your own words describe when you must obey your immediate superior. Describe when you must not obey your immediate superior. In your own words, describe which leaders in the Free Militia you must obey and which leaders you should not obey.

Personal questions Do you have either amateur or trained skills in any of the following areas?

The fundamental rule guiding the organization of the Free Militia is centralized principles and planning but decentralized tactics and action.

A cell is a group of eight men who train and work together to accomplish a particular goal or task important to the broader purposes of the Militia.

In the Free Militia, your contact and exposure to other members will be limited to direct lines of command and two levels of rank above and below.

In the Free Militia, you are only responsible to obey those of superior rank who are in direct line of authority over you in the chain of command.

Basically, you are obliged to obey any order pertaining to preparations for or conduct in actual combat regardless of how you like or "feel" about it.

2.4.1 Enemy capabilities and countermeasures

For now, the existence of the Free Militia is largely kept a secret because we are a relatively small organization. If and when the Free Militia should ever "go public," our principles and purposes would become open to public scrutiny. Unless people know we are guided and motivated by lofty constitutional principles we might be misunderstood as fanatics, vigilantes, or even criminals.

But our personnel and plans must always be kept private. We cannot allow a potential enemy to know the names and addresses of our entire membership nor can we let them know how we intend to defend ourselves. Therefore, our personnel and plans must be kept secret to all those outside the Free Militia.

Of course, we are faced with a wide array of modern technologies and age-old tactics that any potential enemy may use to spy on us. For convenience, we may classify these methods of spying under the headings of eavesdropping, surveillance, snooping and infiltration.

Eavesdropping

• Telephone wire tapping is probably the most common form of eavesdropping. After tapping your phone line outside your house or at the phone company's facilities everything you say on the phone is recorded.

  Countermeasures. The best way to thwart wire tapping is never to say anything sensitive over the phone. Either don't use the phone or make sure you use a prearranged code and speak in vague terms.

• Microphones or bugs might be placed in your home, office, or car to record your conversations. These are more difficult to accomplish than phone wire taps since someone must actually enter your home to place microphones.

  Countermeasures. Wired bugs may be found simply by following wires. Wireless bugs operate on radio frequencies and may be found using a bug-detector which is basically a specialized radio receiver.

• Window vibrations may be monitored from a nearby house or across the street using sophisticated equipment. This is a method used to record whole conversations in rooms without having to bug them with microphones.

  Countermeasures. Window vibration eavesdropping may be defeated by talking in rooms that do not have outside windows. You may also just turn the radio or stereo up loud to drown out your conversation.

• Visual surveillance by a person simply watching you from another house or car is the simplest form of surveillance.

  Countermeasures. Keep your drapes and curtains drawn and make efforts to "lose" people following you.

• Night vision technology allows someone watching you or your house to see just as well in the dark as in the daytime. Various scopes, binoculars, and goggles give this capability.

  Countermeasures. At home, you can keep curtains closed. In combat, you can use flares to "level the enemy" and at least put you and the enemy on the same level of vision.

• Infrared scanning technology is even more sophisticated. By picking up the infrared image your body heat puts on the wall of your house, your location in the house is known to an observer even if all your windows are covered.

  Countermeasures. If walls are thick enough, this might thwart attempts to watch you using infrared scans. Such scanning also only tells where you are. It does not show what you are doing or saying.

• Satellite photography allows someone to see incredible detail from miles above the earth. It is alleged that satellites may photograph and transmit sufficient detail to read a license plate!

  Countermeasures. Whatever you do at night, or under heavy cloud cover or indoors, or underground cannot be seen by satellites. A satellite is just as limited in its photography as a camera without a flash.

• Access to records like copies of your checks, credit card purchases, loan applications, and tax returns is easy for many agencies like the IRS, often without a warrant.

  Countermeasures. Since such records reveal what you buy, where you go, and who you do business with, be sure all sensitive transactions are in cash.

• Garbage is searched by "reporters" for tabloid "newspapers" to get dirt on celebrities. Federal agents from the DEA and FBI also routinely sift trash and garbage to obtain evidence.

  Countermeasures. Never put anything sensitive in the garbage! Burn or shred Free Militia materials, your own notes, and personal financial records to keep them secret.

• A newcomer may be a plant (someone posing as a sympathizer who is really working for the government). Such infiltrators often gain confidence by exemplifying heroic behavior or by zealously agreeing with your cause.

  Countermeasures. The way we attempt to avoid infiltration in the Free Militia is to have members approach potential recruits rather than vise versa. We also only recruit those who we have known well a long time.

• Blackmail and extortion is a more sinister way of infiltration. If the government finds out something they can use against a loyal member of a group, they might be coerced into cooperating with an investigation. Blackmailed persons may inform on friends or even lead them into an ambush.

  Countermeasures. The best way to avoid being blackmailed and used by a potential enemy is to lead a spotless and open life. Avoid excessive debt, adultery, alcohol, drugs, and crime. If you have done something wrong, just confess it to those around you. Then it cannot be used against you.

• Keep a low profile.
• Keep your mouth shut.
• Be as decentralized as is possible.
• Be as transient as possible.
• Protect all records and information.

2.4.2 Low profiles and closed mouths

The best thing you can do as an individual and we can do as a group is to maintain the lowest possible profile. If a potential enemy does not even know that we exist or that we are members of a militia they will not bother watching or listening in on us. All the technology in the world is useless unless it is put to use. And it is only used when suspicions about you are somehow aroused that technology will be used against you.

Keep a low profile by not drawing attention to yourself, your actions, or your militia equipment. They can't watch you if they don't know you exist!

Equipping yourself

• As we discussed in Section 2.2, never sign anything, never give your name and address, always pay with cash, and be as innocent looking and inconspicuous as you can when you buy guns, ammunition and military gear.

• Don't openly display your guns, ammunition, uniform and military gear in your home. If people see it they will talk about it.

• Ideally your guns, ammunition and gear should be cached somewhere away from your home. We will cover caching in section 3.0.

• Do not leave your field manual or training books out where people can see them. If a book is on your coffee table, people will put two and two together. Do not mark the binding or cover of your field manual so people can tell what it is even if they do see it on a shelf.

• Don't put your name or address on your Field Manual or training books. If they should somehow fall into the wrong hands, there should be no way to trace them to you.

• Train only with what you need for training. Don't carry your gun or wear a uniform when you are patrolling. Don't wear your uniform when target shooting. Don't carry a gun when you are digging foxholes.

• Train only with the people you need to at the time. Don't allow unnecessary spectators, even from your own cell, since they will only draw attention.

• Train in the privacy of your own home. All kinds of things short of actual shooting and field exercises can be done in a house: gun disassembly, gun cleaning, practicing firing positions, detaching and replacing empty magazines, and much more can be done inside.

• If you do need to train outside, do so in private or remote places. Shoot where people can't see the style of weapon you are shooting.

• Do not advertise your cell meetings to the public! Keep them low-key. Meet only in houses, not apartments where neighbors might overhear what you say.

• Don't unnecessarily disclose yourself to the public. During the riots in Los Angeles many store owners used their guns to ward off looters. The problem is that news reports, video tapes and pictures of armed store owners were later used to identify and prosecute people who violated gun registration laws! So don't make a citizens' arrest with your assault rifle and don't try to suppress a riot in your uniform.

Keep your mouth shut and do not tell anyone outside the Free Militia about your membership, actions, equipment, or plans. Loose lips do sink ships!

Recruiting new members

• We must be careful who we approach. Make sure that you know someone fairly well and determine that they are sympathetic to our cause before you sound them out or attempt to recruit them.

• The procedure for recruiting a new member is to sound them out on things like how they feel about guns, the Second Amendment, the government and warfare in general. Discuss the candidate with your cell leader. Only if he approves, should you take the next step of revealing your membership in the Free Militia and giving him Section 1 of the Field Manual. Never try to recruit anyone without your cell leader's approval!

• Never volunteer anything about the Free Militia to anyone outside the Free Militia.

• Never boast about the guns you own, the things you do in training, or your membership and rank in the Free Militia.

• The less your wife and kids know about the Free Militia and your participation in it, the better. Their knowing about it will not help you much, but will multiply the number of people who might "spill the beans." Moreover, if you love them, you should not want to involve them in any way that might endanger or incriminate them.

• Of course you may explain the principles of the Second Amendment to your wife and kids, but don't specifically tell them the details about the Free Militia, names of others in your cell, and so on. They may put two and two together, but you should never confirm it yourself.

• Under no circumstances is the material in your Field Manual to be divulged to or read by your wife and kids unless they have been approved by your cell leader for actual recruiting and membership.

2.4.3 Decentralization and transience

The next best thing we can do is be as decentralized as is practically possible. They can't watch all of us if we aren't all together.

The less any member knows about the whole Free Militia, the less he can divulge if he is watched, overheard, blackmailed, or arrested by the enemy.

Decentralization among the cells

• Recruiting is done by the individual cells instead of a central organization and no central records or lists are kept of membership in the Free Militia. This way, we cannot all be compromised by one individual or one set of files.

• Under no circumstances are you to reveal the identity of any member of your cell or of the Free Militia to anyone outside your cell except to your cell leader's immediate superior. The only exception to this is if the person whose identity you are going to divulge has given you explicit permission to tell the particular person or persons you are about to tell. Just because someone appears to belong to the Free Militia does not mean that he is a genuine member or that he has any business knowing certain identities even if he is a member.

• Training is done within each individual cell with a view toward fostering its ability to survive, grow and fight even in the event it is separated from the rest of the organization.

• Any methods used to communicate within a cell -- such as telephone chains -- will be developed and held in confidence within the cell.

• All codes, passwords, recognition codes and signals will be developed and used uniquely within each cell so "breaking a code" for one cell will not compromise all Free Militia communications.

• As discussed in Section 2.3, the organization of the Free Militia is as decentralized as possible.

• Some information from recruiting and interviews with cell leaders is passed on to higher command. For instance, the equipment and materials available within the cell but useful to command must be made known. However, the names and addresses of cell members with the skills or equipment are not passed on. All superiors normally know is the capabilities of a cell, not its identities. In the event of a mobilization, a general call will go out for the skills or equipment.

• As discussed in Section 2.3.4, you will only know two direct levels of rank above and below you. This will permit continued contact if someone is lost, arrested, or killed, without exposing the whole group to everyone in the group.

Try to avoid patterns. Don't keep doing the same thing the same way at the same time and place. They can't keep watching you if they can't find you.

Within the cell

• Every cell will have its own rendezvous point where it will meet in the event of mobilization. Keep changing the rendezvous point so if anyone finds out about it, it will be "old news" and "wrong news" whenever you actually have to meet.

• Don't train in the same place and at the same time. Besides the fact that you might draw attention to yourself or even be watched, it is good experience to train under a wide variety of conditions. Vary the time of day, the weather, the terrain and so forth.

• In addition to being decentralized, codes, passwords and signals should also be transient. Change them from time to time. This does not mean you have to keep coming up with new ones. Some codes might be reused sometime later on. As long as the code itself does not reveal what code you are using. (If each code has different characteristic words, then certain words will tell a listener which one you are using. If codes use the same words different ways, simply listening in will not disclose which code you are using.)

• Command posts will be moved regularly as will sources of supplies.

• If someone leaves your cell for any reason, certain measures must be taken to change things so they cannot compromise you. This applies whether someone leaves you voluntarily, is discharged, arrested or taken prisoner.

• Whenever someone voluntarily leaves, they will be debriefed by their superior's superior.

• Whenever someone voluntarily leaves a cell (either leaving the Free Militia or joining another cell) the cell's rendezvous points, codes, passwords, arms and ammunition caches should all be changed fairly soon.

• Whenever someone forcefully leaves a cell (either by being arrested, captured, or lost) the cell's rendezvous points, codes and passwords must all be changed immediately. Arms and ammunition caches should be moved as soon as it can safely be determined that they are not under surveillance.

2.4.4 Classification of documents

All military organizations must secure their plans if they are to surprise and evade the enemy. The final principle of secrecy and security is to maintain a system of classifying records, documents, plans and maps. By restricting access to the most sensitive information, it is less likely that it will fall into the wrong hands. This section of the Field Manual will be the last thing you read pertaining to the Free Militia that does not have some kind of classification or restriction attached to it. They can't read about us if we do not give them reading material.

The U.S. Department of Defense has three levels of classification. These are confidential, secret, and top secret. Anyone having access to classified information must have the appropriate clearance which is granted only after a fairly thorough investigation of the individual. But the right clearance is not sufficient to gain access to the information. A person must also have a "need to know." Thus, someone with a top secret clearance is not necessarily allowed to read a merely confidential report unless the report directly pertains to his work or plans.

The Free Militia also operates on a need-to-know basis. However, we do not have the resources to do a detailed personal investigation. Nor are the three levels of government clearance suitable to our situation. So for the Free Militia, your clearance is based upon your rank.

In the Free Militia, you are only cleared to know or access information which is made available to your rank and only if you need to know it.

Printed and written materials (like this Field Manual and maps) will indicate on the cover which levels of rank are cleared for accessing it. You are never to open or read any document that is classified for ranks higher than yours. Even if you have the rank, you still must not read it unless a superior indicates that you have a need to know. Inadvertent and intentional violations should be reported to your superiors.

As said before, the particulars of a cell's own codes, caches, meeting places, and so on should be restricted to the cell. As far as the Free Militia as a whole is concerned, the following guidelines regulate the general classification of materials:

• Ideology is restricted to potential recruits approved by the cell leader.
• Training information is restricted to actual recruits (privates and up).
• Positional details such as staging areas are restricted to cell leaders.
• Tactical information is restricted to officers (lieutenants and above).
• Strategic information is restricted to the two highest echelons of command, depending on the size of the Militia.

Remember that information is classified whether it is written or verbal. So treat discussions of sensitive material as you would a document. Do not discuss it over the phone. Do not discuss it in the presence of non-cleared people whether they are in the Militia or not.

Where do you stand?

I have attempted to present everything I can concerning the Free Militia's purpose and organization as well as what is expected of you should you decide to join us. Of course, much has been left out for security reasons. If you do join us by taking the oath of office in the presence of your cell, there is much more that will be at your disposal in terms of training, plans, assistance and encouragement. But this must be reserved for the committed minuteman who knows and promises to carry out his duties.

So this is the end of the "information highway" for mere inquirers. You are at a crossroads, and must either part company with us or jump in with both feet. You know what the Free Militia is all about. You know how you will need to equip yourself. You know how we are organized and what authority structure you will be coming into. You know the basics of how you will need to maintain secrecy. Now we need to know something about you. As I asked before, are you vigilant, active and brave? Do you have a strong heart? The Free Militia is not for the half-hearted, it is for the lion-hearted.

Of course you are free to walk away from us without obligation. We have no physical hold on you. We have no legal authority over you. But I wonder if you can so easily walk away from our cause. Ideas not only can energize and embolden us, they can enthrall and captivate us. The lofty principles of Liberty are not easily forgotten by subjects nor ignored by tyrants once they are first tasted. How much less can they be forgotten or ignored by people like you and me who have lived and breathed them all our lives? How much less can the light of Liberty be forgotten or ignored by people like you and me who are seeing with our own eyes the attempts to snuff it out forever? The Free Militia is not for the short-sighted, it is for the far-sighted.

Hopefully you see the dangers on the horizon. Indeed, the perils to our liberties are already upon us! But perhaps you are inclined to run away rather than face them. Patrick Henry would tell you, "For my own part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it."