Retreat (survivalism): Difference between revisions

While [[fallout shelter]]s have been advocated since the 1950s, dedicated self-sufficient survivalist retreats have been advocated only since the mid-1970s. The survival retreat concept has been touted by a number of influential survivalist writers including [[Ragnar Benson]], [[Robert K. Brown]], [[Barton Biggs]], [[Bruce D. Clayton]], [[Jeff Cooper (colonel)|Jeff Cooper]], [[Cresson Kearny]], [[James Wesley Rawles]], [[Howard Ruff]], [[Kurt Saxon]], [[Joel Skousen]], [[Don Stephens]], [[Mel Tappan]], and [[Nancy Tappan]].{{citation needed|date=December 2010}} Survivalists or "preppers" build these survivalist retreats to help them survive in the event of a disas terdisaster or simply "disappear," hence, the need for self-sufficiency.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Preppers & Survivalists: A Beginner's Guide|last=Bronsky|first=Dave|publisher=|year=2016|isbn=9788822858979|location=978-8822858979|pages=1997}}</ref>

With the increasing inflation of the 1960s, the impending USU.S. monetary [[devaluation]], the continuing concern with possible nuclear exchanges between the US and the [[Soviet Union]], and the increasing vulnerability of [[urban centers]] to supply shortages and other systems failures, a number of primarily [[conservative]] and [[Libertarianism|libertarian]] thinkers began suggesting that individual preparations would be wise. This was further reinforced by the effort on the part of the U.S. government to encourage the installation of bomb and fallout shelters in the United States after the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Survival Retreats: A Practical Guide to Creating a Sustainable, Defendable Refuge|last=Black|first=David|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.|year=2011|isbn=9781616084172978-1616084172|location=New York|pages=19}}</ref> [[Harry Browne]] also began offering seminars in 1967 on how to survive a monetary collapse. He worked with Don Stephens, an architect, survival bookseller, and author, who provided input on how to build and equip a remote survival retreat. He provided a copy of his original ''Retreater's Bibliography'' (1967) for each seminar participant.

Articles on the subject appeared in such small-distribution libertarian publications as ''The Innovator'' and ''Atlantis Quarterly''. It was also from this period that Robert D. Kephart began publishing ''Inflation Survival Letter''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interesting.com/Robert-Kephart/ |title=Robert D. Kephart (1934-20041934–2004) |publisher=Interesting.com |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> (later renamed ''Personal Finance''). The newsletter included a continuing section on personal preparedness by Stephens for several years. It promoted expensive seminars around the US on the same cautionary topics. Stephens participated, along with James McKeever and other defensive investing, [[hard currency]] advocates.

In 1975, Kurt Saxon began publishing a newsletter called ''The Survivor'', which advocated moving to lightly populated regions to "lie low" during a socio-economic collapse, and setting up fortified enclaves for defense against what he termed "killer caravans"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.textfiles.com/survival/caravans |title=The Killer Caravans |publisher=Textfiles.com |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21}}</ref><ref>[http://www.survivalebooks.com//THE_KILLER CARAVANS.php]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> of looters from urban areas.

For a time in the 1970s, the terms "survivalist" and "retreater" were used interchangeably. The term "retreater" eventually fell out of favor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aussurvivalist.com/whatissurvivalismsaxon.htm |title=What is Survivalism? |publisher=AusSurvivalist |date=2008-04-15 |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21}}</ref> This was attributed to the United States withdrawal from Vietnam, which led to the perception that the country was less at risk of being attacked.<ref name=":0" /> People began to become interested again as public paranoia intensified over the Soviet threat during Cold War period.

One of the most important newsletters on survivalism and survivalist retreats in the 1970s was the ''Personal Survival ("P.S.") Letter'' (circac. 1977-19821977–1982) published by Mel Tappan, who also authored the books ''Survival Guns'' and ''Tappan on Survival''. The newsletter included columns from Tappan himself, as well from Jeff Cooper, Al J. Venter, Bill Pier, Bruce D. Clayton, Rick Fines, Nancy Mack Tappan, J. B. Wood, Dr. Carl Kirsch, Charles Avery, [[Karl Hess]], Eugene A. Barron, Janet Groene, [[Dean Ing]], Bob Taylor, [[Reginald Bretnor]], C. G. Cobb, and several other writers, some under [[pen name]]s. The majority of this newsletter revolved around selecting, constructing and logistically equipping survival retreats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frfrogspad.com/persurv.htm |title=Magazine Articles By Jeff Cooper |publisher=Frfrogspad.com |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> Following Tappan's death in 1980, [[Karl Hess]] took over publishing the newsletter, eventually renaming it ''Survival Tomorrow''.

Several books published in the 1990s offered advice on survival retreats and relocation. Some influential in survivalist circles are ''Survival Retreat: A Total Plan For Retreat Defense'' by Ragnar Benson, ''Strategic Relocation—NorthRelocation – North American Guide to Safe Places'' by [[Joel Skousen]], and ''The Secure Home'', (also by Skousen).

Several books published since 2000 advocate survival retreats and relocation. Some that have been particularly influential in survivalist circles are ''How to Implement a High Security Shelter in the Home '' by Joel Skousen, ''Rawles on Retreats and Relocation'' by [[James Wesley Rawles]], and ''Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World'' by Bruce D. Clayton.<ref>[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1331459.Life_After_Terrorism Life After Terrorism by Bruce D. Clayton ]</ref>

Common retreat locale selection parameters include light population density, plentiful water, [[arable land]], good solar exposure for gardening and [[photovoltaics]], situation above any flood plains, and a diverse and healthy local economy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html#CONUS |title=SurvivalBlog.com |publisher=SurvivalBlog.com |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202012637/http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html#CONUS |archivedatearchive-date=2013-12-02 |df= }}</ref> Fearing rioting, looting and other unrest, many survivalists advocate selecting retreat locales that are more than one tank of gasoline away from any major metropolitan region. Properties that are not in "channelized areas" or on anticipated "refugee lines of drift" are also touted.<ref>{{cite web|author=www.jollymoon.com |url=http://www.survivalblog.com/glossary.html |title=Glossary |publisher=Survivalblog.com |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref>

Because of its low population density and diverse economy, James Wesley Rawles <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html |title=SurvivalBlog.com |publisher=SurvivalBlog.com |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202012637/http://www.survivalblog.com/retreatareas.html |archivedatearchive-date=2013-12-02 |df= }}</ref> and Joel Skousen <ref>[http://www.joelskousen.com/About/about.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221032024/http://www.joelskousen.com/About/about.html |date=December 21, 2007 }}</ref> both recommend the [[Intermountain West]] region of the [[United States]] as a preferred region for relocation and setting up retreats. Although it has higher population density, Mel Tappan recommended southwestern [[Oregon]], where he lived,<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/532445.html Mitchell, Dancing at Armageddon, excerpt<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> primarily because it is not downwind of any envisioned nuclear targets in the United States.

While some survivalists recommend living at a rural retreat year-round,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.survivalblog.com/2006/02/the_selfsuffcient_retreat_and.html |title=The Self-Sufficient Retreat, and "Working the Kinks Out" |publisher=Survivalblog.com |date=2006-02-22 |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21}}</ref> most survivalists cannot afford to do so. Therefore, they rely on keeping a well-stocked retreat, and plan to go there "at the 11th hour", as necessary. They keep a [[bug-out bag]] handy, and may have a dedicated '''bug-out vehicle''' (BOV). This is a vehicle that the owner keeps prepared in the event of the need for an [[emergency evacuation]]. Typically a BOV is equipped with a variation on the [[bug-out bag]] that includes additional automotive supplies, clothing, food, and water. [[Survivalists]] tend to favor [[All-terrain vehicle|ATV]]/[[Off-road vehicles]] in particular such as [[four wheel drive]], [[pickupUte truck(vehicle)|pickup trucks]], [[SUVs]] and motorbikes such as [[SUVsStreetfighter (motorcycle)|Streetfighters]], [[Enduro motorcycle|Enduros]]/[[Supermoto]]s etc due to their greater off-road/handling abilities. Survivalists may opt into maintaining an older vehicle sinceas itthey most likely lackslack critical electronic components that would otherwisecould be damaged by the [[electromagnetic pulse]] that accompanies a nuclear explosion.

Jeff Cooper popularized the concept of hardening retreats against [[small arms]] fire. In an article titledentitled "Notes on Tactical Residential Architecture" in Issue #30 of P.S. Letter (April, 1982), Cooper suggested using the "[[Vauban]] Principle", whereby projecting bastion corners would prevent miscreants from being able to approach a retreat's exterior walls in any blind spots. Corners with this simplified implementation of a [[Star fort|Vauban Star]] are now called "Cooper Corners" by James Wesley Rawles, in honor of Jeff Cooper.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.survivalblog.com/2008/12/letter_re_home_invasion_robber.html |title=Letter Re: Home Invasion Robbery Countermeasures--Your Mindset and Architecture |publisher=Survivalblog.com |date=2008-12-30 |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014012147/http://www.survivalblog.com/2008/12/letter_re_home_invasion_robber.html |archive-date=2012-10-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Depending on the size of the group needing shelter, design elements of traditional European [[castle]] architecture, as well as Chinese [[Fujian Tulou]] and Mexican walled courtyard houses have been suggested for survival retreats.

In both his book ''Rawles on Retreats and Relocation'' and in his survivalist novel, ''[[Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse]]'', Rawles describes in great detail retreat groups "[[Fortified house|upgrading]]" brick or other masonry houses to that of a [[blockhouse]] with steel reinforced window shutters and doors, excavating anti-vehicular ditches, installing [[Warded lock|warded gate lockslock]]s, constructing [[concertina wire]] obstacles, and [[Fougasse (weapon)|fougasse]]s, and setting up listening post/[[observation post]]s (LP/OPs.) Rawles is a proponent of including a [[mantrap (access control)|mantrap]] foyer at survival retreats, an architectural element that he calls a "crushroom".<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://survivalblog.com/the_meme_of_crushroom_a_key_re/ |title=The Meme of Crushroom: A Key Retreat Architecture Element |publisher=Survivalblog.com |date=2009-06-26 |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21}}</ref>

Both Bruce D. Clayton and Joel Skousen have both written extensively on integrating fallout shelters into retreat homes, but they put less emphasis on ballistic protection and exterior perimeter security than Cooper and Rawles.

Anticipating long periods of time without commerce in the future, as well as observing documented history, retreat groups typically place a strong emphasis on logistics. They amass stockpiles of supplies for their own use, for charity, and for [[barter]]. Frequently cited key logistics for a retreat include long -term storage food, common caliber ammunition, medical supplies, tools, gardening seed, and fuel. In an article titledentitled "Ballistic Wampum" in Issue #6 of P.S. Letter (1979) Jeff Cooper wrote about stockpiling ammunition far in excess of his own needs, keeping the extra available to use for bartering.

In their books, Joel Skousen, Mel Tappan, and Howard Ruff all emphasize the need to have a one-year supply of storage food.

Mainstream economist and financial adviser Barton Biggs is a proponent of well-stocked retreats. In his 2008 book ''Wealth, War, and Wisdom'', Biggs has a gloomy outlook for the economic future, and suggests that investors take [[survivalist]] measures. In the book, Biggs recommends that his readers should “assume the possibility of a breakdown of the civilized infrastructure.” He goes so far as to recommend setting up survival retreats: “Your safe haven must be self-sufficient and capable of growing some kind of food,” Mr. Biggs writes. “It should be well-stocked with seed, fertilizer, canned food, wine, medicine, clothes, etc. Think [[Swiss Family Robinson]]. Even in America and Europe there could be moments of riot and rebellion when law and order temporarily breaks down.”<ref name=autogenerated2 />

Survivalist retreats, both formal and informal exist worldwide, most visibly in Australia,<ref>{{cite web|last=Donaldson |first=Janaia |url=http://www.energybulletin.net/node/22852 |title=Head for the hills - the new survivalists |publisher=Energybulletin.net |date=2006-11-23 |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21}}</ref> Belgium, Canada,<ref>Gazette, The. (2008-11-05) [http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/arts/story.html?id=774e5bbd-54d0-4277-ae92-4129d8420da0 Survivalist Cuisine: Apocalypse grade tomatoes]. Canada.com. Retrieved on 2010-11-14.</ref> France,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://le-projet-olduvai.kanak.fr/ |title=Faire face aux risques et aux situations de crise |publisher=Le-projet-olduvai.kanak.fr |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> Germany<ref>Pancevski, Bojan. (2007-06-17) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1554796/Bunkers-in-vogue-as-cold-war-fears-rise.html Bunkers in vogue as cold war fears rise]. Telegraph. Retrieved on 2010-11-14.</ref> (often organized under the guise of "adventuresport" clubs),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmoz.org/World/Deutsch/Freizeit/Outdoor/Survival/ |title=Open Directory - World: Deutsch: Freizeit: Outdoor: Survival |publisher=Dmoz.org |access-date= |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> New Zealand,<ref>[http://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/survivalism-new-zealand/ New Zealand Survivalism Resources] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026111657/http://www.thebugoutbagguide.com/survivalism-new-zealand/ |date=October 26, 2014 }}</ref> Norway,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dn.no/d2/article1550375.ece |title=Klar for dommedag |publisher=DN.no |date= |accessdate=2013access-11-21}}</ref> Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/news/survivalists-stock-up-for-end-of-days/ |title=Survivalists stock up for End of Days — RT News |publisher=Rt.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-21}}</ref> Sweden,<ref>[http://swedishsurvivalist.egensajt.se/forum/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101160816/http://swedishsurvivalist.egensajt.se/forum/ |date=November 1, 2010 }}</ref> and the United States.<ref name=autogenerated2/>

Construction of government-built retreats, [[Compound (fortification)|security compounds]] and underground shelters—roughly analogous to survivalist retreats—has been done extensively since the advent of the [[Cold War]], especially of public nuclear [[fallout shelters]] in many nations. The [[United States]] government has created [[Continuity of Government]] (COG) shelters built by the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] and [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] ("FEMA"). These include the massive shelter built under the [[The Greenbrier#The Bunker|Greenbrier hotel]] (aka [[Project Greek Island]]), military facilities likesuch as [[Cheyenne Mountain Complex]], and the [[Raven Rock Mountain Complex]], and [[Mount Weather]] sites. OtherFacilities nations'in facilitiesother nations include the [[National redoubt#Switzerland|Swiss redoubt fortress system]] and its dual use facilities likesuch as the [[Sonnenberg Tunnel]] and Norway's [[Sentralanlegget]] bunker in [[Buskerud]] County.

*''Tappan on Survival'' by Mel Tappan (1981) {{ISBN|0-916172-04-X}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/mark_l_anderson/faqs/tapp.txt |title=Tappan on Survival |author=Mel Tappan |publisher=Webcitation.org |accessdateaccess-date=2013-11-21 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://wwwweb.webcitationarchive.org/5ko3AJFVv?url=web/20090915223317/http://www.geocities.com/mark_l_anderson/faqs/tapp.txt |archivedatearchive-date=OctoberSeptember 2615, 2009 |df= }}</ref>

* [[Survivalism in fiction]]

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