(NewsNation) — As natural disasters and civil unrest have engulfed the United States, a new alternative has arrived for Americans who opt not to sit idly by and wait for destruction to hit their doorstep.
The “prepared citizen” movement is a growing trend in which people take proactive steps to become self-reliant and ready for various emergencies or crises. It includes hardcore military training, self-defense and tools such as first aid and emergency communication.
The inspiration for the concept emerged from Eric Roscher, as Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. He watched as civilians in the country were flooding the streets with little ability to defend themselves.
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“They were trying to learn how to shoot literally days before the Russians invaded,” said Roscher, a U.S. Air Force veteran and owner of Barrel and Hatchet Trade Group. “And so they were almost, like, helpless. And I saw it was like in America, we shouldn’t have that problem. One, we have the Second Amendment, but we as citizens should have the ability to defend our country and ourselves, and it’s in our Constitution.”
Roscher teaches everyday Americans combat-style training.
Most prepared citizens NewsNation spoke to said they hope they never have to use the training or “utilize it in a way that protects themselves and protects their families.”
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Those undergoing the training come from different professions and backgrounds.
Dan Pham is a civil engineer who builds robots. Brandon Jordan is a YouTube content creator. And Angela Clough is an exercise physiologist.
“I’m this very loving, caring girl, but I can be fierce,” Clough said.
Ben Brown, owner of Wise Men Company, a firearms accessory seller, said the group aims to be prepared for any threat.
“Riots, elections, foreign wars, people realizing that their safety is their own personal responsibility,” he said. “No one’s coming to save them, so they’re going to have to be able to defend themselves and take matters in their own hands if they need to.”
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