Rank 4 of 5 · Several months
Trail Boss
Leading the outfit
A Trail Boss doesn't just have supplies. They lead people. The work here is several months of depth, comms that reach past the neighborhood, a security plan everyone knows, and water and power sized for a group.
Who it's for
Experienced preppers and the person everyone calls when the lights go out, ready to organize a family or group.
Start with
A written readiness plan with a role for each person, and a licensed radio net for your household or group.
Goals
- Cover several months of food and water for everyone you plan for.
- Run comms beyond the cell network, including licensed amateur (ham) radio.
- Write and practice a security plan for your home and group.
- Scale up water storage and backup power to group size.
- Lead with a written plan, clear roles, and regular drills.
Checklist
Skills and gear milestones
Work through these at your own pace. Print the page and tick them off as you go.
Gear and systems
- Several months of stored food, rotated on a written schedule
- Large-scale water storage plus treatment for the whole group
- A larger solar and battery or generator setup with safe fuel storage
- A base radio station and handhelds for each team member
- Home security basics: solid doors and locks, exterior lighting, and a safe room plan
Skills
- Earn an amateur (ham) radio license and check into a local net
- Run a radio check-in schedule with your group
- Maintain and repair your own water and power gear
- Complete advanced or wilderness first-aid training (not medical advice)
Leadership
- Write a household or group plan with a role for each person
- Set up a check-in tree so news reaches everyone
- Write a security plan: watch rotation, rally points, and when to leave
- Run a drill every quarter and debrief afterward
- Teach the skills so the outfit doesn't depend on one person
Not medical advice. First-aid mentions here are general preparedness information. They don't replace professional care or first-aid training. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your household's needs. In an emergency, call 911.
Recommended lists
The Trail Boss shelves
Coming soon: shelf being stocked
Several-Month Storage Planner
Food and water storage, rotation, and inventory for months at a time.
Coming soon: shelf being stocked
Group Comms List
Base station, handhelds, and a net schedule for your group.
Coming soon: shelf being stocked
Family & Group Readiness Plan
Roles, check-in trees, security plans, and drill templates.
Role add-ons: coming soon
Role gear sized for the Trail Boss rank (Ramrod (Leader), Sawbones (Medic), Cookie (Cook), Lookout (Comms), Scout (Navigation & Security), Fixer (Tools & Repair)) is in the works. No picks or prices yet.
Next rank
Up next: Homestead (Indefinite). Indefinite self-sufficiency: growing and preserving your own food, your own water and off-grid power, and the land and skills to keep it all going.
Ride on to Homestead