Johnny explains that the first thing that the community will need is an adequate location. There must be enough space to house the population. Organizers should consider the space required for large scale farming efforts, and the site must have an adequate water source. The location needs to provide an ability to set up sufficient defensive systems and a way to protect the community.

In Absolute Anarchy, Johnny stresses that this type of organization of community only works after the fall. During the collapse, if you attempt to organize your neighbors, they will know you are a prepper. As time passes and they start starving, you will become the target. If you share, you will become a hungry refugee too.

You can't have a community without people. If you think your family can survive on their own, you are wrong. For every group performing a task outside a secured area, you need two guards on them. Their only job is to guard. A community can provide a more substantial secured area. Also, children will still need education, people will always need medical care, and the elderly will need assistance. To survive, your community will need fighters, engineers, mechanics, farmers, crafters, laborers, medics, carpenters, livestock raisers, food preservers, teachers, communication specialists, and trainers.

In a post-collapse society, bad guys will come in large groups to take you or what you have. You will need a community to protect honest people. Picking appropriate leadership to guide the group is essential. You will need a good leader to get your group through the collapse. During this time, you need one leader who can make tough decisions rapidly. Once you have survived the fall, you can set up a community government with participants from all areas to debate future choices.

Johnny suggests electing people to handle administrative duties and finances. When I first read that, I thought it was strange. In retrospect, it makes perfect sense. You need maintained logs on who is coming and going, how many refugees you encounter each day, the movements of the security guards, and the happenings with the community. You will want to keep member records and establish a central office where all information goes to and comes from. These individuals will also be responsible for maintaining community supplies and keeping track of high-value bartering items.

Other leaders will need to be elected to manage individual functions and solve problems at lower administrative levels. For example, someone should be in charge of security and intelligence. Your community will need to be patrolling the surrounding area, so you know who is out there. You will need guards and listening posts to alert the community to any incoming attacks. You may need to conduct raids on unfriendly groups or ambush would-be attackers. It will be imperative to interface with other peoples and you'll need to know who is friendly and who isn't.

Another leader should be in charge of logistics. These are the folks that will address mechanical, transportation, and supply issues. Equipment will need maintenance, parts will need resupplying, and critical supplies for the community will have to be acquired.

Overseeing the medical staff is another required position. The medical staff does much more than providing for medical needs. They will be in charge of inventorying medical supplies. They will monitor individuals in the community and assess each member's overall health, both physically and mentally. They will inspect the environment, including the water supplies, to ensure that no bacteria or other infestation occurs.

Other roles that will require strong leadership are communications. These are the individuals that are efficient at making and using radios and electronics for making contact with the outside world. Your community will also require a training manager. Every individual in the group should cross-train to perform as many skills as possible. The training manager will also be in charge of educational efforts for the younger people.

There are many supplies that you can begin acquiring now to help support your future community. When stocking food, it is vital to keep dietary necessities in mind. Johnny suggests having a two-year food supply per person and make sure your seeds are open-pollinated. Stash these seeds in airtight containers in as many locations as you can. It would be nice to have a secret cache if all of your sites are compromised. If you know where you are going, plant fruit and nut trees as soon as possible. Start growing vegetables now, so you develop the skill now. Make sure you rotate your seed stocks.

It would be best if you considered production and preservation equipment. You will need many farming tools. If you are going to buy a tractor, make sure it is a diesel tractor. This way, you can use more alternative fuels in the future. Stock up on cans, jars, lids, and canners. Some canning lids are reusable, but I still haven't gotten my hands on any to test it out for you. If possible, stock the lake by your bug out location now, so it is ready for you later.

Your community is also going to need protective equipment. Yes, guns and ammo, but there is much more to a proper defensive system. Consider computer or electronic monitoring systems for the community perimeter and critical supply areas. Your guards are going to need short wave radios for communication. You can stock motion lights now. Also, night vision is an absolute essential for evening guard patrols.

Beyond those things, you need to consider breeding stock, to keep animal life alive. You can never have enough medical supplies. Think dental and surgical tools, even if this is not within your skillset. You may take in a refugee who possesses those skills. Construction materials are also a must. You can never have enough hammers, nails, wood, glues, and tools that don't require a power source to operate.

People are going to need essential shelter items like blankets and clothing. Instead of taking all of your old clothes to goodwill, consider stocking them somewhere for future use. A forge for fixing tools will also come in handy. Some tools should be acquired to accomplish that task—for example, a hammer, anvil, tongs, and spare steel.

Alcohol production is also essential. Not so everyone can enjoy the libations, but for use medicinally. Herb gardens filled with medications should be grown, and you will need to have the seeds stocked for this well ahead of time. Think of other items you will need, like vinegar for preserving. You need to know how to make it for community survival in the future.

It takes a community to thrive as an individual on this planet: the more adaptable your people and the more skills they possess, the more likely your chances of survival. Considering the essentials not and trying to be as prepared as possible can have a big payoff in the future. You are only as strong as your group.

Absolute Anarchy by Johnny Jacks