The Citadel project has been an amazing experience. The community we have created in a very short time is incredible. A group of dedicated volunteers, working together on a project we truly believe in. Creating the future that we want instead of waiting around for the future to just happen to us.
When I first heard about the idea, I was hooked. It's the type of thing that I might daydream about but not ever consider as a real possibility. Even something as modest as the idea James Rawles had in his book "Patriots", a small group of friends buying property together in northern Idaho was more than I could hope to achieve.
As I look at the comments, the thing that really jumps out at me is the number of people who think this isn't just a good idea or an interesting idea but a life changing idea.
We have many amazing folks who are just waiting for the last pieces to fall into place to head to Idaho. Machinists, IT specialists, ex military, medical, education, farmers, a successful professional land developer - the list is awesome and growing daily. The extensive knowledge and experience of those who are ready to go is impressive. We will have everything we need to make a thriving community.
Some folks have a hard time believing that our philosophy of Rightful Liberty isn't just a marketing slogan. I have been a part of this project from the beginning and I can tell you that it is for real. It doesn't matter who you are or where you are from. All that matters is a genuine belief in Rightful Liberty. Racists, bigots, sexists or any other form of "ists" that need someone to hate need not apply. If you can't defend your neighbor's life and liberty as vigorously as your own, regardless of who or what they are, you have no place in the Citadel.
The only negative I can think of in this whole idea is that ultimately we won't have room for everyone who wants to live in the Citadel. The amount of interest we've had already without any promotion effort beyond our blogs and some forums makes me believe that. We've had exposure now on nationally know web sites, like the Drudge Report, so we expect that process to accelerate.
For everyone who has questions, please be patient. As I said, we are all volunteers and this project is still in its very early stages. There is much work to do and much to still be decided. We will keep you posted here and on the web site as to our progress.
VJ
We signed up after seeing article on Drudge. Great concept! If you are like-minded, send your $208.00 now! My family of 7 is excited!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of Transition Towns? Very similar concept, and there are lots of them now both globally and even some here in the US.
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteI have a question regarding the micro-apartment. As a patriot prepper I am in the process of trying to acquire 3 options in case the SHTF. My plan "A" is bugging in at my place of residence, plan "B" is a place I have a few hundred miles in a rural area from where I live and I want a plan "C" that is west of the Mississippi in the Redoubt. I live in Michigan and most of my relatives live here and I do not choose to relocate at this time and was wondering if the micro-apartment would/could be an option for my wife and I should we have the need to have a place to go where like-minded patriots have come together to support each other and to give me an added option for suvivability? Also, if this would be a viable option, would the micro-apartment also be a place where I could stage prepper items (rifle, ammo, long term food, water, etc.) for unforseen events? I am also thinking that I could come visit the micro-apartment at least once a year to meet residents, train, set up or modify such type of dwelling. Is this something that would be doable? I am intrigued by what you are doing! God bless you all!
Jeff P.
As a matter of fact, this is exactly one of the scenarios we have discussed. Yes, you can do just what you have suggested. One of our main goals is to provide a variety of options so that each individual or family can do what works best for them.
DeleteWe have said that we will need to bring our own jobs and incomes with us. Leasing a bug out location is one of those sources of income, so go ahead and make your plans.
Love this concept and want to get involved! I have several questions:
ReplyDelete* I see a central water and power facility on the layout. Are you looking at distributed power and water concepts (more easily defensible) - such as fuel cells, solar, hydro, etc.?
* Is there a list of desired/needed skill sets? I am in IT (financial services) and my wife is a math teacher (middle school to college level).
* Is there an upper age limit for residents?
* Is the community going to be self-funding or is financing going to be necessary?
* Why leases instead of purchases for residents?
Much of what you see is a first draft to get the discussions started. We have been looking at the work of John Robb ( ResilientCommunities.com ) and will lean strongly toward distributed systems for resilience.
DeleteDon't have definite answers for some questions, yet. Employment is going to be a big issue. The firearms company will provide some initial financial support. After that, we will mostly take a free market approach to providing goods and services. We don't want to do a planned economy. So the real answer is it depends on who moves there and what industry or business they bring with them. There's only so much we can do from the development side. The rest is going to be up to the residents. We are going to be as realistic as we can about what it will take to make this project work. We have to bring enough jobs and income with us to support the community.
No upper age limit, but everyone needs to be self sufficient. We are thinking of a retirement facility as one of the income streams.
Financing is still a work in progress. One of those things it is still too early to have specifics worked out for.
The lease idea is to keep liberals from moving in. That isn't absolutely set in stone, but it is the only mechanism we have come up with so far. There are other models, such as co-op that may work. The problem with selling property is that it can then be sold to anyone. We are adamant that we want only those who support Rightful Liberty and are willing to sign and live up to the Patriot Agreement to live in the Citadel. If someone can come up with another way to do that, we are open to suggestions.
I wish there were a way to show interest without applying just yet. I don't know if we could afford to live there because while I'll probably have no trouble finding employment (I'm a math teacher and I raise meat rabbits), my husband works in IT specializing in networking and I don't know if there would even be a job there for him.
ReplyDeleteThere's no real down side to applying now. This will be a multi year project so there will be a very broad window of opportunity for moving in. We expect to build a very modern community, so I expect IT will be a major area of interest. See my comments above about employment, though.
DeleteBe flexible and be part of the process. Help make our future and your future by being involved from the start. This will be a very dynamic process. By being a part of it, you may see an opportunity that works for you, something you wouldn't get a shot at if you wait to see what happens.
That goes for everybody. If this is what you want, go for it. You are risking very little at this point and by being involved you will have more opportunities to find your niche. Everyone who brings a business in will be looking to hire other Citadel residents. Be one of those who is available when the need arises.
I consider myself a "liberal" does that mean i'm not allowed? I love the whole idea and want to apply but I don't want to end up in some extremist racist state.
DeleteShort answer is no liberals. The longer answer would require knowing if you mean a classical liberal, like Thoreau who would be quite welcome among us, or a modern liberal who is basically a Marxist who stole the appealing parts of classical liberalism but left out the parts that involve anything like personal responsibility.
DeleteLonger answer is you haven't read the faq or you would know the answer to your question already. (For those who can't be bothered reading the faq, we aren't racists and won't knowingly allow them to live among us.) That suggests that you aren't all that serious about this idea. We have plenty of people who are very serious, have read our material and decided this is what they want. Add that to "I'm a liberal" and the answer is probably no, we don't really want you. Nothing personal, we just have better candidates already applying.
VJ
So...no socialists allowed in your socialist society??
DeleteNo socialists at all Darrell. Since socialists hate for us "mundanes" to actually be armed, living in a martial society would require a level of double think that would probably be mentally damaging. Wouldn't want to be the cause of that.
DeleteAs a general comment, this is a good example of the lack of reading comprehension and/or logical thinking ability that so afflicts our country these days. Here we are forming a privately owned firearms company to manufacture and sell firearms for a profit. Last time I checked, this would be considered a prime example of capitalism. We are also in total support of our Constitutional Republic as intended by the founders of the country. All that limited government, rule of law, checks and balances type of stuff they were into. Nary a socialist amongst them. You can see why things are such a mess when there are people out there who can't even tell the difference.
VJ
I am going to try to convince my husband we need to apply tonight. His only worry is about a job (he is a steal structure detailer/drafter) and that people of the community may be put on some government watch list.
ReplyDeleteMy husbands worries are a job (he is a steal structure detailer/drafter) and that the people in the community would be put on a government watch list. I am going to try to convince him we need to apply now so we don't miss out on this great opportunity. Since we live in Post Falls, ID (just north of Benewah) we could help if the approval goes through for that area.
ReplyDeleteUnderstand your concerns and appreciate your support. If you are reading this blog and others like it, you have probably already done something to get yourself on a list. That's just our modern reality and a big part of why we are doing this.
DeleteVJ
Do you have an IT system for the community? I have an IT company I am willing to move to the Citadel
ReplyDeleteI have a Computer and network support company I would like to move to the Citadel. Do you have a technology company as a primary for the community?
ReplyDeleteStill very early in the project, just at the concept stage yet. We believe strongly in free markets. Most of the goods and services in the community will come from private businesses. There is a definite "chicken and egg" problem with a project like this. That's why we started the III Arms Company, to give an economic base to the Citadel.
DeleteThere will certainly be a need for IT but it is too early for any details. Just remember, everyone involved with the Citadel will be looking to hire other residents first.
VJ
Very excited about this project. Ill be sending in my seed money this week!
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
Why do we need a hotel? How do we "control" who stays there? Seems unnecessary.
We can save the expense of a Post Office. Im assuming we are no longer bowing to a central government, hence, no zip code for our community. We wont receive or send mail.
Why an airport or helipad? When we come under attack, we will be undone by our own hand. We should not facilitate our enemies attacking us while using our own airport and heliport.
As for the medical center, will we be bound by federal, state and local laws/regulations of the healthcare industry?
Hoping for some positive responses to my query. Thanks fellow freedon fighter!
We aren't separatists. We will be a regular American community with all the usual facilities. A hotel is part of that. Not everyone wants to have their friends or relatives stay with them in their home when they visit.
DeleteWe will be an open community. We are not hiding, we are gathering for mutual support. An airport is part of that openness.
We will follow all Constitutional laws. Our main task is to build a vibrant, survivable community. That means we play by the rules and don't give any level of government an excuse to come after us.
You sound like you are looking for something different than we are, so the Citadel.might not be a good fit for you.
VJ
Being that far from the nearest modern hospital being over an hour's drive, having a helipad for medevac purposes is a very good idea, especially in winter when driving could be treacherous. It won't make a bit of difference against any attended airborne assault. Helicopters drop troops via fast rope to minimize exposure and airborne troops come in via parachute so they aren't dependent on an airfield until after the attack is over.
DeleteSimple reason to have a helipad is in case of a need for medevac. Same goes for an airfield. If you really think that an airborne assault requires an airfield or helipad, you're sadly mistaken. Heliborne troops can drop onto a target via rope. It's called fast roping and the helo only has to be stationary over the target for a minute or two to off load a squad of soldiers. If the don't want to have the defenders warned by the sound of inbound helos, they can always use a parachute drop. Using High Altitude Low Opening equipment, they can fly the plane at 35,000 ft and drop the paratroopers off MILES away from the drop zone and the paratroopers fly their parasails into the target area. Using GPS, they can literally jump through the clouds on a new moon and not be seen until they're on the ground.
DeleteWhat a great opportunity. I plan on following the III Citadel blog with eagerness dedication.
ReplyDeleteFrank E. Vincent
Retired Electrical Inspector
What a great opportunity. I plan on following the III Citadel blog with eagerness dedication.
ReplyDeleteFrank E. Vincent
Retired Electrical Inspector
We cant wait! This is our dream, truly, come true. Lord willing, we will be a part of this. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI submitted my application for my wife, 2 daughters, and myself. My wife and I are etrememly excited to see this project go all the way! It would be an honor and a priviliage to live in a community of like minded Americans and to have the opportunity for my children to have an honest/holsome enviroment to grow up in. I am gainfully employed but would be interested in relocating for the constuction aspect of the project if you are considering hiring applicants first for the building efforts. Please contact me via twitter @ alias (Roger Mackelby)
ReplyDeleteMy girlfriend and I are very interested in joining the citadel. She has a masters in education administration and I am a general contractor. We plan on applying in the very near future and hope to find ourselves a new home, community, friends, and a change of life to the way it was originally intended to be.
ReplyDeleteYou need to do this through Kickstarter.com. You'd raise your money in no time.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and i applied today. He.is a mechanical engineer and I have a Bachelors in History. It would be a privilege and honor to live in a community that we've longed for and dreamed of for so long.
ReplyDeleteI think this is fascinating... if there was a proper avenue to be employed, as to pay for the monthly lease payment, and food, etc, available in the area, it'd be rather attractive indeed. I'm a nurse... I'm curious- do you actually have anything being figured out for a medical center, like people to run it? Any doctors already coming?
ReplyDeleteDo you actually have anything in the works to develop the medical center listed? I'm a Registered Nurse, and rather fascinated by this whole idea. If there were to be employment available, so that I would be able to cover my bills, it'd be a very attractive idea. Living somewhere patriotic, where my husband and I could have a small-scale farming operation, with me doing nursing part time while homeschooling our future children would be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteWe expect to be large enough to have our own medical facilities. We want to be as self sufficient as we can. It's too early for specific plans, however.
DeleteIf the Citadel appeals to you, go ahead and apply and be an active part of making it happen.
VJ
I think the concept is great, but you lose me with the concept of all housing being similar. It seems like that is contrary to respecting individual liberties. How will allowing tourists in be managed to prevent the community from becoming a side show? Will they be restricted to certain areas? My husband is a CNC machinist, I am sure he could be useful at the firearms plant, and I can teach a world of "dying arts", such as scratch cooking with game, spinning yarn, knitting, canning, etc.
ReplyDeleteSimilar only in the sense that it will all be heavier construction than is typical. If all the buildings are something like Insulated Concrete Foam then you have multiple advantages, such as fire resistance, bullet resistance, high energy efficiency and very good sound proofing. All of those factors together significantly improve both the quality of life and the survivability of the community.
DeleteTourism will be important mostly from the point of view of us being completely open in our community so it will be much more difficult to demonize us. Residential areas could be restricted to local automobile traffic and invited visitors only.
Your talents would be welcome. If you feel this is for you, please apply to join us.
VJ
ICF construction results in walls that won't burn, but that styrofoam insulation will. Drywall is still needed for fire control. A 5/8 sheet of drywall provides about 30 minutes of protection at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. Ram earth construction would be less expensive and provide better thermal mass and bullet resistance. By digging basements under each home, you'd have the dirt needed to fill the sand bags. A double wall of earth bags would be far cheaper than poured concrete. A simple coat of stucco on the outside is all that needed to waterproof the outside.
DeleteThanks for your input, Scott, here and above. Have you seen the Global Village Construction Set?
Deletehttp://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Global_Village_Construction_Set
They have a compressed earth block machine that could potentially be very useful to us. We appreciate constructive suggestions like this. We want this project to be the best it can be, so we will be on the lookout for information like this.
VJ
After building and living in an ICF house, I can report that it is the quietest house I've ever been in. Of course noise intrusions come through the windows and doors, but the walls are awesome.
DeleteThe energy efficiency is not where I thought it would be in the sense of overall cooling savings (we live in central Texas). That would be more determined by the roofing material and attic insulation.
With our (first level) 6" ICF wall and the 6+" of native stone on the exterior I feel the walls could certainly take multiple small arms fire with no problem. Obviously the weak link are the windows/doors.
Would I build another ICF house? Certainly! One note: our construction costs were about a 13% premium over 2x6 wall studs, which 2x4 is normal for our area. So yes, this is more expensive, but we have the most solid house in the neighborhood.
I am very intrigued and interested in the concept of The Citadel community. Not that I consider myself being all that old as a confident and capable 42 year old but, I wish that something like this could have come along earlier in my life so that I would have been able to establish my adult life in such a place; rather then have to make the choice to uproot all that I have established and start over. However, it is more likely that "I" would not have been ready for "IT" in my younger days. I know that there is still a good portion of my life that I will remain highly productive and there is time to be a founding part of something as ambitious and unique as The Citadel.
ReplyDeleteI have worked in the correctional field for nearly 20 years; so I feel quite at home behind the walls of a secured perimeter. I joke, but in all seriousness, working inside a prison has made being security minded second nature to me; as well as, understanding the importance of looking out for my fellow co-workers and trusting that they are looking out for me. Our initial training and our ongoing training is quite extensive, giving us the skills and knowledge to take on and succeed in a variety of potentially dangerous situations and dealing with potentially difficult individuals.
I have been extensively trained in the Incident Command System (ICS levels 100 through 900). ICS is a standard management tool for meeting the demands of small or large scale emergency or non-emergency situations. It is used by all levels of government and private industries for planed events, natural disasters and acts of terrorism. For nearly my entire career I have been a member and held a leadership position within our Emergency Response Unit which actively trains and responds to a variety of institutional emergency situations.
I have been an instructor for my department for over a decade in training others in the safe, proficient use of firearms, intermediate weapons, electronic control devices and incapacitating agents. In addition, I have also been an instructor for a program called Principles of Subject Control which is a system of verbalization skills, coupled with physical alternatives. It comprises professional communication skills, mediation & conflict resolution, report writing, physical defense tactics and pressure point tactics. I have taught these skills to hundreds of men and women from ages 18 to 60+. The weapons we utilize (rifle, pistol and shotgun) are the kinds of weapons identified in The Citadel’s Patriot Agreement. Our qualification requirements, although a little more extensive, are similar to those detailed in the agreement. I could very easily envision myself instructing youth and adults in many of these skills and overseeing operations at The Citadel range.
My fiancé has over 15 years of experience in commercial property management and property development of both commercial and residential projects. She has overseen all levels of planning, development, construction and customer service. She is very adept at dealing with building emergencies and disruptions; as well as, short and long-term planning with projected building concerns. I feel that we both would have a great deal to offer to a community such as The Citadel and that we would find great fulfillment and personal enrichment being apart of such an ambitious endeavor.
I have several ideas that might be of great benefit and I am interested in helping in any way that those involved see fit. If this project continues to move forward and the right opportunities present themselves then I could see us possibly making a move at that time. We have had some talks about building a life and creating a household capable of overcoming economic or power grid collapses; as well as, enduring other instances of civil unrest caused by nature or man. We will be following things closely as The Citadel project unfolds and hope to be apart of it in one way or another.
This is Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am going to talk to my husband about applying.
He is a Registered Nurse, works in the Emergency Room.
My questions are simple: if one was to live in the Citadel, would families be allowed to have chickens, if they were in a coop and controlled not going just anywhere?
If my family and I were accepted, I would love to open a sewing / Thrift shop... Would there be a " Need" for that?
Thank-you!
I will be following closely on this!
So excited about this!
I expect there will be plenty of chickens and such in the Citadel. We will want to have as much local food production as we can. We also want a fully developed market area to provide our residents with their day to day needs. We believe strongly in free markets as the best way to provide the goods and services our residents need. We encourage our residents to start the businesses that will provide for those needs. A sewing shop sounds like it would fit right in.
DeleteVJ
I agree, the initial investment is so minimal that to wait until the project comes to fruition to act may not be the wisest decision. Whats remarkable and inspiring to me is the fact that we're actually having this discussion and therefore increasing the possibility it can and will happen.
ReplyDeleteWe've applied and look forward tremendously to the follow up call regarding the application. My husband is a mechanical engineer, commissioning new power plant units, a power plant operator, gas turbine specialist. Anything required to build and make fully fictional a power plant in the citadel would be his area of expertise. I have a bachelors in history and will have a masters in education this summer, id love to teach in this environment. We have also farmed and raised livestock. Canning and butchering. We are excited about the opportunities we can offer this community.
Well said, well done.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you don't have room for everybody, sooner or later you are going to need a high school rival! Build another town down the road a few miles! :)
ReplyDeleteI recently heard about this project from a friend. I looked into to what your plans are and I believe this is a great idea and I can't wait to apply.I was raised in the mountains of Wyoming in a log cabin that had a wood burning cook stove, no running water and no electricity. We used a coleman lantern for light and walked down the hill for buckets of water. We even took our baths in a nearby creek until the cold hit...lol My best memories are from that time in my life.
ReplyDeleteI was a certified master mechanic on gas and diesel engines for 25 yrs, my first love. I am also a professional seamstress, tailor, upholstrey-both auto and household, drapes and curtains, specialize in heavy winter gear-coats,tents and sleepingbags and light leather work. I own 4 machines and each of them have their own purpose. I also have degrees in Accounting and Medical Billing and Coding. I have certificates in computerized accounting and am a Nationally Certified Medical Assistant. I used to run a 250 acre farm, with chickens,cows,horses,pigs, goats and 1 milk cow. I also had a 1 acre garden. I sold the milk and eggs, butchered my own animals, made cheese (facinating process) canned and sold my goods at the farmers market. I even qualified throught the state to accept food stamps!
I have a few suggestions concerning water and power. There are roof top mounted wind/solar systems. They range from $5000.00 to 25,000. They also qualify for the federal government to pay 30% of the cost. If accepted this is a very acceptable solution for my own home. As far a water, if you plan on a centralized water system (aquafir) then just bring it to the surface, pipe to each home and let the owner decided how to get it to the house. Electric water pumps aren't that expensive, or hand pumps.Even a wind pump is doable. Heating sources such as wood should be looked at closely. Pine is a soft wood and burns fast and hot, while oak and poplar varieties are hard wood and burn slow and maintain an even heat. Lombardi Poplars are fast growing and a very renewable source of fire wood as well as wind breaks and shade. There are other varieties out there that grow even faster.
I hope to be accepted and to have property within the Citadel, along with a milk cow, chickens and fruit trees. So my question is will i be able to have these things? or will i have to locate outside of the city?
I believe that the people in the community will and should be innovative, multitask, resouceful and independent.
I have dreamed of something like this and am so very hopeful taht this project suceeds.
Wow. That's quite the life experience you bring to the table.
DeleteThe lots inside the wall will be limited to one acre. We have to balance space and cost, so that's as large as we can go. A significant number of our people want larger lots outside the wall so they can raise animals and grow crops. Some will have a residence inside the wall and a working farm on the outside. The advantage of being an early applicant will be having first choice on the lots.
Your ideas are the type of things we are looking for to make the Citadel a great place to live.
VJ
How does it work once you move in as far as outside life is concerned? Will we be able to take vacations or get a hold of family all over the US?
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, think of the Citadel as a gated, planned community like so many successful mixed use developments that have been built around the country.
DeleteWe have some specific extra requirements for our residents but other than that you would live your life as you please and come and go as you please.
We are trying for the best of small town America, emphasizing Rightful Liberty and personal responsibility.
VJ
I hope I'm asking this question in the right place: Would I own my property on the Citadel's land? If I submitted my application and was accepted, would I actually be a property owner?
ReplyDeleteThe current plan is for all property inside the Citadel to be leased. This lease would be paid off in 30 years. It could be passed on to your children, but the requirement to sign and live up to the Patriot Agreement would still be there for them.
DeleteVJ