https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/11/11/among-the-civil-war-preppers
David J – U.S. Army (Ret)
David is a 24-year U.S. Army veteran and retired Chemical Officer who taught nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare defense to military personnel worldwide. Recognized as a weapon of mass destruction expert, David was recalled to active duty after 9/11 and spent 22 months conducting vulnerability assessments on U.S. interests across 16 countries in the Middle East. Retired emergency management specialist for DHS, and has worked with Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, NASA, and U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, on a nuclear weapons accident response team. David is an expert prepper, who has presented at a variety of preparedness training events.
Starbuck provides long range reconnaissance and protection, covering all 175 acres of Fortitude Ranch Nevada and venturing into surrounding BLM land in pursuit of coyotes and jack rabbits, reinforced by her brother Ron if a serious threat.
Rhea is half Great Pyrenees, half Black Lab mix, 90lbs and, like her brother Titan, gentle as can be. She not only hunts on the ground but scans the skies for hawks and eagles. She’ll trail them until they’re out of sight. She patrols night and day with Titan to keep Fortitude Ranch New York safe.
When not trying to crawl into your lap, Ron serves as mid-range Guard Dog at Fortitude Ranch Nevada, visiting all buildings while keeping an eye on the chickens.
Niki (bottom left), Sweet Pea and Killer Cat keep coyotes, rodents, and, in a collapse, marauders from threatening the critters and members at Fortitude Ranch Tennessee.
Boo-boo and Sharpay roam all over Fortitude Ranch Texas protecting multiple chicken locations and assisting the Dalai Llama with sheep guard duty.
Say hello to Marsy, a small but mighty black lab mix with a keen eye for detail. Marsy takes her role as a caretaker seriously, especially when it comes to the ranch’s youngest birds. She spends her time attentively monitoring ducklings in the nursery, often alerting staff to potential dangers. Her nurturing nature and watchful presence ensure the safety of the ranch’s feathered residents. With her sharp instincts and loving personality, Marsy perfectly balances protection with compassion.
Anna M
Anna manages FR office operations and assists with sales, explaining the many membership and token options. While she attended the University of Edinburgh for a year, she graduated from the University of Colorado where she participated in Army ROTC training. She has served at all FR locations and is an Assistant Ranch Manager at FR Colorado.
Juan D – US Army (ret)
Juan Dominguez serves as Vice President of Sales at Fortitude Ranch, and serves as an Assistant Ranch Manager at FR WV. Juan graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as an Infantry Officer during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, leading a mechanized infantry platoon into Iraq. He is an expert rifleman and completed Jungle School, Northern Warfare training in Alaska, and Airborne School. Following his military service, Juan spent decades in senior sales and investor relations leadership roles. At Fortitude Ranch, Juan leads sales and marketing efforts in good times. In bad times, Juan and his family will deploy to FR WV where he serves as an Asst Ranch Manager managing guard shifts and other areas.
Colin P – US Army (ret)
Colin served in the 82nd ABN DIV as an infantry Team Leader, Gun team leader, and communication specialist. He has extensive experience in comms, security, field craft, and tactics in urban and rural environments. He worked on procedures for denied environments and drone usage at the lower levels in BCTs. He loves the outdoors and spending time with his family.
John S – US Air Force (ret)
John was a USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Specialist and Trainer, and a Pararescue Specialist. He served in combat and rescue missions behind the lines in hostile areas. He deployed in joint operations with the U.S. Navy, Army, and Special Operations Forces. John serves as both the Chief of Security at Fortitude Ranch Nevada, and is the system-wide director of Security for all Fortitude Ranch locations, and a lead trainer.
Ringo does his job well—keeping foxes and coyotes away from our free-range chickens, deer from our peach trees and gardens, and providing warning barks when people approach. Ringo is also a true best friend, enjoyed by all our guests. He is convinced that small creatures hide in rocks, and can spend an hour wrestling a big boulder around, barking and having a great time. Pictured here in front of the “Hobbit House”, a guard shelter attached to the guard watch gazebo.
Bad guys coming after our chickens or sheep or crops will face the wrath of Wylie, a border collie mix rescue dog. Wylie is a people magnet; she will follow you everywhere, eager for pets and attention.
Cory G – US Army (ret)
Cory is a woodsman, with extensive experience as a former US Army communications specialist, excelling in secure infrastructure and tactical planning with great attention to detail. After his military service, which included deployment to Iraq, he joined the tech industry, holding roles from IT specialist and software engineer through CTO while studying biotechnology. With a focus on business intelligence, cybersecurity, and cryptography spanning most industries Cory possesses a deep understanding of most industry verticals. His passion for emergency preparedness and self-sustaining agricultural systems were implemented on a farm in Maine which is now Fortitude Ranch Maine, with sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, guinea hens, chickens, and a number of plant and fungi systems.
Larry D – US Navy (ret)
Larry has 30 years of experience working complex technical and national security problems as an Intelligence Analyst and deployed Liaison Officer supporting direct operations. He’s a U.S. Navy veteran with a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences. Larry deployed with multiple combatant commands during periods of high operational activity assessing and resolving task force priorities and threats. Larry’s recognized as a subject matter expert in Technical Intelligence, Counterterrorism, Threat Assessment and Operational Planning.
Meet Digby, our energetic and ever-vigilant livestock guardian dog. Known for his hyper-active demeanor and sharp instincts, Digby is always on alert to protect the farm. His responsibilities include detecting and deterring potential predators like foxes and alerting staff to unusual activity. When he’s not busy ensuring safety, Digby loves interacting with guests—though be warned, his affectionate nature often results in enthusiastic hand-licking sessions! His combination of loyalty, energy, and charm makes him an irreplaceable member of the team.
Steve W – U.S. Navy (Ret)
Steve is the Owner and Director of Training for Condition Yellow Academy, a firearms training company, which he runs with his wife Allison who is also a firearms instructor. Steve served as Lieutenant in the US Navy (holding licenses as a Nuclear Plant Operator and Engineer). He graduated from the University of Notre Dame. After achieving many NRA, USCCA, and other instructor certifications, Steve founded Condition Yellow Academy to spread his enthusiasm for living the armed lifestyle, promote firearm safety, and help students learn the skills necessary to successfully defend themselves.
George F, US Marine Corps (ret)
George has 20+ years of state/federal law enforcement, military, and national security experience. He served in a United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Company and Hawaii Army National Guard Military Police Unit. He was a police officer with the Honolulu Police Department, a police Sergeant with the Department of Defense Police and Special Investigator with the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island, Department of Public Safety. George served overseas in Germany for the U.S. Army Europe, Office of the Provost Marshal and Office of the Inspector General. George worked for Department of Homeland Security participating in transnational criminal investigations and intelligence operations.
Bruno, US Army (Ret)
Bruno was a wrestling champion in College, and served in the Army in infantry and engineering positions. Bruno has extensive construction, gardening, weapons and survival expertise. One of his more interesting projects before joining Fortitude Ranch was a bunker build for a high tech CEO.
Frank W, Merchant Marine
Frank has served as an engineer in the Merchant Marine for over 2 decades. He has sailed on every ocean and visited over 30 countries. In that time, he has learned the necessity of being prepared at all times. Frank runs Fortitude Ranch New York on 60+ acres with his wife, raising hogs, turkeys, chickens, fruit trees and crops. Bass are stocked in the 1/2 acre pond. His wife is a landscape architect designing and remodeling structures on the property.
Titan is half Great Pyrenees, half Anatolian Shepherd, 120lbs and a gentle giant. If a predator shows up outside the guarded area, it’s warned off with barks. If it crosses the line, it’s game on to protect his livestock; hogs, turkeys and chickens. Winter is his favorite season and he doesn’t mind getting buried in the snow; perfect concealment.
Walter N – U.S. Army (Ret)
Walter brings US Army infantry experience, plus security service in the federal government and as a private contractor. During the 9/11 terrorist attack, Walter did security work, followed by several years of
deployed service in the Middle East. Walter has prepper and construction skills, and has worked at three Fortitude Ranch locations. As the FR WV Ranch Manager, Walter leads a team of great Assistant Ranch Managers with gardening, ranching, construction, medical and security skills.
Drew Miller – Col USAFR (Ret)
Colonel Miller is a USAF Academy honor graduate who received an academic scholarship to Harvard University where he earned a Master’s Degree and PhD in Public Policy/Operations Research. His dissertation topic was underground nuclear defense shelters and field fortifications. Drew served in the Cold War at Strategic Air Command, deployed to Germany, Bosnia, and Iraq. In addition to serving as an intelligence officer in Active, Air Guard and Reserve AF positions, retiring as a Colonel, he served in the Senior Executive Service in the Pentagon, and in many business management positions. His articles on the bioengineered viral pandemic threat and collapse have been published in leading journals.
Jeff has been a long-time student of disaster, survival and emergency preparedness. He comes from a military family where everyone served, learning discipline, adaptability and service. Since his late teens, Jeff was a successful entrepreneur & small businessman, creating new businesses and leading associates to accomplish goals. His prepper skills and ability to quickly diagnose opportunities and challenges, create action plans and execute those plans with efficiency and attention to detail, made him a natural to lead our Fortitude Ranch location in Northern Nevada.
