SHTF Poll - How Tough Are You?

[Melting]

79% of us think we are are part of the ten percent, 22percent believe they are in the one percent, everyone else who voted is just rational.

[Lono]

Originally Posted by Melting

79% of us think we are are part of the ten percent, 22percent believe they are in the one percent, everyone else who voted is just rational.

Most on the site are INTJ's. Their talent and goal is to take care of whatever comes their way. We all have certain finely honed skills based on our interests, life experience, and many other things such as being a Type A personality, etc.

Some, being the INTJ type, are also very good at taking care of things others don't even have a clue how to handle. This isn't something you think - you know. Experienced is gained and honed in first hand encounters over time. If you have to think about it, you're probably not in the 10%, and really don't understand what the 10% is capable of, and then projecting your limitations onto them. The 10% is taken as arrogance by some, but it's just reality.

[Watch Ryder]

Originally Posted by MR_SLOW

Man that is so retarded. Mountain man. lol

Coming from a blowhard such as yourself either put up or shut up.

[Mtnman Mike]

Originally Posted by MR_SLOW

Man that is so retarded. Mountain man. lol

So says someone named Mr_SLOW

[Silentrage]

I took the test 3 times for the heck of it , ISTJ once and INTJ twice , I don't really know what this makes me but would this somehow explain the dark aura my wife claims I have ?

[texstephen]

In groups its difficult to determine because of the bystander effect (people standing there waiting for someone else to go first)
alone is when you are truly tested fighting to save yourself or another you test your training and abilities
fighting when you KNOW you are going to lose you test your courage and determination

that is why training is so important when you cant count on others and being brave most will still revert to there training

[junglecrawler]

Having diffuculty reconciling the poll with a few things, the most pressing being I'm a prepper/survivalist, which for me means I want my family to survive, and survive as well and comfortably as possible in a SHTF situation.
I don't give a spit about Homeric/Socratic/Platonic ideas of warrior nature. If someone is threatening me and mine I'll do my best to avoid the situation or deal with it as quickly as possible.

The poll seems to be more about group combat than pragmatic survivalism. Not that I'm critical of this; there's a time for everything, but unless SHTF entails the Chinese horde swarming over our lands and threatening to expunge all of Western Civilization, then I'll be busy keeping the family safe, warm and fed, not looking to be praised as a warrior.

[LongCarabine]

I dispute the validity of the breakdown of the 100 people. I would say that out of every 100, about 50 would fight if pressed into it, another 20 would fight just because they are hot-headed and maybe the other 30 would be useless in any kind of fight. The really good ones are the ones who have some measure of natural talent combined with a lot of training. In a SHTF situation, you will revert to your training.

Readers on a survival forum probably do not present a random sampling either.

I've been deployed 5 times and received a lot of training over the past 16 years. I've been shot at, road-side bombed, and mortared quite a few times, but have never pulled a trigger on anyone. I have no question that I would if I had the opportunity (not being sniped at from some building top or date grove...), but I do not imagine myself a super warrior. I'm an average Joe who reverts to my training when I'm in crappy situations.

I will say that the scariest part of getting shot at, mortared, rocketed, road-side bombed, etc, is not during the action. During the action, you will revert to your training (did I mention that already?) The scariest times in war are when you wake up in the morning & lay there thinking about the fact that there is a very good chance you will die today. The second scariest moment is after the danger has passed and when you start thinking of how close to death you just were.

But, like I said. In a fight, training trumps warrior spirit every time.

[Lono]

Originally Posted by junglecrawler

. . . The poll seems to be more about group combat than pragmatic survivalism. Not that I'm critical of this; there's a time for everything, but unless SHTF entails the Chinese horde swarming over our lands and threatening to expunge all of Western Civilization, then I'll be busy keeping the family safe, warm and fed, not looking to be praised as a warrior.

The quote was from long ago, and about group encounters. But, this poll is about the individual and where people feel they would fit in the profile of the quote. This is about being a survivalist. You may find yourself thrown into a group, or alone, and facing a fast evolving bad situation. How accurately you assess others and yourself has huge implications in a dangerous encounter.

It has nothing to do with bragging rights or praise, just a general survey of where preppers in general rate themselves as to what they really know about themselves. This isn't about judging someone.

[arleigh]

I find the questions poorly written like often times here
do you like boiling hot or burning cold . Stupid .
Give a listing of temperetures and pick from that .
Answers to many questions often alter depending on many different cerucumstances including if the person got enough sleep that nite .
I don't put any stock in those stupid things .
Life is not digital ,it's analog .
As for the OP's question.
Depending on the cercumstances and the direction I am given and who is giving it , I wade into some very dangerous situations in my life all the time ,human and natural desaster.
As for the battle field ,no I am not a combat vet.
I have played air soft with combat vets and been successful and taken out as well.
When you loose against a navy seal it is no real shame.
I am not afraid for my life ,but I will not throw it away for nothing .
Being 62, I can't be as agressive as I was at 40 or 50 , but if push comes to shove I will do what I can to rescue people or teach others how to rescue them selves .
I recently discovered that I can't carry a pack any more ,my back has taken a tole.
I can still walk for hours though .
Being a mechanic ,I am no stranger to pain , but for the most part ,it does not control me if the need is sevire, I can keep moving .
Don't know if that means any thing, but there you have it .

[JBryan314]

This last time I took it, it gave me ENTP. I have also scored INFP before. I think INFP is more accurate for me, but I've always been very close to the middle on every category. In fact, I only had a 1% deviation toward extroverted on the last one I took, and only moderate deviations on the other three categories. I've also taken those right brain vs left brain tests, and I always come out very balanced with a slight deviation toward being right brain slightly favored.

In a survival or combat situation, I'd like to think that I'd remain relatively calm. I've found myself in many high stress situations in my time working as a RN in cardiology units, progressive care units, ERs and psychiatric units. I've always remained calm and made rational decisions that push the situation closer to resolution. In the military, I've not yet been put into a lot of situations that I would call high stress. Sure, basic training and other types of training are sometimes stressful, but it's different because I know I and my comrades are not in any danger.

I know a lot of people think they belong in the "real fighters" category of the OP. To me, there is space between a "real fighter" and a "target". In battle, I sure as heck will be more than a target. If you regard me as nothing more than a target, I'll kill you and it'll be your fault for regarding me as a target. I have the training, the equipment, the will and the physical ability to be a "real fighter". So that's why I consider myself as such. A "warrior"? No. At least not yet. Maybe never will be. But when the time comes, I'll be the fighter as long as I can still move around.

[Lono]

Originally Posted by arleigh

I find the questions poorly written like often times here
do you like boiling hot or burning cold . Stupid .
Give a listing of temperetures and pick from that .
Answers to many questions often alter depending on many different cerucumstances including if the person got enough sleep that nite .
I don't put any stock in those stupid things .
Life is not digital ,it's analog . . .

I would normally agree 100% . . . and the questions in the test were like you said. When I was taking the test I thought, BS. This is the usual corporate intellectual crap , , , BUT I was wrong! That test described me better than I ever could. I even took it twice just to see if I was some how led to my profile type.

It has made my life much easier, since I no longer 2nd guess myself and now trust my instincts 100%. That has made me a much tougher person than I was before, when I need to be.

[Dragunov]

I am INTJ, older daughter INTJ, younger daughter INTJ. Wife didn't take the test.

Wife just took the test.... INTP.

A house full of Hannibals and newtons!

Can you imagine living in my household?!?

[Savinkov]

Originally Posted by LongCarabine

I dispute the validity of the breakdown of the 100 people. I would say that out of every 100, about 50 would fight if pressed into it, another 20 would fight just because they are hot-headed and maybe the other 30 would be useless in any kind of fight. The really good ones are the ones who have some measure of natural talent combined with a lot of training. In a SHTF situation, you will revert to your training.
.
.

boy, is THAT ever true... I've heard horror stories about cops who've gotten
in a firefight after getting nothing but range training. They just go on
"autopilot" and will do weird stuff like actually trying to retrieve ejected brass
right in the middle of a shootout.

[Watch Ryder]

Originally Posted by LongCarabine

But, like I said. In a fight, training trumps warrior spirit every time.

Not always.

[NCDoberman]

Originally Posted by LongCarabine

The second scariest moment is after the danger has passed and when you start thinking of how close to death you just were.

^That can be the hardest part for many.


I took the test... I'm an ISTJ or "inspector."

ISTJs are independent, logical, practical, and responsible. They are typically focused on the present, with an appreciation for the facts of a situation and excellent attention to detail. ISTJs respect tradition and order, and are extremely loyal to those who matter to them. They are dedicated to following the rules and fulfilling their obligations, and expect others to do the same.
ISTJs absorb facts and data with a thoroughness and ease, often retaining an impressive amount of information. They trust experience, drawing upon knowledge gained from past experiences to understand the world and how it works. ISTJs are realistic and practical, often reluctant to experiment with new ideas or methods until they’ve determined that there is solid evidence that the change will be beneficial.
ISTJs favor objective and logical analysis, and typically seek to organize their lives and others accordingly. After a careful internal consideration of the facts, ISTJs often act decisively and methodically to complete the task at hand. They will work hard to complete a project, as long as they believe its purpose is logical and useful.
ISTJs enjoy working independently, often preferring to socialize only when necessary. Due to their affinity for logic and objectivity, and their need to stick to a schedule to accomplish a task, ISTJs may be seen as blunt or cold. Or some may feel as though the ISTJ ignores their feelings or needs, as the ISTJ has difficulty sensing the emotions of others if they do not fit into their logical and practical framework. Once the ISTJ realizes what is important to someone they care about, however, they will recognize the reality of the situation and integrate the information into their logical analysis.

^That's pretty much spot on for me. Anyone need a spotter?


As for how "tough" I am, I don't make such determinations about myself. On the poll I voted for fighter or 1 of the 9. I don't fancy myself a "warrior."

I've been under fire and have even been hit, so I know how I react in those types of situations, but that's not my concern. My worry in a true SHTF scenario is taking care of my wife and children who haven't had the experiences I've had.