I – Prepare

Church Security: Radio Communications Best Practices

Read this article to learn best practices in radio communications for church security teamsWhen multiple people act as a security team for an activity or event, such as a church service, staying informed with each other is a vital part of the defense plan. Employing two-way radios with ear pieces and push-to-talk (PTT) microphones is a subtle, non-intrusive method to accomplish the goal. The Golden Rules of radio operation are

  • Clarity — speak slightly slower than normal and avoid shouting
  • Simplicity — use simplified language and shortcut phrases
  • Brevity — messages should be short and concise
  • Security — assume more people are listening than only the one to whom you’re speaking.

For effective radio communication, the following specific procedures should be followed. Identify first, by name, the recipient, then second, your name. Once they acknowledge your transmission, proceed with your conversation until it’s complete. Here’s an example:

Portable 5: “Base 23, this is Portable 5. Over”
Base 23: “Portable 5, this is Base 23. Over.”

Portable 5: “Base 23, I have returned from job 734. Are there any messages? Over.”
Base 23: “Portable 5, you have 3 messages. Over.”

Portable 5: “Base 23, I will select them at 1600. Over.”
Base 23: “Roger, Portable 5. This is Base 23. Out”

Protect Yourself from a Carjacking

Your wallet isn’t the only item criminals want to steal. Your car appeals to them too. Be prepared.

  • Read news articles about carjackings and mentally imagine what you would do in each situation
  • More than one person or a group generally commit these violent carjacking thefts.
  • Know your route. Avoid driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
  • Keep alert while your vehicle is moving and while it is idling
  • Carjacking most often occurs in transitional spaces such as parking lots and gas stations.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Active Self Protection Self-Defense Checklists and Acronyms ]

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense Tactical Driving Tips ]

  • Fuel your vehicle only during the day at gas stations in well traveled areas. Scan the gas station for suspicious behavior or loitering before you select a pump. While fueling, keep your car locked and keep scanning your surroundings to be prepared to take action (e.g., use the gas nozzle as a jet stream) should a vehicle or person approach you in a threatening manner.

20 Reasons to Concealed Carry a Defensive Firearm

You may want to copy into your cell phone the following list of reasons why you feel it’s important to legally and responsibly concealed carry a defensive firearm and refer to the list often so you’re ready with an answer the next time a friend or family member asks. You may even want to read the list out loud every time before you holster your gun.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Concealed Carry Daily Prayer ]

      1. It’s my civil right as acknowledged by the Second Amendment.
      2. I support the right to life.
      3. No one has the right to take my life.
      4. Guns save lives.
      5. I love my family.
      6. My family needs me.
      7. I am committed to protect myself and my family.
      8. I am prepared.
      9. I am a realist.
    10. I choose to not be a victim.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, 12 Reasons to Responsibly Carry a Defensive Gun Every Day ]

    11. Evil is real and life-ending threats abound.
    12. All that’s required for evil to prevail is for me to do nothing.
    13. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.
    14. Criminals and terrorists don’t schedule appointments.
    15. Criminals and terrorists employ heartless and brutal tactics.
    16. Criminals and terrorists act without conscience in the ferocious harm they cause.
    17. When seconds count, rescue personnel are minutes away.
    18. Guns are productive tools in my hands because I’m a responsible law-abiding citizen.
    19. Guns are normal and normal people use guns.
    20. It’s better to have a gun and not need it than to need one and not have it.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Worldviews and Emotional Assumptions in the Gun Civil Rights Debate ]



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Stay On Mission

Stay on mission compass illustrationStaying on mission means you remain committed to your objective—no matter what temptation, disruption, or distraction you encounter—until you accomplish what you set out to do.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Secure Your Base (Your Soul) ]

For the SemperVerus Brotherhood, staying on mission means keeping your soul strong by adhering to the 5 core components of Prepare, Aware, Be, Know, Do, resulting in the strategic element of solidifying your Self-Defense.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, SemperVerus™ Brotherhood/Sisterhood Launches to Help People ‘Stay True’ ]

Staying true to your spiritual, mental, and physical purpose is the way to disallow mission drift and mission creep. It all comes down to intentional decision-making to stay true at every step of your life journey, every moment of every day. If you don’t, you’ll veer off course before you’re even aware of it. It happens one little decision at a time, where you go astray bit-by-bit. You need to build in measures to help you avoid suffering this outcome.