Greyman vs Greenman

[Dioxin]

Perusing some of the threads in this particular sub-forum I'm a little bewildered by the overt rather than covert outward appearance member appears to adopt when preparing for SHTF.

Is the Greyman a niche City dweller concept? Are Load Bearing Vests, Plate Carriers and Battle Belt the defacto travel arrangements for rural living?

Personally I'll be adopting a more mundane Greyman concept, blending into obscurity, rather than toting my position from a morale patch.

[majorhavoc]

I was not aware Greyman was exclusive to urban environments. I thought it meant neutral-styled attire/equipment that would not stand out in whatever specific environment you happen to be in.

[KnifeStyle]

I know more people with 'battle rattle' outfits in the denser suburbs than anywhere rural or spread out. It's usually an indicator that they're researching prepping heavily, but have not done much hiking, backpacking, and the like to learn how the odds and ends come together. Most often, they start with a military rifle and accessories, and eventually the survival kit becomes yet another accessory to their arsenal. They're in the mindset of copying what a typical soldier is carrying, even though wilderness survival training is becoming a rarity except in specific occupations. Not only do you have the issue of the differences between disaster survival and what military personnel handle, they're emulating the gear of the guy on checkpoint duty in the desert even though they live in in a hardwood forested area. Sometimes, it really gets odd when they are not carrying a weapon whatsoever, but still base their kit around military issued gear.

[the_alias]

This topic has been done A LOT around here

Try reading this monster thread questioning if you can even be grey viewtopic.php?f=6&t=83971

Here is one on the concept and more positive about it viewtopic.php?f=6&t=44884

[woodsghost]

Consider:

The Alps melt and flooding occures. Do you pack up your family and a concealed pistol? Or dress up like a commando and roll out?

Ok, scenario 2:

Zombies. Or Iran invades your County. Or ISIS invades. Do you think people will look at you funny for looking like a commando?

There are different thoughts on the issue, but I like to look at examples in nature. There are predictors and pray. Preditors look for easy meals. They look for game animals along game trails and at watering holes. So if bad stuff happens, don't hang out at watering holes, on game trails, during times when game animals are moving, and DONT LOOK LIKE A GAME ANIMAL. Just my $.02.

[DarkAxel]

I'll see if I can clear this up a little bit:

The key to being grey is being congruent with your surroundings (all credit to ODA226 here). Sometimes that calls for low-key civilian-style gear, and sometimes it calls for cammies and a MOLLE pack. The key is to be flexible, and NEVER rely solely on the appearance of your gear to keep you safe. Depending on the disaster, just having gear of any kind can single you out as a target for raiding.

Something else to consider is that a crowd of people is likely to have a pretty good mix of civie gear and mil gear considering the large amount of veterans roaming around the country and the milsurp market. Some folks choose to buy milsurp gear because it is relatively cheap and rugged. Some people choose it because they are unrepentant mall ninjas who want to Leroy Jenkins their way through a disaster. In any given crowd you'll find people from all kinds of backgrounds wearing all kinds of gear.

[ineffableone]

I know what greyman is, I know what mall ninja is, I can figure out what camo man is, but what the hell is greenman?

I am guessing your not referencing this green man.


and I sure hope you are not referencing this sort of green man


considering you titled the thread grey vs green man, it would be helpful if you actually defined your terms instead of just tossing them out and seeing what folks have to say.

As mentioned grey man can be a changing target of what to wear. Greyman might mean dressing in all camo if that is what everyone is wearing in your area. I know plenty of rural areas where camo is the common fashion especially when it is hunting season. In an urban environment, there is not one homogenous style of dress. What might be grey man in one section might stick out like a sore thumb in another. As has been said, greyman is blending with environment so you don't stick out, so if everyone is wearing green lycra suits, wearing jeans and a T shirt will make you stick out.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Blue man FTW.

[duodecima]

Something else to consider is that a crowd of people is likely to have a pretty good mix of civie gear and mil gear considering the large amount of veterans roaming around the country and the milsurp market. Some folks choose to buy milsurp gear because it is relatively cheap and rugged. Some people choose it because they are unrepentant mall ninjas who want to Leroy Jenkins their way through a disaster. In any given crowd you'll find people from all kinds of backgrounds wearing all kinds of gear.

Yep - and sometimes a real mix of gear on the same person/small group. I'm pretty sure wandering thru Chicago in a dress that was appropriate for the last day of a convention and comfortable enough for the train home with a 35L pack in ABU on was NOT greyman. (Greyperson? lol.) Our gear is a mix of decent stuff that was on sale (hence the ABU) vs really worn but tough stuff (milsurp&otherwise) bought at various garage sales.

So, yeah, what's "greenman"? Hard to vote for it when I'm afraid I don't recognize it.

[Close_enough]

As best as I can figure "Greenman" refers to going into hiding in the wilderness. Think Eric Rudolph after he bombed the Atlanta Olympics. He managed to stay hidden for 5 years.

[ZombieGranny]

Reading the OP I feel s/he is speaking about soldiers...
olive drab gear and such.

ETA:
I voted 'other' as I shall dress like a little old lady.
shoulders hunched, damn it! - hunch them!

[Dogan]

Sometimes, it really gets odd when they are not carrying a weapon whatsoever, but still base their kit around military issued gear.

TBH, I see the point of this to an extent. Milsurp gear was designed to satisfy the requirements of 90%+ of the people in the theater of war at that time (or expected theater), be reasonably durable, and be made by the lowest bidder. You want a relatively cheap, fairly durable, easy to come by setup? Look at milsurp shops, start by getting yourself an old Nato Trangia stove, cook set, milsurp backpack, milsurp poncho and go from there. Maybe some MRE's if you haven't gotten to the point of reading up heavily on survival foods yet. I say this as someone who spent most of their high school and college years running around in an old Seabees M65 or the wool pocket M65 variant, and not getting any odd looks, aside from compliments actually.

[drop bear]

Fluro man

[drop bear]

Consider:

The Alps melt and flooding occures. Do you pack up your family and a concealed pistol? Or dress up like a commando and roll out?

Ok, scenario 2:

Zombies. Or Iran invades your County. Or ISIS invades. Do you think people will look at you funny for looking like a commando?

There are different thoughts on the issue, but I like to look at examples in nature. There are predictors and pray. Preditors look for easy meals. They look for game animals along game trails and at watering holes. So if bad stuff happens, don't hang out at watering holes, on game trails, during times when game animals are moving, and DONT LOOK LIKE A GAME ANIMAL. Just my $.02.

If Isis attacks looking like a commando will make you look like you have chosen a side. This is why reporters wear blue.

[Kilo147]

If greenman means OD, I'm all onboard. OD107 is my homeboy.

[woodsghost]

Consider:

The Alps melt and flooding occures. Do you pack up your family and a concealed pistol? Or dress up like a commando and roll out?

Ok, scenario 2:

Zombies. Or Iran invades your County. Or ISIS invades. Do you think people will look at you funny for looking like a commando?

There are different thoughts on the issue, but I like to look at examples in nature. There are predictors and pray. Preditors look for easy meals. They look for game animals along game trails and at watering holes. So if bad stuff happens, don't hang out at watering holes, on game trails, during times when game animals are moving, and DONT LOOK LIKE A GAME ANIMAL. Just my $.02.

If Isis attacks looking like a commando will make you look like you have chosen a side. This is why reporters wear blue.

If ISIS attacks, I WILL choose a side. No blue for me.

[Paladin1]

If ISIS attacks, I will chose a side too- Cake!

Because clearly, ISIS is a pie kind of organization.

[Doctorr Fabulous]

Consider:

The Alps melt and flooding occures. Do you pack up your family and a concealed pistol? Or dress up like a commando and roll out?

Ok, scenario 2:

Zombies. Or Iran invades your County. Or ISIS invades. Do you think people will look at you funny for looking like a commando?

There are different thoughts on the issue, but I like to look at examples in nature. There are predictors and pray. Preditors look for easy meals. They look for game animals along game trails and at watering holes. So if bad stuff happens, don't hang out at watering holes, on game trails, during times when game animals are moving, and DONT LOOK LIKE A GAME ANIMAL. Just my $.02.

If Isis attacks looking like a commando will make you look like you have chosen a side. This is why reporters wear blue.

ISIS has killed several reporters.

[Kilo147]

Convert to Islam and join ISIS? Because if they have the capability to invade the US, we fucking lost. Allahu Akbar!

[majorhavoc]

OP forgot option #7:

[Close_enough]

What was option 7 supposed to be?

[CrossCut]

Camo inside the homestead perimeter, greyman when venturing out in public.

Not that it has to be camo, OD or mall ninja works as long as it's uniform within the group. We went milsup camo just because of cost and availability. Nothing new, bright, or shiny, and no insignia - just a symbol of unity and common purpose.

[Boondock]

I've slowly been revamping my clothes into a capsule wardrobe system. It's pricey and done in stages, but there's a lot of stuff from ExOfficio, Columbia, etc. that functions in the woods as well as the street.

The idea is that, in the event of a catastrophe, I'll almost always be wearing the same clothes that I would at work, play, traveling, even while at a nice diner or the movies.

I look for clothes that are earth tones, lightweight, moisture wicking or Merino wool, and comfortable.

The gang from ZS:20 that's seen me camping or backpacking knows that, other than an ACU boonie cap for long periods in the sun, there's really nothing tactical about my outfit or kit.

Granted, I no longer work in an office and I understand this isn't feasible for everyone. I may do a detailed post with pictures at a later date to try to illustrate the concept.

[Close_enough]

Granted, I no longer work in an office and I understand this isn't feasible for everyone. I may do a detailed post with pictures at a later date to try to illustrate the concept.

Trekking clothing looks like trekking clothing. Not really feasible for business casual offices. However, gym bags are a common sight. Even the most basic cubes have space for a medium/large gym bag. No explanation required.