U.S. National Guard Solicits ‘Victims’ On Craigslist
A private firm contracted by the U.S. National Guard has posted an ad on Craigslist seeking “role players” to pose as victims to be rescued as part of an emergency preparedness drill to take place in Govalle, Texas, later this month.
“Role Player’s (sic) Needed,” is the title of the ad, posted five days ago on the local Craigslist for Austin
The ad is soliciting online applicants for a total of 60 paid “role players” to participate in a four-day U.S. National Guard Training Exercise for Emergency Preparedness slated to begin April 22 in Govalle.
Only 10 “role players” are needed for the final day of the drill. The pay is $10.10 per hour.
The ad explains, “Role players will simulate as ‘victims’ who are then ‘rescued’ as part of their training.”
“If you have any friends or family members interested invite them to take part,” continues the ad. “This is a great opportunity to have fun, support a good cause and earn some money!!”
The ad was placed by IIF Data Solutions, a private firm that specializes in domestic operations training and exercise development, logistics and facilities operations, and role player support services, among other services.
According to the companies website, among the mass casualty events that IIF can simulate for a drill are attacks of:
- Anthrax
- Ricin
- Sarin gas
- Sodium hydroxide
- Arsine
- Phosgene
- Chlorine
- Anhydrous ammonia
- Radiation (Cesium-137)
- Mustard gas
- Sulfuric acid
- Ammonium nitrate
The upcoming National Guard drill in Govalle is part of a larger, nationwide rollout of such drills.
Last month saw more than 2,000 soldiers, airmen, and state and national Guard members conduct an emergency drill across South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia.
That drill, which took place under the code name of Vigilant Guard, simulated such emergency scenarios as the landfall of a devastating hurricane, a collapsed building, and widespread fires.
A separate U.S. Army Special Operations Command drill code named JADE HELM 15 has been getting widespread attention on numerous blogs and websites. That drill will reportedly include the U.S. military operating covertly among the U.S. public, and, according to some reports, even has Texas, Utah, and parts of southern California labeled as “hostile territory.”
That operation is slated to take place between July 15 and Sept. 15.