Welcome to PrepperVet.
My name is James Burnett, aka PrepperVet. I’m currently a software engineer and former 31C Radio Operator in the U.S. Army. I served proudly in the Virginia National Guard with deployments to Iraq in 2008 and 2009, but my journey into prepping started long before and has only deepened through every disaster, crisis, and wake-up call life has thrown my way.
Why I’m A Prepper
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 shook our nation, and lit a fire in me. It was a turning point that made me realize how vulnerable we really are, and how important it is to be ready for anything.
Then came the 2007 real estate crash, and I saw how quickly financial systems could collapse, leaving everyday families scrambling. It wasn’t just about gear anymore, financial survival became just as critical to me as food storage and first aid.
In 2012, when the Virginia Great Derecho hit, I watched neighbors fight over ice and gasoline at a local store. It made me double down. The same year, I traveled to Haiti, where I saw firsthand how an authoritarian government could control people by controlling electricity. That same trip, I was nearly attacked by a mob while trying to source construction materials to build an eye clinic. I understood in a new way just how quickly things can go south, and how important it is to be self-sufficient, situationally aware, and trained.
Then came 2020. The pandemic. Confusion. Chaos. Government uncertainty. For many, it was a shock. For me, it was proof: prepping is not optional, it’s essential.
And in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, I saw the devastating truth. It took over a month for FEMA to show up. Bureaucracy kept the National Guard from helping in time. People were without power for months, some still living in tents to this day. I helped where I could, providing medical support and witnessing the critical lack of resources like insulin, inhalers, and EpiPens.
No electricity, no cell phone access, 911 centers were down and many of the roads disappeared in an instant. Hurricane Helene was real-life grid-down, SHTF.
These experiences and more are what have shaped me as a prepper. It’s not fantasy, it’s real life.
What I focus on:
- Emergency Preparedness: For real-world disasters, not just theory.
- GMRS Communications: Because when cell towers fail, you need another lifeline.
- Self-Sufficiency: Grow it. Build it. Fix it. Power it yourself.
- Financial Survival: Because collapse isn’t always caused by weather or war.
- Veteran Insight: Drawing from my experiences, training in the military and comms expertise.
I don’t just prepare for my family, I prepare so I can help others when disaster hits. My time in uniform taught me the importance of service. Now, I serve by sharing what I’ve learned and helping others get ready for the worst, while hoping for the best.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope we can learn from each other. Hit me up on 𝕏 and don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel.
Stay prepped my freinds. Prepare. Defend. Survive.
PrepperVet Out.
