Drew Miller, head of a survival camp in Lost City, West Virginia, sometimes talks as if time is divided into two periods.

These are peaceful days, as they are now, and bad days, which can come at any time in the form of deadly epidemics, economic collapse, nuclear war or political upheaval.

In peaceful days, the tree house at Fortitude is a place for children to play. But when the bad day comes, it can become a watchdog. In peaceful days, the mountain scenery surrounding the camp is an ideal place for hiking, golfing or cable skiing. The dark days, the camp will become a great shelter, helping protect the people living inside it.

"The enemies you face in the pandemic are none other than your neighbors," Miller said.

Miller, along with about 100 others who bought Fortitude camp membership cards, believed that underground tunnels, food storage and semiautomatic weapons would help them survive the end of the world.

Miller and members of Fortitude camp are collectively known as "preparers". They are always worried about an uncertain future. In addition to worrying about natural disasters, civilization annihilation, population explosion, climate change, economic collapse and war, they now worry about politics. As the impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump is becoming an overarching topic across the United States, they warn that violence could break out in this deeply divided country.

"You know, people still use the term 'civil war' and it's hard to imagine. But what sparked World War I? The Crown Prince of Austria was assassinated. Everything escalated the way we couldn't." predictable, "said Miller.

The scenario that is most concerned about camp members is the possibility of increased tension as the presidential election is approaching. Some people are afraid that if President Trump loses, he may blame the opponent for fraud and refuse to leave his seat. Others believe that if Trump wins, his opponent may blame him for fraud, thereby causing turmoil. Miller didn't believe this scenario could happen, but he listened to the opinions of every member.

Trump, in tweets criticizing the impeachment investigation of the lower house, continued to exacerbate tensions by implying that his deposition could create "a civil war".

That's what David L. Jones, 62, a member of Fortitude camp, often envisioned. He is a veteran, experienced Alaskan soldier of the state of Alaska, very knowledgeable about nuclear war, biological warfare and chemistry. Jones has worked at state and federal emergency response agencies. Jones said he saw a turbulent future, possibly with violence, regardless of whether Trump won or lost in the race to the White House.

Fortitude Camp covers an area of more than 200,000 m2, located deep inside George Washington National Forest. The camp collects a membership fee of about US $ 1,000 per year. Inmates are encouraged to use the two large cabins here as rest and relaxation. However, in an emergency, they will be evacuated to 9 m2 underground rooms underground for shelter. In total, the whole camp could accommodate up to 500 people.

Fortitude Camp also has two other facilities in Colorado and is about to open its fourth in Wisconsin. Their motto is: "Prepare for the worst and enjoy the reality". The expansion of Fortitude camp is a clear demonstration of a movement of survival that has grown in recent years in the United States.

Financial news website 24 / 7WallSt.com in 2013 estimated that there were about 3.7 million "preparers" across the United States and the market for items dealing with disasters worth billions of dollars, for example. such as frozen food, water filtration systems, survival tools or bows and crossbows.

David Sanders, owner of a store selling survival goods, said sales from 2012 to now have grown 25%, except for the sideways period in 2015. Sanders orders often increase dramatically when there are carpets. calamities or epidemics occur.

Miller's experience, 61, for doomsday scenarios originated during the Cold War. He is a retired colonel of the US Air Force intelligence agency. He also holds a master's degree from Harvard University, is a virtual currency consultant and book author.

Miller grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, about an hour's drive from the US Strategic Air Command of Offutt Air Base. This was the top potential target of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

He volunteered to join the non-profit organization Civil Aviation Supervision when he was only 13 years old. He joined the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1980 with a degree in history and international relations. Miller also received a master's degree from John F. Kennedy State School of Management at Harvard University.

Miller's thesis suggests that NATO troops can survive a Warsaw Blast explosion at low cost if the ally builds 10,000 shelters using underground metal sewers.

"One meter underground is the magic number," Miller said. "That's why at Fortitude camp, we have underground facilities but are quite shallow. Nobody goes to drop a tens of megaton nuclear warhead in our area."

Miller also analyzes other deadly threats, especially pandemics, which he believes are more likely to occur than civil war. Miller noted that from 1918 to 1920, the "Spanish flu" pandemic alone caused 30 million deaths. A similar tragedy can happen when a deadly pathogen is released into the environment.

He also wants to ensure that Fortitude camp will withstand natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, a super volcanic eruption or widespread civil chaos, such as a 1977 power outage that caused riots. broke out, causing nearly 2,000 business households to be burned. Miller wants Fortitude camp to be prepared for either a nuclear attack or an economic collapse scenario.

The farm has a lot of food stores and green houses that prepare seeds to help sustain a long life. At a farm in Colorado, they even raise chickens and cattle. Radio equipment, generators powered by solar power and propane or coal, kerosene and wood are indispensable items. At the foot of the hill, not far from the main tunnel, a burning pit is used to handle infected bodies during a pandemic. Miller tested the pit with a dead goat.

Miller and his camp management staff are all armed and trained to use AR-15 semi-automatic rifles or pistols for self-defense. Miller emphasized that his group is not affiliated with any anti-government militia group.

Miller said he has never shot anyone who has ever fought in the Iraq battlefield, but insists he is ready to do everything necessary to protect himself, his family and members of Fortitude camp.

The worst nightmare that Miller could imagine was the image of a mother coming to the door of the camp with her child starving in the hands of a pandemic and pleading for help. The principle of survival forced him to turn away from them. "It will be very painful," Miller said.