Terms Related to the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps. You May Want to Know

After talking to my adviser for this project, it was brought to my attention that many people are completely unaware of the meaning behind some of the terms used regularly in describing the  Minutemen Civil Defense Corps. Like anything, it’s often the easiest to understand something when you know the history and structure behind something. So here it is — a complete breakdown of what I’ve learned about MCDC in the short three or so months I have been reading and interviewing the group:

The Minutemen Civil Defense Corps. is a non-profit, anti-illegal immigration group dedicated to securing U.S. borders. The group was started by former California elementary school teacher Chris Simcox after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in April of 2005, and is still the current leader. In an effort to secure the borders, thousands of Americans have joined the ranks of MCDC with their lawn chairs and binoculars to be what they have called ‘the eyes and ears’ of the nation.

Although the group carries weapons when they watch the border during “muster” weekends, all of the group’s officials have been clear to explain that it is only for the safety of their members and are never actually used unless in fear for their life. So far, I have not found any incidents of MCDC members abusing this priveledge.

During one of these watches, if a volunteer sees an illegal immigrant they are instructed not to talk with the person, but to provide water and food if needed and then call the border patrol. Although the group has been labeled by many as “racists” and “vigilantes,” they maintain that their mission is not about hating immigrants, but highlighting the federal government’s insufficient protection of the borders and the problems illegal immigration has caused within the U.S.

Terms:

Muster - the weekend or sometimes weekly border watches that are held on private owner’s ranches that back up to the Mexican border.

SOP- this stands for ‘Standard Operating Procedures,’ which must be followed by all MCDC volunteers during a muster. Below is a link:

http://www.minutemanhq.com/hq/sop.php

SARS - this stands for Search and Rescue; a part of the group dedicated to searching for illegal immigrants who may be in need of desperate help in the desert.

Minuteman Project- an organization started by Jim Gilchrist to monitor the flow of illegal immigrants across the southern border and bring light to the issue in the federal and state governments. Gilchrist was at one time associated with Simcox’s organization, but split in 2005 to form his own group after tensions among the leaders.

Sector - this is a pre-determined area, usually two to three miles long that a pair of volunteers will monitor during a shift within a muster. Sectors are generally  along a road, sometimes called “the line.”

Station - this is a home base or post that a pair of volunteers will stay at during a shift.

Chain of Command is as follows: Chapter Leader, Operations Officer, Media Coordinator, Communications, Sector Chiefs,  Shift Leaders, Volunteers.

I Expected an Alien Encounter, Instead I Met Volunteers of MCDC

While a lot of slogans are just cheesy, it’s times like last weekend that Nike’s “Just do it” seems like it was written for me. In reality, as a reporter you can read and prepare on a topic as much as you want, but throwing yourself into an uncomfortable situation is sometimes the only way to really learn.

If you’ve read articles about the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps., you probably already know that terms like “racist” and “vigilante” have haunted the group like the plague. So when my photographer Deeana and I drove 30 miles south of Tucson this past weekend to participate in the group’s scouting weekend, or what they call a muster, I was naturally expecting to meet people who fit that description.

As a reporter,  it’s sometimes hard not to be opinionated and biased. However, I knew the members of this group were judging me just like I had them, which made me try to fight that urge harder. More than anything, I was curious about the activities that happened at a muster– especially since I’d felt like I would have to promise my first-born child to obtain clearance to attend one.

Would there be secret handshakes and rituals? A shoot-off? An illegal immigrant sacrifice? I was prepared for the worst.

The drive south to Amado, Ariz. went by fast and before I knew it we were already creeping along the dusty gravel road through the Oswald Cattle Company property. Already noon, several trucks were already parked at the camp with a shade structure that housed a table with walkie-talkies, scouting equipment, and about five lawn-chair clad retirees. I was amazed that the scene was smaller and less intimidating than I had thought!

For the next four hours, I spent time talking to almost all the 15 to 20 volunteers who trickled in. The majority were older men with a a couple of women interspersed,  but I didn’t find the racist monsters I had read about in articles. Instead here was grandma and grandpa, dressed out in camo and boots with handgun holstered to their side,  who could boast four college degrees and a love for an America they say they can still remember. At least those were the people I met.