What are good things for a civilian to have or know in order to help in a war effort?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I lived in Taiwan previously for over a decade and may be moving back this summer (for reasons unrelated to tensions with China.) However, looking at the Ukraine situation, I can’t help but think of how possible it is that the same thing could unfold in Taiwan in the near future.

The main difference between Ukraine and Taiwan is that Ukraine shares land borders with NATO nations and has received a steady stream of men and weapons since the war began, while Taiwan is an island that would be sealed off by a Chinese blockade on day one. No outside men or supplies could get into Taiwan once the war started.

I’ve got no military training. But if a war did happen, and I were in Taiwan at the time, I want to help, and here are the only things I’ve thought of:

  • Donate blood. I’m type O, so it should be a useful type - but I can only donate once every two months.
  • Bring useful kit from America. I have bought small LifeStraw water-purifier devices that can provide 1,000 gallons of clean drinking water for just $13 apiece, in case I, and other people, are in a situation where water potability becomes an issue. Can’t think of what other useful stuff to bring.
  • Learn as much first-aid, medicine and civil-defense knowledge as I can. I now know how to make Molotov cocktails, for instance, and have done some reading about how to ambush enemy troops in an urban environment.
  • Get proficient with firearms. This will be tough because Taiwan generally bans private gun ownership. I’ve fired pistols in America before but that was it. Perhaps watching YouTube will be the only way to learn how to use M-16s and the like.
  • Serve as an English-Mandarin interpreter, should Taiwanese locals have to communicate with US military personnel, Western media, or others.
  • Use social-media to raise awareness, such as all the videos that Ukrainians are sharing with the world right now.
  • Get LASIK. I’m nearsighted with astigmatism, and combat would be a bad time to be wearing glasses.
  • Bring some US cash, in case the local currency becomes worthless but US dollars still have some use.
  • If I am a drone hobbyist in peacetime, then I could fly a cheap $1,000 private drone to help do some recon, like some Ukrainians are doing now.

Anything else?

2

That alone will make you more proficient that the average person in Taiwan.

If you are in such a dire situation they are issuing military rifles to civilians they will be able to cover the basics quickly, the most import being point the business end at the bad guys. Rifles are much easier to shoot with accuracy than pistols, and in urban warfare you most likely won’t be shooting at targets at great distances. One reason firearms caught on so quickly (once they worked out a few details) is because the learning curve for minimal proficiency is so short.

Being an interpreter is a big asset, and if you know both Mandarin and English you’re golden. English is THE most common second language in the world. If a situation ends up like Ukraine with foreign volunteers coming into the fight chances are a lot of them will know sufficient English to communicate even if their first language is something else.

If you don’t get LASIK at least bring spare glasses/contact lenses along. Also, some sort of goggles/eye protection that can fit over your glasses would be a good thing as well just on general principal. And a good idea even if you do get LASIK.

Given how important cell phones are these days you might want to bring some spare back-up battery packs. There are even ones that can use solar power for recharging. Maybe a plug-into-the-wall charger, a USB charger, and a solar charger?

As for drones - you could probably find them cheaper than $1000 if you’re using them for “recon”, that is, a video view of a situation. If you’ve got that budget you might want to get multiple smaller ones because for darn sure stuff gets broken in war time.

3

Safety shooters glasses of your very own. Head to a GOOD optical shop, not a mall lensmaster, you want one where you can check out brands like On Guard in person. I have a version where I can change out the lenses from yellow to really dark desert green, and the prescription glasses are like old school pince nez that fit into the frame [so one can get the good frames and change out the prescription part if or when your scrip changes.

Get a spare pair. Even if you get lasik, get good quality shooters safety glasses.