Membership

C.R.E.S.T. Membership Requirements

How To Join The C.R.E.S.T.

There is no method of joining the C.R.E.S.T. via the Internet, phone or postal mail. There is also no membership list.

Being a member of the C.R.E.S.T. Yahoo group does not make one a C.R.E.S.T. member although many of the Yahoo group members may also be C.R.E.S.T. members.

You must join a local C.R.E.S.T. chapter in your own community by affirming the oath below and meeting the below membership requirements in order to become a C.R.E.S.T. member. If there is no C.R.E.S.T. chapter in your community, please feel free to start one with at least two other members.

The C.R.E.S.T. exists to assist fellow members if his or her constitutional rights are violated by any government power, agency or court.

We will use our combined resources in defense of our members.

We will never abandon our fellow members facing tyranny and our presence will always be felt while injustice persists.

We reaffirm our faith in the purpose and principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution for the United States and express our desire to live in peace with all peoples and governments.

We are determined to safeguard the freedom and common heritage founded under the principles of republican government, individual liberty, personal responsibility, the rule of law and our unalienable rights endowed to us by our Creator.

We naturally oppose those that are hostile toward these principles.

We endeavor to provide an organized means of citizen based security for our communities and to prepare for all possible threats including terrorism, criminal activities, and internal subversion of the United States Constitution and even armed invasions of the United States.

We regard firearm skill and safety as an essential cornerstone of our organization.

We train at regular intervals to maintain a highly organized and skilled membership.

Requirements

1. All members must be United States Citizens or in the process of becoming citizens.

2. Members must own or have access to a firearm of their choosing.

Firearrm ownership/access and training is a requirement for all C.R.E.S.T. members physically able to do so.

We regard firearm skill and safety as an essential cornerstone of our organization. We train at regular intervals to maintain a highly organized and skilled membership.

Each C.R.E.S.T. member will keep ready, a minimum 200 rounds ammunition; two days water and non-perishable food; pocket knife; small flashlight; compact binoculars; first aid kit; personal hygiene items such as soap and toothbrush and small carrying bag or pack. Other useful items may include waterproof matches; lighter; needles and thread; fishing line, hooks & sinkers; water filtration system/purification tablets; compass; entrenching tool; gun cleaning equipment; spare gun parts; helmet; field jacket; 3 pairs of socks; poncho; fixed blade knife; batteries; toilette paper, small am/fm pocket radio with earphone. See Preparedness Page for Bugout Bag contents.

3. There is no maximum age restriction and the minimum age is 18.

4. C.R.E.S.T. members are to maintain the highest standards of citizenship.

5. Each local chapter has minimum member dues of $7.00 per month to help cover required purchase items mandated by the C.R.E.S.T. charter. Members must be able to pay chapter dues on time as determined by the chapter.

6. A C.R.E.S.T. organization DOES NOT train-in or use military battle dress uniforms during regular C.R.E.S.T. functions. However all members are required to purchase an emergency BDU that is universal to their Chapter or per guidelines stipulated by the National Council.

7. One major function of the C.R.E.S.T. is to be preparing for natural disasters and civil unrest and to be able to provide security for their communities during and after such events. Therefore, all organizations must have a universal method that identifies members as private security. A full uniform is not required but a single cap, shirt, vest and/or jacket with the word "SECURITY" imprinted plainly for the public will suffice. The uniform that is adopted is determined by each individual organization. Also, “C.R.E.S.T.” may be printed on the front of a jacket with member name.

8. The CREST is a civilian entity. Active duty members of the armed services may not serve in the C.R.E.S.T.

9. National Guard members may be admitted as in any other civilian organization but will be excused from C.R.E.S.T. meetings and functions if there is a conflict of schedules.

10. Training and participation in the C.R.E.S.T. is flexible but consistent. Each team is to meet a minimum of once per month. This can be a brief meeting lasting about one half hour or as long as desired. The team meeting should include community information exchange, physical education or other training. The team's leader directs the focus of each meeting. Team leaders are responsible to see that all members meet organization-training standards.Two hours minimum required rifle and/or pistol practice is to be verified by team leaders every ninety days as a team activity. Team leaders once per month are to verify phone tree updates. Phone trees will include home, work, cell phones and pagers. Updated phone trees are passed up the to the organization's Captain.Each organization is encouraged to conduct a minimum of four simulation exercises per year. Simulations may
include search and rescue of missing persons; first aid training; simulated conflicts such as paintball matches and other beneficial training activities. Organization leaders are to meet a minimum of once per month to maintain the organization. In small organizations this can be a combined team and organization meeting. Each chapter is to hold an organization wide meeting a minimum of five times per year as determined by the elected chapter Captain. See The C.R.E.S.T. Charter for additional details on organizational structure.

11. All C.R.E.S.T. members maintain a strict code of silence and this is our highest law. If arrested for any reason we demand our attorney is present during any and all questioning by authorities and we never compromise on this stance.

Membership Oath

Each local C.R.E.S.T. Chapter will require all new members take the following oath of membership:
"I (state your full name) will support and defend The Constitution of the United States; I will follow the bylaws set-forth within the C.R.E.S.T. Charter; I understand the C.R.E.S.T. is a brotherhood of citizens and I am willing to bear that responsibility; in good conscious and without reservation I affirm my membership in the C.R.E.S.T.