PicoBlog

This article is provided by guest contributor, Atlas who can be found on social media here. This is Atlas’ story about his time within the Appalachian Ranger Association.

-Smokey

I've chosen to no longer be content simply knowing I was black listed from the Appalachian Rangers for doing the right thing and have chosen to be one of the many former members who opted to speak out publicly. I'll clearly state my experience both as a line member, which is limited, and as part of the leadership of the organization. Most know me by Atlas, a nickname I've carried for well over a decade at this point. I'm the man with the long hair and red shoulder patch in the first image. The second image contains all of the tabs I was "awarded" and the smaller of the ARA patches.

I'm here to join the chorus of voices that have begun speaking out in recent days against the former leader of the now defunct Appalachian Rangers, Mark, for his lack of integrity as both a leader and a man. In my time I led two different call trees, Charlie and Delta, at different points while simultaneously being the liaison between the ARA and other groups, the XO of RSTG which were the special teams of the ARA, and the XO of the whole organization. I served in these positions during a particularly eventful time as it was coming down from the exposure of the overblown disaster relief mission to Kentucky and I got to be the internal voice of reason afterwards when I received a phone call from Mark about leaving six hours into the first day of TUSC (Tactical Urban Sustainment Course) at DARC (Direct Action Resource Center).

The first of the accusations I'll make goes back to July of 2022 simply to set the stage for things. I was attending my second FTX with the ARA within 10 days of my mother passing away after a nearly three year battle with cancer, which was to be a 48 hour event beginning on Friday and ending on Sunday. It rained relentlessly the entire time. While many of us slept in small tents, hammocks, or tarp shelters, Mark slept under a pop up canopy that had been brought out with his hammock suspended between two trucks that were present for the first night.

Around noon on Saturday, Mark informed myself and another leader he had received a call and had to attend to something at home and that he would return sometime in the evening. Later in the evening, having heard nothing I reached out to Mark to make sure he and everyone at home were ok. He informed it was, but that he may not return that evening as things were taking longer than anticipated.

The following morning, Sunday, Mark returned to the training site after it had finally stopped raining, we had broken camp, and moved off the hill. Shortly thereafter, it began to rain again and we were told to pack the vehicles and prepare to leave. All of this is said to show that Mark abandoned his men in the field due to inclement weather and when he returned the disparity was a major hit to morale of the men who had been in the field since friday. We were all muddy, wet, and tired. Mark returned clean, dry, and well rested.

Shortly after this FTX was the extremely controversial disaster relief mission in Kentucky. A member had informed leadership there was flooding near his home and that he was considering quitting his job to leave and go help. The Intel cadre of the ARA was instructed to find points of contact for the areas affected, volunteers were gathered, and information was put out with where to go. Myself and another West Virginian member were the first to arrive at the Floyd County Community Center where I made the initial contact with the kind woman running relief efforts there. She was kind enough to give us a space to work and sleep out of as well as access to a locked office for storing anything we might need.

When the next batch of volunteers arrived with Mark, he made further contact with the woman I had mentioned before and then gathered us to formulate a plan. We organized and took count of what supplies were available at the community center before setting out to the Sportsplex in Hindman to see what we could do there. Upon making contact there, we were asked to run some water to an assisted living home until the fire department could make it there to fill their reservoir.

We loaded the bed of my truck with water, mounted up, made our run and actually met the fire fighters who had been sent out while we were unloading the water we had been sent with. Finishing this task, we returned to the Sportsplex and asked if there was anything they needed. Mark spoke at length with the man in charge of relief efforts there and we were informed we would be returning to the Floyd County Community Center to ask if they had any food that could be spared.

They were kind enough to give us several cases of MREs to take back. Once unloaded, Mark told us all to make ourselves useful. After a short time, we returned to my vehicle where Mark informed us all he had made us available as a QRF to the night staff of the sportsplex and it was debated whether or not we sleep there for the night or return to the community center. It was shortly after we returned to the community center for the final time that night that I had to leave due to childcare issues at home. However, this first day, we had done all of this bearing rifles and wearing kit. We were told to be prepared to help with SAR, yet only myself and one other person brought bump helmets while others showed up in plate carriers. Mark made the packing list and demanded we all bring rifles to a disaster area instead of tools or supplies.

The final significant grievance I can lay out is with the transparency around organizational funds in general, but around the funding of Mark attending and subsequently quitting TUSC at DARC specifically. As a point, to the best of my knowledge, none of us ever knew the amount in the coffers of ARA except Mark, nor where it came from or how it was used. But despite knowing there was money coming in, we were asked to help fund the trip to and from DARC as well as any last minute purchases that needed to be made. Many contributed cash, some loaned needed items, some bought things, some did a combination of the above. I personally gave 50 bucks on top having purchased a new holster for Mark.

After preparations were finished for Mark and one other to attend DARC, plans were put together for someone besides Mark to lead the FTX that had been scheduled the same weekend. Time goes by, Mark and the other member leave for the class and all seems well. Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from Mark seeking my opinion on what I thought about them potentially leaving the first day. I was adamantly against it, but my words weren't heeded and they left. Others have spoken more at length about what happened while they were there, so I'll refer you to them for that story.

Upon leaving, they drove straight through the evening and night to the site of the next day's FTX to "surprise" everyone and from everything I have heard both then and now, little to no explanation was given and no one has ever been offered a refund on the money or supplies they donated for the class. In fact, to my knowledge, several members and former members are waiting on delivery of products that were paid for as part of pre-orders. Where's my patch Mark? It has been a year.

All of this is to say that Mark has spent his time in charge of an organization that has received a lot of positive attention looking solely at how he can benefit with as little effort as possible. He's shown himself in my eyes, and in the evidence that's been presented over the last several days, to be a man of flawed character and poor morals. Hopefully my stories here help paint that picture in something of a more personal light.

Montani Semper Liberi,
Atlas

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