Former FBI Deputy Urges Americans to Stockpile Three Days of Essentials as Pentagon Plans 90‑Day Base Self‑Sufficiency

Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has called on U.S. households to prepare for potential disruptions by keeping at least three days’ worth of food, water, and essential supplies on hand. His remarks came shortly after details of the Pentagon’s new FORTRESS initiative were released. The plan, announced by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, aims to enable major U.S. military bases to operate independently for 90 days without external support in the event of a major conflict that could sever civilian infrastructure.

Bongino’s message, delivered on his podcast, emphasized personal responsibility: “Fortress my house” and “Fortress my apartment.” He urged families to keep emergency radios, batteries, water‑filtration equipment, and basic medical supplies ready. He warned that a lack of preparedness could leave children and neighbors without access to water or food during a crisis.

The FORTRESS initiative is designed to reduce the military’s dependence on civilian power grids, water systems, and supply chains. According to Pentagon documents reviewed by Fox News Digital, the plan includes portable nuclear reactors, large‑scale battery storage, and independent power grids to keep installations running if civilian power is disrupted. It also calls for strategic reserves of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts, and medical supplies.

Parnell stated that relying on standard civilian municipal infrastructure would be an “intolerable risk.” The initiative also prepares for civilian factories to switch to defense production and for alternative suppliers to fill critical gaps if international supply routes are disrupted.

In addition to the FORTRESS plan, the U.S. will conduct a nationwide test of its Emergency Alert System (EAS) on November 17, from 2:20 pm to 2:50 pm Eastern Standard Time. The test will broadcast alerts on television and radio but will not be sent to mobile devices. Federal regulations require the system to be tested every three years.

FEMA and Ready.gov recommend that households maintain a basic emergency kit that can support them for at least three days. Suggested items include water, non‑perishable food, radios, flashlights, spare batteries, first‑aid kits, essential medicines, sanitation products, power banks, local maps, and extra supplies for sheltering in place.

The Pentagon’s 90‑day preparedness plan reflects a broader strategy to ensure national defense can continue even during a prolonged, multi‑front conflict. While the military is taking steps to safeguard national security, officials and experts emphasize that individual households also play a critical role in resilience.

To verify the announcement, readers can consult the Pentagon’s official press releases, the U.S. Department of Defense website, and reputable news outlets such as Fox News Digital and the Associated Press. The EAS test schedule is published by the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.