The Pentagon Is Planning for 90 Days. Should Your Family?

Summary

The Pentagon's new FORTRESS America initiative aims to keep military bases operating during major disruptions, with a reported goal of 90 days without outside support. Meanwhile, Ready.gov advises households to prepare for several days. Here's why that gap matters and what families can learn about long-term emergency preparedness.

The Pentagon Plan Has a Reported 90-Day Goal

On September 30, 2026, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced FORTRESS America, a new initiative to make U.S. military installations more independent. [1]

During his speech, Hegseth declared, “The Department of War will be the insurance policy for the entire nation.” [1]

He also explained what greater independence would mean for military installations.

“Every major military installation in America is going to generate its own power, independent of the civilian grid.” [2]

According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, the initiative has 5 major priorities:

1. Energy independence: Keep bases powered when civilian grids fail.
2. Supply-chain resilience: Reduce dependence on vulnerable suppliers and transportation routes.
3. Strategic defense reserves: Maintain critical supplies during extended disruptions.
4. Base security: Strengthen physical defenses and cybersecurity.
5. Space and communications resilience: Protect military capabilities that depend on space-based systems and the electromagnetic spectrum. [3]

Fox News reported that internal Pentagon documents set a goal for major military installations in the continental U.S. to sustain essential operations independently for at least 90 days, including electricity, water, fuel, and communications. [4]

The documents and reporting reviewed do not establish that the Pentagon expects an imminent attack.

And it’s important to note the 90-day target has not been explicitly confirmed by Pentagon officials. [5]

The Pentagon Wants Bases Able to Operate off the Civilian Grid. But What about Civilians?

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News, “We don’t want to rely on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to run our national defense. We just simply can’t. It’s an intolerable risk.” [4]

The Pentagon is considering microgrids, battery storage, and other power systems that could help military installations keep operating if the civilian electrical grid goes down.

But what about the rest of us?

American families still rely on that same power grid. We also depend on public water systems, fuel deliveries, and grocery stores.

If those systems fail, families could be left without power, clean water, or food.

And unlike military bases, most homes don't have large emergency reserves.

FORTRESS America is designed to protect military operations.

Yet, there is no similar 90-day plan to keep American households supplied.

Which raises a troubling question:

If the Pentagon doesn't trust civilian infrastructure to keep military bases running, why should your family depend on it?

What Does Ready.gov Recommend for American Families?

Ready.gov advises households to keep at least a several-day supply of nonperishable food and 1 gallon of water per person per day. [6]

That's a good start.

But what happens if the power stays out, grocery stores remain closed, or deliveries stop for weeks?

FEMA has also called for changes in how states prepare for disasters.

In October 2026, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton urged states to maintain financial reserves and strengthen their ability to handle disasters without waiting for federal assistance. [7]

“Reducing federal dependency requires partners to build, maintain, and exercise the capabilities needed to manage incidents effectively,” Hamilton wrote. [7]

The Pentagon is building its own safety net.

FEMA is telling states to strengthen theirs.

American families need to make sure they have one, too.

What Would 90 Days of Self-Reliance Look Like for an American Family?

A practical way to begin is to look at what your household already has, identify what is missing, and build supplies over time.

Start with the Emergency Supplies You Already Have

Take stock of your food, drinking water, medications, lighting, and emergency communications.

Count how many days your food would last at your household's normal calorie needs.

Check how much drinking water you have stored and whether you could prepare meals without electricity.

Also consider any needs that cannot wait, such as prescription medications, refrigerated medicines, infant supplies, or medical devices that require power.

This gives you a clearer picture of how prepared your household is today.

Build Your Supplies for Longer Disruptions

Next, consider how your family would manage during a two-week power outage or a prolonged interruption to food deliveries.

Could you cook without electricity? Would you have enough safe drinking water? Could you keep essential devices powered? What would happen if you couldn't refill prescriptions or buy fuel?

Your answers will show you which supplies and backup plans need attention first.

You don't need to solve every problem at once. Building a longer-term reserve can happen in stages.

Work Toward 90 Days of Greater Independence

A 90-day preparedness plan should address 6 essential needs:

1. Food: Enough shelf-stable food to meet your household's calorie needs.
2. Water: Drinking water, water storage, and a way to treat additional water.
3. Cooking: A safe way to prepare meals without household electricity.
4. Power: Backup lighting, communications, and support for essential devices.
5. Health: Medications, first aid, and personal hygiene supplies.
6. Sanitation: A plan for managing waste if water or sewer service fails.

How to Build a 90-Day Emergency Food Supply for Your Family

For families working toward a 3-month emergency plan, food is one of the biggest needs to address.

Building and rotating 90 days of groceries takes time, storage space, and planning.

You need enough calories for everyone in the household, food that stores well, and a way to prepare it if the power goes out.

A long-term emergency food supply offers another way to establish that reserve.

Our 3-Month Emergency Food Supply is designed to provide one person with more than 2,000 calories per day for 90 days.

It includes 181,960 total calories across 22 food and drink varieties. Everything comes packed in 6 stackable, water-resistant buckets, making it easier to store a 3-month food reserve in one place.

For families who want more calories, protein, and variety, supplementing with #10 Cans and Provision Pack Pouches is a great next step.

All these products are designed for long-term storage with a shelf life of up to 25 years when stored properly. Most meals need only water and heat.

Be sure your emergency plan includes enough water and a safe way to cook if the power goes out.

In liberty,
Elizabeth Anderson
My Patriot Supply

FAQs about 3-Month Emergency Food Supplies

How Many Calories Does My Family Need During a 90-Day Emergency?

Calorie needs vary by age, activity level, and health. Our 3-Month Emergency Food Supply contains 181,960 total calories, averaging more than 2,000 per day for one person over 90 days. To estimate your family's needs, calculate each person's daily calorie requirements and multiply by 90.

How Long Does the Emergency Food Last in Storage?

The 3-Month Emergency Food Supply has a shelf life of up to 25 years when stored properly. Keep the food in a cool, dry location and protect the packaging from damage. Opened pouches have different storage requirements, so follow the product instructions.

How Much Water Is Needed to Prepare the Food?

The 3-Month Emergency Food Supply requires approximately 36.12 gallons of water to prepare the entire kit. This amount is for food preparation only. You'll need additional water for drinking, hygiene, and other household needs.

What If Someone in My Family Has Special Dietary Needs?

Emergency food planning should account for everyone in your household, including those with food allergies, intolerances, or special diets. My Patriot Supply offers special-diet emergency food options, including gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and vegetarian choices. Always check individual product labels for ingredients, allergens, and nutritional information before adding them to your emergency supply.

Sources

[1] U.S. Army.Hegseth Delivers 'State of the Force' Address, Outlines Series of New Initiatives. October 2, 2026. https://www.army.mil/article/295897

[2] DefenseScoop.Pentagon Memo Outlines Plan to Operationalize New ‘FORTRESS America’ Program Office. October 7, 2026. https://defensescoop.com/2026/10/07/pentagon-memo-operationalize-fortress-america-program-office/

[3] Air & Space Forces Magazine.Pentagon Starting With Resilient Energy for ‘FORTRESS America’ Project. October 20, 2026. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagon-resilient-energy-fortress-america-project/

[4] Fox News.Inside the Pentagon's Doomsday Plan to Keep America Fighting if Global War Erupts. October 25, 2026. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-pentagons-doomsday-plan-keep-america-fighting-global-war-erupts

[5] The War Zone.90 Days No Help: Fortress America's Goal to Make Bases Resilient Bastions in a Crisis. October 26, 2026. https://www.twz.com/nuclear/90-days-no-help-fortress-americas-goal-to-make-bases-resilient-bastions-in-a-crisis

[6] Ready.gov.Build a Kit. Updated July 1, 2026. https://www.ready.gov/kit

[7] Mark Ballard, The Advocate.FEMA Memo Shifts Disaster Recovery Responsibility to States. Published by Government Technology, October 27, 2026. https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/fema-memo-shifts-disaster-recovery-responsibility-to-states