I think what the OP ran into was one of those whacker types who crave power and when they get it go out of control. Doesn’t matter if the OP was into prepping or not, he got into ham radio for whatever reason, to be ready for TEOTW as he sees it, and got slapped by the NCS with power but no brains.
One response alluded to the OP being a right-wing nut job. So What? I prep as well and anyone who doesn’t is just kicking the can down the road. Potty mouth … Have you spun the big knob lately and listened? I was out of the hobby for 12 years and then got back in, now I’m wondering.
Yes for ARES you do have to sign a form that connects you to DHS. How do I know this? I work for DHS and work in government disaster response and continuity operations. From my point of view, I wouldn’t sign the form either and I work there! As the latest news points out, your information is not secure with the government.
Back on point. Here was a chance to take a new ham and nurse him into the hobby beyond a local HT net and they blew it! Someone (I think they were called Elmer’s at one time) should have explained that HF can play a big role in a local emergency. Example: Hurricane hits and takes out all comms including the local repeaters. How does the first information get out and in? How do loved ones contact someone to check on family? Look no further than the Tsunami in Japan, earthquake in Haiti. HF will fill the bill.
Was the OP a troll? Possibly, but the troll will remain under the bridge until someone encourages him to come out.