Who is in your Perfect Group?

[Mortblanc]

Yep, you might want someone with medical training, but do you want Doc Martin?

You might want a "survival expert", but do you want the likes of Bear G around?

And if there is a lawyer on board I hope his hobby is growing a veggie patch, reloading his own shells and shooting red deer.

I would be looking for the mid-wife that can also cook up a tasty mouse and maggot w/noodles meal and still has the fortitude to pick up a shotgun if needed, and even the little kid that knows where all the hens hide to lay their eggs. I might even take in a corporate executive if he plays guitar well and spins a good tale when evening comes.

As an example, the US Special Forces primary operating element is a unit called an A-team.

2 officers
2 intel men
2 com men
2 heavy weapons men
2 light weapons men
2 medical specialists

Each person is cross trained in two other fields to the same level as the specialists.

That allows the team to be broken into two five man units still having all the needed skills to complete any mission. Theory is that even if only two men survive it is possible they will have all the skills at their disposal.

I am not saying your group should be patterned after an A-team, just that a jack of all trades with a good personality and quick wit would be a most valuable member of any group.