...little admission here. I moved away from your part of the country a long time ago and am biased.
I know a hurricane and a nuclear impact are different kinds of disasters. At least with a hurricane there is ample time for an evac. Not so with nuclear. A 30 minute warning (ICBM only) would catch tens of thousands of people on the roads stupidly trying to flee. The EMP stalls their cars, and the fire and flash finish them off.
The whole jist of my post is that regardless of the kind of disaster, we cannot depend on a timely government response to save us from impending collateral consequences.
There are those who stay put, and after a day or two run out of tuna and bottled water and start seeking supply. The ill prepared only need firearms to take what they need. Same for the well prepared who only need firearms to protect what they have set aside as a disaster preparedness stockpile.
As for soldiering skills, most orders upon a nuclear disaster would be to hold your position and await orders and reinforcements..
A few well armed citizens militia could be easily overwhelmed by a mob frenzy of injured and otherwise desperate people unless they have a satisfactory position to hold.
Why be biased about Missouri? We have the best of everything here!