Searching For Calm In Bond Markets

Naturally, these "professionals" never mention CDs, since institutions and funds don't hold them, and professional money managers can't make a big fee selling them to the retail crowd. But, for the retail investor seeking a duration of zero (which is as low as you can go) and zero credit risk, your garden-variety CD beats the competition hands down. If you want a bond fund for ease of re-balancing, VFSTX (Vanguard's short-term investment-grade bond fund) might be worth a look. SEC yield of 1.64% with current distribution yield north of 2.2%. But the trade-off is some duration (i.e., interest-rate risk) and some credit risk. But it's as close to a 4-yr CD as I can find in a bond fund, with the trade-offs noted.

Has anyone found a way to join Security Service FCU if one doesn't live in the 3 states on it's webpage, Texas, Utah, or Colorado?  Is there an organization outsiders can join?  Thanks!