Airsoft supports our troops?

[FunkyDoucheMan]

I feel that in a sense airsoft supports our troops, and the military in a whole... Seeing as AP is technically (sp?) a Mil-Sim site, and the events are Mil-Sim as well. Another thing I get the sense of is that some people who come here to airsoft, eventually lead to volunteering for the military. Which is great, because we need people to step up and help our country... Following the lines of this subject is that some of the events and operations have proceeds that go to things such as the Wounded Warriors Foundation (Not entirely sure if I got the name right). I for one support our troops, veterans, and anybody who is working to keep the world going... Its more than the guys in the battlefield who are the heroes, but anybody who puts in effort in to making our country and world a better place is a hero in my eyes.

Discuss.

[giggles]

I think to some degree there is respect for the military in the airsoft community, but there's a fine line there. Those certain few teenagers who buy a bunch of 50-cent award patches from their local surplus and strut around like they earned them themselves.... they kind of make a farce of it.

Overall we do use similar tactics and gear, and ultimately simulate military situations. I think that is a form of respect. But as far as politics are concerned I like to think the two are less related.

But yeah... I think the airsoft community is definitely, definitely appreciative of our troops.

**Not speaking of specific people... just generalizing here. Lots of cool teenagers in AP

[Chesty_01]

http://www.airsoftpacific.com/viewtopic.php?t=32935

Nuff Said!!

[Reyna]

I can appreciate what you're trying to do FJM, but there is already so much support and funding for returning veterans out there its actually almost too much. If event organizers wanted to contribute to other organizations oriented towards vets then that would be cool. Though as far as establishing yet another new organization I would advise against it. When my unit returned from Iraq we were set-up with a 30 day, 60 day, and 90 day re-integration event(s), as I understand it these events are now SOP or are becoming that way. Anyways, at each one it was pretty much the same thing, don't drink too much, don't beat your wife, don't kill yourself ETC. However they always had tables of vendors from the VA, Tricare, VFW, American Legion, and all the other organizations. Like I said earlier, it was almost too much. By the time the 30 day event rolled around I was already in the VA, Tricare, and VFW. The point of all this is Soldiers that want to be proactive will be, some just don't care at all. Plus the vollume of programs not only available but really pushed at us is sometimes overwhelming. SO... if you want to help fund an already existing organization then by all means but if the point of this thread was to start one, I'd say thanks but no.

Hope that helps.

[Chesty_01]

I can appreciate what you're trying to do FJM, but there is already so much support and funding for returning veterans out there its actually almost too much. If event organizers wanted to contribute to other organizations oriented towards vets then that would be cool. Though as far as establishing yet another new organization I would advise against it. When my unit returned from Iraq we were set-up with a 30 day, 60 day, and 90 day re-integration event(s), as I understand it these events are now SOP or are becoming that way. Anyways, at each one it was pretty much the same thing, don't drink too much, don't beat your wife, don't kill yourself ETC. However they always had tables of vendors from the VA, Tricare, VFW, American Legion, and all the other organizations. Like I said earlier, it was almost too much. By the time the 30 day event rolled around I was already in the VA, Tricare, and VFW. The point of all this is Soldiers that want to be proactive will be, some just don't care at all. Plus the vollume of programs not only available but really pushed at us is sometimes overwhelming. SO... if you want to help fund an already existing organization then by all means but if the point of this thread was to start one, I'd say thanks but no.

Hope that helps.

+1

[FunkyDoucheMan]

Thanks for your input and point of view Reyna. But I'm not trying to get anything going, etc. But just wanted to discuss the subject... I have a somewhat off-topic question. Why is it that some of the Marines and Army vets wear their bdu's or acu's around in public? Not that its a bad thing, but was just wondering.

And also, how could you troll this thread with something at least somewhat relevant?

[Reyna]

Thanks for your input and point of view Reyna. But I'm not trying to get anything going, etc. But just wanted to discuss the subject... I have a somewhat off-topic question. Why is it that some of the Marines and Army vets wear their bdu's or acu's around in public? Not that its a bad thing, but was just wondering.

And also, how could you troll this thread with something at least somewhat relevant?

A lot of guys are travelling between their base in the States or even on leave from overseas and its (At least in the Army) regulation to travel in uniform. Some guys (Like I used to be) were/are young and dumb and too proud of the uniform to realize they're being dorks by showing up anywhere in uniform, now I can't take that SOB off soon enough. Again this is all my personal insight.

[Paladin101]

Lol Reyna, Marines actually refer to this as the "Don't beat your wife brief". Funky, No Marines SHOULD be wearing their utilities in public unless they are specifically in a "working environment." The only reason you should be wearing your utilities off base is to get gas if you can't make it from the base to home. Personally I think it's highly unprofessional for the army to wear ACUs on air travel. The Navy and Corps actually are not allowed to because of a terrorist incident with some UDT divers back in the 80s. If you see a Marine in BDUs on an airplane he is wrong.

[Matt]

I like to see Airsoft events supporting charity. It only helps to make people more accepting of our hobby. But I don't think we need to limit ourselves to military related charities. For example, Santa's War benefits Toys for Tots.

I also think it's good practice for those events claiming to donate to charity to provide some sort of proof that a donation was made. Maybe a scan of a receipt or something. If you are claiming to support a charity, the players deserve to know a donation was made and for how much.

[Juicemachine]

Matt, I agree, and that's why I really like the Santa's War idea, where people are donating physical toys rather than cash. I'd like to see a game that benefits the Oregon Food Bank, or something of the like, with payment in canned goods.

[Solid]

Another thing I get the sense of is that some people who come here to airsoft, eventually lead to volunteering for the military.

I'd vouch for that. One of the reasons I've signed up is because some of the best people I've met are from here that are either currently enlisted or have previously served. Not to say thats the only reason, but it definatly did motivate me.

[dr.feelgood]

Matt, I agree, and that's why I really like the Santa's War idea, where people are donating physical toys rather than cash. I'd like to see a game that benefits the Oregon Food Bank, or something of the like, with payment in canned goods.

Closer to thanksgiving you should see a posting of an event just like this.

[Matt]

We did Oregon food bank for... Grid 18 REDUX I believe. Lots of people brought cans of food in.

[KA-BAR]

team terror and ABT did a food bank game, and during our pow wow, junto expresse desire to do a food donation game.


so yea, this community participates with the greater community good.

[Reyna]

Lol Reyna, Marines actually refer to this as the "Don't beat your wife brief". Funky, No Marines SHOULD be wearing their utilities in public unless they are specifically in a "working environment." The only reason you should be wearing your utilities off base is to get gas if you can't make it from the base to home. Personally I think it's highly unprofessional for the army to wear ACUs on air travel. The Navy and Corps actually are not allowed to because of a terrorist incident with some UDT divers back in the 80s. If you see a Marine in BDUs on an airplane he is wrong.

Yeah we call it the same thing, I stood up and said, "I hit my girlfriend and she knows better than to talk back!" SSG. So and So invariably retorted with, "Get the shazaam down and knock em' out." And yes I agree, the only time I've ever travelled in Civilian clothes for the Army was for MEPS and when I went on emergency leave and had to go to Kuwait City airport. I can agree with your stance to a certain degree but I think there's something to be said about a measure of security and gratification American civilians feel seeing that GI Joe is on the plane with them and walking through the terminal next to them. But that's just my two cents.

Sorry to bring this bad boy off topic.