Have we reached a plateau?

[Steve]

Okay. So, I’ve been thinking a good bit about Airsoft in the PacNW. I’ll admit, my viewpoint is skewed, and most folks out there will find at least something to disagree with in this post. But I will try to lay out my position clearly and we can see if there is any consensus to be had.

I see a couple of areas that we, as a community, can improve upon.
Movement:
From what I have seen, players tend to bunker down behind whatever cover they can find at (or beyond) their maximum engagement distance from their targets and just dump a couple of hundred poorly-aimed rounds in the general direction of the bad guys.
What I’d like to see is people working in small teams, moving and suppressing enemies. Advancing on the target, rather than hunkering down.
How can we fix this? Pick fields with less forest to play on. When we build cover, build it so that it only provides cover along one or two lines of fire. Put additional cover elements nearby that can be used for interlocking fields of fire. And then stand behind these pieces of cover and plot out an approach path and lay out cover that allows a fast-moving assault group to have at least some cover to screen part of their attack, without providing enough cover to induce the assault element to bog down and bunker.
Teams:
Most of the teams I have seen are squad level or smaller. I realize that most of the younger players (and some of the older ones too!) want to be high-speed operators like their oh-so-accurate video game heroes.
What I’d like to see is to have smaller teams merge together, or at least cross-train based on a solid set of TTPs. And standardize on their uniform color or pattern.
How can we make this happen? Put on monthly events where players are assigned to a platoon-sized element. Keep element integrity. Once a player is assigned to a platoon, the only way they can transfer is if they are traded by element leaders. Set a maximum number for the platoons for CSWs, DMRs, Bolt platforms, and grenade launchers. Make the event a full weekend, with time to socialize at the fire in the evening.
Location:
We as a community need to do something about locations. Most of the places we play are either somebody’s 10-20 acre back lot, public land, or a paintball field. A dedicated Airsoft field would be nice to have.
What I would like to see: A dedicated airsoft field, or at least a paintball / airsoft field with terrain that works for airsoft.
How can we make this happen? Adopt a field. Pick someplace (I like Titan 1’s field down in Kaiser), and run events there. One event every month. A weekend event. With a higher buy-in, like $40 to $60 for the event. And roll a big chunk of any profits into improving the field, specifically for airsoft. Do it as a social event. Have platoon leaders act as refs. This will allow them to assess newer players, and decide whether or not to recruit them for their platoons.
Mil-Sim:
I know there is a movement in a portion of the community to move towards Mil-Sim. Personally, I think this is a good thing. Almost all of the events in the local area are skirmish / woodsball games. I think if a big enough group of us sat down and put our heads together, we could probably make this happen. I think one of the biggest problems we will face is individual egos. In my mind, egos are the single biggest reason that we have a metric butt-ton of little tiny elements rather than any larger teams. A lot of folks seem to want to portray elite SF troops. While I think that the concept is admirable, the execution is sorely lacking in my opinion.
What I’d like to see: Three or four platoons formed based around real-world doctrine, tactics, and equipment. These platoons would train together at least monthly. They would have an identified chain of command, wear uniforms, practice communication discipline, and adhere to some semblance of grooming standards. Players would at least make some attempt to maintain a base level of physical fitness. There are very few things sillier than watching a fat shazaam in a green beanie pretend to be all high-speed while he’s trying to keep from hacking up his lunch after jogging a hundred meters. Start with basic infantry skills before trying to be elite, guys.
How can we make this happen? Mostly, it comes down to putting egos aside and joining or organizing a larger element. If it were up to me, platoons would be numbered rather than named. Existing teams would be broken up initially as part of the draft, and platoon leaders could sit down and swap players out to fill holes in their roster. Players would need to self-commit to spending enough to get the requisite uniforms and gear within a few months of joining a platoon. Newer players to the sport would be invited to show up at community events, and after showing up a few times, element leaders could invite them to take part in a quarterly draft to get picked up by one of the platoons.
Equipment:
I’ll keep this short and to the point. Everyone needs to wear the same uniform, carry the same platform of replica, and use interchangeable magazines. They should be real-cap mags. If everyone is using the same real-cap loadout, no one has a distinct advantage or handicap based on equipment. Realcaps, in my opinion, will make tactical movement advantageous. Modern military tactics are designed around the abilities of our troops and those of our opponents. When we restrict amo caps to those of the real world, we lower the volume of fire, which makes picking your shots more important. This leads to people actually moving to get to a point where their shots will be more effective. High-caps and Boxmags belong on CSWs ONLY. And the number of CSWs should be capped at 1 per 4 shooters in the platoon or less, and restricted to actual CSW platforms currently in use by the military force you are basing your doctrine off of. DMRs should be capped at 1 per squad, and bolt guns should be capped at 1 per platoon with an additional DMR, or possibly a second bolt platform in support.

[quigly]

I have many of the same thoughts. I may have free access to a ~38 acre field in Lincoln city. I too believe that mil-sim is the way things need to be moving, and have the large running around in the woods shooting at 200 other people less often. Lets be honest, we all at some point get the urge to go shoot at a bunch of people in a random matter. I sure do.
I know that it will take time and a lot of effort to make mil-sim a reality, but it is very achievable. We just need enough people that would take the time and put in the effort to do these extensive games.I for one am very willing to have to pay more for a better game. And I believe that when the prices go up, the player quality also gos up because only dedicated players will care to pay so much for a game. The money crisis is another thing that is effecting the games now a days. The only thing I don't like, which I don't fully under stand, is the platoons. I think that the separate teams need to have better team qualitys, which most teams are doing now.

[Variable]

Steve:
I agree.

[Patrick750]

more airsoft technology, some auto shotguns, pre silenced gbbs, a remote control stealth bowmber that drops bombs that explode bbs, only time will tell

[Snake_Eyes]

Steve alot of that sounds like what PLA is trying to do along with some other teams. It does need to expand to the community as a whole though.

On the lines of a dedicated field, I LOVE IT. I have been in talks with the other PLA leadership about making a HQ for PLA and a dedicated airsoft field where our games profits would go to the field at large. One of our newer members (Tonka) is working on acquiring permission to build such a park on a friend of his land.

Of course this won't happen for quit some time due to cost but eventually, say in a year, there will hopefully be some sweet field building going on

[quigly]

I too have a field which I plan on hosting PLA events. It is probably a little farther away then his though.

[Steve]

Steve alot of that sounds like what PLA is trying to do along with some other teams. It does need to expand to the community as a whole though.

On the lines of a dedicated field, I LOVE IT. I have been in talks with the other PLA leadership about making a HQ for PLA and a dedicated airsoft field where our games profits would go to the field at large. One of our newer members (Tonka) is working on acquiring permission to build such a park on a friend of his land.

Of course this won't happen for quit some time due to cost but eventually, say in a year, there will hopefully be some sweet field building going on

Talk to the guys at T1T. They work with a paintball place, seem to have a pretty good repoire with them, and are probably willing or able to talk to you about improving the field / running events / etc. And they are already insured, which is a huge plus.

[Snake_Eyes]

We are hoping on doing a "SERE"esque school/ op as well. But it requires building a compound and enough area for the kiddies to run and hide.

[Steve]

We are hoping on doing a "SERE"esque school/ op as well. But it requires building a compound and enough area for the kiddies to run and hide.

Definitely need insurance then.

There are reasons I never tried to do SERE. The thought of eating bugs is entirely unappealing, I like my bones unbroken, just like they are now, and finally, I don't look in the mirror and hate myself enough for that.

[Snake_Eyes]

We would be focusing more on the Evasion, Resistance, Extraction portion. Although a basic wilderness survival course would be invaluable to those from the city.

Mmm rabbit eyes for their salt content.

[Steve]

We would be focusing more on the Evasion, Resistance, Extraction portion. Although a basic wilderness survival course would be invaluable to those from the city.

Mmm rabbit eyes for their salt content.

Mostly, it's the resistance portion of the course that sounds painfully unappealing.

Running a clinic on E&E would be helpful, though. Run a classroom class on packing a bugout bag, a level 2 and 3 escape kit, and a E&E overview, followed by a couple of E&E scenario lanes for the remainder of the day (or weekend if you can find a big enough space and can get dogs). Or, run an opposed land-nav course where participants have to navigate from point to point while trying to evade the OpFor element. GPS grid if you are feeling friendly, map and compass if you are feeling smug, or compass and distance if you are being a total prick.

[MSE-CLAYMORE]

Sorry, just had to say it...

While you guys are discussing this we are doing it quietly in Oklahoma.

I would love to see more teams representing the West Coast, we had a few from CA this year but missed out on this forums core area as well as 19 other states.

If you truly have GOOD milsim teams that are mature and travel, come see how we do it in the Central US. We stopped talking about doing something long ago...we are in progression mode now, only trying to one up what WE did last year...Sorry, no game compares anymore and that is just sad. We NEED the competition for healthy growth. And NO, do not mention the LC events as those are just a friggin joke weekend games with a fancy title...Stagnant for a decade.

Some may take MSE as having a big ego...Not the case. The ATTENDING Players decide who the best is and we listen. We only try to get the word out to those that can attend. Every state has a hardcore milsim traveling team, they have been gathering for years to test their skills at the Oklahoma Invasion.

Matt can attest, we do not F around....(shameless namedrop)

[Switchback]

Steve, I totally agree. I used to play with just standards, but then I realized that you need ~5 bb's to get a realistic "one round equivalent". What I'm saying is, that we need to play with JUST midcaps (not standards because you cannot get bullet-like accuracy with a spherical projectile) and have games where uniform restrictions are extremely realistic.
I would shell out $60 bucks for a good 2-day game that was midcap only, restricted weapons, uniforms, and was played like TDM; once you die, you are out. Your team plays one mission at a time, and they only take ~20 minutes. I think that would be fun...

[Catch22]

I just have to say, you necro'd a thread from 2009

[Switchback]

I just have to say, you necro'd a thread from 2009

WOAH! Didn't realize... D:

It's a pretty good thread though...