The War Department: RECONDO School 2010 ( Historical Milsim

[ScottJ]

The War Department Presents:

RECONDO School 2010

Date: August 6 – 8th, 2010
Location: Roy, WA
Price: $185
(discounts available for 6 man patrols but ends 6/23)

Recondo School is a 3 day, small unit tactics and patrolling course taught by Ranger or Recondo certified instructors. It will be held August 6-8 2010 in Western Washington and is targeted at serious MilSim Airsoft players and living history advocates with an interest in the Vietnam war. It attracts participants from around the world who take what they learn back home and serve as instructors and advisers for their units and teams. In essence Recondo School serves as a sort of train-the-trainer event. This in fact was the intent of the original RECONDO Course.




Airsoft is merely the vehicle used for the conduct of the mission phases and field interaction. Therefore uniform standards are enforced and realistic ammo and magazine restrictions are in place. We have extensive loaner gear to supplement what you don't have if needed. The event is highly immersive, intense and widely regarded as the finest Airsoft event in the world. You should be physically fit enough to handle the semi strenuous patrolling activities as well as remaining in the field for up to 24 continuous hours.



Instructors include actual RECONDO school graduates, Instructors, SOG operators and Vietnam LRPs

This unique, annual event definitely takes Airsoft and living history Vietnam events to another level. Everyone completing the course will receive a certificate of completion but only those students demonstrating a capacity to serve as a contributing patrol member and competent patrol leader will earn the coveted patch. Graduation is determined by your patrol observer, the cadre and your peer rating. Many students, even past graduates, return again and again as it is both challenging, enlightening and enjoyable. Skills learned translate extremely well into work and personal life.


Are you ready for RECONDO? Check out the Forums at http://www.thewardept.org

REGISTER HERE - http://recondoschool.eventbrite.com

[Mufasa]

On your pricing it says $135 for the 6 man patrol, does that mean for the whole group or per person?

[Mars]

Color me excited!

[ScottJ]

Mufasa,

That's the cost per person. Basically you are looking at a $50 savings per student IF you register as a 6 man patrol.

Mars, hey man it's been a while. PM me over on The War Dept. boards Re: Recondo.

[Cap n pickles]

This looks sick as shazaam.

[GacktC]

Looks painfully fun! 3 days..camp A MUST then.
I'm kinda interested

[ScottJ]

Reminder to all you troops interested in Recondo 2010 -

The $50 discount per student available for 6 man patrols who register together ends June 23rd! That's only 1 week away. If you've already got a 6 man patrol established, locked and loaded, this is a great option to save some serious coin.

Registration for individual students ends 7/7.

http://recondoschool.eventbrite.com/

[ScottJ]

Pre-work for RECONDO is up on The War Department site. Here's a sample from "Anatomy of a Patrol" written by REMF, the Commandant for RECONDO.

The following chronological description of what transpires from the beginning to the end of a well executed patrol should help you grasp what’s required when serving in a leadership position while conducting a patrol. These are the procedures and processes followed by elite military units all over the world. Some terminology may have changed since I was an instructor at the 1st Brigade RECONDO school course in the early 70’s. (Reconnaissance/ Commando) Most Infantry Divisions during the Vietnam War had a LRP (LRRP) Company whose members were re-formulated into the reestablished 75th Ranger Regiment. I was proud to have served with the, 1st brigade of the 101st, 172nd Light Arctic Inf. (Abn), MAAG Thailand and the 1st Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division.

The first thing a unit would probably receive is a Warning order or Frag Order which is short for Fragmentary Order. In it the patrol leader would receive a brief description of the type of mission, anticipated departure time, weapons, equipment and expected duration of the mission. The patrol leader would then advise the patrol members of a pending mission and ask them to begin preparation by drawing ammo, packing up and generally get ready to go out. The patrol leader would provide an estimated time for the full briefing and depart for the Tactical Operations Center, Headquarters or Briefing tent.

Once there he would get a detailed description of the Situation, Mission Objective, Administrative and Logistics involved as well as Communications and Support. He might also receive suggestions on the execution as it pertain to higher echelon support such as helicopter assets, special assigned guides etc. The final details of the execution of the mission will be up to the patrol leader and his key team leaders. At this meeting he would receive maps, aerial photographs, special instructions, a briefing on weather, adjacent forces, enemy forces and disposition as well as any other details that might help him in his planning.

Following his briefing the patrol leader should attempt to meet with the other supporting element leaders, Drivers, Pilots, guides etc. Unit commanders whose forces he may have to pass through. If he’s lucky he would be able to go on a leader’s recon or conduct a helicopter fly-over, being careful to cover areas not involved in the mission so the enemy won’t be tipped off to his coming.

You can check out the full article here:

http://wardepartment.prophpbb.com/topic548.html

[Norseman]

Registered!

The MCHA is trying to get a six man patrol together!

If you guys are serious about supporting Vietnam reenacting/airsoft in your "local" area? Then please support this school.

[ScottJ]

Thanks Norseman, looking forward to seeing you in August! Even better if you can get your whole patrol together.

Hand and Arm Signals:

We shot this at last year's RECONDO School in CT. While each team tends to develope their own SOP on hand signlas, these are a great starting point. Remember they are from "back in the day".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvjQYegnY3c

[ScottJ]

Reminder, the discount for 6 man patrols ends today, June 23rd.

[walkingtree]

what kinda gear do u need 2 do this ?

[Catch22]

Required Equipment List for War Department / HMSG Recondo School
Each student mustr have these items. If there is a significant item shown and you don't currently have or can't obtain it in time for the event, please ask about loaners or rental possibilities.

Civilian clothes for enroute and return trip (If you’re not from the area) Show up at the event in uniform with all your gear ready to go!

Required

Period Correct Uniform.
GO: Jungle Fatigues, Tiger Stripe, Woodland ERDL

OK: OD BDUs, Duck Hunter WW2 style camo, blue jeans (SEAL)

NO-GO: Modern Woodland BDUs, Modern hunter camo schemes
(Realtree), Contemporary camouflage patterns like Marpat, ACU,
Flectarn, Mulitcam, etc…

Patrol elements need not match or provide a uniform appearance unless desired by the element

• Head Gear
GO: Boonie hat, OD head wrap, tiger stripe beret, OD patrol cap,

NO-GO: ball caps, M1 Helmets, black head gear

Prior RECONDO graduates and actual RANGER schools are authorized to wear a black beret. Black ball caps and berets will be worn by the cadre

• Military Style Boots - Period correct GI Jungle Boot preferred but not required.
Warning – we suggest you stay away from the cheap $20 Chinese GI Jungle Boot knockoffs, they murder your feet and fall apart quickly. Invest in the real thing from the get go and your feet will thank you.

• 3 pair spare socks & foot powder

• Web Gear/Field Gear. (LBE type)
Pistol belt, field suspenders, 1st aid pouch, buttpack, 2 ammo pouches, 2 canteen covers + canteens and cup, etc…

GO: M-56 or M-67 field gear

OK: Nylon issue web gear H or Y harness (ALICE not ideal, but will be acceptable in a pinch)

NO-GO: modern tac vests RAVs or Molle gear.

• A ruck or canvas pack of some kind is required but loaners are available

• Change of underwear, T-shirts

• OD Lightweight Poncho and ERDL Poncho Liner (woobie)

• Sleeping bag (prefer military issue, civilian OK)

• Sleeping pad ground cloth or lightweight cot

• Flashlight w/red filter (military style angle head such as MX-991 recommended but any light is better than none!)

• Eye Protection
Full protective face mask required for minors, recommended for all. Goggles must provide a full seal to the eyes/face and be ANSI 87z rated. Mesh goggles must withstand repeated point blank shots from an AEG shooting 400 FPS.

GO: ASNI Z87.1 rated face masks and full seal goggles; mesh goggles

NO-GO: Shooting glasses, any eye protection that fail to provide a full seal around the eyes/face

• Primary weapon 400 FPS or less w/ .20 gram. Recommend you have a spare primary. Period weapons with preference for M-16 variants are highly encouraged.
GO: M-16 variants w/ handle installed – all modern accessories like optics, lasers and tac lights must be removed. M60 MG, Swedish K, Sten, Hush puppy pistol, .45 Pistol, M79

OK: (less desirable): AKs, M-14, M1 Carbine or Thompson

NO-GO: Modern weapons like P90, SCAR, G36, M9 pistol, M249 etc… If it didn’t exist back in the 1960’s, it’s more than likely a no-go. If you’re in a foreign impression appropriate foreign weapon is fine.

• Spare magazines (Low caps or real caps only) Unlimited numbersWe recommend a minimum of 10 – 18

• 1 Fully charged battery for AEGs (you must have at least one and strongly urge you bring 2) facilities may be available for recharging but don’t count on it!

• 2OOO rds of Ammo (.23 to 28 Gram recommended for foliage penetration and range) BBs will not be for sale there.

• Face paint (enough to camo face and exposed skin repeatedly for 2+ days)

• Field Mess Kit with Cutlery (eating utensils). Canteen Cup. P38 can opener.

• 2 Canteens (minimum ability to carry 2 quarts, 4 quarts recommended)

• Personal Hygiene items and prescription meds (Canvas wash basin, Soap, toothbrush etc.)

• First Aid kit, Compass

• Notebooks pads and pencils for warning orders and notes – Important, you will be graded down for failure to bring this to school!!!

• Copy of your Orders and release forms. This is required for admission to the event and must be presented at the gate!

• Means to transport your weapons discretely. Soft or hard case ok.

[ScottJ]

Heads up, registration for Recondo School 2010 ends July 7th. That's only a week away. We've still got a few slots available for the best namsoft event in the country.

[ScottJ]

A new article has been posted in the pre-work section for Recondo School. Entitled "Art of the Ambush", it was written by Capt Robison and edited by SSGT Cal Rollins

[quote]If an ambush ends up being a fair fight it’s an indication of poor planning, poor site selection or abdominal execution. A well conducted ambush consists of great intel, surprise, and violence of action. When done properly it’s the closets thing to pre-mediated mass murder in combat. Ambushes are designed to produce enemy casualties and deny him the free use of areas he operates in comfortably. They support economy of forces by providing lopsided victories and produce fear in the minds of the enemy reducing his effectiveness. They also produce intelligence. Disrupt enemy attacks and in some cases provide early warning of enemy movement or pending attacks.

During the Vietnam War as with most wars, the vast majority of so called ambushes were simply chance encounters where one side saw the other without being detected and was able to surprise them with significant firepower and lethal effect. These are called hasty ambushes and upon spotting the enemy the “ambushing forceâ€