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Post by customairsoftweap on Aug 3, 2011 17:31:45 GMT -5
I'm new to WWII airsofting, I usually just went free-lance with the other guys on the field so we had no formal organization. I noticed that some of you have an officer impression and I was wondering what you guys do in combat, or if your job was to just sit back and give orders. Also, did you just decide that you were going to be an officer or were you promoted somehow? If I was going to start my own unit, I guess I could certainly be an officer. That is, if I EVER GET A GUN!
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HornetWSO
Private 1st Class
"We may not have a history, but we have a rendezvous with destiny!"
Posts: 551
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Post by HornetWSO on Aug 3, 2011 19:00:19 GMT -5
Welcome to WW2 Airsoft! Regarding being an Officer, there are a few things to consider: - Unit Size - does your unit have enough members to be lead by an Officer, or is is more Fire Team and Squad size, that warrants an NCO? - What sort of leadership and experience do you posses? - Have you been an Officer in a real military organization prior?
For me personally, I have been fortunate to command the Allied Forces in numerous Northeast WWII events. I studied the historical significance of the battle, the strategies, tactics, and what really occurred. I try to blend those items together into an order of battle that will allow members to experience as many historically accurate activities during the event. The hard part is preparing for the event! There are so many details that need attention, that will lend to a more realistic enactment.
For instance, the last big event in the Northeast was organized by SFC Migs, he planned a"Day of Days", centered around the airborne s jump, consolidation at night, and attack on Carentan. We literally spent months preparing for the event, Maps, Sand tables, briefings, unit placements, order of battle, combat rations, sound tracks for battle, constructing obstacles, Landing craft, insurance, ect, ect.
Regarding my activites, the Commander needs to do just that, command. There is a fine line here, as this is supposed to be "fun", but you also want all to feel immersed in the role of a WWII solder. You need to understand what is happening around you and organize your force to adapt to each situation as it unfolds. I like to skirmish as much as the next guy, but really I only do front line duty when it is necessary.
I'm not the authority, but I figured I'd pass along some of my G2.
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gadge
Corporal
Posts: 1,199
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Post by gadge on Aug 4, 2011 11:38:19 GMT -5
I spend pretty much the entire event shoutin to my platoon sgt to move one squad or anotheup or o the radio to fire support (marshalls with pyro) or other grops on the net like recce elements. I'm an officer at events because i've either been asked by the event organiser to run the side/platoon or i'm running the event myself. I'd personally think it a bit rude if i turned up to any event and 'promoted myself'. Generally speaking the event organisers *usually* prefer the obvious officers to be people who know what they are doing and/or have a concept of the events plan to avoid either a group of new players following someone whose utterly clueless who they *think* is in charge because they are shouting and wearing a peaked cap and then blaming the resulting fiasco on it being a 'bad event' or the ridiculous situation of everyone turning up in officer kit and you having a section made up of 16 year old colonels. My serious adcice, start as a rifleman when you play enough games and folk trust your judgement they might ask you to lead a few guys, then put some nco chevrons on your exisiting kit. When you start organising your own team and or events... then start looking for riding boots and cruher caps. Honestly *nothing* looks more stupid than a one-man-army with a major leading himself or is one mate. Relish the fact you're young and do the 'teenage conscript' look while you can.. you can do all the other looks later but you're only going t be able to do the '12ss' look once
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gadge
Corporal
Posts: 1,199
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Post by gadge on Aug 4, 2011 11:47:54 GMT -5
Also as said.... you need an NCO for every ten or so privates, an officer for every thirty or so guys. I run one of the bigger british e-enactment groups in the UK, we have over 35 guys on the books (of which we get 15-20 turning up at a time to shows), i have only very reluctantly recently become a major (cos the lads asked me to) and up until now or the last five years I've been a corporal or a sgt and *still ran a big group*. I've yet to meet anyone desperate to do an officer impression who is remotely suited to be one. It's a lot more work n getting kit right, its amnright more expensive and you really do need to be a real 'people person' as unlike a real army you cant rely on 'military law' and discipline to get folk to do what you want/order/decide.... they have to actually *want* you to be in charge or you just end up looking silly shouting orders that no one listens to. Here's an excerpt from a recent review where I had to lead 40 or so guys, most of which i'd never met before as the German side commander: "For the battle we were organised into squads with a clear command structure, well briefed by the Zug commanders Gadge and Evo (Gadge sports the most authentic German haircut I have ever seen and in every way filled the role of C-in-C superbly). I think the game felt as realistic as a game can be when your firing plastic pellets. The scenario all made sense and as we moved off through the woods in 2 skirmish lines it all felt very realistic and completely looked the part, my mouth even went dry as we made first contact with the Russians. The Pyro's were great and really added to the atmosphere. The Gunman events use filmsim rules. This is basically a bit of role play people try to fall over as realistically as they can when hit and scream out in pain etc. Being a newbie I did not embrace this as much as I should have but I have to say it really added a great dimension to the game. In one instance we were probing the Russian lines, took a few casualties and were ordered to fall back. The Russians buoyed up with confidence at seeing us fall back left their cover and charged us only to be cut down in a hail of bullets. As they were hit they fell most realistically screaming out in agony as they did so, this sort of thing adds so much atmosphere to the event. Beforehand I was a bit worried about my fitness level. As a 50 year old smoker its not great. But there were no real problems. There were plenty of young lads to do all the rushing stuff and Gadge was sensibly aware of the limitations and abilities of those under his command. Our squad medic was a chap with a gammy leg (sorry cant remember your name which is a bit rude considering how many times you scramble through the brambles to bandage me up!), but he still fitted in well to the whole event and I saw him make several kills. Its great fun for everyone regardless off your ability or fitness." And I didnt even have to pay him to write that, i'd never met the guy before but being an officer and running the side is *nothign* to do with the uniform, it's about putting every other players experience and fun on the day before yours. I rarely get to fire a shot and as said spend most my time relaying movement orders to NCOs so they can breif their sections or doing pre-game and pre-attack briefings. I'm lucky in that I spent time in the army leaing how to be a platoon commander in real life but you dont have to have had that but what you do need is a lot of experience in how airsoft events work.
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Echelon
Private
Day Man, Fighter of the Night Man
Posts: 171
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Post by Echelon on Aug 4, 2011 12:33:13 GMT -5
Honestly, when I play airsoft based on WW2 or not, I love to play as an officer, as well as playing on the front lines. I have had almost every position available during these events, and I have to say being an officer in the field delivering strategic orders, is by far my favorite.
Though I am an "officer" I hardly ever stick back and deliver orders by runner, radio, etc. I love to lead, and stick with my men. There is nothing like being on the front line to assure the objectives are taken care of first hand.
Usually if I run the event myself, I am much less involved in combat, if involved at all. When running the event it is a lot harder, and there is just too much going on everywhere else to really stay involved up front.
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gadge
Corporal
Posts: 1,199
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Post by gadge on Aug 4, 2011 13:19:45 GMT -5
[quote author=echelon board=impressions thread=8898 There is nothing like being on the front line to assure the objectives are taken care of first hand.
[/quote]
It's the NCO's job to do that, if you as an 'officer' get yourself slotted poncing about in the firing line then you've utterly failed in your job as your removal from the game to regen, get bandage or whatever leaves the *entire force* leaderless for that period of time.
As said, a good officer/commander knows how to delegate. In the utterly rare event of there being a multitude of officers and dozens and dozens of players to be led i can understand junior officors leading assaults etc but its sub optimal really.
Dont get me wrong I'm *reknowned* or getting stuck in when neccesary but if the officer needs to get in the thick of it then the plan has most likely gone to ratapplesauce and the NCOs are all 'dead'.
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Echelon
Private
Day Man, Fighter of the Night Man
Posts: 171
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Post by Echelon on Aug 4, 2011 13:42:18 GMT -5
Heh, I completely agree with you. However, it completely depends on the scenario, how big the game is, and about 1000 other factors. I have played MANY games where sometimes you just have to be right up with several squads. I'm not saying you're taking point, or even near. I am just saying that you can't always try to play XO.
In a perfect world, and perfect situation then no officer should ever be up front next to their men. But that just rarely happens in my experience.
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