Getting ready for our first MilSim

Barring any unforeseen circumstances we will be going to our first MilSim event next Saturday at War Den Airsoft (www.wardenairsoft.com).  MilSim stands for military simulations.  As I understand, instead of the open play style of playing (split into teams but everyone does their own thing - either working in a small group or going solo), MilSim games there are two teams and everyone on the team has a specific task and works together to accomplish a goal.  These events are also different than open play because players are in the field longer.  This means extra bb's and water need to be taken into the field vs. open plays where you go back to staging between games.

My main concern is to have enough water and bb's.  I don't have a hydration pack so I will need to carry water bottles.  As for bb's, I would imagine I won't be shooting as much as I do during an open play but I also don't want to get caught without.  Figuring fully loaded mags and an extra bottle of bb's should be enough.  Gear will be my usual woodland camo & vest, back pack that is black (so I'm debating on whether to camouflage it some), pistol (need to figure out a holster), thunder b grenade (it's a staple item for me), Midland Walkie Talkie, M4 and extra batteries.  I will be bringing an extra gun in the car in case mine goes down.  This MilSim has 3 scenarios so there will be a chance to go back to the staging area.  Plus there is also lunch time - very important to keep the energy level up!

My son on the other hand is a little more particular on his load out...
He was wearing woodland camo and has now switched to Multicam.  It has been a process, mainly due to how much Multicam items cost.  We were able to find authentic military (used) shirt & pants and (new) hydration pack on Ebay, and the Multicam Modi JPC (Jump Plate Carrier) from Shooter Combat Gear (www.shootercbgear.com).

•          side note:  while we try and buy everything from the US, it was difficult this time due to how expensive Multicam products are.   So far, we have had great experiences with Shooter Combat Gear (Hong Kong).  We received our order in a week.  To make myself feel a little better, at least they used Cordura Brand Multicam which is made in the US.  

He is hoping to take his upgraded M4 if he can get it working in time, backup will be our recently aquired KWA CQR.  Also in the loadout: 1911 pistol, thunder b grenade, Midland walkie talkie, extra batteries & bb's.

As the week goes on we will be packing our backpacks to make sure we don't forget anything...need to have everything ready Friday night because we need to leave between 5-5:30am to get there on time!

Player conduct: "That Guy"

"That Guy" (or Girl) is a term that can have both a positive and negative connotation.

To get the negative over with - 

That Guy who...

• continually doesn't call his hits (and will get lit up by someone eventually!)

• continually gets angry when shot (Last I heard it's the nature of the game.  That's like playing tackle football and getting mad for being tackled)

• continues to shoot someone when they are already down (I don't believe in payback but I have seen on many occasions that other people do)

• doesn't follow the safety rules - blind firing, barrel covers, etc. (I saw a bb embedded in a guys face from blind fire)

• had no respect for the newbie - (personal pet peeve of mine - it's totally unnecessary to ignore, talk down to, target, etc. the new people.  Without new people the sport will die...)

I say continually for most of them because everyone is human and makes mistakes now and then.  I'm sure there are hits that I didn't call.  The difference though is that I wasn't aware of it vs. knowing you are hit and continue to play. 


Now on to the positive - 

That Guy who...

• lent out a speed loader when someone was out
• risk getting shot to drag another to a medic
• gave constructive advise - (one of my favorites)
• respects getting hit no matter who shot them
• mentored the newbies - (another favorite)
• is genuinely nice (who wants to play with someone that's mean?)

 Being a newbie I am always up for advise from the experienced players.  It is the easiest way for me to learn and is a nice way to socialize when I'm amongst people I don't know.  The mentoring runs along the same line - it's helping the new player get acclimated during the game.

My personal preference and I would imagine many others would agree, it's a much nicer experience and atmosphere playing with the positive "that guy".

Den Mom -

As with all activities there are times that nicknames are given.  They can come from mannerisms, looks, likes, dislikes, whatever.  One story I recall is how Bacon got his name.  He came to the field with bacon to eat and shared, hence his nickname Bacon.  Then there is "W" (which needs to be said with a southern drawl).  He does great impersonations of George W. Bush.  When I first started playing airsoft the guys at War Den would call me Airsoft Mom.  It was a nice greeting to hear "Hey, Airsoft Mom is here!" after hiking up the hill from the parking lot.  Of course, I was trying desparately to catch my breath, put a smile on my face, and not let on how much that hill just kicked my butt!  After a while it became Den Mom, which I like because it is more personal to that field.

Name patches are an accessory that I have seen a lot.  I figure since I have a nickname, it is time for a patch.    Don't be fooled...my bite is worse than my bark!

 

In the beginning -

My first experience was April 1st, 2013 at Warden Airsoft in Stone Creek,OH (wardenairsoft.com).  Anything I used that day was borrowed from Andrew, camo and all.  I had no idea what I was doing or getting into.  The only thing I did look at before hand were the directions to get there, the field layout (which didn’t make sense to me), and the field rules.  We arrived after a 2 hour drive and hauled our gear up a very steep hill.  Being April and I’m not one to go to the gym, this was a workout in itself.  At the top was the staging area and check in.  We get checked in and geared up for the first game.  In looking around there was a good age range, roughly 13- 40 year olds, average being mid 20's.  I received quick instruction from my son how to change the magazine and shoot the gun...sooo not ready.  After the safety meeting where I learned about safety kills, minimum engagement distance, keeping eye protection on and calling hits, we were off to our first game.  What I recall from that first game is I followed people who seemed to know what they were doing and tried not to get hit by bb’s.  Can’t say I even fired my gun at all that first game...or even the second.

Advise before you go -

Know the rules of the field before you get there.  Most airsoft fields will have a website with field rules listed.  These may include things like, dead rags, barrel covers, maximum FPS (feet per second) which is the speed at which the bb is shot from the airsoft gun and face protection for minors - some fields require anyone under 18 to have full face protection.

If you have your own airsoft gun, know how to use it before going.
This way you can kind of look like you know what your doing ☺
    side story: we were at our 2nd or third airsoft event at Warden and brought thunder b grenades with us.  Again, I had no idea how to use them so I ended up asking another player who had them.  He mentioned he had looked up on youtube how to use them so he wouldn’t look like an idiot at the field...I could tell by his mannerism he didn’t know what he had just unspokenly said, which (with my sense of humor) made it funny.

If you are renting a gun, make sure you ask how to use it.
It is no fun to play the game if you don’t know how the gun works.  It is even worse to return a gun that has been broken from misuse.  Reputable fields will have no issues with questions.

Look at YouTube videos of the field you are going to.
YouTube can be a wonderful tool to see how a field is layed out and what to expect during game time. 

Take food/drinks
The last thing you want is to be thirsty and hungry and trying to play airsoft.  Not all fields may sell - contact to find out or take your own.

Please see the Field page for descriptions of what to expect at individual fields.  I'm writing about the places we have been to and will add as we expand our experiences.  We have a list of fields to try out this year...can't wait!!

How I came into airsoft

It's only appropriate to start my blogging from the beginning, which is how I came into airsoft.  It's pretty simple...my kids.  I have two boys - 21 & 14.  The eldest, Andrew*, had been introduced to airsoft in high school, nothing serious, just shooting in the yard at a friends house.  It wasn't until early last year that he started to research and purchase various airsoft guns and gear.  He also found a field that was relatively close for he and his brother Chris* to go to.  They went and were hooked...especially Chris.

Andrew's job is not a typical 9-5.  He works various hours and days so getting out again to play was challenging, which is where I came in.  My husband James* and I weren't going to let Chris play on his own and due to a physical disability James is unable to play - so that left me.  I didn't really know what airsoft was aside from the general description we were given by our kids.  I also didn't grow up in an environment of guns, real or toy, so the handling of them was totally foreign.  That said, Chris and I headed off to my first airsoft field on April 1, 2013.

In looking back over last year (and what is written above) there were definitely mistakes made on my part as a parent and as a new player, which is where the rest of the posts will come from.  My goal for these posts is for both parents and new players of any age/gender to learn from my mistakes and to have insight on airsoft from both a beginner's and mom's perspective.


Disclaimer:  Please understand I am by no means an expert at airsoft or parenting so what you do with this information is your responsibility.
*names have been changed