Posing

[Beowulf]

Airsofter/Re-enactors be advised.

Posing will not be tolerated.

Defending posers will be a ban-able or infract-able offense.

RE-evaluate your screen names and avatars as well. Don't end up like this guy: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...ead.php?t=1671

Don't disrespect those that have gone before you, and earned those uniforms and awards.

.................

You may post questions for clarification of this MODPER message here. No whining, and please use proper grammar and punctuation.

[Baboonass]

I want to ask; why are those real soldiers complaining all the time? Don't get me wrong; I can understand they don't appreciate wearing rank if that person didn't deserve it. I fully agree, but every time something like this happens, there is a flood of posts from those people that did deserve it. It happened before in the airsoft section.

I can understand they are offended, but jeez, do they really need to go posting the same thing over and over again?

It was already mentioned that it's "not done".. fine, then leave it by that.

For example: I have also 'titles' and 'degrees', maybe not in the military but it's basicly the same thing. If someone prints out his own degree and goes bragging about it and showing everyone his hown made degree, I frankly couldn't care less. I'd still be what I am and don't feel less because someone pretends to be.. But I don't want to crucify him publicly for that..

I'll answer this civiliy.

Your "titles" and "degrees", although very important and earned, hardly equate to the sacrifice of what someone in the military has to achieve before earning the right to wear the uniform. Sometimes that sacrifice is life or death.

If someone "poses" about their "earned" degree, what is lost? What has been devalued? This isn't to say that a degree doesn't come with a lot of hard work, but the insult is on your acedemia.

Posing in uniform insults the blood of lost commrads, the sacrifice of thousands of Soldier, Sailors, Marines and Airmen that defined what being in the service is all about. It insults the honor of those who fought for the freedom of those who were oppressed, who put their very lives on the line so that others could become free, so our very way of life isn't interupted.

Rank is earned and comes with a load of responsiblity every paygrade.

Special designators denote an addtional sacrifice and accomplishment that is not easily obtained. Designators like that are sacred in the military world. Some kid buying a designator from ebay and wearing it on their costume as an accessory is an insult to the blood, sweat, and tears to those who battled through an ordeal to earn the right to wear it.

No one is saying "you can't", or "don't have the right", but be advised, wearing such items are going to attract the attention of those on the line who view this kind of behavior unfavoribly.


I am one of those.

[Beowulf]

Even after about a dozen pages of cr@p you still continue to justify the stupid actions of your associates and yourself.

There is simply no excuse for the behavior of your asssociates or yourself.

As already mentioned numerous times, this issue goes far beyond just "re-enacting".

The risk of being mistaken intentionally or unintentionally for an active duty soldier is extremely high.

It reminds me of an example I know of someone wearing a current army uniform and cruising the high school looking for trim......unacceptable on every level.

Most of the airsofters on this forum do a pretty good job of policing themselves.......you and your ilk would be the exception.

I don't wish to step on Beowolf's or Cali Joe's toes here, but I can't help but jump in......

This stops now.

Anyone attemting to justify the behavior of these clowns, regardless of the reason, will be reprimanded.

Airsofters start to police your own by bringing issues like this to the attention of the mods as quickly as possible....failure to do so will bring further disrepute on your hobby and risk consequences for all of you.

There is no "fine line" or grey area in the case of modern re-enactors/airsofters wearing current/recent uniforms in public.

If there is even the slightest possibility of being mistaken for an active duty soldier....you done fcuked up.

Stupid side comments will get treated the same.

...................

[DeltaWhisky58]

You've gone too far with that avatar thing...it's just the web, no one uses military avatar to be a member of a military unit, it is the same as you Heazy are not a member of a cartoon superhero group and you dont wish to be a cartoon character...
you just put some pic you like, you admire, you are curreently interested in...

And who are you to make such statements. This board is privately owned/funded, and therefore makes its own rules. If the moderators choose to enforce rules about posing and using military-related avatars/insignia you have to live with it, even if you don't like it. The option is to lose your MP.Net access.

But MILTARYphotos IS a private area of the internet. So rules and regulations here do not HAVE to follow the 'norm' of so many democratic and free speech tolerating countries. If this site dictates that no one can have military avatars then make it a rule and leave it that way. I am totally happy with that if that should happen.

MP.Net is a privately owned/funded board, therefore if you wish to continue to participate, you will damned well adhere to the posted rules/guidance or you will cease to have access to the board - is that a clear enough argument for you?

A YES/NO anser will suffice.

[Beowulf]

Ok, I've got one. I often (hell I always) have a MH-6 as an avatar. Is it safe for me ?
Because Beowulf did say sometihng about avartars...

As far as the avatars, it was more the unit patches, crests or mottos, that tend to imply membership in a unit.

Its difficult to have clear rules about such things because oftentimes it is a series of things about a poster that sort of give an overall false impression.

Things will be handled on a case by case basis, just don't be an asshat about things, and don't whine if a mod asks you to provide creds or change something in your profile.

This message board is different from SOCNET in that it is NOT made by and for just members of the military, however we still expect there to be a certain standard of respect shown to those who have done their part for their countries and communities.

If you have a question, ask. If you don't like it leave. If you can't abide by the rules you will not be able to post here. It's that simple.

[Baboonass]

O.k., here's a little exercise for some of you knuckle heads who still just don't get it.

If you are not in a military unit and like to act like you are in any way shape or form, it's a fantasy, much like masterbating.

Masterbating is fine, everyone does it. The line of taste is drawn of how, where, and when.

Jerk off in the privacy of your own home? no problem, no one cares.

Have a little circle jerk with your buddies? hey, knock yourself out.

Beat your bishop and take pictures of yourself doing it and post them on a public website? Your little jerk off buddies are going to "ohh" and "ahhh" while other look at you and shake their heads or simply ridicule you.

Wax your dolphin in a public setting outside of your "play area" around real people? you deserve a good beating.


You all think about that for a while.

[Baboonass]

Seriously, I understand admiration for the armed forces, but what is so horrible about being a civilian that a person has to pretend that they are something they are not (sometimes to the point of insulting other civilians even though they are one themselves)?

Everyone fantasises about something. You may dream of being a superhero, or a high paid CIA assassin.

There's nothing wrong with that.

You may like to play "soldier" in the woods with your buddies. Hell, I did when I was a kid.


The problem isn't whether you like to dress up and play pretend, the problem is when that line is blured and dress up becomes posing.

What you do in private is largly up to you and no one really cares. It's when you bring it into the public eye that it's going to garner unwanted attention from people who may disaprove of your little "hobby", whatever it may be.

If you (genaric "you" not you in particular) don't want to be ridiculed or chastized from your hobby, don't bring it into the public eye. If you post pictures of yourself on a public website, be prepared to have people comment on it, good or bad.

In the case of "airsoft" or "re-enactors", if the units your are dressing up as tell you this type of pretend games is disrespectfull, and you still hang onto some lame idea that you are "showing respect" or otherwise "honoring" that unit, you are deluding yourself.

[DeltaWhisky58]

The members of MP.Net who use the MP.Net airsofter/re-enactors forum have to realise that they are first and foremost members of MP.Net and that they must abide by the rules of MP.Net.

The onus is quite clearly on them - if they don't like our rules, then they can shut the door behind them on the way out, or risk being ejected with the collective forum boot up their backsides before it is slammed behind them. The alternative is quite clear - put up, shut up and stay within the rules.

[Beowulf]

Because they are shoplifting what I earned and what my comrades have paid for with their blood.

At a reenacting event no one is going to say "Hey that guy dressed up like a Vietnam grunt in OD utility uniform is an active duty soldier". But when you are parading around town in your uniform that is a replica of what modern soldiers wear your going to be mistaken for one.

I don't believe people don't understand the difference. I believe they CHOOSE not to recognize the difference because they think it is cool to be a soldier but don't have the intestinal fortitude to put their own ass on the line as a real one.

well said.......

[Gargoyle]

***Positioning Statement*** I play airsoft and I am an honest to goodness full grown man.

That being said I really do scratch my head when it comes to other airsofters actually trying to defend wearing insignia they did not sacrifice to earn. Airsoft to me is a game that by and large is more milsim than paintball but ultimately a game. Games, at least by my definition are to be used for recreation and enjoyment as well as spending time with friends who are like minded. I happen to wear military grade equipment without insignia, rank or unit patches because I am not part of a unit or Army for that matter. It just so happens that my replicas are modeled after real world weapons and as a result the best gear to carry both the replica and accessories in the field are military based.

I've witnessed the "never was" and in several cases the "has been" (ex-mil, LE) take this game too seriously and suck all the f-u-n out of the hobby. In both cases it is an individual looking to fill some void in their life. Both of which I find difficult to understand since from my point of view it is a simple matter. Don't wear something you didn't earn and don't act like something you never were or can no longer be. I participated in a large organized game at the MOUT center at Ft. Hood Texas last year and had to wear US Woodland BDUs as a result. Upon leaving and driving back to Dallas several of us stopped at an eatery. Again, no isignia patches or rank and the person behind the register attempted to give me a military discount for my food. I did not accept. The reason I didn't is that I am not military personnel nor have I ever been. If I happen to be wearing BDUs that may be confused for active military I do behave respectfully and given the opportunity to dispel confusion I do. Like I said, it seems very simple to me.

[California Joe]

Because Hood says so.

Here's the deal. Nobody has a problem with the hobby. Wear what you want, buy all the goddamned gear you can fit on your credit card. Whatever. But do not presume that because you have done research on the "loadout" that you can wear the insignia or rank of real professionals. Do not answer questions as if you are one, stay in your lane. Play the game, treat it as such, and do not ever travel around Europe sightseeing in full uniform as if you have actually earned the right to do so.

[DeltaWhisky58]

WARNING:

Despite numerous warnings, members continue to post images of themselves wearing insignia to which they are not entitled. This will cease forthwith - it has been made quite clear that this will not be tolerated on MP.Net.


Added by Hollis:

USC 771 and AR 670-1 (look them up) prohibit civilians from impersonating federal military persons, while international law (Hague Protocols and the Law of Land Warfare) requires persons in militias or other volunteer corps to be identified as such.

there so now all the airsofters now that it is illegal to wear military insignias, so stop

[Hollis]

I would suggest members who read this section and or post in it, read this. It is a collection of what is appropriate and what is not.


If you are offended by a post, use the post reporting system to notify the MODS. DO NOT TAKE IT UPON YOURSELF TO PLAY MOD.