Using military speciality names for airsoft teams

[8thidpathfinderpower]

First thing first.....this thread is started with the intentions of having a civil discussion about the useage of military unit specialty names for airsoft team names. SO I ask all posters not to flame, but be civil as civil can be....thanks.

I have been a member of this forum for some time. I have seen heated debates about using military insignia and posing. This topic falls along the same lines...using a real military unit name for a airsoft or paintball team name.

I personaly find it flattering to those that have served or are serving that someone has the intention of naming a paintball or airsoft team after lets say, the U.S. Navy seals or D3lta. But as always, there are those who think other wise, and I always respect and honor their service to the military, and their opinion.

The thing I find kind of trivial, is that someone would actually get offended enough to take either legal action against the team named after a actual military unit, or they would go the extra step to insult or harm the named team.

I do not condone "posing" or support posers. That, is a whole nother subject.

In all actuality, when a civilian airsoft or paintball team actually adopts a name for their unit from a actual military unit, they compliment, not insult that team based on a real world unit.

And these actual military names not only sound cool to attract new players and give the unit the exposure it deserves, but they inspire those players to imitate and maintain
the standards that make the real military unit so special to the world.

So, I say to those who want to play real military on the skirmish field, play on. And, beings that I am a former member of the military, I find it flattering and really cool that you and your team want to be like the real men and women who serve or have served our country and countries through out the world. Because as the old saying goes....imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I am going to add also.....I do not support or endorse military "posers" or "posing". That, is a whole different subject.

[Hollis]

8th, We draw a line at current units or MilSim of current units. reenactment are about historical units. Who is not going to recognize a 20 year Viet-Nam reenactor for what they are. There are no 20 year Viet-nam vets/soldiers around any more. Same with buck skinners, Revies, Civil War, etc.

Dressing in current uniforms, with insigs, rank, and even worse in Class A with medals is strictly forbidden. Playing at being a current member of our Militarys is not appropriate.

I realize reenactors, reenact for a number of reasons. Teaching History, honoring those who fought, or just play the adult version of Army. Yes there are a few who, start to believe in their Roll play games. It is not the same as someone who is wearing the current uniforms with all that goes with it.

That is my understanding, If another MOD, wants to correct, clarify, or expound on this, Please do.

This is Forum policy and is not debatable.

[hood]

To add to Hollis' comment concerning posing on this site in particular, for me at least, it's less about what you're posing as, and more about where you're doing it. I'm not going to go into an NBA basketball locker room with real players, wearing official clothes and joke it up like I was one of them. I'm not going to walk into a fire house lunch room wearing a helmet, fire proof pants, and walking a dalmation. The focus of this board is the real military. When you're this close to the real thing, actions need to be tempered so that nobody feels like their profession is being simplified or trivialized. There's no question that there's a bias here towards what actual military members think of things, as that's the point.

[8thidpathfinderpower]

To add to Hollis' comment concerning posing on this site in particular, for me at least, it's less about what you're posing as, and more about where you're doing it. I'm not going to go into an NBA basketball locker room with real players, wearing official clothes and joke it up like I was one of them. I'm not going to walk into a fire house lunch room wearing a helmet, fire proof pants, and walking a dalmation. The focus of this board is the real military. When you're this close to the real thing, actions need to be tempered so that nobody feels like their profession is being simplified or trivialized. There's no question that there's a bias here towards what actual military members think of things, as that's the point.

I agree!!!!!!!!!!! totally!!!!!!!!

What I am trying to discuss here, is that people using military symbols for thir milsim team is not necessarily a bad thing......it can be turned into a plus.....for those players who idolize the real military units, the patches or symbols provide the insporation sometimes needed to turn their life around...I actually have seen this happen to quite a few milsim players..they might not have been able to join the real military, due to personal health issues or behaviorial issues, but they totally got themselves out of trouble and turned their life around...how cool is that? And this happend to 2 adults and a few kids that I know!

Playing milsim isn't a bad thing. Neither is adopting a actual military patch or symbol as a team logo. It all boils down to this...as with all aspects inlife, there are those who give every one a bad name because of their behavior. Then there are those wannabes, who actually adopt what standards the real military has...and sometimes what the military has personal devolopment wise, is just what is needed to keep a kid out of trouble.

Hey hood, thank you for your comment. You too HOLLiS....and bombtrack, and mjolinr.....and to those who might post or read the thread.

[Hollis]

What I would like to ask of those who do not participate in air soft/reenacting/paint ball, that if you feel there is something wrong, instead of taking it on your own to correct it, PLEASE report the post. Let us (Mods) handle it.

Positive comments are OK, but lay off the attacks for what ever perceived problem you see.

Most of the guys/gals who post here are good to go. Also let them police themselves.

Thanks.

Hollis.

[Nephilim]

good post 8th.
i always wonder why some "hardliners" cant take it with a smirkle when some kids/wannabes run around in bdus and aeg´s.
altough its understandable that some get pissed off when some chaps take it a step too far (i guess we know whos meant...).
serving people should be over this i think cause most of the airsofter will never be there where the serving guys/gals are (or whatever they try to be).

airsofting is a hobby that some people take it to the extreme/perfection.
its the same with any other hobby eg model kits, building bikes whatever.

just my 2 cent

*runs for cover*

[Hollis]

If some milsim airsoft group wants to portray a current military unit and wear the uniform, they should act mature and professional.
acting like that would be a good way to portray the military.

I dont completely understand why service members would be offended by that. Maybe they are just interpreting it differently.
If their not, then maybe I will understand later on.

The rules are for this forum only. Out in the real world, your on your own.

So if your doing current military MilSim, use PM or don't post the photos or don't wear unit patches, rank, etc.

BTW, read the book "Stolen Valor".