What is your definition of Mil-Sim?

[Komissar]

The enjoyment of Airsoft stems from good organization, planning, and attitude.
Let me clarify that the events we host and attend most of the time are skirmishes. A skirmish is a force on force, occasionally with a couple of objectives thrown in for diversity. Our "Mission" days are versions of skirmish events.
An Operation is more elaborate. It involves consecutive, sequential missions in a themed scenario. These often have props, vehicles, or third persons in participating roles. These events usually incur some expense to both the host and the operators involved, and allow the operator a more immersed experience.

1) What is your definition of Mil-Sim?

2) What do you expect out of Mil-Sim?

3) What do you want out of your Airsoft experience?

4) What are you willing to do to make your experience satisfying?

5) What makes a good OP?

6) What is the role of Admin/Marshals during an OP?

7) Is the number of people in the OP a factor in your fun?
(Does a larger group of people make it more fun?)

A better understanding of an operators expectations makes it easier to present a better event.
We are working to make your Airsoft experience more enjoyable!

[Komissar]

Komissar - I posted my discussion on a different site and received this great response.

Response is by Ivan Vapor:

"1) What is your definition of Mil-Sim?
My definition of Mil-Sim is involves an organized group of people split into teams that agree on using military specific gear, tactics, strategies, and lingo. All these people must have a common attitude towards the game, take it more seriously as if it were training, and perhaps even role play. Mil-Sim should be primarily objective-based and organized by fireteams, squads, platoons, etc. depending on number of personnel playing with leadership roles taken seriously (like following orders, FRAGOs, briefs, etc.)

2) What do you expect out of Mil-Sim?
I expect players to value teamwork, be in similar uniforms if on the same team,
and all have a more serious attitude towards the game. I expect all players to have integrity and honor their hits. I also expect players to have a decent knowledge of the military, some of its jargon, and the mentality behind those that serve. Essentially, I think people should do their research especially the people running the games.

Those that are in the military that are doing airsoft or Mil-Sim should be humble in their demeanor, meaning they shouldn't rub it in everyone's face that they are or were in the real thing. I've seen better civilian airsofters than some servicemen. But I could go on but this isn't the place for that.

3) What do you want out of your Airsoft experience?
I want to steer away from the fashion show. Airsoft for me gives me the opportunity to test gear, tactics, strategies, individual skills and team skills. What I want out of airsoft is to find more PRACTICAL ways to do things. I would definitely like to see more players steer towards practicality rather than fashion. However, I know that many players enjoy the "look" of whatever group they wish to represent, and it is never wrong to model off or base your team off excellent warriors, like SEALs, Marines, Rangers, etc.

4) What are you willing to do to make your experience satisfying?
I am willing to teach basic military skills to players or teams wanting to get a little more serious.

5) What makes a good OP?
A good OP should have a solid chain of command, solid objectives, enough room for forces to move around so that it isn't a gaggle, and some sort of PLAUSIBLE and BELIEVABLE storyline to give it more purpose, and maybe throw in some role-players.

6) What is the role of Admin/Marshals during an OP?
The Admin/Marshals (or coordinators/staff) should play either high leadership positions like the "CO" or "General" or whatever you want to use, and allowing players to be squad leaders and fireteam leaders. Admin should also be taking some solid pictures. I think they should also have a plan in case of medical emergencies. The Admin guys should not really be playing, but more to enforce safety, rules being followed, confirm objective completions, and to resolve any disputes.

7) Is the number of people in the OP a factor in your fun?
The number of people is not a factor so long as it is managed properly. Generally more people = chaos, but less people = less targets :P"

[Komissar]

Komissar - I posted my discussion on a different site and here is another response. This guy is from the UK.

Response is by Infernau:

1) What is your definition of Mil-Sim? objectives, not just scrim, that require team work, no HIGH caps, mid or low only, dress the part whatever part you play.

2) What do you expect out of Mil-Sim? a realistic military setting, ie. not paintball bunkered field with skids and what not scattered all over the field

3) What do you want out of your Airsoft experience? non stop action, should make you think, not just shoot the other team but think about what you do, strategy

4) What are you willing to do to make your experience satisfying? willing to take part in setting up a scenario, I've have some really great ideas over the years and I'm more than happy to contribute

5) What makes a good OP? organization and communication, ops fall apart because there's an inherent lack of communication about objectives, rules etc.
if people cheat, kick them out plain and simple, they're not here to let the rest of us have fun so send them home.

6) What is the role of Admin/Marshals during an OP? to keep everything rolling smoothly, deal with things as they happen and make notes as to why they happened, be able to think on the fly if something goes wrong, be prepared and realize that the people there all paid (if that's the case) to be there so give them a good time for their hard earned $$ (unless they work the the government, then it's just $$ earned lol)."

[Tank]

it is interesting seeing other people's point of view outside of our site. good find. also i would like to add one more thing (after going to youngs grove and seeing everyone in garb and acting the part) that in milsim you are recreating being on the battlefield everyone acts as if they are in the battle they use the same lingo and dress the part (to the best of their abilities) bottom line you look and act military your going to be immersed in the realism and if others are doing it, the experience will seem more real to you.

[Andrew Patti]

As a new airsofter, my perspective may not be so clear, but I have a few ideas...

1) What is your definition of Mil-Sim?
Mil-sim is, in my opinion, any OP that accurately simulates a valid military situation. It be a four-on-four gun battle, or a 100-on-100 strategic infantry offensive, but it must simulate a realistic military operation. NO ZOMBIES. PLEASE.

2) What do you expect out of Mil-Sim?
I expect nothing less than to learn how to operate in a military situation. I would expect accurate comms, tactics, chain of command, and objectives. Not to mention mid-caps, uniforms, weapons, and respawns that combine to mimic a real-steel army.

3) What do you want out of your Airsoft experience?
I simply want to gain a few of the basic tools of Modern Warfighting- Shoot, Move, Communicate. Work with a chain of command. Practice concealment, surprise, speed, and tactical shooting skills. And anything else I might have missed here.

4) What are you willing to do to make your experience satisfying?

First, I am willing to learn. I can study military strategy and infantry tactics off the field, then follow the guidance of more experienced operators in-game. Second, I am willing to "act the part" to make the OP more real for everyone else. And finally, I can contribute new ideas when asked, uninformed as they may be.

5) What makes a good OP?

Honor and enthusiasm in the operators, realistic but challenging objectives that require more than just brute force, and the chance to learn new skills.

6) What is the role of Admin/Marshals during an OP?

Two roles- First, to run things like objectives completed, games won/lost, team balancing, and safety measures (chrono, eyepro). Second, to deal with the one or two new players who don't play honorably, violate safety rules, and detract from the milsim enviroment.

7) Is the number of people in the OP a factor in your fun?
(Does a larger group of people make it more fun?)

Yes. Up to a point. As long as the action on the field isn't be bogged down from a mobility standpoint, it's fine.

[Mike Arnoult]

I love playing your field as is. Just enough structure to make the game.keep moving, yet we are not saluting and.doing push ups. Keep up the great work. It is apparent that you put alot of time and effort into every op. I can't wait to be there in Dec.

Thanks again,

Mike

[Komissar]

Hey troops, this discussion I wrote HERE on July 8th 2009. I re-posted it at Airsoft Squared back on October 22nd, 2011. Today my discussion was featured on Arnie's Airsoft in the UK. It is getting not just national recognition, but is now in Europe. Sorry about the boasting, but I am very excited to see something I wrote get this far. Thanks for the support!

[Tank]

that is sweet i also want to add-on to my thought that if you act the part the better i say dress the the part even know some terms in the language of the part.