Introduction
The intention of this manual is to develop a tactical standard, as well as a tactical jargon, for the game of MilSim as it is played by paintballers and airsofters around the world. It is perpetually frustrating to have conversations on the gaming fields and discussion boards that include such expressions as, "You know-that leap froggish thing."
"Do you mean fire and maneuver? Or merely the potential to conduct fire and maneuver, in which case, you mean bound and overwatch?" Under fire, this conversation takes on a sort of surreal effect that's exasperating, if not nightmarish. Blech!
Now, I'm not suggesting we all become U.S. Navy SEAL Team qualified ninjas. That would require half a lifetime to learn this game. And, it is, after all, a game. We're supposed to have fun. On the other hand, who in their right mind would start a community baseball team with absolutely no intention to practice or even learn the sport?
Regrettably, that's just what has happened to MilSim over the last decade. Adventurous young men and women come together to form MilSim teams for paintball and airsoft-only to convince themselves that practice isn't necessary. Why? Because "tactics do not apply to MilSim."
And, there it is. Incredibly, this notion has spread throughout paintball and airsoft communities like wildfire! Even military veterans seem to have bought into this mantra and perpetuate it. Shocking! So, I will attempt to address some of the key arguments behind this misguided notion. As you'll see, this asinine belief is absolutely baseless:
Argument #1:
"The plastic BB and paintball have such a limited range that tactics are useless."
Response:
Wait a minute!This makes no sense at all. The Roman Legions, Napoleon's French Army, and the American Indians all had weapon systems with the same effective ranges as paintball and airsoft. They certainly used the tactics of their day with great success!
So, what does weapon range have to do with tactics? If your opponent significantly outranges your weapon, adapt your tactics and acquire longer-ranged weapons! Technological advantages are always temporary.
Argument #2:
"A bush or even blades of grass throw off the BB and paintball so severely that marksmanship and tactics are pointless."
Response:
A tree limb will bounce a hand grenade back at you if you don't throw it with care. So, we should abandon all tactics-or just grenades? Shouldn't we instead simply train troops to properly throw a hand grenade in such conditions? That seems more rational than abandoning all tactics.
Adjust tactics to the limitations of weapon systems. What weapon system is without limits?
Argument #3:
"Real weapons do not have a 300-round magazine capacity, but I can shoot a continuous burst of fire with my paintball/airsoft weapon. Therefore, tactics no longer apply to me."
Response:
History has shown time and time again that all technological advantages are temporary. The Confederate troops during the American Civil War did not abandon tactics merely because the Union troops had repeating rifles while the Confederates had muzzle-loading rifles. In fact, the Confederate tactics were quite good at mitigating the Union troops' advantage!
What's my point? It's two-fold. First, do not abandon tactics. Superior technology impacts tactics-true-but the force can adjust its tactics. Secondly, sooner or later, your opponent will get his hands on a weapon with a 300-round magazine capacity, too. Then it's a level playing field again, and you'll have to resort back to tactics.
Argument #4:
"No paintballer or airsofter is afraid of being hit. Without fear, tactics no longer apply."
Response:
At face value, that makes sense. However, history disproves this, too. Have you ever heard of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion, a Japanese Bonsai charge, or an Al Qaeda suicide bomber? In all of these examples, the enemies used suicide attacks with little regard for their own lives. That does not mean we stop using tactics just because the enemies are clearly willing to die for their causes!
Argument #5:
"I don't want to learn tactics. I just came here to shoot my friends and look cool."
Response:
Okay, I don't want to learn baseball either. I just want the bat beside my bed to club burglars on the noggin. But, then again, I don't go to the local baseball field, dressed and geared up, and complain that people are trying to force me to play the game.
If you're going to buy expensive equipment, dress up, drive out to the game field, and even take part in the game, you owe it to your buddies to at least understand how to play the game. It's called "MilSim". That means military simulation!
Tactics are common sense solutions to battlefield problems. These solutions have been refined over the last 3,000 years. Once proven successful, they are accepted as "tactical doctrine." They're the cornerstone of battlefield successes-regardless of whether the battle uses real guns, paintballs, or slingshots!
If you practice the wrong way, you'll respond the wrong way in battle. If you practice correctly, you'll respond correctly in battle. That's the goal of tactics and tactical training-to get every member of the team responding perfectly.
Is perfection achievable? Yes. No. Maybe. Regardless, it is an honorable pursuit. More pertinently, this pursuit makes the difference between victory and failure, reward and frustration. This manual's intent is to provide you with a proven, workable tactical doctrine to get you and your team started on the right foot.
