Uniform Patches and Airsoft

[Gantaliano Hoff]

Well said, actually I shouldn't have been so quick to post here. I acually do agree with stoneaglewolf. But since I am young, I am still forced to treat it as a symbol because I haven't been there yet, and I would like to ammend my opinion by saying that,

"To earn the right to wear military patches is to either go through it yourself, or pay proper respect to those who did; and when wearing them, behave with the honor and discipline of a soldier, because you take on the responsibility of living up  to what is on your uniform."

[azsarge]

Like I said before, airsoft is hardly re-enactment.

It can be used as a means for re-enactment, but the average BT game does not serve the same purpose as the "living museum" garb found at such places as the Arizona Military Museum at PPMR.  

The average Joe that buys a Ranger Tab for his airsoft BDUs does so to look cool, not honor those that are fallen.

[-MAD- SARGE]

Seems like we are all in agreeance here. I only wear non-military patches, and few at that.  I used to wonder why the government allowed ranger, and SF patches to be sold to anyone.  I mean, I felt that if you didnt earned it then you had no business having one.  Then I realized that those who truely earned the rank, or designation have earned something much more untangable that no one can take from them and a patch means nothing.  Its just a peice of fabric.  But I do still feel that if you wear a patch you have not earned, you need to display it with honor and integrity. That means your conduct as well.  I for one would not want to be caught dead being asked if I was a ranger or police officer and then having to tell the person no Im not.  I even feel bad when someone asks me if Im in the military when im wearing just my bdu pants and a teeshirt after a game. Heck, I even had a car pass by me up on our way to LCIII and the driver yelled out "Give them Hell!" as thats when the military was increasing numbers in Iraq.  I dont want to be an impersonator or a wanta-be, I just want to have fun playing airsoft and honor those who serve and who have served.

[stoneaglewolf]

Christian -

Op Restore Order was a reenactment of Restore Hope.
Part of Op Lion Claws II was a reenactment of Restore Hope.
Op Hac Bao is a living history reenactment

All beit a very lose version of what offical reenactors would consider but it has to start somewhere.

If we compare these ops to Civil War or WWII reenactments then yes they fall far short. But if we compare them to Crimson Dunes or other Airsoft events then the answer is a resounding yes.

I guess the point is we should consider that the future of Airsoft may lean in three directions.

National Competitions
Hobbyist Events
Mil-Sim Reenactments

[stoneaglewolf]

I even feel bad when someone asks me if Im in the military when im wearing just my bdu pants and a teeshirt after a game. Heck, I even had a car pass by me up on our way to LCIII and the driver yelled out "Give them Hell!" as thats when the military was increasing numbers in Iraq.  I dont want to be an impersonator or a wanta-be, I just want to have fun playing airsoft and honor those who serve and who have served.

I totally understand, I get that when my hair is short. But don't feel bad, they are not directing the comment to you as an individual but to the spirit of those who are serving. I just say thankyou and let them enjoy the their moment and I make a note to pass it on the next soldier I see. It always makes the soldier feel good. And that is what counts.

[azsarge]

Christian -

Op Restore Order was a reenactment of Restore Hope.
Part of Op Lion Claws II was a reenactment of Restore Hope.
Op Hac Bao is a living history reenactment

With the first 2, you could have fooled me!  

Hac Bao was a bit more realistic from what I gather, but still not quite a "re-enactment".  "Based Upon" for the sake of action, maybe.

Let's not get into an argument here, w've made some progress in thie great topic.  Just let me say that to me, a re-enactment is spectator event, with the battle being played out by actors (or re-enactors).  I have seen civil war re-enactments, and some WWII stuff as well.  It was akin to watching footage of the real battle on the History Channel.  Everyone was in the correct uniform, and we're doing things that happened back then.  

At national airsoft events, you get guys wearing all different gear, with different ideas of how to go about the mission.  Sometimes guys get so caught up with trying to act like a soldier, they end up just being ridiculous!  

The scenarios may be based upon actual events, but the outcome is always different.

[Paco]

Just my $0.02 - but I think that the defining characteristic of a reenactment is that there is a predetermined and very specific ending of the event.

My $0.02 on patches for airsoft GAMES is similar to the others' - if they are real patches, don't wear them unless you've earned them.

I do think that there are exceptions to the rule... specifically, if you have a made up airsoft team patch that you had designed and made into a patch, and you want to add (for example) a "sniper" tab above or below it - such "benign" and non-specific patches in conjunction with a unique team patch would be fine.  Again, just my $0.02.

[Surplus man]

i have an authentic us army uniform from 1968 it has all patches minus the name. its a collectible now so i use sparingly but im not going to tear the original pathes off of it.
if you earn your patches thats fine and dandy you deserve to wear them.  

thats just my $1.00

[azsarge]

i have an authentic us army uniform from 1968 it has all patches minus the name. its a collectible now so i use sparingly but im not going to tear the original pathes off of it.
if you earn your patches thats fine and dandy you deserve to wear them.  

thats just my $1.00

In cases like that, I think it's fine.  Collectibles and historic pieces are best left as they are to portray an accurate representation of the uniform for that specific time period.  It's even better when the gear and equipment from that period are worn with it!  

This brings up a related topic.  If you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend visiting the Arizona Military Museum at the Papago Park Military Resevation on 52nd St and McDowell Rd.  Call ahead to check the hours of operation as they are kind of wierd.  There is no charge for admission, but donations are recommended.  After all, places like that don't get their exhibits for nothing!  They have all kinds of stuff there, such as uniforms from every major war from early in our nations history to the GWOT.  They even have an old UH-1M Huey Gunship (basically a UH-1C with a bigger engine) loaded out with miniguns and rockets, and some captured Iraqi armor from Desert Storm.  It's run by some old dog Army and Marine officers, and they know alot about everything under the roof.  Check it out!

[delta_echo]

Christian -

Op Restore Order was a reenactment of Restore Hope.
Part of Op Lion Claws II was a reenactment of Restore Hope.
Op Hac Bao is a living history reenactment

  Just let me say that to me, a re-enactment is spectator event, with the battle being played out by actors (or re-enactors).  I have seen civil war re-enactments, and some WWII stuff as well.  It was akin to watching footage of the real battle on the History Channel.  Everyone was in the correct uniform, and we're doing things that happened back then.  

Just keep in mind that some reenactments are closed to the public for safety reasons. I went to a vietnam reenactment (one of the coolest things I've ever done) in Texas, and it was closed to public for safety and other various reasons. Foremost of all was its goal to "put you in the boots" of an infantryman during the time, so we humped quite a distance each day (though sometimes we got to ride the tracks!), set up ambushes and search and destroy missions. Pics at http://www.mooremilitaria.com/cambodia.htm .

[TheRev]

Early on when I started playing I felt that my uniform was an extention of my accomplishments when I was in the Army. I figured "dammit, I earned these, I'm proud of what I did..." so they (my rank insignia, achievement awards and unit affiliations) were a part of my airsoft uniform. I have a different mindset now. Not that I feel differently about what I did or what I've earned, but that I don't feel the need show it. With only a few exceptions (like my name tape, and my branch of service) I have removed all insignia that is not airsoft related. I keep the Branch tape because I'm proud of my service and I feel it does no harm to display that fact. That is just how I feel. It's a personal choice. Others may feel differently. In actuality, we are all sort of wannabes. Whether or not we have served. We all participate in this hobby for a myriad of reasons. I enjoy a level of comraderie with my fellow airsofters that harkens back to the days when I was "in". It's not the same really, but it's as close as you can get as a civvie. Others of us have their reasons as well. The "game" part of it (the shooting, running, falling, having an aneurism... oops) is just a small part of the overall experience of airsoft. For me, it's the hanging around with friends during the AAR and after, sharing war stories over a cold beer and comparing gear and guns. It's seeing a bunch of my fellow countrymen (and women) gathered together, all dressed to kill, and honoring a fallen hero. We all love the game, but we also love the part of airsoft that is not the game. So for some it's the gear, others it's the game, still others it's the uniforms. For me... it's all of the above, and more.

TheRev

[azsarge]

Well said, Curtis.

[Surplus man]

Bravo, brilliantly said.

My granddad was in the service and i never knew him but im glad he put his life out there for our country. Id also like to thank any one on this forum who gives thier all for the United States. Thank you for keeping our country free and making her the best place on the planet.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[busta_cap]

Curtis brought up a good point, about the after game talking and in between. Sometimes I think half the fun is the shootin the stuff between games and afterwards. Not to mention the food..Somehow 2lbs of grease tastes alot better after you kill people.

[sNiPeRWoLf88]

Curtis brought up a good point, about the after game talking and in between. Sometimes I think half the fun is the shootin the stuff between games and afterwards. Not to mention the food..Somehow 2lbs of grease tastes alot better after you kill people.

yup, theres nothing better then talking killing each other between games.

"duuude, you shouldnt have moved from there!  You ran out, and i had a perfect bead on you!"

"yea.... 10 sudden patches of pain in my back said the same thing!"