MilSim and War Gaming
"Milsim" means a lot of different things, from simply dressing in camouflage to multi-day events with strict equipment and tactical requirements that verge on re-enacting.
Here at Central War Gaming we like milsim. But not necessarily what it has come to stand for in the airsoft and paintball world. Many of us are from the military, or have enough history in simulation, force-on-force training and gaming that we wanted to bring a more realistic – and more tactically relevant – event to the airsoft community.
CWG war gaming events are designed to fit in an underserved space between historical alternative history or re-enactments, and more typical paintball and airsoft games. We want you to solve tactical problems so you can survive to fight the entire weekend.
We were all involved – often very deeply – in bringing Operation East Wind to you for eight years and wanted to keep something like that alive. It was great in that it simulated a field exercise from end to end, not just getting everyone out shooting lots of BBs. We're working to bring you a similar level of immersion in a shorter format, with slightly fewer requirements and less camp infrastructure.
Operations
A lot of people discuss tactics and strategy, but few have gotten a grasp on the link between the two, operations. The operational level concerns itself with logistics, transport, administration, accountability, communications, orders, and planning.
Operations always happen, but assuming they will be there, or someone else takes care of them is the downfall of many military campaigns, and many milsim games as well.
CWG events focus on operational level items, so they are efficient, effective and help you get to the tactics you need to carry out your missions. As you peruse the roles, equipment and rules think about this and consider how much our realistic communications, resupply, medic and other rules will make you have to think about resources, time and transport, as well as tactics.
Our Principles
We believe in a few guiding principles about what makes a good event. We hope you share and support us in this.
- The event is for you - We will never seize the glory by leading an attack or going on some lone wolf mission. Our staff often don't even get to shoot anyone. We are here for you, and your enjoyment.
- The event is for everyone - "Big boy rules" only go so far when it's a group activity. Everyone has to work together for everyone's enjoyment.
- Safety first - Our events are designed to be realistically safe, from hydration to shooting your eye out. Nothing we do is from fear or uncertainty, and we won't keep you from having fun.
- We respect the COC - A chain of command will be built, and all players made aware of their position in it. Leaders will need to lead, and will be supported in it.
- You will get orders - From the time you register you will get information, and when on the field your COC will get military-like OPORDS or MISORDS. You will get the information you need, with the flexibility for you to act on them.
- Taking responsibility means growth - Squad leaders are responsible for their squad, but individuals are responsible for themselves. If you don't know or can't do something, ask and your COC or we will find a way to help.
- Immersion is all - We'll never drive our car onto the field or show up in flip-flops and a T-shirt during an event. And we will be exemplars of safety and rules.
- Missions are realistic - There is no capture the flag, no nuclear suitcases and no "go here and assault this because I said so." Missions tie together into a cohesive story for the whole event, a story you help make with your team.
- We don't micromanage - We trust you to develop orders, brief mission plans, carry out your missions successfully, or to fail trying. We won't step in or countermand your orders (if they follow what your COC asked you to do) unless you ask us to help.
- Information is organic - If you don't find the enemy base, we won't tell you where it is, either. You will get information from higher command, but it will always be in-game, with no "admin information."
- Toys are fine, structure is final - We love pyro, armored vehicles and MOUT villages, but if we can't get one, or it breaks or there's a fire hazard, the event won't be ruined. If some part of an event plan fails, we will drive on to give you the best event possible.
- Free-standing scenario - We will provide a scenario, and everything that happens will make sense within the notional country, army, unit, region and so on. Scenarios specifically avoid current or well-known politics, so external news or prejudices do not impact the event.
This list isn't final, or perfect, so may change over time.
Who is Central War Gaming?
We've all been doing things like this for a long time, and have experience running games, and training you to be better in the field.
Brett Conklin
Brett served in the US Army in the later half the of 1990's, deploying to Bosnia in 1997-98. During his time in the Army, Brett also filled the role for OPFOR at his Company level, and did rotations at both JRTC and NTC. He has been airsofting since 2002, and has been planning and running events most of that time. He ran, and sometimes commanded, the WARPAC/East Bloc side for the entire eight years of Operation: East Wind. Brett also has a large supply of most East Bloc equipment; if you've seen a Russian or East German "jeep," truck or APC at a midwestern airsoft event, they are probably one of his and he was probably driving one of them.
Steven Staggenborg
Steven is a WO1 flying Chinooks for the US Army Reserve. He was formerly a US Army Combat Engineer NCO, specializing in mines and IEDs. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2012-13, performing route clearance missions – much of it dismounted, and at night. He is a staff member and Instructor with One Shepherd as the S6 (communications officer), and has been playing airsoft since 2004. Steven played both sides of the fence at East Wind, serving in variable roles as needed, from NATO's 1SGT, to the EastBloc Commander. He was a prime participant in building or repairing Eastwind's equipment, tents, radios, trucks, and night vision.
Steven Hoober
The other Steven is a human factors engineer and usability expert who is also a certified firearms instructor, and has been shooting, training, climbing mountains, and playing airsoft since the 1980s. He was the exercise administrator at the last several East Wind events, and has been an instructor and OPFOR leader for One Shepherd. He also makes maps such as those used at every East Wind event, has published videos on land navigation that have been viewed over a million times, and developed the original secret squirrel patch.
Henry Curffman
Henry is an Aprrenctice pipefitter. He has attended East Wind on both the NATO and East Boc sides, working in varous leadership roles. He has been heavily involved in maintenance of East Wind vehicles and other equipment. Henry has been playing airsoft since 2009.