MOUT game response

[SCBrian]

From James, owner, AAA Paintball on their website:
Now that I've had time to re-coup from Caen, I've had a chance to think about the events that transpired- including the events that led up to-played out-and followed the event. While my staff spent months preparing, their were some facets in this event that either didin't happen, didin't work or just fell short of expectations. I'll first list the problems that I know played out and explain those problems. I'll also offer thoughts on correcting those problems for the future. I welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas on these-

(in no particular order)

1- The late start. The late start of the game was due to several factors. All factors were learned from and will be corrected for the future. #1 Insufficient co2 fill stations. This was completely my fault as I didin't ensure that the 2 fill stations that were on order from PMI made it in when they were supposed to. #2 The weather. While the rain didin't really hamper the game, the lightning that lasted from about 7:50 to 8:40 basically closed down the game until it passed, which it did. #3 The initial walk in. Believe it or not, that walk is only 1/2 mile as I clocked it myself earlier in the month. But the time tables were off as a result of the co2 fill station situation especially. These problems (except for the weather) will be given attention to and adjusted for the future.

#2 The paint problem. I was afraid that some pink and blue fill would find its way into the event and sure enough it did. But even besides that, there was some yellow, purple and orange that didin't want to come out of those buildings. I REALLY wanted players to be able to bring their own paint because of the price that some players are able to acquire it for, and because they know what shoots well out of their marker. As I earlier forsaw, even the allowed paints (some of them) posed a bit of a problem for the military in post event cleanup (which has been completed, approved and signed off on...whew!) The next event will either be FPO or there will be a short list of allowed paints. This is currently under discussion between Sgt. Oday and myself. Will have info about this in the near future.

#3 "Too many players" was a comment I heard throughout the day. I couldn't agree more. This event had just over 360 participants in attendance. After some thought and discussion with the game directors we've come up with a new cap on any possible future games- 250 participants. We feel by cutting down the numbers by roughly 1/3 will improve the game at this particular MOUT site. I'm more interested in quality over quantity.

#4 "Can't it be a 12 or 24 hour game" This is something that is completely out of my hands. Just securing a facility like this around such forces as the Seals and Special Ops groups is a daunting task in itself. And it's only a task that a few people in the paintball business could ever understand/fully appreciate. I personally would never run a night game because it eliminates the ability of my reffing staff to moniter the game safely. You can't ensure that players are keeping their mask on, and those buildings are dark enough inside as it is. I've always been and always will be an opponent to night time play. And I guarantee that if insurance companies fully understood the concept of playing at night without the ability of being fully monitored for safety- most fields that did them would have their insurance pulled.

#5 "The area wasn't big enough". This complaint is true in two respects. One was due that their were simply too many participants. I fully agree now that I have seen it play out. That is why for any future games, there will be fewer participants. Two was the request to use the woods around the facility. This second idea was in impossibility because the Guard doesn't own the property around the site. They actually don't even own the road the travels to it. They own the site and nothing else around it. The parking lot that was used by the staff was in itself- weeks of negotiations with the JPA (joint powers authority) at McClellan. I believe that actually 2 different entities own property around that site. The Guard is already discussing the possibility of purchasing that parking lot and acreage surrounding it and creating a large parking lot/staging area for the future. Not only for paintball but for other activities that the Guard has at the site. (This is GREAT NEWS!!!!!)

#6 The sides were uneven. The numbers were the same, it just appeared that one side laid out more preparations and game planning than the other. I could be wrong, but thats the way I saw it

#7 A few teams were switched at the last minute. This was a necessity to keep the numbers fair- but I fouled up in not contacting all the teams to inform them of this. I apologize.

#8 Parking/Staging/Site Players have complained about being so far form their gear and having to ride vehicles back and forth. This aspect was completely out of my hands as it was handled in a way that the Nat'l Guard set. I offered input to them in the fact that players constantly need to get to their equipment throughout the day. But unfortunately, they had to see it for themselves to fully understand me. There were also supposed to be 6-8 deuce and a halfs running constantly throughout the day- but they didin't arrive til late. I can tell you that some ASSES WERE CHEWED in the Guard about that. But they learned and are knowledgable now for the future!

#9 "The nitro guy wasn't getting full fills." In the future, air cards will be for the whole day- not 4 fills. This will help with players getting their tanks topped off more-so then getting a full 4500 fill. The HPA (RINGWORM PAINTBALL) group that supplied the air learned a few things and with doing all day air cards will be able to top off 4500's constantly throughout the day.

#10 "Axis had better starting position" Well, we learned after this game what to change around and where. The next time will be set more evenly.

I think I touched on just about all that I can recall. If you've got any further comments/questions please let me know and I'll answer you honestly.

Oh, the cleanup went well (took 3 days before Range control cleared/signed off on it) Don't want to get too deep in detail about this as it is currently the topic of discussion between the Guard and myself for future endeavors. Will report back on this aspect in the future!

Thanks again for all of those who attended and I appreciate all the feedback- positive and negative. This couldn't have happend without David Lively, Chris Skelton and one of the best reffing staffs around. Peace!

[CASTRO]

LOOK YOU GUY'S AND THE ALA. NATIONAL GAURD ARE THE BEST.
I can not begin to explain the fun I had playing this game. Yes, their we a few problems but I was able to play a mount event. I was able to use my own paint, i was elem in the town hall on every floor, you are always going to have people BITCH ( & I am one of them) , But you must give credit where credit is due. You Put on a great game, The Refs. were top noch this was very important , being in the small rooms. They are some of the best. The people who left early, thank you it gave me a better chance at winning a prize ( did not win, but kept my roll alive ) .
SO THANK YOU AGAIN< PLEASE ADVISE WHEN THE NEXT GAME WILL BE< YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON US !


Mike( CASTRO ) Anderson
Capt. of The BLACKHEARTS
ATLANTA , GA.