General concept:
Please understand this will be a mil-sim game. The effort will be on learning and leadership, if you plan on doing nothing but expending rounds you're going to be missing the best aspect of the event...the opportunity to learn and work as a team.

It is most important to remember that in an event such as this, which is nothing like what most people here have been to before (which is why you need to go); immersion is the thing that needs to be considered. You come to this event to "be" in Vietnam, maintaining immersion as much as possible is crucial to the success of that feeling. The simplest way to do this is to ensure that your gear and equipment look appropriate(read: not necessarily era correct, but have the same presence), harder is your ability to stay "in character" so to speak, remember at this event you are not an airsofter, you are a GI.

This is in no way an open game. If I know the opposing force (and I do ), your willpower and strengths as an individual and as a team will be tested! The task rests on all of our shoulders to accurately represent what the average soldier had to go through back then. This event isn't about how much plastic your gun can sling, nor how many of those damn NVA you wiped on the last nights raid. We will expect everyone who participates to feel like they accomplished something at the end of this event. We are here to honor those who sacrificed their time and some their lives, in the Vietnam War.

The NVA/VC are staff positions in order to make sure that the participants get a realistic experience from engaging them. The opfor personnel will not be simply sitting in the woods keyed up waiting on your every move; the opfor have specific jobs and objectives to complete during the day this may make their attention wander or their focus to not be simply to wait to engage participants.

If you guys can't or don't work as a team I can promise you we will take every opportunity to romp you. This simulation is not an airsoft game and you'd do well to change your viewpoint to a more realistic view of the outcomes. In airsoft, you "win" if you take a hill, in the real world has your side "won" if you're the last one from your entire company to be left on top of the hill? I would venture to guess that the anihilation of a large group of soldiers would look more like a loss to the nightly news than a win.

Plan on having the experience of what would really be expected of a soldier and not the experience of just another airsoft game and you'll never look back.

When can I arrive?
Participants may arrive at the site no earlier than 1200 (noon) on the 27th. Once you report in, you'll be directed to your tent so that you may set-up your little section of paradise and prep your gear.


Equipment:
For your sleeping convince I would recommend bringing one of the following:
 Sleeping Bag (Keep in mind the average temperature for Louisiana in February/March is roughly 65-70, but do check the weather before you show.
 Inflatable Mattress or cot
 Small Pillow
Tents will be provided on site.
Food and water will not be provided; you must bring this with you.
Typical Vietnam era grunt impression will be fine. Any reasonable effort will be totally acceptable. With the caveat that there will be no modern pattern BDUs allowed (i.e. US woodland, Marpat, etc).

We're not trying to exclude anyone, but make an effort. It can be a very inexpensive look. The look you're going for is that of a regular soldier in Vietnam.

OD BDUs - I can highly recommend the Rothco vintage greens, the price is right and they look great, but if you have modern OD that's ok.

Any gun is OK but get rid of the modern looking accessories. If you've only got a G36 or something the profile is clearly modern, prepare to hide it using burlap.

Maps: Detailed maps will be provided to all registrants.

Basic questions
What types of weapons are absolutely not allowed, what kind can be "modified" to be acceptable?

Any M16/AK variant is acceptable. No rails (RIS/RAS/etc). No modern optics.

Prefer: M16A1/XM177 for US AK47 for NVA
Acceptable: M4/M733/M933/M16A2/3/AK74/AKM/etc
Also okay: M1. M14, Thompson, MP40, Kar98, and other weapons manufactured before 1970.

NO: P90/SCAR/AUG/or other weapon that has a "modern" look

Support Weapons: .50 Cal/ .30 Cal /M60/RPK(ok) NO: M249

Modern railed M4s can be "modified" by wrapping burlap around rail systems and removing modern optics.

If you have specific questions about your weapon, ask us directly before the game and we will give you a ruling.

Joule rating on the weapons

400 FPS w .20 absolute limit
330-350 FPS w .20 is preferred due to close up nature of battle.

Gear and uniform restrictions

UNIFORMS:

-Olive Drab for Line units - prefer 3rd pattern jungle but straight pocket will work (modern cut or VN/80's Style)
-Period correct ERDL allowed for Line units (NO WOODLAND!!!)
-OD or White T-Shirts (no black)
-M1 Helmet w/ Mitchell cover and/or VN style boonie or cap (HEADGEAR REQUIRED HELMET PREFERED!)
-Jungle boots Green/black or Black boots (NO SHOES!!)
-Period correct tigers tripe allowed for LRRP/MIKE Force only (all slots filled)


GEAR:
-M56 or M67 Webgear preferred (H Harness - M56 preferred)
-ALICE gear acceptable (LCI/LCII - Y type harness nylon)
-NO MODERN GEAR (vests, plate carriers, etc)

Magazines:
Mid-caps or Standards are preferred. However if all you have are hi-caps bring 'em along.

Boots:

OD and Black Jungle Boots
Black Jungle Boots
Black Boots

ABSOLUTELY NO sneakers, hiking boots, etc.


Equipment information/education:
M67 Style Nylon Web Gear (Pistol Belt, H-Harness, Buttpack, 2-4 M16 Pouches, 1-2 Canteen 1 Qt, Medic/Compass Pouch)
Guide:

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M56 Style Canvas Web Gear (Pistol Belt, H-Harness, Buttpack, 2-4 Small Arms Pouches, 1-2 Canteen 1 Qt, Medic/Compass Pouch)

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ALICE LC1/LC2 Nylon Web Gear (Pistol Belt, Y-Harness, Buttpack, 2-4 M16 Pouches, 1-2 Canteen 1 QT, Medic/Compass Pouch)

GUIDE:

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Gents shop around for your gear! OD green uniforms from Rothco are cheap as anything.

If all you have is an AK, put your chest rig on with a US web belt and a few canteens and hey presto you're a grunt.

I have no idea what the ODs are currently going for but here is an example of costs for a grunt:

Rothco Vintage OD 3rd pattern jungle uniform and patrol cap=$50
1x M1956 Pistol Belt $10
1x M1956 suspenders $12
2x M1956 ammo pouches $10
2x 1967 canteen pouches $10
2x new green canteens w/o drinking tube top $4

Result = just under $100

If you want an even cheaper yet reasonable looking alternative look for 762 gear (aka LC-1 or ALICE) acres of it around and if you get some of the rougher items they won't have that shiny look we all remember from the 1980s gear. Wack the grenade "ears" off the ammo pouches and you'll have a pouch that looks like an M67.

2x 762 ammo pouches $5.80 (yes thats right $2.90 each pouch).
1x 762 belt $6.90
2x 1967 canteen pouches $10
2x new green canteens w/o drinking tube top $4
1x 762 suspenders $9.39

Age:
-General age requirement is 18.

-If you are under 18 and have not attended one of our Junior GI courses you must get special permission to attend the event. Someone will have to vouch for you personally.

-Or, if you are under 18 you must have a guardian present for the duration of the event, this is non-negotiable.

Remember guys this is an opportunity to learn and play with LRRPs and Rangers both past a present AND put all your cool guy gear (adjusted for 1968) on and romp the bad guys.

I found this site while looking for helmet graffiti ideas. I read that a lot of GIs drew some type of calendars on their covers.

Anyway, this site answered a lot of my questions about setting up all types of gear. It's an interesting read if you have a question about adjusting your rucksack, belt, helmet or whatever.

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Hey Mercy - Can you give out the address to the AO yet?

Going sign the papers tomorrow my man! You will all have your AO maps and info most ricky tik right after that as part of your player packet!

The period depicted and actual operation the event is based on was in 1966. At that time some of the plain cotton OG uniforms were still being worn which is cheaper still to buy. Technically the subdued patches and name tapes weren't in theater but this won't be an enforced issue. Airmobile operations were still somewhat experimental and the 1st Ai Cav as depicted in WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE sets the time frame and mindset quite well.

The overall mood in the Army at this point in the war was "It's a shitty war but it's the best one we've got" Calendars, peace medallions and helmet graffitti was relatively uncommon in Vietnam and especially among the troopers of the elite 1st Cav (in 1966)

The NVA at this point wore a mix of tan and reed green uniforms and the VC were commonly in black with a boonie hat and archaic rifle. Morale and espirit de corp was still quite high among American GIs although their skill level and tactical knowledge in this new environment was far from developed.

The NVA and VC had most of the advantages with regard to when to strike and where and their sanctuaries still felt quite secure. All of this changed in 1966 and the 1st Air Cav concept changed the nature of the war for both sides.

This battle represents the sustained pursuit phase of Air Mobile operations where company and Battalion sized highly mobile forces manipulated AOs with ground forces working in harmony who took advantage of the NVA tendency to withdraw unless they had tremendous tactical advantage. The 1st Air Cav used their mobility and extremely flexible fire power in harmony with the terrain to threaten the NVA in a way that had never been experienced before.

Sanctuaries were no longer secure rear areas for the PAVN but rather the chosen battlefield.

Awesome backstory REMF. I'm going to make sure I bring my gung-ho spirit to be time period correct

I dont know if it has been asked but would a M79 be exceptibal for US GIs troops. just wondering.

It would.