[Oborous]

I'm noticing a fair amount of confusion over play styles, and thought I'd do a write up of the major, basic models that you can play airsoft under. I'm not claiming SME status on this, but trying to get discussion started.

What is a model
Model drives your TTP and gear choices; it's the major determining factor of what you're going to be carrying and how you're going to be using it. A guy carrying an M16 family of weapon protecting a Sniper is going to need alot less ammo than a guy carrying an M16 as a rifleman/assaulter.

Part of this is to realize the disconnect between live fire and airsoft. You'll see this especially in the PMC compared to Infantry model; airsofters require more of a PMC load-out than infantry due to a lack of heavy weapons, indirect fire (mortars and artillery), and air support. Airsofters also need very little 3rd line support, focusing mainly on 2nd line gear; only long milsims bring the requirement of 3rd line gear.

What is 1st line, 2nd line, 3rd line gear?
Discussed in the gear section. Quickly:
1st line is stuff to keep you alive; stuff you always have on you. Your blow out medical kit, a pistol, pistol ammo, E&E kit.
2nd line is your primary ability to fight. Armor, long-arm, ammo, grenades, hydration.
3rd line is your ability to sustain. Backpack, food, poncho, more hydration, tent etc.

"F**king a football factor" (F3)
F3 is the distance your gear on your front protrudes from your body, preventing you from getting as low as possible to the ground when you go prone. This is really important as the 'allowable' F3 factor changes over time and under which model. The current military operations (i.e. 2001 onwards) have focused on extensive built-up terrain operations (i.e. urban combat, FISH, MOUT, etc.), so .mil looked towards SWAT for effective gear; but SWAT can have a high F3 factor (they're always upright, always on the attack, always going for maximum shock and awe... once they initiate, the cannot stop/slow down until the mission is accomplished); then PMC's started appearing, PMC's do not have the ability to call in artillery strikes, mortar attacks, or a gunship; they're often out of the communications loop for the .mil guys; they really only have themselves and their buddies to rely on. So doctrine is to lay down heavy suppresive fire while bounding backwards; this burns a huge amount of ammo... that you have to carry on you. This is why you see guys with 20+ mags, that's all they'll have until they get back to base. Army saw this and then started dictating increased ammo load outs to prevent running empty and to 'keep up with the jone's' (aka PMC's) This increase just added weight to an already overloaded soldier, with increasing armor coverage further slowing them down. Army became so overloaded that they could not pursue opprotunities (I.e. sending soldiers to setup in an advantageous position) due to fatigued soldiers. All of this is due to inappropriate F3 factor for your model.


Infantry Model
The base model, doesn't mean there is anything wrong here, it's just the most common that people think they're playing under. There are several subdivisions such as Mounted vs Patrol. With this, you're apart of a team, you have heavy weapons support (and hopefully indirect fire and air support), and an unified command structure. If you're dismounted on long patrols, your gear includes a fair amount of 3rd line because you're outside the wire for days/weeks at a time. If you're mounted (i.e. in a vehicle), you have to be able to get in and out of that vehicle. Your f3 must be pretty low. In the case of F3 discussion for mounted operations, it's because you'll hang up on the steering wheel.

SWAT model
This is the cool-guy-gear law enforcement model. You carry no 3rd line gear (you're in your own city) and have a high F3 factor; you are only going in on the attack, maximizing shock and awe. You are building your gear/TTP towards high intensity, very short duration operations. You deploy a variety of gear and generally carry a diverse array of 'continum of force' options (batons, tasers, OC, gas grenades, pistols, to primary arms). Flexibility is the key here, because the loadout is build for very dynamic situations (when tactical teams are deployed, it's often after being in position for hours while other options are used (negotiators) or in unknown situations (high risk warrants), so you never know what you're going to need).

Special Forces Model
You're highly trained light infantry. You operate behind lines, doing things that the other models don't do. You're light, you're slick, you rely on mobility, team work, training, and the best (and lightest) gear you can get your hands on. Your restrictions on customization of gear are almost nil; results matter, not how good you look. Guntape, paracord, shockcord are all heavily used; modified gear is prevalent.

PMC model
You can afford a high F3 factor because it's all you've got; your 2nd line gear is decked out with everything you need, because resupply is very unlikely until you get back to a friendly base. You may even wear four tourniquets (one on each limb) to show how bad-a$$ you are and incase you get hit (self aid if much more likely here). You have some unconventional gear, because .mil isn't dictating what you must wear; and you often come from cool-guy units and know how to maximize your gear choices. Like special forces, the amount of gun-tape, paracord, and shockcord used on your gear should shock airsofters. Clothing/uniform is dictated based on who you're working for (US Department of State has different requirements for PMC's than the conventions of war (i.e. hague, geneva, outcomes of nuremburg trials, etc.)).

Recce/sniper model
This is the lightest gear load out, with the highest ratio of gear being the 3rd line. You're out in the cold for extended period of time with a very specific mission; you're not trying to stack up enemy private/corporal kills like cordwood. You're using mobility and stealth to your maximum advantage; F3 factor kills here. You have the most unconventional gear out of all; pruning shears are often useful.

BTW, I personally disagree with a rifle drag bag. Drag your backpack. A backpack is a high F3 factor on your back; if you're skulking towards an OP in a ghillie suit, adding 16" of backpack makes you that much more un-natural; and you don't have your weapon at hand.



The two easiest models to work under are the PMC and the Recce (note Sniper requires a pretty expensive weapon to actually outrange a decent AEG by enough to matter). You may want to look like something else, but realize that looking like a US Army LT in airsoft doesn't mean you have the ability to call in a gunship. Nor dressing like SWAT is going to actually allow you to CS gas a house or taser someone (as much as you'd like to).

I think I've covered the bases.