This was UConn's 3rd OPP ( OPP I, II, IV) and we all had a great time. First of all CONGRATS to BRAVO COMPANY! This is my first loss at OPP but I do feel that Bravo played a better game than us and appreciate the competition. I look forward to OPP V.
My sustain/improves are below. As always I recommend OPP to anyone able to hack it the entire time. I was extremely pleased that my team made it the full 21 hours without going off the field or sleeping. I did let my guys 'rest' for 10 minutes 3 different times after a mandatory withdrawal near the CP but I felt those 10 minutes of rest (3 times) allowed them to calm down, cool it down, and get back in the fight without disappearing for sleep in a car, bush, room, etc.
Sustain -
1. Platoon level leadership. Having only been to OPP I & II we did not have PL's. At OPP I it was anot a problem due to the numbers but at OPP II it was obvious that a PL was needed. At OPP IV I appreciated having a PL and a set CoC.
2. Frago's & OPFOR. Loved em. Team Loved em. They rocked. Particularly liked knowing what time I needed to be where due to the epic fail that were the radio's. OPFOR performed great and would love to see them again.
3. Semi only. There were times I had hit calling issues and wish I could have used full auto... they were just wearing way to much gear... but otherwise felt the semi only rule + effective use of SAW's was a great idea. Even though I don't see limiting players gear something that is going to happen I'm still all for the Semi rule.
Improve -
1. Mortars. Seriously hurt our experience at OPP IV. I understand and greatly appreciate the milsim aspect but getting mortared time and again after finally taking a key bldg was not cool. I believe at OPP II teams had 5 ?? total mortars whereas at OPP IV I believe it was a max of 50? I felt this directly took away from the feeling of squad tactics as after 4-5 times of taking a bldg then getting mortared my squad would start to ask "why even try? were just going to get mortared." I understand this could be better usage of resources by the other team yet it plain old hurt the experience of the game IMO.
2. Final Mission. The entire final mission at the airstrip with both companies seemed either pointless of lacking in relation to the overall game. I believe it was a game change due to an issue in the time line? (prob my 'missing' guy) but the time used to travel back and forth to the airstrip seemed like it could have been better used on the mout site. Just an opinion but I realize things don't always go according to plan.
3. Player Mentality. This is more of a player improve than a event one. It seems that MANY players get fixated on what is 'cool' rather than what makes sense. For example: You want to take Bldg 25. There are 2 floors. 1st Floor is hotly contested and has a horrible hallway for our end. 2nd floor is barely contested and offers great cover. Additionaly the 2nd floor offers a interior stair well at the other end to come down on the enemy from behind. Why then are there 35 people stacked to rush the 1st floor and all refuse to come to the 2nd floor? I still can't comprehend this. This was not the only incidence of 'tacticool' that I saw but the one that cost us a key bldg... twice.
We only encountered one issue with players on the field and admin and green team leadership have the full story. This is the editted version of what I posted to green team SL's and PL's but I think it applies to every player at OPP:
If a player decides to break the rules we as leaders need to step forward and CALMLY discuss it with them... regardless what team they are on. It is at this point, when you step forward and try to calmly resolve a problem, that players show you who they truly are. Are they just having a lapse in judgment or are they truly a piece of crap?
Unfortunately select players from XXXXXXX decided to show it was not a lack in judgment but rather poor sportsmanship. They refused to acknowledge the problem or even state who they were (For example I always calmly introduce myself "I'm Kevin from UConn on Alpha 2-6." And then ask "Who are you?") and instead decided to get heated and almost start a fight.
Not to be one sided: One of YYYYYYYY, as I am pretty sure it was a squad leader, decided to get real heated with one of them also. This was also a poor judgment call. We can not further agitate a situation. It should be our goal as leaders to ensure a safe, positive atmosphere at all times during a game. Assess the situation, make a calm rational decision (ie: find out who they are and talk to admin or just get admin), and move on.
I recommend at any game you attend that you maintain your cool and act with not only the highest integrity while playing but also the highest level of character when not. By doing so you will have a better game and will show the men under you that the game can still be fun.
Personally I will not attend another event with that squad at it. Almost starting a fight over a basic conversation is ridiculous and is something you see in a 5th grade school yard not a airsoft game... let alone one like OPP.
This is no way a knock on MSATO, OPP Staff or others what so ever. They were notified and handled the situation accordingly. I believe later this same squad had a more serious issue with an OC but I wasn't there. Instead players should learn what NOT to do. CO UConn Airsoft Team SL, OP PP I (Pathfinder), II & IV SL, OP Irene VI & VII SL, OP NW V
If your in college and want to play airsoft free, email me.
kevin i believe i was there in that situation you have stated. I was part of Alpha 2-3. From what i recall there was massive blind fireing, using objects to block the door entry and blocking murder holes.
