Tis the Season for...CQC?

An inside look on CQC, Personal Protection Equipment and checking the attitude at the door. 

So, it's that time of year again for us Canadians. It's getting cold, our GBBR's are throwing their usual fits and Airsofters nationwide are beginning to shirk at the idea of playing outdoors. Thankfully, for the select few of us who live within or close to major cities we have the option more often than not to move indoors. 

In SouthWestern Ontario we enjoy a wide variety of places to play indoors. Siege, Mach-1 and Ultimate Airsoft to name a few. However, this article isn't about Canada or how mind-numbingly cold and difficult Airsoft is to play in the winter, it's about moving indoors to the CQC arena with the proper personal protection equipment. Otherwise known as PPE in the industrial circle. It's also to touch base on the importance of checking your attitude at the door.

I've been playing Airsoft for years, why is this important to me?

This is important to everyone, not just the rookies...Why though? Simply put, as a veteran or a rookie, you'll be playing with a myriad of players. From the hardcore milsim type, to the loose and fast speedsofters who prefer mayhem and magic over tactics and control. It's important to remember that no one way of playing is correct, and that you're being thrown into an arena where only RoF can be controlled, not play style. This means you will be bunkered, or even have a whole team of guys descend upon you Planet of the Apes style. 

More importantly, it's essential to go over the basics. It doesn't matter if you're seasoned or not. More often than not we allow our experiences to cloud our judgement. We allow things that normally wouldn't be looked past, to be looked past. Things like proper PPE and the attitude you bring to the field, especially where newer players are concerned. 

Attitude

"Attitude is a little thing, that makes a big difference."

Winston Churchill

I'm opting to write about attitude first for a few reasons. Firstly, because I believe that the attitude of you and your team is going to decide the outcome of your day. Whether it be as a rookie or as a seasoned vet, you always need to check your attitude at the door. More so in CQC environments than outdoors. Why though?

In an outdoors environment you can mostly play that attitude off, it's at distance and you're less likely to be steamed up about something, and more less likely to do something about it. More often than not you won't be face to face with someone who is making your ego scream out loud. While it's important to check the ego and attitude at the door in any game, in CQC environments it can quickly go from attitude to full-blown man (or woman) child in a matter of seconds. 

The second reason I want to write about attitude is because, to me it seems like the airsoft community as a whole is VERY passive-aggressive. There's a lot of posturing on doing things the "Right way" and everyone seems to think their way is right. I'll be very clear with this next statement. 

If you are someone who is passive-aggressive or hyper-aggressive, don't go into the CQC arena. 

 There's a good way to start conflict, it's either being hyper-aggressive on the field or being aggressive behind someones back. If you are the type of person who is more than willing to complain about someones behaviour off the field, rather than dealing with it then and there you're going to ruin the experience not only for yourself, but for those around you. No one wants to hear you complain about this, that and another thing. 

In addition, I'm a firm believer of what goes around comes around. If you complain behind someones back, whether it be complaining about another team, another person, etc. It will eventually go back to them. This in turn will create a lot of distrust and anonymity. Both things that are not good to have when you run face to face with said person in a CQC environment. 

Being Hyper-Aggressive is just as bad, if not worse. We can see this type of behaviours through YouTube and the videos of fights happening on the field. A famous and well known example is Jericho Airsoft. Hyper-aggressive behaviour is when you can't handle conflict, period. When you internalize it, let it combust like a HEMI V8 and explode. 

Best case scenario, you lose it and trash your own gear. Worst case scenario, you end up assaulting someone and being charged. There are plenty of people in Airsoft who are like this as well. The key is to know where your limits are. If you're the type of person who goes somewhere looking for a fight, you're going to find one when you play CQC, especially when you're mixing brain buckets around corners. 

So, when I say leave the attitude at the door, I mean it. Remember that Airsoft is a game, we're not super-serious NAVY Seals training to thwart ISIS. We're there to have fun, mix it up a bit and leave tired, but happy. Coming in with the attitude of having fun, knowing you're going to get hit and knowing it's all in good fun is key to CQC. 

It's important to use CQC as well as a training mechanism for your team. Use the opportunity to play counter to the other teams or individuals there. Find you're getting out-paced by the guys who play a more speed-centric game? Adjust for that, you've got all day. If there's time, work with them; most guys are more than willing to help. Likewise, they may enjoy your milsim type tactics and decide to incorporate them into their training. The CQC arena provides a rare opportunity to mix individuals and teams who normally may not play in proximity together. Keep your chin up, a smile on and make the best out of it. 

Personal Protection Equipment

"It's a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one's safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract."
Alan Shepard

This quote may seem a bit out of place at first...Think on it though. Are you using gear made by the cheapest manufacturer? Are your goggles cheap Lancer knock-offs with no markings whatsoever? 

Good equipment is almost mandatory when playing CQC. This is especially true when it comes to things like your goggles. The goggles you got off Evike for $15.00 may seem like a great deal, but will they hold up to BB's? More importantly, will they break in other places? 

I had the fortune last year while playing with the Direwolves at Ultimate Airsoft to see someones cheap knock off Lancers break at the clasp. The plastic piece that held the goggles to the strap shattered completely on impact with a BB. Thankfully No Duff was called and the person was taken clear of the field immediately; but that could have ended VERY badly if someone didn't realize it right away. 

Understand that when you play CQC, the distance between your muzzle and the other person is quite a bit smaller. As a result the velocity remains relatively consistent. Atypically what you feel is the full force of the rifle or pistol in question. This means there is far less room for error with regards to safety. If your goggles shatter, or your mesh mouthpiece breaks there is potentially only moments separating you from a missing tooth or an eyepatch. 

So, there you have it. Don't buy gear that is questionable. It's simple, right? Well, not really. Revision also apparently sells mesh goggles and masks. They're apparently designed for Airsoft...But...Are they really? 

This video by Evike shows us what happens to a mesh mask through both heavy and regular play, and the dangers that come with it. One would think companies that are reputable wouldn't sell dangerous gear right? This all falls down to the individual though, not the company. Through the video we can see that mesh masks and eyewear don't provide adequate protection to your eyes. All it takes is one shard from a plastic BB to be sheared off by the mesh, and you're blind. 

I don't know many blind people, but it's probably a safe bet that if you lose your eye-sight you'll have a hell of a time doing a lot of things with your life, including driving and possibly working. So, is it worth it to take the risk for the sweet, sweet rewards of no fog? 

Not even. 

Only use goggles that are ANSI Z-87.1 rated. Most paintball goggles fall under these ratings, but not all. Ballistics goggles are your best bet. Remember to have them be full seal, so that BB's don't ricochet and find their way to those precious baby blues. Never use mesh goggles, it's a ticking time bomb. 

Always, ALWAYS remember to wear your mesh lowers or your full-face mask though. BB's can easily dislodge teeth and leave huge lacerations on the face, lips and gums. If possible, wear a lower that'll cover the ears. Just last year I had the luck of seeing someone get a new piercing from an unprotected ear as a result of CQC. 

This may sound like the norm, but it's always important to go over even as a seasoned player. Remember to go over the gear with your team and young ones. Safety is always number one, not number two. If you don't have the proper gear make sure you have access to it. Things like gloves with hardened knuckles, kneepads, etc. all make GREAT PPE for indoors. After having taken a few off the knuckle myself, I will definitely be considering them as my next purchase! 

In closing, remember as the CQC season approaches that we need to put safety and fun at the forefront. We're playing a game, one that rapidly brings us closer together as we run into the CQC arena. In doing so we should recognize and respect that other people from all different walks of life and styles of play are going to be there. Don't hate, instead try to collaborate and work together with those people to make every CQC outing one to remember. 

Here's to a safe indoors season everyone!

CO-3 Juice 

Airsoft

It's Just a Game.

**This is an opinion article on the Airsoft community. It contains offensive language and potentially offensive views. Deal with it, I don't take complaints. 

Repeat after me: "It's just a game." 

This is something I wish I could tell so many people in the Airsoft community. From the beginners right through to the seasoned veterans. I wish I could tell people to leave their ego in their car as they enter the field. You're not an "Operator" you're not a NAVY Seal, and despite if you have real steel training, real operations experience or whatever...It's a game. 

I'm a paintballer. Look at the picture on my vest above, it clearly says "Caution, Paintballer." I've spoken with a lot of present and ex-paintballers about Airsoft, most of whom play the sport we participate in and I've gotten a common reaction. They usually say that I'm right. That it feels like everyone tries way too hard to be something they really aren't.

Recently we've been seeing the upswing of a lot of "Famous" airsofters. I won't name names, you all know who you are. Here's the thing...Some of you are legit, some of you aren't. Paintball has and always will have a certain humility. It sucks getting bunkered by the better player, it sucks finishing at the end of the day knowing you got suckered by someone who lit you up like a tree on Christmas eve. 

I don't see that same humility in Airsoft. 

I see a lot of ego, I see a lot of "Training" (I put this lightly.) and I see a lot of waving flags. Most of all, I see the community buying into it. Honestly though, at the end of the day are you a better player than the guy who actually trains to be a gunfighter? Are you better equipped than the gal who decides that her outfit should be utilitarian and light instead of covered in unnecessary "Oper8r gear"? 

I don't want to call people out, you play the game you want to play. I'm completely fine with that. Dress the way you want to dress, train the way you want to train. Just don't pass it off as the "Right" way to airsoft like so many of you do. The individual is as great as the whole. When I look at my team, and I look at our assortment of talent I see a lot of potential. I see great teamwork, dedication and the ability to pull it together. This is why we win games. We don't win games because individually we are strong, we win because we complement each others weaknesses with our strengths. 

Do some of us play like paintballers? As taboo a topic as it is to Airsofters. Yes, we do. Why though? Because it's a game, it works for us and because the Costa grip really only applies when you're using a GBB, HPA blowback or a real steel rifle. AEG users really need not apply. You're not shooting me any better. 

SO YOU WANNA BE OPER8R AS F*&K?!

Stop...Just stop. 

I see things like this all the time. From training camps as indoor places to teams circle-jerking pictures on IG about being operator. Think about what it means to be "Operator" for a second and think real hard.

Being a real Operator means being fit. It means being physically and mentally ready, it means being able to work as a team and individually. It means being able to decipher between a need, a want and what is important and isn't. It's about being a leader and a follower in one package. 

I love that places can offer training from legitimate instructors. I think it's awesome we have the opportunity to learn CQC tactics, proper firing tactics, etc. I just wish people would understand they're playing a game. Airsoft isn't training, it is not a substitute for the armed forces. It is a game, pure and simple. No one is saying you need to adopt these tactics and stick to them by the books. The fun in a game is sometimes modifying the playbook to fit your needs. 

What kills me about the Airsoft community by and large is the circle-jerking nonsense of calling someone Operator. I feel that name should be reserved for the people who deserve it, namely the ones that went through years of SOF training, the ones who put their lives on the line and prove their mettle. I think the weekend warrior who goes out and shoots plastic pellets has no place in this category. Do you look cool in your Crye? Neat, hope you do; but it still doesn't make you SOF grade material. 

Airsoft is a really awesome sport. I enjoy playing it, a lot in fact. The community is what rubs me the wrong way. The consistent and constant need for some type of attention or one-up over people is painful to watch sometimes. 

To sum it all up. It doesn't matter how good you look on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. It doesn't matter what your identity or gimmick is, you're another airsofter. Enjoy the game, get dirty and stop crying over ripping your pants or getting paint goop on your gear. Play hard, accept your defeat and keep an ounce of humility to remind yourself "It's a game, and I am a player."

At the end of the day, I love the sport. I love the support we get and think that for the most part it's fantastic. I want to see the passive-aggressiveness in the community stop, I want to see people speak their minds, I want to see less celebrities and more players. Airsoft is growing, and we should embrace that growth and show the new players that "Hey, this is a game. Don't take it seriously. Enjoy it YOUR way."

CO-3 Juice