Serious Topic - Teaching the New Players

[Zippo 184]

Most of us longtime players have seen the massive influx of new players, both young and hold. At the same time, most of the attention gets turned to the negative impact the new players cause. What is the best course of action when it comes to dealing with new players? While there are bad eggs who just want to shoot as many bbs as possible, there are good newbies that want to learn every aspect of MilSim and play the game it was intended to be played. Your thoughts? 

Video for shameless plug. Not the typical vid you'd see on my channel. I think y'all will like. 

[JoeX07 8]

Dig it. Love the ending. 

[Kolt1911 75]

I was asked to help out with some basic stuff for a local team comprised mostly of high school sophomores/juniors. I'm thankful that these kids are 15-16 as they're mostly very mature and eager to learn. I show them the Big 5 of Firearm Safety, the basics of moving as a squad, light infantry tactics (I actually teach from Chris Larsen's book) and general stuff like hydration, what to eat before the game, what to eat during, how to stay warm/cool, good boot selections, choosing what you wear for what you're doing, etc.

If you're blatantly ignoring me when I'm trying to tell you how to do better, I will get mad. 
If you're doing unsafe things like taking your eyepro off in game, using safety goggles you lifted from the FFA building at school, or forgetting to bring water with you, I will yell at you until I think you understand the gravity of what you have done. 
If you're messing up just because it's kind of hard to grasp, however, I have a very flexible schedule and am more than willing to help out. I've had a few guys come over and just do fire team rush/leapfrog across my backyard for a few hours and then going over some basic concepts like initiating/breaking contact using lose change, chess pieces, Legos, whatever to represent elements of a squad. 

The important part is to make them have fun learning and help out those that want it but are just having trouble grasping it in their minds, but if someone wants to be a jackass then they can hit bricks. One thing to watch out for especially with younger guys that play is drug use. If you wanna toke on your own time away from the game, I do not care. But it's common here for guys to go off somewhere alone on the AO, fire up a joint, and come back and play while high, because they're too immature to understand why that is a horrible idea. 

[Texas_operators 16]

I always love taking in those new kids or even new older guys and showing them how to play the game right.That is the first thing i do when i get to the staging/rest area in the early morning as everyone is prepping their gear.I walk around say hi,engage in a small conversation and tell ill see em on the field.I do this with every one no matter the gear or skill set.Its a good way to establish some good friendships at your local field.I learn new things everyday from kids who just got into the game and Super hardcore MilSim guys.I love every second of it.It grows the community and gives those kids something to look forward to.

 

Godspeed

 -Dylan Thomas