ROOKIE PROBS

[jmmarks614 0]

As someone who has watched tons of milsim operations on YouTube but has never been to one in person I think I have a pretty good understanding of what to expect but as Broken Home comes nearer and nearer I thought it might be a good idea to ask... What should I (a newbie to airsoft milsim) be expected to know? What should I learn soon? What things should I double check to bring? And what will my first couple hours of signing in look like?

[TheJP 3,301]

There is a packing list thread in one of the OBH OP Archives...

 

• 2 Liters of water on your person
• Snacks, normally I bring tuna in those little square packs and eat it like a poptart.
• Have your radio squared away
• Listen to people that have experience.
• Slow and steady wins the race, don't blow your wad in the first few hours.
• Call your hits.
• Don't call other peoples' hits.
• Follow the chain of command.
• Understand not every minute will be "fun" or "action packed" you have to work for it.
• If you have a problem use your chain of command.
• Enjoy the experience, have fun and make some life long friends!

 

Once you are on site you'll wanna secure your camp, RV and Powered slots go first (first come, first serve). Then you will want to check in and chrono if it's open and depending how long the lines are, after that you'll want to attend the MANDATORY safety briefing. 

 

Also be looking for your squad and platoon leaders to make sure you are squared away on any last minute changes.

[Ron Mexico 380]

I agree with JP but you already have screwed up because you should be asking your chain of command these questions and not the general public. If you have not been contacted by your command then you need to be posting what side you are playing with and asking why you are not on the roster yet. So many people come to these events who never check their email and then when they get to the AO they are lost and have no idea what they are doing. The biggest thing that JP said that you need to take away from our conversation is to follow and listen to your chain of command.

[Guest Specs]

I would add that there's also these same posts before Broken Home every year. So I'd give that search a try and backtrack through some of those. 

[Blackbird 278]

Just remember to drink water.

Unless you are engaging in an activity that directly precludes you from drinking water, you best be drinking water.

Also:

Know that D-day is going to kick your butt your first time.

This will be my 7th or 8th time out there, and it's still gonna kick my ass, cuz i'm fat, lazy, and super low speed high drag.

Also know that this is OK, and know that if you need to stop and pace yourself a bit, that this is the best way to go. Like JP says, don't blow your wad in the first hour. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and if my out-of-shape self can make it to endex, so can anyone else.

[Guest Specs]

Expect humidity for sure, even if it doesn't happen to be crazy hot that day. 

 

Ravines everywhere, bring ankle supporting boots.

[iRonin 2]

6-8" boots and water, water, water! I would also bring protein bars to eat throughout the day and make sure your blouse and trousers aren't tailored fit; a more loose fit will aide in regulating your body temperature.

[iRonin 2]

Also . . I would advise restricting your caffeine a few days prior and during the milsim. If you had more time to prepare I would also advise some metabolic conditioning to ensure you aren't too winded.

[RipCord 4]

As Blackbird said: "Know that D-day is going to kick your butt your first time."

It will. But that's ok. This will be my 2nd year, and as prepared as I thought I was last year.. I wasn't. This AO is a BEAST. Have as much water as you can carry. Dress smart. I HIGHLY recommend compression shorts/undershirt. You will need WAY less gear than you'll bring and ounces = lbs. Definitely cut anything you don't REALLY need. And again, as others have said, take your time. The squad's pace, should be that of the slowest man (not the other way around).

[Beaver 105]

Its been said repeatedly for a reason. WATER.

Not Red Bull, Monster, or Full Throttle. Drink water now and get your body saturated with it.