Looking for Traveller players in the military
- Thread starter andrew boulton
- Start date
Dave Chase
Mongoose
Mithras said:You know, I just can't imagine a Master Sergeant anywhere, in any force, ever, roleplaying. I'm sorry!
In fact, it does blow my mind quite a bit that there are RPers in the military. What do your mates/non-mates think? Isn't there a basic level of macho pride in the military that makes Halo, basketball or music cool; but which would dissuade someone from stamp collecting, roleplaying or bird watching (notoriously 'nerdy' hobbies)?
Someone's going to kick my arse for this, but like I said, I'm always genuinely surprised to hear about RPers in the military ...
MX said:
Well sit down because Role Playing out situation and wargaming and even sitdown RPGing is common in the Military. Even to the point that Role playing out roles is trained (to teach individuals about others, to try and think like the enemy and to educate people to think on their feet.)
Oh, and I would easily say that on average during the 80's and 90's that 1 out of 10 soliders did some type of gaming; either miniatures, RPGing or even online.
Military service members (of all countries) are people too. The main difference is that they are trained in different parts of actual real life warfare. (Not being negative to any non-military individuals)
I actually find that on average that more military individuals play than Law Enforcement ones.
Dave Chase
I do not know how it is elsewhere, but over here almost all soldiers areMithras said:
just ordinary people with ordinary private lives and ordinary hobbies, in-
cluding roleplaying. The "macho soldier" is quite rare, true professionals
usually do not like that kind of somewhat puerile rookie behaviour that
much. :wink:
andrew boulton
Mongoose
Sevya said:
I've now extended it to any military service.
LOL we used to play D&D in Kosovo in 99, so it is not that far fetched.
-Denny
-Denny
Mithras said:You know, I just can't imagine a Master Sergeant anywhere, in any force, ever, roleplaying. I'm sorry!
In fact, it does blow my mind quite a bit that there are RPers in the military. What do your mates/non-mates think? Isn't there a basic level of macho pride in the military that makes Halo, basketball or music cool; but which would dissuade someone from stamp collecting, roleplaying or bird watching (notoriously 'nerdy' hobbies)?
Someone's going to kick my arse for this, but like I said, I'm always genuinely surprised to hear about RPers in the military ...
MX said:
This might come as a shock... but I know several more who do... apart from the already mentioned roleplaying/scenarios used in training.Mithras said:You know, I just can't imagine a Master Sergeant anywhere, in any force, ever, roleplaying. I'm sorry!
I know several active LARPers (2 MSgt :wink
, I was introduced to tabletops (Mechwarrior) by my Roland (SAM) Commander, the sergeants held a regular weekly round in my first Unit, we used to play Magic TG during guard duty when we had time off etc. etc. (this covers the years 98-10)Currently I do not play actively, but used to play DSA (german RPG), D&D 3rd Ed. and of course Traveller and some others.
Sent a PM. Currently deployed to Afghanistan (yay!) And to Mithras on the question of my friends/etc, we all call it nerding it up. At the locaiton I'm at, at least 50% of the people here play some sort of RPG, either on a console/laptop, or secretly gather at randomly decided locations to 'nerd it up'. Back in the states, you might be interested to know that my unit has a rather decent sized wargaming community. Popular and not so popular games in both RPG and Wargaming format can be found where I live stateside.
Ah, and as I read MX's post, yes we have several people who enjoy their little Magic Cards. We rather sophisticated Roleplayers turn up our noses as such base ideas of 'gaming'. 8)
Ah, and as I read MX's post, yes we have several people who enjoy their little Magic Cards. We rather sophisticated Roleplayers turn up our noses as such base ideas of 'gaming'. 8)
A great many Military personnel spend a good deal of time training and simulating combat and other public service situations - RPGs are just a natural fit (and a lot less stressful - I hope 
).
Majority of RPers I have met in later years RPed while in the service of their countries.
).Majority of RPers I have met in later years RPed while in the service of their countries.
I'd say at least one out of six folks who roleplay actively in online games are servicemen or ex-servicemen and many of them cut their teeth with tabletop RPGs while on duty in other countries.
I've run around on MMOs and MUSHes with troops from all around the world including Russia, Israel and Canada. My current STO fleet admiral (absentee) and his staff are buddies in the same Canadian unit.
Not only roleplaying brings them in but many military guys, at least it seems this way, are also into simulations type games and serious grognardy wargames. Go to a place like subsim.com and half the folks in the forums are navy guys.
I wouldn't be in a rush to call any of these guys geeks.
I've run around on MMOs and MUSHes with troops from all around the world including Russia, Israel and Canada. My current STO fleet admiral (absentee) and his staff are buddies in the same Canadian unit.
Not only roleplaying brings them in but many military guys, at least it seems this way, are also into simulations type games and serious grognardy wargames. Go to a place like subsim.com and half the folks in the forums are navy guys.
I wouldn't be in a rush to call any of these guys geeks.
GamerDude
Cosmic Mongoose
I grew up playing all kinds of games, but I wasn't exposed to any RPGs until I entered the USAF in 2001. That was like an entire new world opening to me. I've never looked back since.
On my business cards I use the title "International Game Master" because I have GM's on three continents. I'm not "Renowned" or "Well Known" but I have run a year long and a 6-month long campaign on two continents besides North America so I think the 'title' fits'.
On my business cards I use the title "International Game Master" because I have GM's on three continents. I'm not "Renowned" or "Well Known" but I have run a year long and a 6-month long campaign on two continents besides North America so I think the 'title' fits'.
I was a wargamer before RPGs existed, then added them when they came out.
US Army 1982-2003 Field Artillery. Biggest game group I ever had was rioght after desert storm. We where in the 2nd ACR, and parked right up by the cease fire line with almost nothing to do. I had 17 people show up regularly, out of about 60 guys on the fireing point. Of course that was because there was almost nothing to do.
But a few of them kept with it after we got back.
US Army 1982-2003 Field Artillery. Biggest game group I ever had was rioght after desert storm. We where in the 2nd ACR, and parked right up by the cease fire line with almost nothing to do. I had 17 people show up regularly, out of about 60 guys on the fireing point. Of course that was because there was almost nothing to do.
But a few of them kept with it after we got back.
poolboydeluxe
Mongoose
Traveller player currently serving in Afghanistan prior to mustering out after two terms in the Army.
poolboydeluxe
Mongoose
zozotroll said:
I can't tell you how many people I talked to were first exposed to RPGs during Gulf I.
During OIF I I ran a D&D game because we had nothing to do. Now, with easy internet and AFN access, it's much more difficult.
poolboydeluxe
Mongoose
rust said:I am afraid you come a little bit too late to become a noble, Andrew Boul-poolboydeluxe said:
ton was collecting the names of the veterans for the Emperor's birthday
honours list, which was published on Marc Miller's birthday - yesterday.
Wouldn't be the first time that the War on Terror screwed me out of something.
I'm pretty short here, so here's hoping it's the last!
