Operational Det. Alpha (ODA)

[Yossarian 0]

The idea should be making models that feature a squad and the use of real names. For instance, Yossarian could make a squad of SOF personnel that are part of an assault team. Each team member would have the same camo, but they would have different leg holsters, IBA, chest rigs, some with unbloused boots and sleeves rolled up to the forearms, and a mixture of military boots and civilian footwear.

Basically, you would change the little things that shows the individuality within a squad. You would then give the operators real names like "SFC John Spencer" or "MSG Rashard Lewis" because it is important that if you are going to create new models (who I assume that their faces won't change from mission to mission) based on real life units, give them proper rank and names. If you want to make a SEAL team with custom models, make sure you name them with the proper rank and name, like "PO2 Michael Hutchins".

It would just be nice to have some new unit addons with real names, like how Clav did for his 82nd ABN units. Clav's readme is exactly what I've been crying about when it concerns making units. Give some of these units real names and a bio in the readme, because it gives the addon character.

Yup. That's exactly what I used to do with my Ghost Recon characters (never released ) Of course, with GR it was easier, all specialists had names/bios to start with. But I used to put rank in there as well.

Not sure what unit I'm going to represent right now. I think starting off with just US Army Special Forces would be good, or maybe some JSOC operators who are part of a task force. All similar gear anyway. The "group" as you say, would perhaps give me the most options and be easier to make into other units later.

But yes, I like the names idea

[bugkill 7]

Yossarian,

I sent you another PM and I think you will like it.

[Scottskofski 0]

As for models, man that's somewhat tough because it depends so much on the unit/group/team's SOP or TACSOP. In one A-team from 10th Group I saw 12 different variations of different style of uniforms. Their Alpha primarily wore jumpsuits, their commo 1 guy wore regular DCUs, some of the others wore civilian brand uniforms, or DCUs with pockets sewn onto the shoulders, etc. There simply just isn't one standard and that's what makes it tough.

Ya when I was last in Afghanistan I mainly saw ODAs running round in the Nomex Flightsuits, both Khaki and Sage.  ACUs were used when they were around regular 'big army' units, and some guys still had DCUs, and BDUs around, but by an far it seemed the flightsuits were the most 'popular'.

[bugkill 7]

As for models, man that's somewhat tough because it depends so much on the unit/group/team's SOP or TACSOP. In one A-team from 10th Group I saw 12 different variations of different style of uniforms. Their Alpha primarily wore jumpsuits, their commo 1 guy wore regular DCUs, some of the others wore civilian brand uniforms, or DCUs with pockets sewn onto the shoulders, etc. There simply just isn't one standard and that's what makes it tough.

Ya when I was last in Afghanistan I mainly saw ODAs running round in the Nomex Flightsuits, both Khaki and Sage.  ACUs were used when they were around regular 'big army' units, and some guys still had DCUs, and BDUs around.

Well, the easy way to fix this is for Yossarian (and others) to create a specific team from a specific unit. The unit is created to fit in the world of Arma, so if it is a Army SOF unit, I would make 5 models coming in DCU, ACU, and woodland BDU just to give mission editors the freedom of selecting what camo they want to see their units use in a specific mission.

We are now getting new maps that are set in the middle east, so it would be nice to release addons that feature 3 camo schemes for the US SOF units. Right now, I would concentrate on making one team of assaulters (I recommended Delta operators) and then Seal Team 6. It is better to work on the teir 1 units first and then start on some Green Berets or Rangers. It is just better to release certain units, one at a time, to completely form a task force for Arma.

I usually create my own task forces in the editor when I make missions, no need to make a full pack of models, just work on one unit at a time, and release each one when they are done.

[manberries 0]

I really like the idea above, my only question, is one that ive asked since the word SEALS were put on this forum. How do you make the SEALS look specifically like SEALS, instead of just regular soldiers?

[enven 0]

Why not keep it as an ODA mod/group-based structure? Why integrate "SEALS" or anyone else? Its pretty generic to mix them all in, I am guessing segregating them group by group in separate mods/packages might be better.

Clothing/equipment-wise...SF makes due with whatever they get them, they get some cool stuff, but they're never fully equipped, clothing is clothing, you can look on the Internet for resources of clothing and gear...Chest rig's...full gear...Combat Dress...I mean its pretty homogeneous.

As for other SOCCOM groups; homogeneous...I think a DEA unit would be more appetizing than a SEAL team...

Maybe even making Civilian based militia-troops that are allied would be cool, giving them a specific camo of choice...and gear...

What's funnier...The conscripted civvi'/Militia troop: The ArmA AI is dead on with how they react in real life...

[bugkill 7]

I really like the idea above, my only question, is one that ive asked since the word SEALS were put on this forum. How do you make the SEALS look specifically like SEALS, instead of just regular soldiers?

Seals look like other special operations operators, not regular troops. The difference between SOF and regular troops is mainly found in the gear, weapons, and freedom of dress (not to mention the missions). Hell, some operators will dress just like regualr troops on missions and you would never know the difference (except for the weapons and other little gear quirks).

It is the little things that seperate the two when it concerns the look. The regular forces are more regimented, while SOF is more liberal, simple as that.

[bugkill 7]

Why not keep it as an ODA mod/group-based structure? Why integrate "SEALS" or anyone else? Its pretty generic to mix them all in, I am guessing segregating them group by group in separate mods/packages might be better.

Clothing/equipment-wise...SF makes due with whatever they get them, they get some cool stuff, but they're never fully equipped, clothing is clothing, you can look on the Internet for resources of clothing and gear...Chest rig's...full gear...Combat Dress...I mean its pretty homogeneous.

As for other SOCCOM groups; homogeneous...I think a DEA unit would be more appetizing than a SEAL team...

Maybe even making Civilian based militia-troops that are allied would be cool, giving them a specific camo of choice...and gear...

What's funnier...The conscripted civvi'/Militia troop: The ArmA AI is dead on with how they react in real life...  

Well, from what I understand, he is making a addon based on units within JSOC. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) are not part of JSOC and that is why he does not need to make an ODA for the new models.

He should concentrate on doing a team of Delta operators, then ST6 (Devgru), Air Force CCT/Pararescue, and Rangers. Now, this all wishful thinking because he still has to get the first model ingame, but one team at a time is suffice.

[Yossarian 0]

Indeed, Bugkill is right (he should know, he's the one been helping me with research).

I've been busy with my M14 this weekend, but once that's released I can work on this stuff.

The plan is to model a group of 4/5 unique Delta operators to start with. ArmA doesn't really have any "assaulter" units, so these would fill a big gap. Different helmets/vests/holsters/boots etc. All similar but with slight variation. They'd all be based off the original BIS models, but just with new gear.

I can model/texture and even make simple normal maps, but I will be looking for someone to help get this stuff exported.

[Elite SEAL 0]

Will you be having it so that the drop-leg Tac holsters have a pistol model, be it M9, M1911 or a more modern equiv there-of, Mk23 SOCOM/USP, Sig P226/8 or whatever else inside of the holster?

Assuming Delta let alone SEAL's don't stick with a singular "uniform" pistol, bit of individuality in choice perhaps.

Just a idea, and admitedly not a hugely important issue for any of the initial releases, but maybe something to add to a later version to just add a further level of individualism to each of the Operators within a given Assault Team/Group.

[bugkill 7]

Will you be having it so that the drop-leg Tac holsters have a pistol model, be it M9, M1911 or a more modern equiv there-of, Mk23 SOCOM/USP, Sig P226/8 or whatever else inside of the holster?

Assuming Delta let alone SEAL's don't stick with a singular "uniform" pistol, bit of individuality in choice perhaps.

Just a idea, and admitedly not a hugely important issue for any of the initial releases, but maybe something to add to a later version to just add a further level of individualism to each of the Operators within a given Assault Team/Group.

Trust me, Yossarian has it all covered and each model will be unique to better represent the individuality within the team. He has more than enough pics and vids to accomplish this, right now it is all about him creating the stuff and getting it ingame.

One step at a time and hopefully Yossarian will accomplish this. All he needs is someone with some knowledge on how to import the models and once he gets that, we will all get to see his work.

[Elite SEAL 0]

Yeah mate, twas just a suggestion for later releases anyway.

After seeing QG units (regardless of their quality) having tac-holsters with actual pistol models inside of them I sort of prefer that now over empty holsters that seem to be standard as per the original ArmA "SF" units.

Though it begs the question as to whether its possible via scripting perhaps, if there could be something that "tells" the soldier model that you have a pistol in your inventory, for example a Kimber Custom Desert Warrior.

And in turn the soldier model suddenly "shows" the Kimber pistol holstered in real-time.

I really don't know enough about scripting so unsure if thats even feasible, let alone if it'd be a pain to implement or even be a resource hog.

[USMC NEEDER 0]

Indeed, Bugkill is right (he should know, he's the one been helping me with research).

I've been busy with my M14 this weekend, but once that's released I can work on this stuff.

The plan is to model a group of 4/5 unique Delta operators to start with. ArmA doesn't really have any "assaulter" units, so these would fill a big gap. Different helmets/vests/holsters/boots etc. All similar but with slight variation. They'd all be based off the original BIS models, but just with new gear.

I can model/texture and even make simple normal maps, but I will be looking for someone to help get this stuff exported.

What are you using to edit them? Oxygen?

Thanks and good luck on your M14

[Yossarian 0]

Indeed, Bugkill is right (he should know, he's the one been helping me with research).

I've been busy with my M14 this weekend, but once that's released I can work on this stuff.

The plan is to model a group of 4/5 unique Delta operators to start with. ArmA doesn't really have any "assaulter" units, so these would fill a big gap. Different helmets/vests/holsters/boots etc. All similar but with slight variation. They'd all be based off the original BIS models, but just with new gear.

I can model/texture and even make simple normal maps, but I will be looking for someone to help get this stuff exported.

What are you using to edit them? Oxygen?

Thanks and good luck on your M14

I'm using 3dsm 7 to do the modeling. I've got a BIS soldier in .3ds format (it was part of the examples pack they released). When I need to export I just convert back to .3ds and it'll go into Oxygen for final export.

[stun 5]

great looking reskin.

@Matt Rochelle

Any update on when the replacement config will be ready?

great work!

[Yossarian 0]

little update:

SF half-head helmet (as advised by Bugkill)

next, onto the Paraclete RAV vest.

[bugkill 7]

Lookin' good, bro.

[Marinecqc 0]

I think you should add some soldiers with Backwards Baseball Caps. Like in this Photo.

[USMC NEEDER 0]

That does look like a Green beret to me, seems like a good idea too.

Edit - Will you being adding a Shemagh the way the Special Forces wear it?

Thanks

[Yossarian 0]

guys, yes, I do want to add all those things. I too would really like to see baseball caps and shemaghs and traditional Afghan hats (forgive my ignorance, but I'm not sure what they're called in english) in ArmA. They would go nicely in a Green Beret addon, if I can ever figure out how to export stuff properly.

But I'm not going to throw everything into one addon. It doesn't really make sense for assaulters to be wearing ballcaps, and it doesn't really make sense for intel/recon to be wearing assault vests.

First addon will be Delta "shooters"

Second is still up in the air (as is the first unless I get some expert help).

[Road Warrior 0]

Most of the ODA's I've seen in Iraq are wearing the Eagle CIRAS vest as well, again most wearing the MICH ACH helmet, same with the SEAL's I seen at TQ.

It would be nice to see different CIRAS configurations as well.

[Yossarian 0]

Thanks Road Warrior. I just had a look at the Eagle vest and it looks exactly like what I've been seeing in pictures. As far as modeling goes, it's almost identical to the Paraclete RAV which I have been making.

Do you have any good reference shots? otherwise I can try specwargear.

welcome to the forums too.

[Marinecqc 0]

Thanks Road Warrior. I just had a look at the Eagle vest and it looks exactly like what I've been seeing in pictures. As far as modeling goes, it's almost identical to the Paraclete RAV which I have been making.

Do you have any good reference shots? otherwise I can try specwargear.

welcome to the forums too.

There are some pictures.

[Yossarian 0]

That last picture will work nicely. Thanks!

[GD Mast 0]

Yossarian,

Check out the "MICH" helmets at Diamonback Tactical's website for the SF helmets.

MICH TC2000

TC2000 MICH

MICH TC2001

TC2001 MICH

MICH TC2002

TC2002 MICH

Hope this helps with some of the different SF helmets out there.

GD Mast