Turkish

Just wondering who here is a veteran or currently serving in the military. Let me know what service you're in, what country, what you do, where you've been, how long you've been in, etc. I've been in the US Army for 7 years now (1 left before I get out). I was initially in PsyOps (Psychological Operations). I was in Quartermaster, where I was the armorer. I repaired the unit's small arms. Fun job. Then I switched to field artillery. Pretty cool. They switch us around every year, so we get to know all positions within the battery. Now I'm on the ammo team and I'm a SAW gunner. It's pretty cool. We're hoping to upgrade from the M109-A4s and 5s (self-propelled) to the Paladins (A6's), then someday we'll be MLRS, but not for a while. In my hitch, I've been to military posts in South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Panama. I'm currently a sergeant. So for me, OFP is a really great game. I love the realism, and I like being able to drive/fly everything. I like being able to get into combat without actually running around with 50lbs of gear on and getting eaten by mosquitos. What about the rest of you?

In a way, I can't blame Upham for feeling out of sorts with his new infantry assignment. Sure he went through basic training, but he didn't go through Infantry school. I used to be in Quartermaster, so I can guess how scary it would be to go into combat with only basic combat training. But then your sense of duty as a soldier kicks in, and you remember that you're a soldier first. If you finished basic training, you are a soldier who is trained at the art of warfare. And I can completely understand being scared going into combat. How can you not be? But there was NO excuse for that little shit to just sit there blubbering on the stairs when his buddy was getting knifed. Or at least to not shoot the German as he came to the top of the stairs afterward. As we say in the Army, he was ate up. He was a soup sandwich. He was not squared away. He was tore up from the floor up (my personal favourite).

Ok, well if we're listing all of our future schools (assuming that I choose to reenlist in 2003, which WON'T happen)... 2004: Attend Sniper School. Â Graduate top of class. 2004: Attend Airborne school, graduate top of class 2004: Attend Air Assault school, graduate top of class 2004: BNCOC (Basic NCO Course), get promoted to Staff Sergeant and become a gun chief, win US Army Field Artillery's Top Gun Award for 2004 Â 2005: Attend Pathfinder school, graduate top of class, transfer to 82nd Airborne Division Artillery 2005: Attend ANCOC (Advanced NCO Course), make Sergeant First Class, go to Afghanistan, save my Battalion commander's ass and get a battlefield commission to Major. 2006: Win Top Gun competition in 2006 and 2007, for which they will see that I'm a genius and promote me to Private. 2007: Â End of Term of Service Of course, my enlistment is up next August, so just skip over everything but the last part. Â

I got a giant lump in my throat at the very beginning, when the old man walks past the rows and rows and rows of white crosses. It never really hit me until then that that many thousands of men died in one day. Also, the concentration camp and final episodes of Band of Brothers were very very poigniant for me. I also really really enjoyed (in an emotional way) the episode where they take Carentan, and it kind of focuses on Pvt. Blythe and his struggle. I thought it was very poetic at the end of the episode (ep. 3), when he takes the Edelweiss from the Fallschirmjaeger and sticks it in his own coat. The worst was We Were Soldiers, when his little girl asks him if they (the enemy) are going to take his life away. She's so sweet when she asks him that, and I thought of my little 1-year old daughter growing up without a daddy if I had to go to war and died (which is a potential reality). I just about lost it there. To sum it up, I really get kind of emotional at movies that remind me why I'm a soldier.

Exactly. The Mi-24 lends itself very well to that...

If anyone here is interested in maybe living out some of the stuff in OFP, this is the sport for you. Airsoft is similar to paintball, in that the guns use air to propel a projectile through the air. But with airsoft, the guns are exact replicas of real ones (in many cases, even down to the trademarks), and they shoot 6mm solid pellets. Some are spring-cockers, which require a manual cocking for each shot. There are also gas guns, which use PC Duster-type gas to operate the mechanism (in many cases, the gas also blows back the slide, simulating the cycle of real pistols, but they also make gas revolvers, automatics that don't blow back, and submachine guns). Finally, they have guns that are powered by battery and electric motor. These are most often submachine guns and assault rifles that fire full-auto. Just about every brand and/or style of gun has been made at some point in time. It's pretty cool. For more info check out www.airsoftplayers.com or www.airsoftzone.com or www.mnairsoft.com

You know, it's too bad they don't have a "fast rope" option. Then you wouldn't have to set down, you could insert your troops with more precision than paradropping, and you could even turn so your crew chief could cover the rapelling soldiers with the helo's .50 cal. That would be much more realistic for helos than parachuting. Plus it would look supercool.

Exactly. And you have to remember, we each have our own bias. I would really hate it if the US Army went up against the Brits. We'd both be screwed. So to reiterate (and get back on topic), I'd be a Brit if I could.

lmfao! That was good!

Still...the static walkers or other Imperial objects could be used in a "raid the depot" or other sabotage-type missions. That would be pretty cool. The way I see it, Star Wars is no more realistic than using a drill or nailgun for a pistol, which I think was a good idea that was executed very nicely. And one more thing to our young friend RPG... You quoted me as saying "Seriously, though, some people here are pretty rude when it comes to sharing their opinion...." Â You obviously thought I was talking about you, even though you must have missed that I said SOME people. Â Well, buddy, if the shoe fits...

I'm a big fan of the Close Combat games. I have CC3 and CC5. I also like the Age of Empires 1 and 2, and their expansion packs, and Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds. Has anyone ever played Real War? Is that any good?

I was issued these at Basic Training. Â Standard US Army boots. Â They did me right for the first few years I was in. Then I got a pair of Corcoran Jump Boots at a garage sale for $2. Â Considering that a new pair goes for $100 or more, I got a great deal. Â I love these boots. Â I'll never put on another pair of standard issue boots again. Funny to think that they've been making these the same way since WW2. Unless, of course, it's cold (as it often gets here in Minnesota). Then I wear these standard issue boots: These Matterhorn boots are super-comfy. Even in the summertime, these are great boots to wear. Lots of cushioning, and they're waterproof. The jump boots aren't.

I'd be English. I find England and its people fascinating. I'm always trying to perfect my accent. I watch all the BBC I can (I know TV only gives you a limited view into the culture, but at least you can learn to mimic the accent), and Snatch is my favourite movie (obviously). Militarily speaking, I think the Brits have always had a cutting-edge military. Easily on a par with the US Army (of which I am a part). The SAS is responsible, IMPO, for inspiring every special forces unit to date. And the SA80/L85A1 is one of the best (and coolest looking) assault rifles available. I wish the US Army would switch to it (though the M16 is growing on me). The only thing that sucks, is the gun laws there and in Australia are unbelievable.

Duke, I like Dylan. My favourite Dylan song is the original version of "All Along the Watchtower." Very cool. Also, if you like Hollis Brown, you should check out Stephen Stills' cover of it on his album "Stills Alone." The whole album is just him and his guitar, and he does a cool version of "Ballad of Hollis Brown." I have a Fender Strat (natural finish, maple neck), an Ovation Viper (solid body electric), and a copy of a Gibson ES-175, which I love dearly. I also have an Epiphone acoustic, and a Stella acoustic from the early 60's. I used to have a Gibson EB-0 bass (looks like an SG) but I sold it. My favourite bands right now are Travis, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, the Beatles, and Ben Folds Five (even though they have no guitar). I also am way into Nick Drake.

sorry--double post.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RPG @ July 19 2002,15:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I dont like the Starwars Mod, Turkish you are saying that everyone that disagrees with this mod is rude have a diffrant veiw then the "creative minds" please... I have tons of reasons to not like the starwars mod and to not like the idea of having it. I know to bad is what people would say but... whatever you people say remember IF YOU WANT TO PLAY STARWARS BUY GAMES ABOUT IT! some of you are so argant you refuse to know that this is a Milltary Game and it will stay that way. Some of you are destroying the whole point of the game and what everone put hard time into makeing addons and mods to make the OFP experiance more enjoyable but some of you just trample over what the game was made about. I already drank my damn glass of shut the hell up probley you should start drinking buddy... Â <span id='postcolor'> RPG, You totally missed the point of my last post. Â I'm not saying that you're rude because you don't like the idea of a Star Wars mod. Â I'm not saying you can't disagree with it. Â I'm just saying that you don't have to be an asshole about it. Â Seriously, some peoples' posts look like this (this is an example, not a direct quote): "Star Wars? Â What the hell? Â That's retarded. Â That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Â This game is ONLY for modern military. Â You're so stupid for trying to make it work." There are many ways to disagree with someone's idea without being a dick about it. You said, "some of you are so argant you refuse to know that this is a Milltary Game and it will stay that way." Â That's pretty one-dimensional thinking. Â Sure it's a military game. Â I'm in the military, and I love that it's a realistic military game. Â But who are you to belittle someone because they don't think the way you do? Â And by the way, the word is "arrogant." Â And I'm not being arrogant. Â I'm sticking up for people that have the balls to create something and put it out there, knowing that there are people like you who will flame them to no end. You also said, "Some of you are destroying the whole point of the game and what everone put hard time into makeing addons and mods to make the OFP experiance more enjoyable but some of you just trample over what the game was made about." That is totally illogical. Â The people who made the game made it so people would have fun. Â They included a mission editor so people could experiment and use their creativity to make their own missions. Â They obviously want players to explore the possibilities. Â Yeah, I know the guys who make the mods put a lot of time and effort into it. Â No one is discounting that. Â So how is making a Star Wars mod "destroying the whole point of the game and what everone put hard time into makeing addons and mods"? Â It's one thing to read the post and say, "Yeah, I don't care for SW mods" or "I don't think that would work too well." Â But it's another thing to say, Â "that's stupid!" or "That's retarded, and so are you for thinking it would be cool." Here's the bottom line: Â That's great that you like vanilla ice cream. Â There's nothing wrong with plain vanilla. Â But it's really unnecessary to be pointed and mean to people who like Tooti-Fruity.

Incom lists the X-Wing as a "Space Superiority Fighter." It was not intended for ground attack in the manner that the Y-Wing was. Peeps, I think you're cool for trying to put a SW mod in. I say screw the people who think it's a dumb idea. You know, if you think a Star Wars mod would be stupid, fine. That's your opinion. But I've seen people here really get down on the creative minds that think to make a SW Mod, and I don't think that's right or fair at all. Everybody's mod is stupid to someone. So just sit back, relax, and have a nice tall glass of SHUT THE HELL UP! Seriously, though, some people here are pretty rude when it comes to sharing their opinion of what would be cool and what wouldn't...there's not too many people who know how to say "You know, it ain't my thing, but good for you." Just my 2kb worth...

So, since no one here will answer my question, I am to assume that you can't use handgun mods for OFP and Red Hammer?

I think we should try to keep a "don't knock it 'til you tried it" attitude where possible here. I for one, think a SW mod would rock. There's plenty of land battles to make it work your while. I think the Islands could lend themselves well to an Endor or Yavin IV land battle. And if you've read the books, you know that TIE fighters don't work well in atmosphere, but Alliance fighters do. And not to sound nitpicky, but the Y-wing was developed as a Close-air support fighter. The X-wing is more like the F-14, the A-wing like the F-16, and the Y-wing is like an A-10 or the A-7 Corsair II. And the B-wing is just...the B-wing. At least, that's my interpretation.

So I assume you can't use handguns in OFP and the first expansion pack?

So you could have a missle that flies thousands of miles, but will only leave a small welt on your forehead. Â Something that would do less damage than your cap gun. Â I think maybe a good sized blast (big enough while still being realistic in the game sense) would be maybe twice that of an exploding tank. Â Also, as far as artillery, I think that would be a cool addition. Â I'm in field artillery, and I'd love to have the option of calling in or joining a battery of M109s or some towed guns. Â That would be a very cool addition. Â Because you know that if that were a real conflict of that scale, they would likely have some artillery there. Heck, if they didn't want something that big, they could have the M119 105mm howitzers they use in Airborne artillery. T

Frag, I know what you mean. The military drilled it into me that a clip is something that fastens one thing to another. The magazine is what contains the rounds fired by your weapon. Revolvers use clips, if they are firing rimless ammunition. The old S&W 1917 is a good example, firing .45 ACP rounds from 2 half-moon clips. But those are actually referred to as clips, unlike pistol magazines.

So can you have handguns in Cold War Crisis and Red Hammer?

I used to work in a gun shop. Best job I ever had. I have to say I'd take a Benelli over a Beretta. They make, IMPO, the best semi-auto and pump shotguns on the market. If you really want a great gun, save your pennies and dimes, and buy a M3 Super 90. It can be converted between pump and semi-auto. So if you are shooting and it gets fouled for whatever reason, just switch to pump mode and keep rockin'. And I don't think it's totally fair to say that Remingtons suck. They don't suck, because they do what they're supposed to do, and I think their sales reflect that. But they aren't a Benelli or a Beretta by any means. Honestly, comparing a Mossberg or a Remington to a Benelli is like comparing a Smith & Wesson to a SIG. Turkish

Hey, everyone. This is my first post here, so hi. Anyway, I've had Flashpoint for a few months now, and I love the game. But I've tried to create my own scenarios with little to no success. Placing units is a snap, but once they're there, I don't understand what I'm supposed to do about triggers or events or whatever makes the game actually progress. I realize this may sound like a n00b post, but is there some guide or FAQ or something that puts these instructions in plain English for someone like me? Any help would be appreciated. Turkish