Paintball tournaments popular with military recruiters

WCNC ^ | May 7, 2007 | DIANA RUGG

[Between the Lines]

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- When 15-year-old Chris Schehr suits up for paintball, he's just thinking about having fun.

"I just like to play with my friends -- shoot people," said Schehr, as he donned the padded shirt and helmet that protect him from 200 mile-an-hour paint-filled projectiles.

Schehr is just one of hundreds of players in full gear, with air-powered guns, taking part in the 2007 Mid-Atlantic Open at PBC Sports Park in Rock Hill.

But the skills he learns on the field – shooting, hiding from live fire, making tactical decisions – look a lot like another line of work: military duty. And those who play the fast-growing sport of paintball are catching the eyes of military recruiters.

"They like to shoot, which is a great way to gain camaraderie,” said Sgt. Patrick Campbell, a recruiter for the U.S. Army National Guard in South Carolina. “And not just that. While they’re gaining camaraderie, they’re gaining leadership and team skills."

Even the National X-ball League commissioner sees the similarity.

"The gun skills that the players learn out here obviously can translate into real firefights," said Tony Mineo, who is also a police officer in Miramar, Florida.

Mineo said he sees the practical side of his sport in his full-time career.

“I definitely bring my skills I learn out here back to work with me,” said Mineo.

But not everyone is hot on the idea of military recruiters at paintball tournaments. While on one hand they say the skills can be transferable, they say the application is completely different.

"I don't think the kids really look at them correlating too much together," said Chris Schehr’s father, Mike. He said he doesn't know if he likes the idea of recruiters targeting kids like his son, who shoots paintball just for fun.

“I think there’s a place for that and I think there's a place for off-site (recruiting),” said Schehr about young players and recruiters. “And if they're interested they’ll go to the recruiting centers and talk about it, rather than them coming to them here.”

Tournament organizers say they welcome military recruiters at games, and have talked to a few about setting up booths or talking to players. But at the same time, they’re cautious about the image of paintball players as “gun happy.”

"A lot of people still see the sport that way and it’s disheartening for us,” said PBC Event Coordinator Keely Watson, who has played paintball since she was 12. “We really want to expose it for what it is -- it's a sport."

And even Sgt. Campbell admits the best candidates he finds at tournaments – or other sporting events – are recruited for their leadership and team-building skills, rather than their accuracy with a rifle.

“The leadership -- that's the big thing,” said Sgt. Campbell. “If you can lead people, in a team, such as out here, and do it effectively and win the game, then that's perfect.”

[Loud Mime]

I’ve seen these paintball tournaments. They expend rounds like congress spends money. I wasn’t trained to do that.

[Between the Lines]

And even Sgt. Campbell admits the best candidates he finds at tournaments – or other sporting events – are recruited for their leadership and team-building skills, rather than their accuracy with a rifle.

[Shion]

The liberal frothing about this article is just simply awesome.

“To think! The military would be interested in people who like to *shoot* things! SHOO! TING!”

[Loud Mime]

You’re right. The teamwork you see is the best.

[Nervous Tick]

>> “I don’t think the kids really look at them correlating too much together,” said Chris Schehr’s father, Mike. He said he doesn’t know if he likes the idea of recruiters targeting kids like his son, who shoots paintball just for fun.

Chris is cool! Dad’s a pussy.

Vote Democrat, do ya, Mike? Bet you don’t like military recruiters on campus either, eh Mike?

[jonascord]

This isn’t much of a stretch. Find a bunch of overgrown kids playing pretend war, and offer them the chance to do the real thing. Mommy and Daddy would’t let them have a beebee gun in the house, the only real gun they have ever held belongs to Granddad out on the farm, and Daddy’s Moment of Glory was getting teargassed at Southern Illinois University.

[Dick Vomer]

I’ve seen these paintball tournaments. They expend rounds like congress spends money. I wasn’t trained to do that.

my friend I've seen paintball tournaments and I've participated in the "other thing".... the good paintballers learn flanking and cover maneuvers. Now as far as put lead down range......well I always tried to put as much down range as was needed.

Ammo is cheap. The more ammo I've got to throw out there and pin you down with. The easier it is for my other guys to get around and flank you or light you up with arty or air cover.

This is basically guys getting together with friends to "play" war.

Some parents get real scared when they see their son starting to like the camaraderie of fighting together and shooting other teams. Cause down deep, some guys like fighting for their country and this selects out some of those fellas that are good at shooting and scooting.

Give them a little self discipline, training and fitness.....plus months of training...you might be surprised what you might get out of this group of young men.

[Between the Lines]

“To think! The military would be interested in people who like to *shoot* things! SHOO! TING!”

I doubt that it is that they do not like recruiters targeting paintball shooters, but instead that they do not like recruiters recruiting anyone.

Got to protect the children from these evil men. /s

[duffus]

Any army infantry grunts out there?
I mean the instructors.
Do paint ball fans know what they are doing or do you need to retrain them?

[ASOC]

LOL

My son, a Marine with multiple combat tours (as a grunt) loves to play AirSoft,the next step up from paintball. He plays with other Iraq vets, cops and others who just like the camaraderie.

AirSoft weapons look just like the real thing, so they call into the local dispatch center to offset any panicked calls from citizens about “guys with machine guns” running around in the woods.