The Wild World of TB!

God damn, I love this world, granted it is my world but at least here I don't let bullshit speak without calling it bullshit. And well it is about that time to let the great light of TB shine out into the rest of the bleary and dreary world inhabited by the haterz. And yes Delta Paintball Teams stole that shit from me, they have no idea about real hate, but that is another story. So what is the title about? Well it appears that those associated with PBWoman feel that none of my questions have any validity and I am simply being a sexist pig. They have threatened to boycott my website and other sites and entities associated with me and told several people that posting here or on Thunderstruck's website is akin to agreeing with me and sanctioning my speech and since they have labeled me a sexist pig than that makes anyone associated with me one of them to.

Now I find that fucking funny, but very predictable. I mean it is straight out of the Viper politics playbook that Cookie is using. The only issue is the naive women choosing to believe it rather than asking me my opinion or reading it here. I think I have said point blank several times that I am a huge supporter of women in scenario paintball. I have a wife and daughter who plays. I have another daughter wanting to play. And my best friend is one of the most decorated and known players in scenario paintball. IN fact if you took all their little PBWOmen of the year wannabees and added up their scenario games, I guarantee you Nudi has more awards than they have games played. So give me a fucking break!

My issues with that website are simple, who owns it, who runs it, the manner in which they run it and the bullshit they spout about it and it's purpose. Not going to give 20 pages on it, just sum it up as this. Two of the best women in scenario paintball aren't eligible for their little award simply because they are associated with me. For them to be eligible they would have to publically voice their dislike of me and my ways and then suck up to the real owners of that website in the hopes of being chosen to be in their little club. Lucky for me, these women have chosen to not only say no thank you, but fuck you to that joke of a site. Let's look at it in a few months shall we? When people see no real value like much of anything else that Kerry Rosenberry has had his hand in. And if you think bringing Bambi Bullard in is going to save it, I say good luck. I don't know what her issue with me is, and the short of it is, I don't care. She has never chosen to email me, call me, talk to me at a game or anything else. But she is damn quick to talk shit about me to anyone and everyone.

Good for her, but she was a former Marine as well, so I say suck it the fuck up. If your skin isn't tough enough to deal with my comments than by all means, come here and post or fuck shoot me an email. You want to dislike, that's ok, 80% of people do. But for the amount of shit you talk about me, I should at least get to know why, right? I have my suspicions, but whatever. I am sure that after Bambi hung out at the Paintball Extravagnaza pimpin PB Woman, they will be announcing all kinds of sponsorships. Since everyone thinks that is the way to go. But when the true colors come out, well I will be the one to stand and say, yep I told you so.

And why is it that most of the women who don't like women who dress in sexy paintball clothes are fat and ugly? I mean, really? Is it that petty? I mean those women know that they look good and they can't wear that on the field and women like to be looked at. So what that they wear that? Men enjoy it, the women enjoy it, it gets them exposure as models, WTF? Why make disparaging comments about it. You know, I think I have decided to have the first 'real' women of scenario paintball calendar. IN fact, send me the ugly, fat chicks you play scenario paintball with and I may indeed do that. Ugly Women of Scenario Paitball 2010 Calendar! Let's see if that sets them fuckers off into calling people tomorrow since Pam would be on the fucking cover, well she would need to be on both of them. ;)

Sexist Pig huh? How is that for sexism?

As we come to mark the day that will live in infamy, I am like most real men, wondering where the great generals are in the world. I have been doing a lot of reading these off days and prepping for the Free Finale with books on strategy and such. But I decided to dust off my Patton books and take a read. Got so engrossed, I broke out the DVD and watched it...... twice. Anyone who truly knows me, knows that one of my favorite commanders was Patton, followed up by Sherman. Funny coming from a guy born and raised in the South and a follower of some of the great southern generals as well. Anyone who knows Patton, knows that a lot of my personae of TB is taken from the man. I am a true believer in 'visible leadership' (look it up, dammit) and I truly believe that there is nothing to be gained by being PC and not speaking from the truth. But today I want you to see the clip, if you have watched Patton then you know what the scene is, if not, well maybe it will inspire you to get to know one of the greatest generals who strapped on ivory handled pistols and went to war. I have also put on here the actual speech that he said since the movie felt the need to edit it and 'tone down' the language, now where have I heard that before.

Enjoy!

DStrat | MySpace Video

The Speech

Somewhere in England

June 5th, 1944

The big camp buzzed with a tension. For hundreds of eager rookies, newly arrived from the states, it was a great day in their lives. This day marked their first taste of the "real thing". Now they were not merely puppets in brown uniforms. They were not going through the motions of soldiering with three thousand miles of ocean between them and English soil. They were actually in the heart of England itself. They were waiting for the arrival of that legendary figure, Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. Old "Blood and Guts" himself, about whom many a colorful chapter would be written for the school boys of tomorrow. Patton of the brisk, purposeful stride. Patton of the harsh, compelling voice, the lurid vocabulary, the grim and indomitable spirit that carried him and his Army to glory in Africa and Sicily. They called him "America's Fightingest General". He was no desk commando. He was the man who was sent for when the going got rough and a fighter was needed. He was the most hated and feared American of all on the part of the German Army.

Patton was coming and the stage was being set. He would address a move which might have a far reaching effect on the global war that, at the moment, was a TOP-SECRET in the files in Washington, D.C.

The men saw the camp turn out "en masse" for the first time and in full uniform, too. Today their marching was not lackadaisical. It was serious and the men felt the difference. From the lieutenants in charge of the companies on down in rank they felt the difference.

In long columns they marched down the hill from the barracks. They counted cadence while marching. They turned off to the left, up the rise and so on down into the roped off field where the General was to speak. Gold braid and stripes were everywhere. Soon, company by company, the hillside was a solid mass of brown. It was a beautiful fresh English morning. The tall trees lined the road and swayed gently in the breeze. Across the field, a British farmer calmly tilled his soil. High upon a nearby hill a group of British soldiers huddled together, waiting for the coming of the General. Military Police were everywhere wearing their white leggings, belts, and helmets. They were brisk and grim. The twittering of the birds in the trees could be heard above the dull murmur of the crowd and soft, white clouds floated lazily overhead as the men settled themselves and lit cigarettes.

On the special platform near the speakers stand, Colonels and Majors were a dime a dozen. Behind the platform stood General Patton's "Guard of Honor"; all specially chosen men. At their right was a band playing rousing marches while the crowd waited and on the platform a nervous sergeant repeatedly tested the loudspeaker. The moment grew near and the necks began to crane to view the tiny winding road that led to Stourport-on-Severn. A captain stepped to the microphone. "When the General arrives," he said sonorously, "the band will play the Generals March and you will all stand at attention."

By now the rumor had gotten around that Lieutenant General Simpson, Commanding General of the Fourth Army, was to be with General Patton. The men stirred expectantly. Two of the big boys in one day!

At last, the long black car, shining resplendently in the bright sun, roared up the road, preceded by a jeep full of Military Police. A dead hush fell over the hillside. There he was! Impeccably dressed. With knee high, brown, gleaming boots, shiny helmet, and his Colt .45 Peacemaker swinging in its holster on his right side.

Patton strode down the incline and then straight to the stiff backed "Guard of Honor". He looked them up and down. He peered intently into their faces and surveyed their backs. He moved through the ranks of the statuesque band like an avenging wraith and, apparently satisfied, mounted the platform with Lieutenant General Simpson and Major General Cook, the Corps Commander, at his side.

Major General Cook then introduced Lieutenant General Simpson, whose Army was still in America, preparing for their part in the war.

"We are here", said General Simpson, "to listen to the words of a great man. A man who will lead you all into whatever you may face with heroism, ability, and foresight. A man who has proven himself amid shot and shell. My greatest hope is that some day soon, I will have my own Army fighting with his, side by side."

General Patton arose and strode swiftly to the microphone. The men snapped to their feet and stood silently. Patton surveyed the sea of brown with a grim look. "Be seated", he said. The words were not a request, but a command. The General's voice rose high and clear.

"Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight. When you, here, everyone of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players. Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American."

The General paused and looked over the crowd. "You are not all going to die," he said slowly. "Only two percent of you right here today would die in a major battle. Death must not be feared. Death, in time, comes to all men. Yes, every man is scared in his first battle. If he says he's not, he's a liar. Some men are cowards but they fight the same as the brave men or they get the hell slammed out of them watching men fight who are just as scared as they are. The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared. Some men get over their fright in a minute under fire. For some, it takes an hour. For some, it takes days. But a real man will never let his fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his innate manhood. Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base. Americans pride themselves on being He Men and they ARE He Men. Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are, and probably more so. They are not supermen."

"All through your Army careers, you men have bitched about what you call "chicken shit drilling". That, like everything else in this Army, has a definite purpose. That purpose is alertness. Alertness must be bred into every soldier. I don't give a fuck for a man who's not always on his toes. You men are veterans or you wouldn't be here. You are ready for what's to come. A man must be alert at all times if he expects to stay alive. If you're not alert, sometime, a German son-of-an-asshole-bitch is going to sneak up behind you and beat you to death with a sockful of shit!" The men roared in agreement.

Patton's grim expression did not change. "There are four hundred neatly marked graves somewhere in Sicily", he roared into the microphone, "All because one man went to sleep on the job". He paused and the men grew silent. "But they are German graves, because we caught the bastard asleep before they did". The General clutched the microphone tightly, his jaw out-thrust, and he continued, "An Army is a team. It lives, sleeps, eats, and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit. The bilious bastards who write that kind of stuff for the Saturday Evening Post don't know any more about real fighting under fire than they know about fucking!"

The men slapped their legs and rolled in glee. This was Patton as the men had imagined him to be, and in rare form, too. He hadn't let them down. He was all that he was cracked up to be, and more. He had IT!

"We have the finest food, the finest equipment, the best spirit, and the best men in the world", Patton bellowed. He lowered his head and shook it pensively. Suddenly he snapped erect, faced the men belligerently and thundered, "Why, by God, I actually pity those poor sons-of-bitches we're going up against. By God, I do". The men clapped and howled delightedly. There would be many a barracks tale about the "Old Man's" choice phrases. They would become part and parcel of Third Army's history and they would become the bible of their slang.

"My men don't surrender", Patton continued, "I don't want to hear of any soldier under my command being captured unless he has been hit. Even if you are hit, you can still fight back. That's not just bull shit either. The kind of man that I want in my command is just like the lieutenant in Libya, who, with a Luger against his chest, jerked off his helmet, swept the gun aside with one hand, and busted the hell out of the Kraut with his helmet. Then he jumped on the gun and went out and killed another German before they knew what the hell was coming off. And, all of that time, this man had a bullet through a lung. There was a real man!"

Patton stopped and the crowd waited. He continued more quietly, "All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters, either. Every single man in this Army plays a vital role. Don't ever let up. Don't ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain. What if every truck driver suddenly decided that he didn't like the whine of those shells overhead, turned yellow, and jumped headlong into a ditch? The cowardly bastard could say, "Hell, they won't miss me, just one man in thousands". But, what if every man thought that way? Where in the hell would we be now? What would our country, our loved ones, our homes, even the world, be like? No, Goddamnit, Americans don't think like that. Every man does his job. Every man serves the whole. Every department, every unit, is important in the vast scheme of this war. The ordnance men are needed to supply the guns and machinery of war to keep us rolling. The Quartermaster is needed to bring up food and clothes because where we are going there isn't a hell of a lot to steal. Every last man on K.P. has a job to do, even the one who heats our water to keep us from getting the 'G.I. Shits'."

Patton paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "Each man must not think only of himself, but also of his buddy fighting beside him. We don't want yellow cowards in this Army. They should be killed off like rats. If not, they will go home after this war and breed more cowards. The brave men will breed more brave men. Kill off the Goddamned cowards and we will have a nation of brave men. One of the bravest men that I ever saw was a fellow on top of a telegraph pole in the midst of a furious fire fight in Tunisia. I stopped and asked what the hell he was doing up there at a time like that. He answered, "Fixing the wire, Sir". I asked, "Isn't that a little unhealthy right about now?" He answered, "Yes Sir, but the Goddamned wire has to be fixed". I asked, "Don't those planes strafing the road bother you?" And he answered, "No, Sir, but you sure as hell do!" Now, there was a real man. A real soldier. There was a man who devoted all he had to his duty, no matter how seemingly insignificant his duty might appear at the time, no matter how great the odds. And you should have seen those trucks on the road to Tunisia. Those drivers were magnificent. All day and all night they rolled over those son-of-a-bitching roads, never stopping, never faltering from their course, with shells bursting all around them all of the time. We got through on good old American guts. Many of those men drove for over forty consecutive hours. These men weren't combat men, but they were soldiers with a job to do. They did it, and in one hell of a way they did it. They were part of a team. Without team effort, without them, the fight would have been lost. All of the links in the chain pulled together and the chain became unbreakable."

The General paused and stared challengingly over the silent ocean of men. One could have heard a pin drop anywhere on that vast hillside. The only sound was the stirring of the breeze in the leaves of the bordering trees and the busy chirping of the birds in the branches of the trees at the General's left.

"Don't forget," Patton barked, "you men don't know that I'm here. No mention of that fact is to be made in any letters. The world is not supposed to know what the hell happened to me. I'm not supposed to be commanding this Army. I'm not even supposed to be here in England. Let the first bastards to find out be the Goddamned Germans. Some day I want to see them raise up on their piss-soaked hind legs and howl, 'Jesus Christ, it's the Goddamned Third Army again and that son-of-a-fucking-bitch Patton'."

"We want to get the hell over there", Patton continued, "The quicker we clean up this Goddamned mess, the quicker we can take a little jaunt against the purple pissing Japs and clean out their nest, too. Before the Goddamned Marines get all of the credit."

The men roared approval and cheered delightedly. This statement had real significance behind it. Much more than met the eye and the men instinctively sensed the fact. They knew that they themselves were going to play a very great part in the making of world history. They were being told as much right now. Deep sincerity and seriousness lay behind the General's colorful words. The men knew and understood it. They loved the way he put it, too, as only he could.

Patton continued quietly, "Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get the bastards who started it. The quicker they are whipped, the quicker we can go home. The shortest way home is through Berlin and Tokyo. And when we get to Berlin", he yelled, "I am personally going to shoot that paper hanging son-of-a-bitch Hitler. Just like I'd shoot a snake!"

"When a man is lying in a shell hole, if he just stays there all day, a German will get to him eventually. The hell with that idea. The hell with taking it. My men don't dig foxholes. I don't want them to. Foxholes only slow up an offensive. Keep moving. And don't give the enemy time to dig one either. We'll win this war, but we'll win it only by fighting and by showing the Germans that we've got more guts than they have; or ever will have. We're not going to just shoot the sons-of-bitches, we're going to rip out their living Goddamned guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks. We're going to murder those lousy Hun cocksuckers by the bushel-fucking-basket. War is a bloody, killing business. You've got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. Rip them up the belly. Shoot them in the guts. When shells are hitting all around you and you wipe the dirt off your face and realize that instead of dirt it's the blood and guts of what once was your best friend beside you, you'll know what to do!"

"I don't want to get any messages saying, "I am holding my position." We are not holding a Goddamned thing. Let the Germans do that. We are advancing constantly and we are not interested in holding onto anything, except the enemy's balls. We are going to twist his balls and kick the living shit out of him all of the time. Our basic plan of operation is to advance and to keep on advancing regardless of whether we have to go over, under, or through the enemy. We are going to go through him like crap through a goose; like shit through a tin horn!"

"From time to time there will be some complaints that we are pushing our people too hard. I don't give a good Goddamn about such complaints. I believe in the old and sound rule that an ounce of sweat will save a gallon of blood. The harder WE push, the more Germans we will kill. The more Germans we kill, the fewer of our men will be killed. Pushing means fewer casualties. I want you all to remember that."

The General paused. His eagle like eyes swept over the hillside. He said with pride, "There is one great thing that you men will all be able to say after this war is over and you are home once again. You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great World War II, you WON'T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, "Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana." No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, "Son, your Granddaddy rode with the Great Third Army and a Son-of-a-Goddamned-Bitch named Georgie Patton!"

Yes it is that time of the year again. For those that don't know I am a former Marine, and well November 10th will always be special to me and my fellow brothers. As it should be, most if not all Marines will tell you that they were proud to serve and happy to be part of one of the finest branches of military service out there. While I would normally tell you that all were valuable, today on our birthday, I will step up and proudly say that we do more with less, we are the first to fight and we take no shit off of anyone. I have included the 2009 message from the Commandant and the SGT Major of the Marine Corps.

There are two quotes that have always reminded me of my heritage as a Marine and one I have passed on to others. Here they are;

"You earned the title "Marine" upon graduation from boot recruit training. It wasn't willed to you; it isn't a gift. It is not a government subsidy. Few can claim the title; no one can take it away. It is yours forever."
Tom Barlett - Leatherneck Magazine

and

I was that which others did not want to be,
I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do,
I asked nothing from those that gave nothing and reluctantly
accepted the thought of eternal loneliness should I fail,
I have cried, pained and hoped; but most of all I have lived times others
would say are best forgotten.
At least one day I can be proud of what I was and will ALWAYS be... "A United States Marine!"

Happy Birthday, Devil Dogs!

Semper Fidelis from the Marine Corps Band!

And the Marine Hymn! How can any birthday not be celebrated without some pagent and posh? ;)

Yep, see here in Texas, we have to break for the summer. I am not a huge fan of playing in 100+ degree heat, but that's just me. Some people try the night only games, but considering the amount of questionable playing as goes at night in a regular scenario, the all night events are worse (trust me, I have played a few). People want to blame the night vision guys, but hell, if you won't walk when you got shot by a guy with no nightvision, then you are causing the whole system to break down (more on that in a later article).

But the summer break season is coming to an end. Soon, me and the team will be back on the road, laying waste and making haterz. While it would be nice to make some friends, haterz are a lot easier in the fickle world of scenario paintball. Some people may have noticed a huge decrease in the events that we have attended and plan on attending this year. The revocation of playing Viper Scenarios, threw all of us off, along with the edition of new players and getting everyone used to the parts of the country we want to play.

2010 will be the next real breakout year for Thunderstruck, as this year has been a rebuild year with the departure of former team mates and the melding of the new. We haven't done too badly this year as we have taken an award at every major event where the team was represented by more than one player.

As far as the 'silence' here and online that some have emailed me about or alluded to on other forums, sorry, but the reasons are not what they are giving. I have taken a much needed break this summer, and with the constant changing of the sport these days, there isn't much to talk about. Some scenario promoters are failing, others retiring and more scaling back their events. I could report on each one, but is there a real need to each time they stub a toe?

As for taking them to task over perceived issues I have, I think that unless they just screw something up, the 'free' consultation days are over. I will be glad to discuss generalities, but the specifics of helping them, well I don't get paid to do that. And having been in close with 2 National Promoters and the issues that have come due to that, have soured me on the whole 'helping' them make their games better.

On the other subject being spread about me on several forums, all I have to say about that is realize who it is coming from and their reasons for spreading lies. I am not going to justify my time in the Marines nor am I going to discuss anything about it here or anywhere else online, other than what is listed below. You want to know and feel you have a right, feel free to approach me in person, I will happily discuss it with you. As for what you or anyone else is 'entitled' too, sorry, I don't agree with that and that is all there is to say about that. My time in the Marines is my personal view, and I don't push that on anyone. I have used it to frame discussions, and to provide insight when others have questioned my knowledge on things. I am not known in this sport as a Marine or anything attached to my time in the service. I have known about this issue almost a year ago and been dealing with it for quite some time. It will get resolved, I am sure, or it won't. People don't need more reasons to not like me or hate on me, but if this is what they really need to justify their dislike, nothing I say or do will change that. The very appearance of something being wrong is enough in these days to destroy someone's reputation, hence why I have never put much stock in a reputation in scenario paintball but to myself and my team mates. Besides, people who love to be anonymous get no answers from me and they don't deserve any. Man the hell up and say who you are and why you should know and why I should answer you. I am not a promoters, nor am I associated with any of them. I do not own a field nor am I sponsored by any company. So until you come up to me personally or dial my digits and identify yourself, I don't have a fucking word to say to you. And guess what, that is my right as a citizen of this country. And that is all that will be said about that.

As for the 2010 schedule, we will be finishing that up as the promoters on the coasts finish up, but we will be on the East and West Coast more next year as well as in the midwest at some new and unique fields. More on that then!

Shooting Hot is coming soon, and I am excited to see the new magazine and format If Furby and crew get half of the stuff done they want to, it will be very cool.

So I have gotten a few of these in the mail in the last few months and I have been remiss not to review them. I’ll be honest, after reading them all, I am not a better scenario player. But that is just me to be sure. I will say this about them, they are a step in the right direction. However the problem with all of them is that none of them approach that someone needs more then these books provide. The deals that all of them sell is that you can pick up book X and become a scenario master and well that just isn’t the case. However this time out I will review two books by Don ‘Badger’ Grubish and next time out I will look at a few of the others.

I talked with Don a few months ago after he attended a game at Tactical Paintball here in Texas and he actually submitted a few articles to Paintball 2 Xtremes. He had mentioned to me that he had written a few books about scenario paintball and I was intrigued to see them. So I asked him to send them to me to review and he did. However I dropped the ball on reviewing them and I am sure he feels I have forgotten about them. Don, I apologize for not getting this up sooner, but here it is nonetheless.

The first book is Scenario Paintball: Tips, Tools and Tactics from the Trenches and to be honest it is a pretty decent read for self help. What he has done is try to bridge the gap of military tactics (which don’t work in scenario paintball) and the multiple books, magazine articles and such that try to teach people paintball. I can honestly say that if you have never played scenario paintball, then this book will be a boon to you and your friends. There is a storyline that runs through the book that tries to get you to relate to the person the story is about and puts some of the things he talks about in layman’s terms with the characters in the story.

It covers the beginning of paintball, it’s evolution and things like how to choose a paintball marker, goggles and gear. It doesn’t go much into air systems and other items that might be needed at a scenario event, but it does do a good coverage of the basics of paintball. Next he goes into tactics and while he didn’t copy the US Army Infantry manual like so many others have done, there is still more ‘real world’ tactics then there needs to be. He also talks about some exercises and training tips to try and move yourself more into the thought process that a good scenario paintball player must be in when they take the field and he discusses some exotic weaponry. The rest of the book is filled with games that he touts as scenario paintball events but most people would think of as glorified rec ball games. Things like airborne, where you put people on a rope and drop them in a field one at a time or Predator, where one player is the predator the rest are hunted by or hunting the predator.

All of these items make for a great book for that type of mindset and the book is well worth the $13.00 that they go for. But I must say that there are some things I didn’t like about the book. First and foremost there is no mention of how scenario paintball came about. There is a history of scenario paintball, one that should be told and retold so that the people who play this game know how and why it came about. There is no mention of the pioneers of this genre of paintball, no mention of Wayne Dollack, Kerry ‘Viper’ Rosenberry, Diane ‘Mother’ Howe, Spiro ‘Blackcat’ Mamligas, Ben Toricelli and others. No mentions of the powerhouse teams of the 90’s like Blitzkrieg, Joint Fury, Air Assault, or of the new decade like Psycho Clown Posse, Delta Paintball, Thunderstruck, 1st MG or others.

I am sure that a lot of that comes from the lack of experience of the author in playing in real scenario paintball events and that brings me to the second part of my biggest issue with the book. You cannot pick up this book, read it and show up at one of the MAJOR producers games and succeed with just that knowledge alone. There is no talk of missions, or scoring or even roles. Now he does talk about roles such as commander and medic but not in the capacity of a scenario paintball game that most people would think of. They are more for the type of games that he has in his book. What this shows is that the field owners and smaller promoters who have taken the term scenario paintball and attempted to redefine it have really done a disservice to the genre and the pioneers who started it and still are involved in it. I don’t blame Don, I blame the fact that he hasn’t gotten out and played the major circuits to really understand what goes on there.

Also there was no talk of strategy only tactics, and that is not anywhere close to what scenario paintball is about. Tactics may get you there but strategy tells you why you are there, how long you have to be there and what happens if you fail or succeed while you are there. Maybe someone should patent Strategical Paintball and start teaching people that strategy is how you win, not tactics. But that is the subject of another column, that’s for sure.

As I said before I would recommend you getting this book since it does offer quite a bit of information but to name it what it was named just seems to off to me because as someone who has played a lot of scenario paintball, this book just wasn’t there.

Now Don has written a ‘sequel’ if you will to the first book, called Advanced Scenario Paintball and while it moves a little further towards what scenario paintball is, it is still woefully lacking in integration into an actual 24 hour scenario paintball event. He does cover tanks, some offensive and defensive actions, squad tactics and goes a little more into the terrain, terrain analysis and such, but there is still never any mention of how to use any of this in a true 24 hour scenario format.

There are nice pictures and there are some really neat looks at advanced tactics but in the end it is simply more of the first book. It does seem like he was told to cut the book in half and make two volumes. Again, it is well worth the $10.00 that it is going for on Amazon but you have to realize that when you get this book that you need to just use it as a starting point. There is still no mention of the major circuits mostly just the big games that he has attended or the events that the field owners have called scenario paintball. Case in point he attended Oklahoma D-Day, Skirmish D-Day and a Tactical Paintball 12 hour event and says that those events are scenario paintball. No sir, they are not. If you cam here from a google search for this book, you need to realize that there is a whole world of scenario paintball beyond those three events. In fact Tactical is nowhere near as close to a scenario event that even Skirmish or Oklahoma D-Day is.

In the end, I have been considering writing a real book on scenario paintball, but what would be the point? Too many people wouldn’t buy it just because it was written by me, and do I really want to try and help this lemmings any more then I do? The people that know, have the Book of TB and that is all that is important. Well at least to me, stay tuned and next time I will be talking to you about 2 scenario paintball books that are really a waste of money, that is unless you truly subscribe to the ‘Mil-Sim’ way of doing things and then this will be must have’s!!! Might even make the Special ops best seller tactical commander’s reading list! What there isn’t one of those? Damn, Jayson you haven’t patented that? I mean come on, paintball warrior’s reading list, you could rip off the Marines now that the Army has been taken by Tippmann.

Want to buy the above books? Here are the links:

Scenario Paintball: Tips, Tools and Tactics from the Trenches

Advanced Scenario Paintball

Want to know more about Don ‘Badger’ Grubish? Then click here.