Tuesday, February 10, 2015

They Need Better Toys

I really should be writing my MA thesis but I’ve been at it since 05:30 this morning and I need a break, so here are some Flickr photos that an army friend of mind told me about.

These are photos from a CAF image tech (we used to call them photographers) of EX SENECA RAM, a”validation exercise for the 1 CMBG (Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group) HQ command team and staff”,  In other words a Tactical Exercise Without Troops (TEWT), or what we in the hobby call a war-game.  This EX lasted from Jan 28 to Feb 6, so it was a lot of stress and suck for young officers under the gimlet eyes of the Brigadier and his deputies, but at least better than freezing in the field.

The keen-eyed among you will notice that the captain on the far right and the perplexed subaltern standing in the left centre are wearing the British-style officer’s rank badges on their slip ons, just like their grandfathers did, which apparently helps morale by building tradition.  Actually, I think it just confuses a whole generation, like moving from Imperial to Metric, but anyway.

The other observation, which I’m sure you’ve all made ahead of me, is that these fellows really need better toys.  I am proposing that war gamers adopt a Canadian Army unit or HQ and provide them with appropriate kit (and maybe trainers) to make these events more interesting.

 

Even with the Revolution in Military Affairs, a staff officer needs a big stick.

 

Worst. Table.  Ever.

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24 comments:

  1.  AshleyFebruary 10, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Don't they that they will never get them into the hobby with such poor models and terrain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mad PadreFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:54 PM

      Ashley, the lads need some of your VOPODS. Do it for Canada!

      Delete
  2. Stuart SFebruary 10, 2015 at 9:29 AM

    Crickey level a window open and you could lose a division :-)

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  3. Anibal InvictusFebruary 10, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    I couldn't believe my eyes!!
    Yes, you should launch a charity or a NGO to help the poor Canadian officers hainge a decent set of training toys
    Maybe Warlord or Artizan can become the first sponsors...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mad PadreFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:54 PM

      If they saw some of your Madrid Club's games, they'd be too embarrassed to keep training!

      Delete
  4. DaiFebruary 10, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Let me know, I'll be happy to purchase, put together and paint a 1/35th appropriate model or two for the cause! :)

    But seriously, no wonder those poor sods look underwhelmed by it all.

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    1. Mad PadreFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:56 PM

      Very kind of you, Dai. Actually, that may just be the look of staff pukes pushed beyond the bounds of human endurance. :)

      Delete
  5. Service Ration Distribution (Hobby)February 10, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Once upon a time the RCT and RAOC, now the RLC, used a job lot of Lego for their logistical exercises. Well done Canada, make best use of what you have and do without that which you cannot get. As for the 'pips' their grandfathers wore CANLOAN officers were highly prized by the British Army.

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  6. commissarmoodyFebruary 10, 2015 at 11:36 AM

    We would buy, a bag of green and tan plastic "Army" men and use them for are sand/terrain boxes. Best part being we could blow them up when we took them to the field.

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  7. Pendragon WithoutFebruary 10, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    I've been to a few shows now, but this is the worst demo game I've seen!

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  8. JamesFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    I like the new/old pips!

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    1. Mad PadreFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:57 PM

      You would. You'd be wearing serge battledress and puttees if you could. Not as bad as Cameron, Donald, but almost.

      Delete
    2. JamesFebruary 10, 2015 at 8:05 PM

      Rifles are green. Everyone else should be kahki.

      Delete
  9. stylerFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    I see that Timmy's is the official coffee of Canadian war games.

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    Replies
    1. Mad PadreFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:56 PM

      There's a reason that a Timmy's double double is called a "NATO standard".

      Delete
  10. Colonel ScipioFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    A nice little snapshot padre, thanks for sharing. When I give orders in a model pit I use 28mm Empress Taliban as the 'Enemy Forces' markers - liberally varnished of course.

    They are prized items for the lads to steal, but I'm happy to say that none have been swiped just yet...

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  11. Mad PadreFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:57 PM

    We're saving our money for the jetpacks. They promised us jetpacks.

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  12. Grenzer JohnFebruary 10, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    Let me know what's needed. You can't imagine what is stored in my garage!

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    Replies
    1. Grenzer JohnFebruary 10, 2015 at 8:21 PM

      How about we each donate a bag of "green plastic army men" for the cause?

      Delete
  13. Pete.February 10, 2015 at 3:27 PM

    You start thesis work at 5.30am, got to admire that, that's usually the time I call it quits for the night....

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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  14. irishhighlanderFebruary 10, 2015 at 6:07 PM

    I like the traditional pips means you can remember them easier! No more trying to see how wide the bars are anymore

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    Replies
    1. Mad PadreFebruary 12, 2015 at 8:28 AM

      That was always a challenge, especially the sneaky half bar for Majors.

      Delete
  15. JamesFebruary 10, 2015 at 8:08 PM

    Maybe Gaming models could do some of their cheap and cheerful resin stuff. My 1/72nd scale kits would never get assembled!

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  16. JPFebruary 14, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    I'm saying nothing -my gaming mat is a green towel!

    ReplyDelete