Uniforms

A uniforms signifies your country of service, military branch, unit, your rank, and the environment around you. In the sport of Airsoft a uniform can represent your team or organization you are apart of. The key parts to creating good uniforms; the local environment, your playing style, historical resemblance, and avoidance of stolen valor. So lets break each part down into simpler terms.

Local Environment

Depending on where you play airsoft constantly, determines the uniform you create. Your local natural environment around you is a determining factor on the camouflage pattern of the uniform. For example your playing environment is the woods, so you need woodland camouflage. Woodland camouflage colors are usually blacks, greens, and browns; camouflage is used to break up your silhouette when you are hiding on the ground or in vegetation. So you have you woodland camo top and bottoms, all you need is your kit, boots and gloves. In order to keep with the colors scheme of woodland camo, you boots and gloves should be black. With you plate carrier, you want to break up that solid black or brown vest with other colors. There might be a woodland camouflage plate carrier in the market, but if you want a cheap and temporary cover up, for you solid color carrier; use black or duct tape and electrical tape to create irregular shapes. If you don't know what color or camouflage style you want your uniform to be, go outside and look at the local natural landscape and vegetation around you.

Personal Playing Style

Depending on your personal playing style determines the functionality of the uniform. If you are more of a speed softer, you want something light and can carry a good amount of magazines. If you more of a milsim player, the uniform should resemble a milsim style of uniform. Whatever your playing style, you can create the perfect uniform that fits your style. It takes experimentation and trial and error to design the uniform.

Historical Recreation

If you are fan of history and you want your uniform to resemble a particular era, unit, and branch of service; do research on the time and what the uniforms looked like and try to recreate it as close to the reference as possible. Some Airsofters try to recreate uniforms from WWII or Vietnam because they are some of the most recognizable uniforms in military history and history in general. The most important thing is research in order to create an accurate representation of that particular uniform from that historical period.

Stolen Valor and how to Avoid it

Stolen Valor is when a non military member poses as highly decorated, or in a uniform trying to get attention from other people. Stolen Valor is using ranks, certification, unit insignias, in order to get discounts or attention from people who don't know anything about the military. When creating any type of uniform shy away from ranks, actual military unit insignias, certifications, and qualifications; try to keep it as plain as possible (If it's not a historical recreation of a particular uniform). Stolen Valor is illegal in the U.S. and is frowned upon by anyone who has served or knows anything about the military. So how do you avoid stolen valor if you aren't recreating a historical uniform? First, research military uniforms and use that research as inspiration and as a guide line. Second, make sure there aren't any thing on the uniform that will consider it stolen valor. Third, only wear the uniform when playing airsoft or at an airsoft event. To put it plain and simple use your common sense on your uniform creation.

Closing

I hope this helped a little bit and gave you guys some insights and taught you something. As always type you ideas for future articles, your thoughts, and I also have a vote going on a previous post about article ideas. The vote will end December 1st, and I will write an article about the topic that has the most votes. I am the Indian Rider and I am riding on for now.