Virtual military

A Virtual Military Organization (VMO) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses simulation to model the operations of a military.[1][2] Virtual Military Organizations generally have a presence on the internet, similar to real military organizations. There are some VMOs of significance currently active. The most VMOs, or MILSIM (Military Simulation) units play on casual dates. Some VMO operations are played [2] with thousands of participants involved at any one time. Similar to gaming clans, the key difference is that VMOs are realism groups, focusing on following real life procedures as much as possible. A quick search on google[3] will reveal quite a few VMOs that go to varying degrees of depth to pursue their goal.

Each VMO or MILSIM unit has their own simulation set. Some will just simulate a US Army unit, or other US military branch. In some cases, you might see VMOs simulating a local army/military unit of a country other than the US. Most VMOs offer a rank system based on their nation. In some cases, VMOs may form their own custom rank system. Also, they offer courses.

A standard organization of a MILSIM/VMO

Realism vs Immersion

Each VMO chooses to either follow an immersive style, or a realism, or a combination of both. While all VMOs will incorporate a rank, some go as far as implementing a Military Logistics system,[4] including an economics model.[1] Also, some groups go as far as making custom debriefing reports [5]

While each has its benefits and followers, a mix between the two seems to be the most popular option.[6]

Some VMOs can be creative by making their own custom paint schemes,[7][8] medals and award ribbons,[9] rank insignias, and even weapons, vehicles, aircraft [10] and bases [11][12] (Air bases mostly developed for Flight Simulator X).

Some groups tend to form a sort of, historical, political, and battle image or reputation over time. They support various causes and styles of order/law or internal hierarchy structures. Some groups might go as far to form specific government types, ranging from Communism to Fascism, Democracy to Monarchy, and so on. At times, there are even Anarchist rebel groups, or militias that form temporarily. Groups might even grow to form into completely custom government entities or structures, and on into resembling small nations, with their own flags and codes of honor. This mostly takes place in the groups that are part of the ITTN VR-World Community, but this might occur elsewhere. The ITTN basically serves as a hub for VMOs that operate and interact politically in a Virtual Reality Political World, commonly referred to as "The VW, or THE MAP."

Games

There are some popular games used by the VMO community including ARMA, Darkest Hour: Europe '44-'45 and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Falcon BMS and Digital Combat Simulator are also popular. A few units play games like Call of Duty or Battlefield, but mostly those are semi MILSIM or VMO.

The most recent launched games popular with Realism Units / Virtual Military groups are Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad, America's Army, ARMA 3 and the new Microsoft Flight.

Reception

It has been reported that Virtual Military groups which originated within the flight simulation genre are once thought to not be as active as previously.[2]

Today, there are multiple groups attempting to bring back the flight simulation genre of virtual military groups/factions. The reason being, is so that multiple factions can engage over different parts of the world, using real time and weather settings, creating a realistic virtual world and possible combat scenario. This, combined with multiple factions interacting politically with trades and sometimes political disputes, using different parts of the world as their homelands, may have conflicts involving combat. Members of different groups may find their group on the brink of war with another virtual military over conflicts of interest. They may be called upon to serve in virtual combat against another group. In this, factions have their own assets, their own territory, and count possible losses when they occur. Each faction may award custom medals and awards for the service their members give. Much like a real military would. However, some groups may never enter a conflict or war, but that's not to say the group can get involved secretly, to where covert or black operations can be conducted, which would involve deep espionage, infiltration and high valued targets for pilots, special forces on the ground, and even spies infiltrating the ranks of their home factions targeted faction. Some groups develop enough and go as far as having their own custom Intelligence Agency Network. Intelligence is sometimes key in winning cold wars that may never go hot. Where black operations play a big role in the armpit sweating tank shells excitement occurs. High risk, high secrecy.

Notable VMOs





See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Van West, Jeff; Kevin Lane-Cummings (2007). Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 672–685. ISBN 0-7645-8822-2.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Regis, Ed (2009-01-01). "Welcome to Cyberairspace". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
  3. ↑ http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=virtual+military&start=10&sa=N
  4. ↑ http://www.usecforce.com/logistics
  5. ↑ http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/92/15/61/debrie10.png
  6. ↑ http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1056894
  7. ↑ https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10547463_1522418767972451_6607280206393203571_n.jpg
  8. ↑ https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/10489726_1522425434638451_1825652804373640243_n.png
  9. ↑ http://www.freewebs.com/gpeo2/awards.htm
  10. ↑ https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10957870_794999093917182_5585059688634677702_n.jpg?oh=03d56baf423639c97ec316c60989bcce&oe=55942422
  11. ↑ http://freedomsimx.webs.com/Wadol.jpg
  12. ↑ http://secure.simmarket.com/images/products/0/0b/4758/28996_Siberut%20Air%20Base%20-%206-3-10%20MAP.jpg
  13. ↑ http://www.46thmeucommunity.us/userlist
  14. ↑ http://personnel.29th.org//
  15. ↑ http://www.steelbeasts.org
  16. ↑ http://www.476vfightergroup.com/
  17. ↑ http://www.users.on.net/~jase_ash/index.html
  18. ↑ 1591214891104320//

External links