Oklahoma: Why men dress in Russian military uniforms

Men in Oklahoma are dressed in Russian military uniforms

The constructed reality of the images and sounds of war, but without its trauma, is what pulled Mason into this false battle. In this game, the war in Ukraine has never happened. On the contrary, he plays in Russia, in a dystopian world where George Bush, in his sixth term as president, rallies NATO to invade the country.

Participants camp for two nights amid hail, thunderstorms, tornado warnings and heavy rainfall. By the end, dozens of them had given up.

Men who play NATO forces heading toward the final fantastic battle on the last day of military simulation

How did the true war help

This simulation did not start that way. Josh Warren started Milsim West in 2011 with his business partner Brian Clarkson. He never imagined that Russia would invade Ukraine or that his business would develop despite the violence on the other side of the world. It has about twelve simulations a year across the country and can attract hundreds of hundred to more than a thousand people.

The battles offer companionship to friends who are interested in a hobby known as Airsoft, where two groups fight with each other with weapons shooting plastic pellets. The events do not concern current events, said Mr Warren, a veteran of the US Army. He is strictly in the realm of imagination, he said.

But for many of the participants, the Russian invasion of Ukraine serves as a reference point for choosing the uniforms, emblems and copies of their rifles.

Many players buy flocks of uniforms. However, some players in the Russian team may buy uniforms from military surplus stores that supply their goods directly from the Ukraine battlefields, according to people who know the supply chain.

Participants on the part of NATO forces return to their base in a shooting range during a storm

The Russian invasion of Ukraine serves as a reference point in choosing their costumes, emblems and copies of their rifles

Many players buy flocks of uniforms. However, some Russian team players may buy uniforms from shops with military surplus

All participants had food, water, roof and other equipment such as pellets for their airsoft weapons to withstand nearly two days in the field

Uniforms directly from true battles

The Surplus Store Kino, an online retail shop selling uniforms and equipment, is run by a Russian -vulnerable man who buys recycled Russian equipment in « trophy » markets in Ukraine.

An employee at a military surplus store in the United States, who sells Russian equipment recovered in Ukraine, said his company is trying to supply its products morally. This means that they avoid selling blood -covered uniforms and other human residues, he said, but importers sometimes fail to identify the history of objects.

« We don’t pay much importance, » he said.

Shawn Prosen, 36, an employee working in the field during simulations, said he is categorically opposed to the use of « trophy » costumes due to the ongoing conflict.

« I showed the younger guys how I feel about it, » Mr Prosen said. « Because they can be trapped online and not realize how true they are. »

Prosen is in a unique position. A former US military soldier who was developed with the Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan, is a hybrid guide and leader of a squadron for Milsim West, guiding his clients on a battlefield that is not without discomfort.

Many of the younger participants, especially those who are thinking of classifying the army, see Mr Prosen and other staff members as mentors or paternal figures. Veterans or active military people see them as trainers who help them improve their skills.

Shawn Prosen, left, a former US military soldier, informed his Russian squad before the start of the battle

Members of simulated Russian forces are known for the spirit of their armed forces and adhere to the strict aesthetics of uniform appearance

« We will kill some NATO troops »

As the fantastic « fall of the Salad » began, Mason, the high school student from North Oklahoma, met with his unit. He had stuck in his backpack a white « Z » – a symbol in favor of the war worn by Russian forces in occupied Ukraine.

Mr Prosen inspected his squad, which consisted almost entirely of Russians. He was confirmed that they had a proper shelter and plenty of food, water and other equipment, including BB beads, to withstand nearly two days on the battlefield. With the rain approaching, he would wait for them a long night.

« We will kill some NATO troops, » a Russian soldier exclaimed.

« It’s fun to be the bad, » said another, whose uniform was so accurate that it included a zone bucket from a Russian army.

Another attende wrote with a false Russian accent « I am from the District of Texas », using the term that indicates administrative borders in Russia and in some post -Soviet states, including Ukraine.

Arturo Wells, 18, a high school graduate from Las Vegas, wandered the battlefield with his squad, waiting for Mr Warren’s briefing before the battle.

Participants use night vision devices to continue battles after dark

A player in NATO forces rests during a break in a night battle

It was almost night when Milsim’s co -founder arrived, and about 100 players gathered around him. After more than a decade, he had converted security instructions into a comic routine.

He looked at the rules, the boundaries of the game, what to do in the event of a shooting (how to look for the players (with his consent) and finally the Milsim oath. Something like an oath.

« All raise your right hand and repeat behind me, » Mr Warren shouted. « I’m a fool of war, playing foolish war games. »