Starting a place for post game chatter, I have some thoughts but I will have to post them later. Feel free to start without me.

EDIT (So Stalker doesn't whine about double posting):

As a first timer here are the my thoughts.
CONS:
I was expecting a little more organization from the Command Staff, and a little better officiating. Even the purple shirts really didn't know what was going on half the time.
PROS:
The sound of a thousand markers firing off over the beach at game on literally gave me a chill, the shear size of the field was impressive and having 3500 ballers on it at once was an experience I won't soon forget.

In spite of losing our tanks and getting pinned in Caen for most of the game I had a blast, I had a few moments where it was like shooting fish in a barrel, waves of Allied players coming at us and we got to mow them down.
After about 3 o'clock I completely lost all contact with any Joes so I ran with the 6th for while but they where just jacking around on the edges of Caen and not really making any attempt to push the Allies out, so I hooked up with 5 guys out of North Carolina and worked through the woods behind Caen towards Coleville, we got spotted by a group of Allies but we split our force and circled them while the others pinned them and easily took them out. After that we ambushed about 20 and took them out, only to be attacked from behind by a group of trigger happy Germans.
After the hike to the Coleville deadbox I was too tired and nearing heat exhaustion so I opted to stay in the deadbox and get a ride back to the lot after the game was over.
If I could change one thing for next year it would probably be changing Divisions, I'm not sure where but I'd like to be in a group that ranges across the field a little more. MWB really wants us to run American but personally I'm not sure I'm ready to make that drastic of a change.

What where your favorite parts?
What did you like and not like?
Thoughts on next year?

personally, there was quite a bit I'd change. first of all, their staff motivation and enthusiasm left much to be improved. I know it was hot and uncomfortable, but what did you expect in June, in Oklahoma? they were a lot short staffed and no one really seemed to have a good grasp on the rules. they need to do something about that, seriously! And don't even get me started on supply stations.
as far as where we were, and what were were involved in, I rather enjoyed it.
it wasn't too strenuous, which was nice, considering it was so damned hot.
my biggest beef about location was my own damned fault, as I don't have the range to be an effective player, for anything other than my eyes. I can't tell you guys how many times I would be standing next to a person with a flatline or APEX barrel and tell them that there was someone "In that direction" to fire in that direction and fall short of my target by several yards, and only then did my "Wingman" notice them and open fire... usually resulting in handing them the kill... (Getting an APEX barrel is #1 on my list of improvements)
also, if I could control the weather, I would make it about 20 degrees cooler, with a constant 5mph wind.
another thing is that we need to get everyone coordinated, with radios, on a wavelength that no one else uses. I saw my own team mates maybe 1/2 dozen times in the whole day, and that wasn't really what I signed up for. we need to be able to communicate when we get split up so that we can make our way back and group up again.

good job on the restrain there Snake Eyes

I'm strongly considering the Apex myself, but that's for another thread.

There where certainly some organizational issues, not the least of which was the shenanigans on the beach with the "battleships" and the lack of communication in regards to the rules of operation.

With Bailey no longer in charge of the German army or the 21st I really feel no allegiance. The 6th Fallschirmjäger (Green Devils) are the German answer to the Allied Airborne, they battle all over the field and are in the thick of some of the heaviest fights. Based on my knowledge of the German division at D-Day they are my current favorite, but I plan to do some digging to see if there's a place that's more suited to us.

Agreed....it was a bit hard to find most of us during the day. There was at least an hour in the afternoon where I saw no other Joes where I was. Although with all the constant chatter on the radios from the young kids out there I pretty much tuned my radio out. It's very easy to get separated at dday.

I'd be fine with a switch if that's what everyone else wants to do...but I'm definitely sticking with the Germans. No way in f'ing hell am I going to go running up those hills over and over as the Allies have to. Sorry, but in that heat I think I could manage 1 hill and I'd be calling for a medivac.

The refs did need to have a better clue as to what was going on and to put an end to the rampant cheating that the Allies were doing. It's really disappointing to see that many players resort to cheating. I'm sure it happened on the German side as well, but the overwhelming majority of cheaters I saw were Allied.

I'm still disappointed that I couldn't personally make it a bit longer in the game, but my body just couldn't take any more. I do believe that this was the hottest and most miserable year I remember playing down there. I'd guess that if we had started out in Utah again this year though that none of us would have lasted as long as we did. Fighting in the shade this year made a big difference for me personally.

Finally - I'm VERY glad I ran with the Apex. I was one of those that got that kills thanks to "spotters" that couldn't reach them with their standard barrels.

We have been going to DDay since 2004. Every year we have been Airborne. So for the past 7 years we have been huffing and puffing up and down those hills. Walk two miles through the hills before you engage an enemy. Die. Walk back through hills to spawn. Walk back across hills to engage enemy. Die. Repeat. After 7 years...it's getting pretty old. Plus, I'm not really a fan of mob on mob paintball anymore. The massive battles were awesome to be a part during our first couple of seasons down there, but those get old as well. Your team doesn't make that big of a difference in the grand scheme.

Although, smaller scenarios at the DDay field, such as Red Dawn or Black Hawk Down are incredible. You get to enjoy the incredible DDay field with only 200-400 people on it total. In those cases, EVERYONE matters and it's just a blast. Plus you get more time to spend with friends on the field and off. You don't really get seperated amidst the chaos. But....DDay next year I don't know fellas. I was not feeling it this year. The same old thing. I'm not sure if we will go next year at all. We might break the tradition. If we do, we might have to go German and switch things up. Or we might just hit a smaller scenario down there instead.

So if we do go next year, and roll German we will definitely have to hook up. In the meantime, we are looking forward to Hurtgenwald! DEUTSCHLAND!!!!

I have only been attending D-Day for the last 3 years, but I must say it has been worth the experience. I was happy to not be on Utah beach this year, but missed fighting in the airfield and at the church. Unless the Joes can complete a tank & crew next year, I'm thinking I like Hoot's suggestion of a more intimate scenario. Would be a great chance to see more of the field, and be able to utilize more tactical play.

Hoot,
Are the other scenarios reffed/controlled a little better, and how's the level of player conduct by comparison? Since D-Day is pretty crazy, I tend to witness a lot of questionable play by both sides. I would think that the smaller events allow for players to hold each other to a higher standards surrounding the rules.

As for Hurtgenwald, I'm extremely happy to have representation from the MWBs with us as Germans. I already feel sorry for the Allied scum.

I'll speak for myself in saying that I'd go down for a smaller game if MWB was going. It would be a blast to team up and wreak some havoc together!

Tunnel Rat_AJ wrote:
I have only been attending D-Day for the last 3 years, but I must say it has been worth the experience. I was happy to not be on Utah beach this year, but missed fighting in the airfield and at the church. Unless the Joes can complete a tank & crew next year, I'm thinking I like Hoot's suggestion of a more intimate scenario. Would be a great chance to see more of the field, and be able to utilize more tactical play.

Hoot,
Are the other scenarios reffed/controlled a little better, and how's the level of player conduct by comparison? Since D-Day is pretty crazy, I tend to witness a lot of questionable play by both sides. I would think that the smaller events allow for players to hold each other to a higher standards surrounding the rules.

As for Hurtgenwald, I'm extremely happy to have representation from the MWBs with us as Germans. I already feel sorry for the Allied scum.

Oh yeah, it's a lot easier to ref and maintain control is those smaller games. Granted, with any event you will have some cheating. But it's not blatant and happening all the time such as it does during the big DDay game. We didn't have any problem with it at Red Dawn last year. In fact, Red Dawn may have been the greatest scenario I have ever played in. For those familiar with the movie, we played as the Wolverines with a few friends from the DDay community. We got to partake in some of the greatest pball play I have been a part of in the scenario world. The Rocket Mission was INSANE. I can't even describe it on here, remind me the next time I see you boys. Same with the Ambush. The rest of the allies were stationed in the old Brecourt. The Russians were invading from Caen in the south, heading north past Pegasus. The 20 Wolverines were tasked with ambushing 200 Russians. The Russians sent in their Spetnaz using two actual APCs, followed by columns of troops on foot. The slaughter that took place....the success of our ambush....again...a thing of legend my friends lol. Yes, Red Dawn was incredible. Equal to my first DDay. That Ambush story as well must be told in person.

Sounds really cool. I'd love to hear more about it.

I'm thinking I'd be more inclined to check out one of these smaller games next year. Please keep us posted if you end up having a group travel down.