Magic in the Military?

[boasnapes]

Hey everyone,

I am going to be entering the US Air Force later this year, (I ship out for basic training Sept. 1st), and was just wondering if there is a significant amount of servicemen who play?

I would also like to know if there are Type One tournaments held for the military servicemen? I belive I read about one that was DCI sanctioned, but this was a few months ago, and I could not find any more information about it.

Chances are I will be shipped out to Europe or Asia, seeing as I will be working on heavy aircraft or cargo planes(I will be an Air Crew Chief to be precise), and they need to be located near major bases. Hopefully I can get stationed in Germany as the major bases are, like, an hour from Dulmen and Eindhoven.

I am planning on buying a full set of power this summer, and would like to make sure I can use it in the coming years. Thanks to anyone with any information.

boasnapes

[darkmindtone]

Hey, good luck with the enlistment.  I'm in the Air Force too, and stationed in Dover, De.  I don't have too much of a Type 1 scene around here (all budget stuff like FCG, Egg-Academy, RecSur, Sui, Sligh, and Landstill), but I plan on at least going to that Waterbury event if I can.  If I can get into more Type 1 competition, then I'll probably get some power too.  As for the Military sanctioned tournies, well, I don't know too much about that.  I saw there is something for Military at Regionals or something on the Wizards page, but I'm not sure the specifics of that.

[type1playa]

i think that the only dci sanctioned tournys in the military are you basic block or type 2 tournys.  i'm leaving this may for a four year enlistment and i've e-mailed back and forth with a few people.  the normal reply is that most guys play at the local card shops or whatever or they play with a few friends on base.  i just sold 4 taigas to a guy in floridia that says he plays everyday on his lunch break.  he also said that he's been to a few bases and has never been to one that doesn't have somebody that plays magic.  hope that helps.  
joe

[illuzion]

Are you looking for sanctioned play or just random casual?

Good sanctioned tournaments can be hard to find in some places, but you can usually find a handful of scrubs playing casual on any given base.

Chances are I will be shipped out to Europe or Asia, seeing as I will be working on heavy aircraft or cargo planes(I will be an Air Crew Chief to be precise), and they need to be located near major bases. Hopefully I can get stationed in Germany as the major bases are, like, an hour from Dulmen and Eindhoven.

As a first term airman, how do you figure "chances are" that you'll be shipped overseas?  There are plenty of AMC bases in the states and you could end up at one of them. I'm not saying you won't get an overseas assignment, I'm just letting you know you shouldn't get your hopes up.

If you end up at Sheppard for tech school, there's a store called Pegasus Loft right outside the gate which is within walking distance from where I was billeted.  I went to one tourney while I was there for 7-level school... it was small, unsanctioned, type 2 & mostly scrubs.  I placed 2nd with an absolute pile.  Unfortunately, this sort of magic scene is typical in some places...

If you have enough of a following, becoming a tournament organizer and holding regular tournaments is a good way of getting sanctioned play close to the base, while generating interest (your upcoming tournaments could be found on wizard's tourney locator).  Of course, as a crew chief, it can be difficult to hold your scheduled tourneys if you are in a deployment heavy unit.

Try posting again when you actually find out where you're going.

As to investing in power, my experience there has proven quite fruitful... when I got to my first duty station, I bought an unlimited set for $1800 and people thought I was throwing my money away.  Nearly 8 years later, it has proven to be a solid investment.

[maniacmcgoo]

I was stationed at Ft. bragg for a few months and there are a few places in the surrounding towns that hold tourneys on a regular basis. There are quite a few service men who are gamers in some form or another. anything to have something to do while your stuck in the barracks. anyways have fun. anyone want my cards? i'm headin out of country in a few months and i'll be gone for quite awhile. still debating on whether i should sell them or not

[boasnapes]

Wow guys, I wasn't expecting so many responses.

@Darkmindtone:  I am actually going on a trip to Dover AFB this coming Monday with my recruiter and about 15 others. I'm excited to visit my first AFB, it won't be the last I'm sure.

@type1playa:  Thats good to hear, as long as there are people who are familiar with the game I will be happy. I can turn casual players into serious Type 1 players, easy.

@illuzion: I just hope I can play a Type 1 tourney at least twice a month. Sanctioned or un-sanctioned, it doesn't matter. I prefer 5 proxy as it allows me to play almost any deck in the format. As far as being stationed overseas, my recruiter told me that if I put any overseas base at the top of my "wish list", that they will look at all overseas bases before looking to station me stateside. Really, as long as I am not stuck in the middle of a desert, I don't care. I would be as giddy as a schoolgirl if I went to Germany though.

Thanks a lot guys.

boasnapes

[illuzion]

Be sure to post again when you do get to your first duty station... I'd like to hear how things turn out for you.

[graywolf]

Ah....youth...believes what a recruiter says  

All I can say is I tried for Okinawa on 3 seperate reenlistments and never got there. Did my overseas time aboard ship. Did see more of the world that way but shipboard life can get VERY boring at times.

USMC GySgt (ret)