| Author |
Message
|
| Lancer Oldrich |
 Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:12 am Post subject: Learning Firearms (and other skills) Over Time |
 |
|
Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 100
|
This is more of a character-specific question, but thought it might be interesting to get some opinions from those who have done this through role-play in the sim, as well hear some feedback from those who actually have had real life experience in training how to use firearms.
Basically, what ought to be an average estimate for a person to learn a new skill? For purposes of this, I mostly want to focus on firearms (pistols); however I suppose this could branch out to other kinds of combat-related skills. Since there is no experience point system, or point distribution system that assigns value, its conceivable for a "newer" character to Midian to be "better" at something, than someone who has been here for a long time. But, I am not really concerned with arguing whether that is good or bad, if it should be changed etc.
The specific example. I have been roleplaying that L used to know how to use a pistol, but he hasn't been keeping up on practice. Certainly not since he first arrived in Midian, and likely, that he hadn't up to a few months prior. If he were to start practicing again, how many hours a week does one have to devote to become competent again? My goal is not to be able to claim L becomes a crack marksman, I (hopefully) would like to be able to fire a gun if I need to, and hit something smaller than the broadside of a barn. 
Perhaps some of our responsible firearm users might share their own experiences regarding this?
Related, could any one share their experiences they have had regarding "training" for something they did not know, and the sequence through which they gained said knowledge. I'm more interested in hearing the mundane experiences of perhaps finding some one (another player), making arrangements e.g. How often did you rp scenes related to said learning, and so on, before you felt you had achieved the level of ability you wanted?
i.e. No, I do not want to hear about downloading simsense/simsoft chips with necessary skills and presto! You now know how to do Kung fu (v2.0), along with the native ability to reload your seemingly endless magazine cartridge like every John Woo protagonist is apparently able to do.
While looking cool.
While doing it in slow-mo. 
Thank you in advance! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
| Debra Charron |
| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Posts: 618
Location: Undisclosed
|
I can speak a bit to firearms training.
I've been both the student and the instructor for military rifle marksmanship.
Under the USMC's system (1980's), the students spent about an hour a day on classroom subjects (rifle nomenclature, cleaning, adjustments) for 4-6 weeks prior to heading to the Known-Distance Range to learn marksmanship.
The Range took two weeks. Week #1 was "grass drills" - learning proper body position, breath control and techique in addition to Range safety. this week is devoted to nothing but learning these skills and the level of harassment of the Boots drops substantially.
Week #2 is Qualification Week. Every day the Boots spend 1/2 the day firing and the other 1/2 working the target butts (marking the hits of the other shooters for score). The last day of the week is "Qual Day", where the shooters fire for the scores that will heavily figure in to their career prospects (those who fail to qualify may fail to complete training).
So, with about 2 weeks intense training, its possible to become a compentent rifle marksman against stationary targets out to 500 metres.
Additional training on the Combat range is provided to acquire the skills needed to be effective in urban areas (MOUT) or in firing as an advancing fireteam while in a fluid situation against enemies that shoot back - and those skills are quite different from KD (Known Distance) marksmanship. Those skills take considerably longer to master and get constantly refreshed and refined over the course of an active career.
Becoming proficent in that sort of marksmanship (shoot-and-move-under-fire) might be possible in about a month of intensive training with compentent instructors.
If anyone wishes this sort of training IC, there are several mercs including myself who are well-qualified to provide this sort of education, and if you're willing to pay for 100% of the instructor's time - it can get you to minimum compentency rather quickly.
_________________
~Deb Charron
Audentes Fortuna Juvat (Fortune Favors the Bold)
BlackStar Military Services
Commander: Midian City Operations
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/debcharron/
Blog: http://debcharron.livejournal.com/ |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Atmlady Alcott |
| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
Joined: 27 Mar 2007
Posts: 866
Location: Not in Pleasentville. It's just not nice there anymore.
|
I can only speak of RL experience, regarding firearms.
As a girl, I grew up in a rural area and we always had firearms in the home. My dad taught both my brothers, my sister and I how to use them and mostly, to have respect for them.
There are 6 firearms in my home now and I am very aware of how to use them and frankly, if needed, would not hesitate to do it.
From my business days, I applied for and was granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon, which consisted of not only an exhaustive personal background check but I was also made to demonstrate to the Sheriff's Office that I was proficient in the handling and discharge of my weapon.
Of course, in RP nothing amazes me. We have people that have all kinds of abilities but hey, I guess that is what makes RP fun.
_________________
"YES, I KNOW your life is full of "DRAMA", but sometimes you just have to put on your big girl panties and deal with things" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Arcann Dyrssen |
| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Joined: 17 Jan 2008
Posts: 119
Location: Looking through your window while you sleep
|
To be sure, there is often a great deal of training involved. However, there is some allowance for natural skill. I know that I personally come from a line of fine sharpshooters on both my father and mother's side (WWI great-grandfather - lest we forget), and I have no doubt that that did assist me when I came to learning how to fire a rifle. When I was in army cadet training in high school, we only had a couple of one hour range sessions, but by the third one, I was a crack shot with a .22 at 50 metres. From there, we had a two hour class on annual camp on the correct use and assembling and disassembling of a Steyr AUG (Australian Army standard issue), and then went to the 300 m range. I could hit a target pretty square about 7 times out of 10 at 300 metres with the rifle from a prone position without bipod, and I know that my fellow cadets were mostly nailing it about 1 in every 2 shots. To be an accurate marksman, yes, you need a certain degree of lengthy training and practice, but to be an average shot with a handgun, I would not say that it would take too long to be able to hit something at 50 metres with a generic hunting rifle.
_________________
http://arcsravings.blogspot.com
"Bugger me sideways with a dead emu, the LAG!" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
