Contest Guidelines

This article is to clear up a lot of confusion about the contests. I’m sure the first few contests may not go so smoothly, but it’ll pan out.

Judgement

These contests are NOT drawings. You will not win anything by being lucky. While it’s a proven fact of life that it’s better to be lucky than good, that doesn’t mean you can skate by just being lucky. Winner’s will be ultimately chosen by me, but I’m likely to have the help and opinions of a few of my closest “advisers”. At my disposal are the experience and knowledge of:

• Rebbeca, my special lady friend. She’s a proof-reader extraordinaire and expert in alternative to violence situations. Currently a scientist at the EPA and leader of a weekly Bible study.
• Paul, a missionary family friend of mine. Experienced with Eastern European situations and veteran of US Marine 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. Currently an ambulance paramedic in a major metropolitan area.
• Charmange, a close friend and platoon mate. A veteran of the Battle of Fallujah and recipient of the Purple Heart. Awarded High Stalker in the Basic Course with only a left eye. Currently a 1st Marine Division Scout/Sniper School Instructor.
• Age, a friend from my European anti-terrorism tour, knowledgeable in riot control, close quarters battle, hand-to-hand, and all manner of weaponry. Currently in Japan working with Explosive Ordinance Disposal. His specialty is creating the devices.

If your project was reviewed by anyone other than me, credit will be given.

The Project

Each contest will be similar, but different. The format will be in what’s known in the military community as a “Tactical Exercise Without Troops”, or TEWT. In these exercises, a scenario would be given and what basically happens is you discuss or write a paper on what would happen if you were doing the mission.

Essentially, I give you a mission to accomplish and establish the scenario you find yourself in. I will also tell you what imaginary resources you have at your disposal. Then you sit down and write the story out.

You will need to cover a timeline from the second your imaginary unit receives the order, to the moment you return from the mission and debrief. Be sure to include every imaginable concept. Check out the outline I have provided so you can get an idea of what to do.

Submissions

Submissions should be sent as an attachment to my email. That can be found at the bottom of The Author in the About section.

The media you choose to submit it in is largely of your choosing. Some creative ideas are by video, audio, PowerPoint, Adobe .pdf, or a webpage. However, by far the most efficient would be a .doc type file. Feel free to dress it up however you like, but appearance is only a secondary consideration. The “meat” of your content will be where my attention is focused.

You will need incredible attention to detail. When we used to hand-write these in one weekend, the average was fifty pages long. The only thing that would harm you is being too short.

Requirements

I will provide you with the scenario, and any information you’ll need to complete the mission. At the minimum, you’ll need a quality word processing program, such as OpenOffice, and the Google:Earth program. Both are free utilities.

I will need only your full name and a way to contact you. In the event you are a winner, I’ll need to speak with you on the telephone so I can get your address, and verify your information. If you are under age 18, I will need to speak with your parents/guardians. I feel it prudent to cover my hide by being sure your parents know what’s being shipped to their house, and the legalities and considerations they need to be aware of.

Help

Feel free to email me or contact me on myspace or either of the forums listed on the right. I do have a life outside of this project however, so don’t expect a response. I’ll try to help everyone, but a more efficient way to get help would be to create a thread on your favorite forum to discuss your problem.

Also let it be known that I was banned from Airsoft Retreat for “spamming/advertising” and Arnie’s Airsoft won’t accept my email address, so you’re safe from my prying eyes in those two forums.

~ by Phridum on 16Apr2008.