Player Highlight - Eddy Gutierrez aka "Rhino"

 First of all in response to the rather cryptic post we made yesterday - What do these have in common? The Answer is that Today our featured player Mr Eddy Gutierrez is having his BIRTHDAY!!!

Now on to our featured presentation....

        The easiest way to explain how I got into airsoft is being tired of playing the video games, i.e. Call of Duty, Battlefield, etc. I ended up calling a friend to go and have a card game and he asked if I wanted to see his new airsoft guns. At the time, I was a naive kid, only thinking that airsoft guns were the clear spring-powered or AA powered guns. He showed me his G&G Combat Machine and I was just mystified at how real it felt and looked and how some of the mechanics were very similar! After that, I had to get one, and with that, I walked into a shop called Gamepod to buy my first gun, a SRC G36. After playing at Gamepod's field, I knew I wanted to expand my arsenal, and thus. my very crazy and fun hobby/habit/training tool was born!

        Now many people seem to ask why I'm called Rhino. There are many reasons about it, but the main reason I was given this call sign is just how aggressive I play, always on the front lines, not afraid of getting shot or hurt. Also got it at a after hours dinner with several Gamepod staff and some of our very favorite airsoft persona's; Jet DesertFox and Unicorn Leah! My friend who happens to work at Gamepod was the one who started it, after Soap came up with a failed attempt with "Diablo", and with Raul, came Rocksteady which transformed to a hilarity of me being called "Rhino" and it just stuck. I guess being a voluptuous unicorn can come in handy! ;)

Voluptuous Unicorn?

        For anyone curious as to the Rhino's life outside of the airsoft world, I am continuing my education to become a mechanical engineer with a minor in economics, and a second degree in philosophy. Some of my favorite weapons, in the airsoft world, are some that are in my current arsenal, the MK110 M4, which is built from my WE gas blowback M4. Now many people will bag on me for using a WE instead of a KWA M4, and the funny part about it, I own both GBBR's, and several AEG's. On the GBBR side, my teammate, Soap, is the one who sparked my interest in the WE system, and having him as a help base for any issues is such a huge benefit.. My favorite AEG's are the line from Krytac, KWA, and G&G. Krytac has been great out of the box and I'm very very glad I own it! Now out of the airsoft world and in the nerdy world, my favorite weapons have to be the hidden blade from Assassin's Creed franchise, and the scissor blade from the anime Kill La Kill. And with that, some of you can guess that my I am a huge fan of anime, ranging from One Piece to Kill La Kill, and everything in between that spectrum.

        My biggest scale game has to be one of my very first big name operations, where the Gucci gear collections tend to have started; Airsoft G.I.'s Tim vs Bob 5. That was one of the bigger games I've ever been apart of and figured I knew I wanted to dwell deeper in the spobby, whether it be "professional" airsoft player, or staring/joining a team and going to even bigger and larger scale operations. In terms of play style, I'm very aggressive, a smash mouth player who gains ground and finds paths to flank the enemy any chance I get. I'm very objective oriented and love a great synergy with a team. Living in the Bay Area of California, I have a plethora of fields I can play at; Gamepod, Fort Ord, ARC Airsoft, Hill 559. I consider Gamepod to be my home field, being that I grew into the larger than life player that I am today had it not been for the incredible staff at Gamepod's field and old store. Craig, you are the man!! Recently, I went from being just your average airsoft player, to apart of Developmental Tactics Airsoft Team, or DevTac, for short.

        Some of my future plans include world domination, and creating a real life Jurassic Park. And for those of you reading this who can understand my humor would know I am having fun being this goofy. In reality, I plan on becoming a mechanical engineer and, if I play my cards right, be apart of the firearms industry, designing and building firearms.

FaceBook:

https://www.facebook.com/eddy.gutierrez.79

https://www.facebook.com/devtacairsoft?fref=ts

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/eddy_da_rhino/

PS4 Gametag: 

CaptVooD00

Team Sponsors:
Nuprol

https://www.facebook.com/Nuprol?fref=ts

https://instagram.com/nuprol/

BritKit USA

http://shop.britkitusa.com/

https://instagram.com/britkitusa/

Favorite Field:

Gamepod Combat Zone

https://www.facebook.com/GPCombatZone?fref=ts

Padre' out...

  

Player Highlight - Bridgette Brooks

 Airsofter, Slaydie, Vampire (Phlebotomist), Model and Jiu Jitsu Fighter. These are some of the many facets to this strikingly beautiful young lady that we are featuring this week in our Player Highlight - Bridgette Brooks!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi, my name is Bridgette Brooks from team Doom Crew. I started airsoft around 2010 when a boyfriend and friend of mine invited me to play.

What are some of the guns that you have ran with?
My first gun was a MP5A5 from Classic Army I bought off a friend of mine (not upgraded at all) . Next was my Dragonov, my 357 COP an WE 1911 gas non-blowback.

What is your favorite local field?
The first field I went to was CQB city in stockton CA (still my home field)

What is the favorite playstyle?
My usual style play is close quarters. before I went to my first game my old teammates decided I had to be shot with my own guns before I could go out onto the field. I have to say it really did help with my apprehension knowing what to expect. My first three years I didn't play often or have a lot of gear my team at the time wasn't very active.
 

Can you share a little bit about your team?
In 2013 I met Doom Crew Brooks officially anyways, I always saw him around or heard him yelling and breakdancing on the field. It wasn't long until I was asked to join the team and I'm skills rapidly improved from learning from other players and my new team was willing to help show me some new tricks and back me up. Now I have a lot more gear and have visited more fields and look forward to visiting more as time goes on.

What are some of the bigger games / events that you have been a part of?
A recent big game I got to attend was Operation Bad blood in Hollister CA . I was on OD Mercs which was actually lead by fellow Slaydie, Aldina.

Ladies in Airsoft?
When I first started my airsoft career there was very few to no women out there. I'm so happy to see more and more female players killing it.

With the many things that you do, why airsoft?
The reason I love the sport so much is not only for the adrenaline rush but the type of people and friendships you can form on the field. For any knew players my advice would be to just do it don't be afraid 'cause once you get that first kill you'll become addicted. Also the quality of your gun really does make the game more enjoyable.

I'm so very grateful to have been chosen to be on The Warrior Blog. I look forward to meeting you guys out there and know that Doom crew is very welcoming team and is more geared towards fun then winning we will always welcome new comers to the sport.

Here are some links to our team pages and instagram accounts:
On FaceBook
Bridgette Brooks - https://www.facebook.com/bridgette.maness
Doom Crew Airsoft - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Doom-Crew-Airsoft/167748353297297

On Instagram
@doomcrewbridgette

@doomcrewairsoft

Padre' out...

  

Player Highlight - MilSim Medic

A few weeks ago a young lady that I know, respect and fear named Sisu MilSim suggested that I contact Christine about being one of the future featured players on The Warrior Blog. Since that point I have talked to her both online and via phone and found her to be an intriguing and highly educated woman, who is passionate about all areas of her life. It was my great privilege to get to know her through the process of putting together this post and I hope you will enjoy this Player Highlight of another one of the Slaydies of AirSoft! - Padre'

Growing up, I was definitely a tomboy.  I preferred making tree houses and climbing down window wells catching toads with the boys to playing dress up and Barbies with the girls.  I was always dirty, always running around, always trying to go on new and exciting adventures.  When I was 4, my mother decided that I needed an outlet for all my energy and that outlet turned out to be softball.  

            Fast-forwarding to 2010; I was a Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside playing Division II softball as a starting Center Fielder and met my fiancé (and Nemesis Milsim team Captain), call sign Zero.  From the beginning, he was always trying to get me to come to airsoft with him and repeatedly I said, “no thanks.” I had convinced myself that airsoft was his way to hang out and have “guy time” and I didn’t want to intrude.  In addition, I had never heard him talk about any girls playing airsoft, which gave me the impression that airsoft was a hobby better suited to men.   Despite my reservations, he kept asking me to come to a team practice and I finally did in the winter of 2011.  

The first time I ever played Airsoft, it was a very cold, snowy, and damp day. As I prepped myself to head onto the field dressed in old-school/oversized woodland camis and tennis shoes, I distinctly remember looking at the more experienced operators and feeling completely out of place. My gear was not the greatest, I'd never even held an Airsoft gun before, and I was the only girl taking the field with a group of guys who had been playing with each other for years. To say that I was out matched would be an understatement. However, as soon as I ran onto the field none of that mattered anymore. My adrenaline spiked, I became very aware of the speed and sound of my own movements, and as I darted from tree to tree in pursuit of OPFOR I knew that although it was my first time playing Airsoft, it would definitely not be my last.

     I've now been playing Airsoft for 4-5 years as an official member of Nemesis Milsim (Northern IL/ Southern WI) and am incredibly passionate about the sport. After a brief hiatus due to graduate school obligations, I played my first national event in 2014 at American Milsim’s Op Broken Home III.  I got a brief taste of the Medic role on day 2 when our official squad Medic left to do his Helo run and I loved every second of it.  As soon as we got back to Illinois, I told anyone that would listen that I wanted to be the team’s official Medic.  A few months later, I played my first full event as a Medic at American Milsim’s Op Ironclad.  At Ironclad I really feel that I came into my own as a player and my Milsim identity was further cemented by the fact that people started calling me the “Milsim Medic.”  It’s a difficult feeling to describe, but as a Medic I felt at home on the field.  

  My favorite game play style is definitely CQB.  I love how fast-paced and intense it is.  I’m the type of player that thrives in high-stress games that test athleticism.  In fact, I am usually so active on the field that there’s hardly ever a time where you won’t see me running during an Op.  Which is probably why the Medic role fits me so well.  My primary load-out is built to emphasize speed over firepower and consists of an LBT 6094 plate-carrier with a Blue Force Gear 10 speed, a Krytac CRB, and Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX Boots.  However, my favorite piece of equipment is the hot pink Kydex holster that I

had made for my KWA M9 pistol.  Previous to purchasing my holster, most players didn’t even realize I was a girl because my FAST helmet covers my hair.  However, the holster is so noticeable that it has definitely become my signature and also how a lot of people recognize me on the field. 

Nemesis Milsim has been an official airsoft team since 2007 and originated in Crystal Lake Illinois (about an hour Northwest of Chicago).  Like many teams in the Midwest, we originally started playing together on a very secluded, unregulated, and heavily wooded field.  At the time, airsoft was just starting to become popular in our area and there were only a few regulated fields that weren’t exclusively used for paintball.  Thinking back, however, this field is home to some of my fondest airsoft and life memories. It’s where I first learned to play, where I met many of my current teammates, and also where my fiancé took me on our first date.  Which consisted of off-roading, getting stuck in the mud, getting the vehicle un-stuck with the help of friends, and literally ten minutes later, popping a tire.    

*The follow video excerpt shows the MilSim Medic in action -  the credit for the video goes to the NightStalkers Tactical Airsoft Team, the video can be seen @ Op Ironclad - Padre'

Nemesis has been hosting airsoft events since 2013 at our home field, Promisedland Paintball (Bristol, WI), which is a Department of Defense regulated field sometimes used by the Marine Corp for training purposes.  Since we’ve started hosting events, I’ve taken a more active role in team administration (reffing, event registration) and I also act as a member of the OPFOR in short, but also very intense scenarios we call, “SIM’s” or “Squad Immersion Missions.”  In 2013, we also started attending national ops and gained our very first team sponsor, Tactical Toy Store (Waukesha, WI).  Tactical Toy Store Provides us with BB’s and smoke grenades or every national event we attend and are also on hand at all of the events we host to take care of the players’ gear needs.

Last year (2014) I received my Master’s degree in History from Marquette University, while specializing in British History.  In fact, my Master’s thesis focused on tourism at the Tower of London in the 1870’s.  During this time, the Tower underwent several reconstruction and preservation projects. One in particular, at the St. Peter ad Vincula Chapel (the Tower chapel), required that the bodies of famous execution victims from the reign of Henry VIII (like the ill-fated Queen, Anne Boleyn) be exhumed.  Since the forensic field was not highly developed at this point in time, the workers responsible for removing the bodies had to rely on historic records and descriptions of the dead in order to identify them. The public interest surrounding the identification of the bodies led many tourists to visit the Tower of London and ultimately created a demand for the reevaluation of Henry VIII’s place in British culture and history.  

Eventually, I hope to apply to a PhD program so that I can continue my history studies. In the meantime, I’ve recently accepted an offer to join Teach for America’s 2015 Chicago Corp.  For those of you not familiar, Teach for America (TFA) is a highly selective alternative teaching certification program that seeks to achieve transformational change in impoverished communities by combating the educational achievement gap in American society.  TFA does this by taking college graduates and placing them as teachers in urban schools, where poverty and sub-par test scores are usually the standard.  I’m very excited for the opportunity to teach and mentor young kids and I sincerely hope that I will be able to positively impact my students’ lives.   

  

Overall, I think one of the most enjoyable parts about playing airsoft, besides the game play, is definitely how the sport connects you to people that you would never have met otherwise.  I’ve met so many friends in so many different states and countries by playing this sport and I am so grateful to have met every single one of them. I can’t wait to see what the 2015 season has in store for me. Thanks for checking out my player profile and for giving me the opportunity to share a little bit about myself with you guys. I hope to see you all at American Milsim’s OpBroken Home 4 (May 23-24).  :-)

 

MilsimMedic Facebook Page; https://www.facebook.com/MilsimMedic

MilsimMedic Instagram Page; https://instagram.com/milsimmedic5/

Nemesis Milsim Facebook Page; https://www.facebook.com/nmairsoft

Promisedland Paintball Field Website; http://www.promisedland.com

Tactical Toy Store Website; http://www.tacticaltoystoreusa.com

Christine via Padre' out...

  

Team Highlight - G.S.X. Airsoft

These folks came under 'ole Padre's radar a few months back...the thing that made them stand out to me was their values, Honor, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Having Fun, (How many of us forget that one?) Mentoring the young players - things that we should all aspire to live by! Here is but a very brief glimpse of the team provided by Jennifer from the team. Read and enjoy and make sure to hit up all their social media and make sure to let 'em know that Padre' sent ya!!!
~Padre'

G.S.X. is a family team that was founded in 2011 by G.S.X. Co-captain Todd LMG Hopkins. The team was created for fun and family time. G.S.X. Home field is Hollywood Sports Park in Bellflower, CA. You can find us there every Saturday, all day, hosting Bravo games. We are a family oriented team; we have HangArounds as young as our 9 year old Hannah (AKA Po) and at our other end of the range we have our awesome Motor-pool members Brenda AKA Tank Girl and Leroy AKA MotorPool.

G.S.X. was the brain child of Todd LMG. Todd was brought up on a ranch where he used to shoot guns; guns were a lifestyle to Todd. Then he grew up and joined the army where he was trained in the use of Special Weapons. He has always been around guns in one way or another all his life. He decided to spend quality time with his 3 kids teaching them the ins and outs of guns. Safety starts with education. Todd used to take his kids in the backyard where designed a speed shooting course and he taught them how to shoot bb guns as young as 8 years old. Todd found that the toy bb guns were not shooting far enough so he started to work with the guns and finally in 2012 started G.S.X.

As I mentioned G.S.X. is a family team. But we are also mentors. You will find us hosting the Bravo games every Saturday at H.S.P. We take the time to host Bravo games, Beginner games, because we are driven to teach the next generation of airsofters how to play, the rules of the sport, safety AND how to have fun. Todd wants G.S.X. Members to hold ourselves to a higher standard while we are having good honest fun.

Someone has a serious addiction to GBB....

G.S.X. stands strong at about 30 members including HangArounds, Prospects and Members. We are a unique team who has our own motor-pool with our favorite Troops Transporter “Odie”. If you come to H.S.P. on most Saturdays you will meet one or more of our active G.S.X. Team members. Our co-captain Todd LMG is there every weekend. G.B.B. Mike is our other co-captain. He is playing most weekends with one of his huge collection of Gas Blow Back guns. Sergeant Red Goat Man AKA R.G.M. Kenny is one of our world traveling members. He has recently come back from Japan where he played on local fields. Viking, Brian, is one of our team techies. He will go out of his way to help a team member OR another player with a broken gun right there at the tables of H.S.P. As I mentioned before, our motor-pool Leroy and Tank Girl are a huge part of G.S.X. They are always there to support us during our events and bring Odie along to transport us to our fields during ops. Dakota, AKA Kid, is one of our teen members, he has been playing with G.S.X. from the earlier years. Little John is one of our original members as been joining us on the field more and more lately. Our most recent member is Tyler AKA Mouse, just voted in as a full member March 21. You can find him on the field with his unique mask and ears carrying his M249 Saw. Mouse may be the biggest guy on the field but he moves in stealth mode. We can't forget the whole purpose that G.S.X. was brought to be; Caleb, Josh AKA JP and Lexi are Todd's kids. They are on the field every Saturday showing the veteran skills and spending quality time with their dad.

There is a process to become a FULL G.S.X. member. We have a lot of players who want to join and HangAround with G.S.X. The first step to be a member is to be a HangAround. Play with us show your sportsmanship, get noticed. Todd will be watching the players who are out on the field and if he likes how they handle the gun, call their hits, and are good sports he will ask them to be a HangAround. Once this is agreed on the player will contact one of our sponsors, Honey Badger Defense Company- HBDC, to order their HangAround shirt. They will play with us in our games and spend time with the team. We get to know them as players and people. Once we feel they are representing the sport right we will take a vote of all active team members to see if they will be moved on to Prospect. A prospect will be able to wear the G.S.X. team shirt. They are required to play with us 2 times a month. This process is a longer process; we usually require a prospect to accomplish a goal, which we have set together, before we take a vote again to become a full G.S.X. member.

G.S.X. is not only a team, we are a family. We look out for each other and care about each other. We love the sport and the time we spend together playing it. We have Awesome Sponsors that support us in our ops and fun - Honey Badger Defense Company- HBDC, Airsplat.com, HSP and RetroArms.

We are active on facebook @ www.facebook.com/gsx 

YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/c/AirsoftGsx 

Instagram @ https://instagram.com/gsxairsoft. 

 *Be sure to follow us on all of these. You never know when you will see yourself in a posted picture or video from a game.

Jen sitting in for Padre' out...