Our Objective

The overarching goal is to align our operational launch phases with the evolving development of Arma Reforger and, later, Arma 4 upon its release. This will guide how the unit approaches training, integrates mods, and ensures that these mods enhance the overall experience, fostering a more realistic and immersive simulation environment. We aim to stay adaptable and grow alongside the new features and tools as they become available.

Training Approach & Realism

Training will initially be conducted in a freehand manner. Veterans of the unit, many of whom have extensive milsim and real-world experience, will pass down their knowledge of training procedures and tactics. This informal approach will serve as the backbone of our early training sessions, with these veterans guiding recruits using the limited resources available in Arma Reforger. We believe many members joining the unit will come from the Arma 3 milsim framework, so we aim to leverage that shared experience to cultivate the same level of tactical knowledge and professionalism in Arma Reforger.

Despite the limitations and lack of robust tools in Reforger, we will work toward developing a comprehensive training regimen. Our focus will be on transferring core principles of realism and tactics, and as more features and resources are added to the game, we will refine our methods to better simulate the operations of modern military units. The training will evolve as new capabilities become available, but the commitment to a disciplined and realistic experience will remain constant.

Experimentation & Development

Please keep in mind that during the initial phases of the unit’s creation, there will be significant experimentation and development conducted by all members. This will allow us to fine-tune our approach, explore the tools and features available, and develop methods that contribute to a deeply immersive atmosphere. We want to ensure that the unit’s operational focus captures the mission set and objectives of a special mission unit. Each member’s feedback and involvement will be crucial in shaping how we evolve, with the ultimate goal of creating an environment that mirrors real-world operational scenarios.

Mods & Immersion

Modding will play a crucial role in creating an immersive environment from the start. We will prioritize mods that accurately reflect the gear, weapons, and equipment used by real-world units, even though many of these mods are still under development or may not yet meet the highest quality standards. As the modding community expands and the quality of available mods improves, we will continually refine our loadouts and mission assets to elevate the unit’s realism and immersion.

Our modding philosophy focuses on authenticity. As higher-quality mods become available, they will be integrated to reflect the gear and standards of actual special operations forces, ensuring our members have an evolving, dynamic experience that mirrors real-world tactics and equipment.

Event and Mission Creation

Given the current limitations of Arma Reforger, pre-planning complex missions is challenging. The lack of advanced mission-creation tools means that many operations will likely be crafted on the day of the event using the in-game “Game Master” feature. This approach requires flexibility, as detailed pre-event operational orders may be impossible. However, this also provides an opportunity for improvisation and on-the-fly adjustments, simulating the need for adaptability in real-world operations.

As Arma 4 rolls out, we anticipate having access to a more robust suite of mission-creation tools, allowing us to plan and execute intricate operations with pre-mission briefings and post-mission debriefings, closely following real-world military procedures.

Future Outlook

Throughout the development of both Arma Reforger and Arma 4, the unit’s methods, training, and mission creation will continue to evolve. Each feature update or mod release will be viewed as an opportunity to improve our immersion and realism. While Reforger’s limitations may restrict some aspects of our early training and operations, we are committed to building a high level of tactical proficiency and immersion from the start.

Our long-term objective is to transition into Arma 4 fully prepared to execute missions that incorporate detailed planning, advanced mods, and a well-developed training pipeline. This phased approach ensures that the unit grows alongside the game, creating an engaging and realistic experience for all participants.

Initial Unit Structure & Operations

In the first phase, the goal is to establish the unit with a loosely structured organization reflecting real-world Special Mission Units (SMUs). This will include elements based on Combat Applications Group (CAG), a detachment of pilots from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) operators from the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (STS).

Operations will officially take place every two weeks on Saturdays at 1900 hours CDT (GMT-5). The day before each operation, we will conduct training sessions focused on tactics and procedures that are anticipated to be utilized in the upcoming operation. These sessions are designed to ensure that unit members are fully prepared to execute their roles effectively during the mission.

When all participants are online and ready, and the designated time for the operation arrives, the Game Master will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to design the mission scenario. During this time, there will be a 10 to 15-minute briefing, outlining the mission objectives, expectations, and desired outcomes. This structured pre-operation preparation will ensure that everyone is aligned and ready for the mission ahead.

Training Approach & Methodology

Training during Phase 1 will take a freehand approach, relying heavily on veterans of the unit who have extensive experience both in real-world military tactics and within the Arma 3 milsim framework. These veterans will pass down their knowledge and provide practical instruction, focusing on key areas such as small unit tactics, communication, coordination with air assets, and ground insertion techniques.

Given the limitations of Arma Reforger’s toolset, the training will be adaptable and built around the tools and resources available. The intent is to instill core tactical proficiency, using drills and scenario-based learning to mirror real-world procedures, while remaining flexible in the face of the game’s evolving mechanics. Despite these constraints, the training regimen will emphasize immersive realism, ensuring unit members are well-equipped for the operation ahead.

As Arma Reforger continues to develop, training methods will evolve to incorporate new features and tools. This will ensure that, over time, the unit’s training becomes more structured and reflective of real-world SMU operations.

Mod Selection & Immersion

Mod selection during this phase will prioritize quality and immersion. While some mods may not perfectly match the real-world loadouts, equipment, or assets used by their actual counterparts, they will be chosen based on their ability to maintain the immersive experience. Over time, as the Arma Reforger and Arma 4 communities continue to develop faction-specific mods, the accuracy of loadouts and available assets will improve, becoming less of an issue.

For example, air support assets will be limited at first due to a lack of high-quality mods representing the actual aircraft used by units like the 160th SOAR. As a result, ground forces might be air-inserted using a UH-1 helicopter, even though it is not an aircraft typically employed by the 160th SOAR. This compromise will be necessary until mods for platforms like the UH-60 reach a level of quality that can maintain the immersion and realism we aim for.

Expansion, Training, and Refinement

Phase 2 will begin either with the release of Arma 4 or the introduction of an Eden-like tool in Arma Reforger, enabling seamless creation of operations, training maps, missions, and events within the game. This will allow for more streamlined mission design, removing the reliance on external tools and enhancing the overall flow of operations.

As part of this phase, official training programs will be established. All members, both new recruits and veterans, will be required to go through this formalized training once it’s implemented in Arma 4 to earn their positions within their respective units. This training will serve as a rite of passage for anyone wishing to join the unit, ensuring that all participants are trained in the correct tactics, procedures, and protocols, regardless of their prior experience.

While there may be some provisions for grandfathering existing members who have been part of the unit during its earlier phases, this will be carefully managed. These exceptions will only be granted if they do not detract from the overarching goal: to ensure that every individual within the unit is well-versed in the proper techniques and tactics necessary to maintain operational consistency and realism.

Gradual Mod Integration & Immersive Features

Phase 2 will also see a significant improvement in mod integration. Mods will more accurately reflect the equipment and capabilities of real-world counterparts, including access to a wide range of support assets such as rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, maritime vessels for water-based operations, and specialized platforms for HALO/HAHO insertions. The unit’s radio systems will become more realistic, similar to ACRE or TFAR from Arma 3, enabling tactical communication that mirrors real-life usage.

Additionally, atmospheric mods like ACE (Advanced Combat Environment) will come into play, enhancing the overall immersion by introducing realistic medical mechanics, weapon ballistics, and environmental effects such as fatigue and injuries. These mods will help create a more authentic and challenging experience for all members, further deepening the realism of our operations.

However, it is important to note that Phase 2 will take time to fully materialize. The release of Arma 4 will not immediately provide the necessary mods to fully simulate the environments and equipment we aspire to use. The community will need time to develop and release high-quality mods that reflect the standards we require. As a result, Phase 2 will be a gradual process, evolving as mods become available and as training systems are refined.