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A virtual military organization (VMO) is a dedicated hobby organization that uses simulation to model the operations of the military.^[1]^[2] Virtual military organizations generally have a presence on the Internet, similar to real military organizations. There are some VMOs of significance currently active. The most VMOs or MILSIM (Military Simulation)units play on casual dates. Some VMO operations are played ^[2] with thousands of participants involved at any one time. Similar to gaming clans, the key difference is that VMOs are realism groups, focusing on following real life procedures as much as possible. A quick search on google^[3] will reveal quite a few VMOs that go to varying degrees of depth to pursue their goal.

Each VMO or MILSIM unit has their own simulation set. Some will just simulate an US Army unit, but in rare cases you see units simulating a local army unit from their own country. The units mostly offer a rank system based on their nation. Also they offer courses.

Realism vs Immersion

Each VMO chooses to either follow an immersive style, or a realism, or a combination of both. While all VMOs will incorporate a rank, some go as far as implementing a Military Logistics system,^[4] including a economics model.^[1]

While each has its benefits and followers, a mix between the two seems to be the most popular option.^[5]

Some VMOs can be creative by making their own custom aircraft paint schemes, medals and award ribbons ^[6], rank insignias, and even weapons, vehicles and bases ^[7] (Air bases mostly developed for Flight Simulator X).

Some groups tend to form a historical political and battle image or reputation over time. They support various causes and styles of order/law or internal structure, and specific government types ranging from Communism to Fascism, and Democracy to Monarchy. At times there are even Anarchist rebels. Groups might even form into completely custom government entities or structures, and on into resembling small nations with their own flags. This mostly takes place in the groups of the VR-World and ITTN, but is also observed else ware. The ITTN basically serves as a hub for VMOs that operate and interact politically in The VR-World, commonly referred to as "The VW, or THE MAP."

Games

There are some popular games used by the VMO community, mostly they play Armed Assault or Microsoft Flight Simulator. A few units play games like Call of Duty or Battlefield, but mostly those are semi MILSIM or VMO.

The most recent launched games are America's Army, Armed Assault 3 and the new Microsoft Flight.

Reception

It has been reported that Virtual Military groups which originated within the flight simulation genre are once thought to not be as active as previously.^[2]

Today, there are multiple groups attempting to bring back the flight simulation genre of virtual military groups/factions. The reason being, is so that multiple factions can engage over different parts of the world, using real time and weather settings, creating a realistic virtual world and possible combat scenario. This, combined with multiple factions interacting politically with trades and sometimes political disputes, using different parts of the world as their homelands, may have conflicts involving combat. Members of different groups may find their group on the brink of war with another virtual military over conflicts of interest. They may be called upon to serve in virtual combat against another group. In this, factions have their own assets, their own territory, and count possible losses when they occur. each faction may award custom medals and awards for the service their members give. Much like a real military would. However, some groups may never enter a conflict or war, but that's not to say the group can get involved secretly, to where covert or black operations can be conducted, which would involve deep espionage, infiltration and high valued targets for pilots, special forces on the ground, and even spies infiltrating the ranks of their home factions targeted faction. Some groups develop enough and go as far as having their own custom Intelligence Agency Network. Intelligence is sometimes key in winning cold wars that may never go hot. Where black operations play a big role in the armpit sweating tank shells excitement occurs. High risk, high secrecy.

Notable VMOs

Land Force's:
3rd Infantry Division; 2003 - present, around 40 members
75th Ranger Regiment; 2000 - 2010, had around 120 members
7th Cavalry Regiment; 2002 - present, around 500 members
10th Special Force's Group; 2009 - 2011, around 50 members (EU split off 75th Ranger Regiment)
USEC Force; 2000 - present, around 50 members

Air Force's:

Navy's:
VUSN (virtual united states navy); 1999 - present, around 20 members

Other:

Active ITTN Factions:
GPEO (Global Pioneers Elite Organization); 2006 - present, members (forum 187; military 17)
Uatia (Kingdom of Uatia); 2008 - present, members (military 15)
FAF (Firebird Air Force); 2010 - present, members (site 163; military 23)
RAF-VM (Royal Air Force Virtual Military); unknown(2012) - present (site 12; military 10)

References

^ ^a ^b Van West, Jeff (2007). Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 672–685. ISBN 0-7645-8822-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ ^a ^b ^c Regis, Ed (2009-01-01). "Welcome to Cyberairspace". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
^ http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=virtual+military&start=10&sa=N
^ http://www.usecforce.com/logistics
^ http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1056894
^ http://www.freewebs.com/gpeo2/awards.htm
^ http://freedomsimx.webs.com/Wadol.jpg

External links

[fsxbook1-1] Van West, Jeff (2007). Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots. John Wiley and Sons. pp. 672–685. ISBN 0-7645-8822-2. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[airspace1-2] Regis, Ed (2009-01-01). "Welcome to Cyberairspace". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 2011-03-28.

[3] ttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=virtual+military&start=10&sa=N

[4] ttp://www.usecforce.com/logistics

[5] ttp://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1056894

[6] ttp://www.freewebs.com/gpeo2/awards.htm

[7] ttp://freedomsimx.webs.com/Wadol.jpg

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 Some VMOs can be creative by making their own custom aircraft paint schemes, medals and award ribbons <ref>http://www.freewebs.com/gpeo2/awards.htm</ref>, rank insignias, and even weapons, vehicles and bases <ref>http://freedomsimx.webs.com/Wadol.jpg</ref> (Air bases mostly developed for Flight Simulator X).
-Some groups tend to form a historical political and battle image or reputation over time. They support various causes and styles of order/law or internal structure, and specific government types ranging from Communism to Fascism, and Democracy to Monarchy. At times there are even Anarchist rebels. Groups might even form into completely custom government entities or structures, and on into resembling small nations with their own flags. This mostly takes place in the groups of the VR-World and ITTN, but is also observed else ware. The ITTN basically serves as a hub for VMOs that operate in The VR-World, commonly referred to as "The VW, or THE MAP."
+Some groups tend to form a historical political and battle image or reputation over time. They support various causes and styles of order/law or internal structure, and specific government types ranging from Communism to Fascism, and Democracy to Monarchy. At times there are even Anarchist rebels. Groups might even form into completely custom government entities or structures, and on into resembling small nations with their own flags. This mostly takes place in the groups of the VR-World and ITTN, but is also observed else ware. The ITTN basically serves as a hub for VMOs that operate and interact politically in The VR-World, commonly referred to as "The VW, or THE MAP."
 ==Games==