Gamers are everywhere, especially in the military. I’ve been tabletop gaming for nearly three decades and I’ve been in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, so I know a thing or two. Most Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and the like have experience with gaming; be it board games, first person shooters, tabletop roleplaying or real time strategy. Below are a few anecdotes of D&D in the military and some tips for military gamers.
I’ve been in gaming groups in Spain, Iceland, Afghanistan, and aboard two Navy ships at sea. I even found gamers when I was a drill instructor at Navy Boot Camp. One of my recruits had most of the 3rd Edition D&D rules memorized. He would make character sheets on notebook paper and flip coins instead of rolling dice. On Sundays, when recruits had a few hours of ‘free time,’ he would run his fellow fledgling Sailors through a dungeon or two. As a parting gift, he created a ‘drill instructor’ prestige class for me.
In Spain I joined a group of 4th level adventurers in the middle of a campaign. A few months later, when we were brought before a council of Rakshasa, they asked ‘Who is your leader?’ Everyone at the table turned to me. Somehow, over time, due to my decision making and problem solving skills, I had become the de facto leader of the party.
One of the best places for military gamers to come together is on deployment or at bases overseas. However, in such far-flung locations, sometimes gamers are hard to find, especially where there isn’t a gaming store, comic shop or a Denny’s nearby. Overseas bases can be microcosms of United States society, and ships at sea are even more close knit. Computer connections are sometimes too slow or intermittent to play online fantasy games, so D&D becomes a convenient ‘analog’ substitute. For many people, D&D is a short jump from a magical board game or fantasy MMO.
Here are a few helpful hints to help you encourage veteran or newbie gamers to join in a game.
Get Help From the United Service Organization (USO) and
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)
The USO and MWR both operate on bases around the world, aboard ships, and even in warzones. They often provide all manner of free entertainment for service members, including books, movies, video games and long distance phone calls.
While in Afghanistan, I volunteered at the USO and they let me set up a ‘D&D for Beginners’ night were I pulled in at least eight players each week. Some were AD&D veterans while others were complete newbies. I ran the playtest rules of 5th Edition, receiving plenty of good feedback for Wizards. When it was time for me to leave, I turned over the DMing duties to a former newbie who had never played D&D before coming to my sessions.
Advertise
Make a poster and put it up in a common location like the chow hall or post office. Be sure you have permission to hang your poster. If no place exists to ‘post,’ then use word of mouth.
Carry a D&D book
Reading a Player’s Handbook or Dungeon Master’s Guide while standing in line for chow can easily gain a gamer’s interest. Many people have heard of D&D, but might not know the specifics. On deployment, where they are more likely to have ‘nothing better to do,’ they’re more likely to pursue their curiosity.
Set up and roll dice
Don’t be afraid to start up a game in a public place like the chow hall, library, or other quiet common areas. People passing by might stop to ask questions, listen in, and eventually join up.
DO NOT send an unauthorized mass email
Military computer systems are for official correspondence only. Even if you only want to send out a limited notification to select people, make sure to clear it with your supervisor first.
Get help from Wizards of the Coast
Deployed and overseas personnel are eligible to receive D&D Encounters and D&D Expeditions adventures. Before leaving the USA, try getting sponsored by a local game store. The store can get the adventures and magic item certificates and forward them along overseas. If you’re overseas already or can’t get a sponsor, then you can request adventures directly from Wizards of the Coast, but you will not be able to get magic item certificates.
Log on to the Wizards.com website and fill out the customer service form. Fill out as much information as possible and Wizards Customer Service will be in touch.
To all our military brothers and sisters, thank you for your service.
May the dice be forever in your favor.