WWII HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA OPERATION COBRA RULES OF CONDUCT Team Leaders. Team leaders will be designated by each participating unit and will chiefly consist of noncommissioned and commissioned officers. Courtesy will be given to NCOs and officers of both axis and allied units. In return, NCOs and officers of both axis and allied units will be responsible for enforcing the standards of conduct at the event. Minimum Age. Participants must be 16 years of age to participate (with parent or guardian written consent and constant adult supervision) in any event and may represent noncombatants, such as a medic or media correspondent. One must be 18 years of age to carry a firearm. All minors 17 and under must attend with the supervision at all times of a parent or guardian, or with an established BSA Venturing group and have a Parental Consent Form signed and witnessed by two consenting adults. Authenticity. As living historians, participants are obligated to maintain individual and unit authenticity while participating in the event. There is a responsibility to look and behave as actual soldiers during WWII. In essence, all participants are portraying men and women during the mid twentieth century, and failure to contribute to the simulation is not only failing to honor fellow participants, but (in essence) the veterans of that period as well. Modern uniform apparel and equipment is not welcome. All participants must have correct period or quality reproduction uniforms and gear, or historically accurate impressions. Deliberate and blatant authenticity violations will be given warning and an opportunity for correction. If warnings are ignored, violators will be required to leave the event. • Reproductions are acceptable as long as they faithfully represent original equipment. • Use of "captured weapons" is frowned upon. Although it happened, it was not commonplace. Use of such must be approved by the Allied and Axis coordinators respectively. Be authentic; use weapons of the country you represent. • Display of Nazi Flags and Banners are not allowed in public events. German troops did not commonly display these in the field. Personal Vehicles. Personal vehicles of non-WWII vintage must be parked in a separate area, out of sight of any simulated event, immediately after unloading. Respect the right of others wishing to fully participate in the event without the intrusion of modern vehicles and equipment. Therefore, no overnight parking of privately owned vehicles allowed except in designated areas on the event site, with the exception of era correct vehicles. Alcohol/Drug Usage. There will be no alcohol consumption by participants during drills, tactical exercises, living histories, or any other events in which the unit participates in a public environment. Alcohol consumption is not encouraged, and participants are urged to show restraint and self discipline as to not induce intoxication. The handling of any weapons is absolutely prohibited when anyone has consumed alcohol. Members found to be consuming alcohol during the active time of an event will be prohibited from participating and may be required to leave if directed to do so by the coordinator/commander of the event. Illegal drugs and Controlled Substances . Illegal drug use is strictly prohibited. If participants are found to be using illegal drugs they will be immediately dismissed from the event and information will be provided to legal authorities. SAFETY. Safety is the first and primary concern. There will be an inspection of all weapons, blanks, and battlefield devices by designated members of all units. Preloaded magazines are not permitted. Blanks will be sealed in a clear plastic bag and checked by designated personnel. At the morning inspections all clips will be removed from cartridge belts for inspection. • ABSOLUTELY NO LIVE AMMUNITION ON SITE • NO wood tip blanks OR shotguns allowed • There is to be no blind firing around corners, obstacles, etc. • Combatants must have a sight on their target before firing. The area in front of a weapon must be clear ten feet of all personnel before firing. • There will be no point blanc weapon pointing at self or other participants. • No bladed weapons will be removed from a sheath during a battle in a threatening or simulated threatening manner. • No weapon will have a fixed bayonet during a battle or in direct public contact. • No hand to hand combat will be performed unless coordinated and agreed with another participant. • Absolutely no night attacks or firing of weapons at night. • No use of flare guns, fireworks, etc. • No shooting at low flying aircraft. • All explosive devices are to be approved before dispersion into the event. • The handling, possession, or discharge of any firearm is absolutely prohibited when anyone has consumed alcohol or by any individual found rationally questionable. • No person under the age of 16 will handle, possess, discharge any firearm (as defined in F.S.S. 790) during this event, unless they are a member of a participating Boy Scouts of America Venture group.This includes public minors. • All mortar simulator rounds and rifle grenades shall have a discharging charge only, with no secondary charge. Maximum weight shall be 6 ounces for projectiles with tailfins and 8 ounces for projectiles without tailfins. • Machine guns must have proper ATF paperwork. For the purposes of filing the ATF form 5320.20 "Application to transport Interstate Weapon". • In all cases, State and Federal firearms laws will be strictly adhered to by all participants. Proper certification and permits are the sole responsibility of the individual owner and must be rendered upon request. . Helmets must be worn by all uniformed participants. • Unit commanders will be ultimately responsible for their unit's actions. Battlefield Regulations. Hit calling is frowned upon and will not be tolerated. Unit commanders and NCOs will act as neutral umpires to ensure that their troops are taking obvious hits. Anyone using foul language will automatically be a casualty, and if language continues, will be asked to leave the battlefield. Unit commanders must report to the overall coordinator upon registration at an event. Please provide a roster of unit members who are attending. Individual participants will be aligned with a participating unit. The event coordinator, after review and agreement with the event staff, reserves the right to decline anyone from participating in the event, if the coordinator believes disruptive conduct and/or unsafe practices would be exhibited by a participant during the event. AGREEMENT TO RULES OF CONDUCT AND LIABILITY WAIVER Participants will be required to pay a participation fee and sign an agreement for the Release of Liability Waiver and for the Rules of Conduct Form, as defined by the WWII Historical Association of Florida for Operation Cobra 2008. Preregistration is available until September 30, 2009. Please see the Registration Page for details. |
