Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series
&
US ARMY
Recruitment and Retention Command

Established in Oct. 2002, Operation Lion Claws Military Simulation Series (OLCMSS) has grown from a modest California based “special event” to an international military war games phenomena.

Led by a cast of inspirational military personalities ranging from Ranger Col. (ret) Danny McKnight of Black Hawk Down fame, Ranger MSG (ret) Howard “Mad Max” Mullen (co-author of Army’s Hand to Hand Combat Manual), legendary Green Beret Col. (ret) Paul Longgrear, and Sgt. Kenn Miller, a LRRP man with 80 Vietnam missions under his belt, OLCMSS has transformed a wide range of young men and women into Cav. Scouts, Marines, Green Berets and PJs.

OLCMSS provides a proper venue for men and women who crave action and excitement the opportunity to test his/her physical and mental strength. For two days, these adrenalin seekers will learn to follow orders and develop a sense of teamwork under mock combat conditions. Missions are created to generate a competitive spirit within the guidelines of teamwork. Results are evident by the end of the weekend’s evolution when exhausted participants march back to base camp following the sound of Jodie chanted by their platoon leader.

OLCMSS offers a fertile ground to recruiters and retention officers.

Each participant must first apply for a position. Underage participants must be vouched by an adult and apply for a position via a written petition. Father and son pairs are strongly encouraged while we make a point to accept returning frontline troops at moments notice. OLCMSS has been proven to be one of the most effective “post combat stress relief” program by returning soldiers.

With the support of the Army, OLCMSS could be made widely available to benefit the recruitment and retention office. OLCMSS’s high quality, highly structured and controlled events would draw participants nationwide, giving adrenalin seekers of all ages a taste of the military.

At OLCMSS nothing is white washed. There’s no “marker”, no pink or purple outfits and no “throwing paint”. Participants at OLCMSS will suit up in a designated military bdu, carry an accurate AEG replica gun, an Airsoft Electric Gun that closely resembles a real military weapon, a hydration pack, compass, and a rucksack with additional “ammo” (biodegradable bb pallets) and food for the evolutions ahead. Each participant will follow strict safety rules and wear a set of ballistic safety goggles for eye protection.

OLCMSS offers video game junkies a chance to be that “hero” he/she plays on the computer. Many OLCMSS participants have put their computer skills to use by bringing their laptop to “battle”. As the Company S-2, a computer savvy participant is able to create three-dimensional maps of the AO while other digital wizards are able to relate battle front intel via hand-held devices to the Company S-3 for battlefield adjustment.

OLCMSS is not a cliché. At the end of the weekend’s evolution, each participant will draw his/her own conclusion on the experience. OLCMSS events have an 85% retention rate. With the full support of the Army, this retention rate could potentially transcribe into the Army’s Recruitment and Retention program.

To further generate interest, OLCMSS is in the process of developing an international series in which participants will have an opportunity to test their skills in foreign countries under similar mock combat conditions (working in conjunction with foreign film commission offices).

OLCMSS’s production arm, Vision Media Group (VMG), further excites each participant with a high quality DVD production of selected events. Range Control office at Ft. Hood and Zussman Combat Training Village at Ft. Knox both marveled at the high quality of VMG production.

OLCMSS is a complete program that inspires and transforms civilians into citizen soldiers.