Paintball: The Sport That Could End War

The bushcraft weekend ended where all warriors feel most alive—on the field of battle.
Not real war, but something more fun, more freeing: paintball.

For the longest time, I’ve said this sport has the power to end war.
Why?
Because paintball’s for everyone. Big, small. Sick, strong. Fat, jacked, young, old—it doesn’t matter. If you’ve got the guts to step on the field, you’ve got a shot.

The Day Kicked Off Like a Mission

Woke at 0530. Tent down. Camp packed. On the road by 0600. Home and unloading by 0630.

Woke the kids. Showered. Geared up.
This was the first game day of the new season—and my kids, Brian and Dottie, are on the team this year.

Just the thought of slinging paint had my adrenaline pumping. That raw rush of seeing a ball connect across the field—it’s primal and intimate. A shot you respect.

The Team Assembles

We loaded up and rolled out to OSG, now our home field. David (our A-Jersey, co-captain) was already there with Mike, checking gear. He also brought in our 2025 jerseys—this year we’re rolling as the Green Monkeys, straight out of Legends of the Hidden Temple. Neon green. Loud and proud.

And then came the rain.
Didn’t matter.
We hit the field and let loose. First game in, and it was go-time all day.

Dan and Paige showed up mid-day, a little later than expected, but they tore it up just the same.

No Breaks, Just Battle

I played nonstop. Breaks were just long enough to reload paint and air. The rest? Pure fuel.
I needed that release. And apparently, someone else noticed.

One of the refs pulled me aside—he’d been watching my play since last season. Asked if I was on a team. I gave him the lowdown: “Yeah, rec ball with my crew.”

He nodded, then dropped a bomb: “That’s why I’m telling you—I’ve been watching. I’m scouting.”

A local traveling team wants me?
Hell yeah. That’s huge.
Told him to keep eyes on David, too—guy’s a beast.

After that? I turned it up. Played harder. Led louder. Lifted my squad like always. Been doing that since the late ‘90s.

Why Paintball Matters

Combat put my game on pause in the early 2000s. When I came back in ‘09, so did paintball.
David and I met at ITT. He played. I played. We built that bond again on the field.

Now, we’re back—bringing up the next generation, playing how we always have:
With grit, respect, and fun.

There’s something sacred about this sport.
You leave it all out there.
You congratulate the shot that took you out.
You swap stories over food and drinks.
You become a tribe.

Even the new players—like my kids—get welcomed, coached, encouraged. That’s the spirit of the game. Camaraderie over ego.

Could It Really End War?

Here’s why I believe it:
Paintball has international teams.
A World Cup.
The best gunners out there, tactically wrecking shop—then hugging it out post-match.

Imagine politicians or generals solving conflict this way.
No body count. Just bruises and stories.

You’ll find us out there every other weekend through October @ OSG and AG Paintball.
We’re loud. We’re dirty. We play for the love of it.

If you’ve ever felt that call—don’t ignore it.
Come sling paint.
Come play.
Come find yourself again.