Shop talk, Military&Leo only subforum- bad idea?

**Vieux Normand** · Posted On: 4/14/2009 10:16pm

Why not go one better? Once the military/LEO-only subforum has been established, all other subforums can specifically exclude military/LEOs.

EDIT:...unless, of course, those wishing to join the other subforums PM proof to the mods, which will allow them to participate and net them a nice "civilian" tag. We get far too much "civilians-suck" stuff as it is, from people who don't have a clue what that kind of life is like...

**omoplatypus** · Posted On: 4/14/2009 10:47pm

hmmm............ i would prefer that it be open to the public to read, but restricted to people with military and LEO tags to post.

**Trek** · Posted On: 4/14/2009 11:11pm

Originally Posted by Vieux Normand

Why not go one better? Once the military/LEO-only subforum has been established, all other subforums can specifically exclude military/LEOs.

EDIT:...unless, of course, those wishing to join the other subforums PM proof to the mods, which will allow them to participate and net them a nice "civilian" tag. We get far too much "civilians-suck" stuff as it is, from people who don't have a clue what that kind of life is like...

LEO/Military (ex-LEO/Military) members have experience as civilians, non LEO/Military people don't have experience in both areas of life. So really we would have access to both areas. :zicon_ram

**Robstafarian** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 12:00am

Originally Posted by GuiltySpark

As far as the concept of the sub forum goes no I don't think stricter moderation would matter.

The idea is for the forum to be Military and Law Enforcement only and not accessible by the public even as a read only forum.

A place where we can (within opsec) discuss what's going in Afghanistan, Iraq and on the mean streets back home at a soldier/beat cop? level without trolls and more importantly the media having a crack at it.

I get where you're coming from, but I'd like very much to be able to read the forum. How am I supposed to stop being an ignorant shitass civilian if I'm not allowed to get some perspective?

After reading this thread, I've imagined a hybrid approach. By default, the forum is read-only to anyone not verified as Military or Law Enforcement, and those who are verified as such can post. However, the person who creates a new thread can click a checkbox which makes the thread invisible to the public. Think of it like proactive redaction. That checkbox would still be available to the thread starter or a mod in case the thread evolves into something which needs to be redacted.

Phrost or a mod will have to comment as to whether the granularity of access controls would allow for such a dynamic, but I think it's a solid compromise.

**M.C.** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 12:25am

I would be sad to see this "exclusive" thing happen.
As much as I understand that there are things you can't talk about on a public forum, for several reasons. I like the army LEO forum. I know that I sometimes don't agree with stuff posted in here but I know this is the weapon army leo forum so I STFU and read. I like stuff posted here, I learned a lot about types of rounds/calibers/rifels/handguns that I never would have bothered with if it wasn't for this forum. Also I like the stories people post, such as Dave or Gazeere.
I know you guys want your own playground, fair enough, but the question is if a few PM's (you can send to several people) wouldn't do and keep us "normals" here.
Just saying.

***jnp*** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 12:49am

I think this is a good idea. It could have a public and a private area, similar to the BBC. The Armory is already the public shop. Why not set up a private club too?

**mrm1775** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 1:54am

I like the idea. I do prefer to allow a civilian perspective on the vast majority of the topics we discuss, as I think the rest of society should have a greater awareness of these things, but there are some subjects are a little more "privileged."

Might attract more military/LEO types to the forum as well.

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 1:57am

Bad: Forum will be filled with jingoistic glurge

Good: Maybe they'll get it out of their systems there

**Vieux Normand** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 9:01am

Originally Posted by Trek

LEO/Military (ex-LEO/Military) members have experience as civilians, non LEO/Military people don't have experience in both areas of life. So really we would have access to both areas. :zicon_ram

PROOF of "civilian experience" is required. PM this to the mods or you don't get to climb up into the "civvies-only tree-fort". Exclusivity demands maintenance of standards, dontcha know...

Actually, come to think of it, why limit this "exclusion" business to one or two professions? I've been professionally involved in use-of-force on combative individuals for longer than some uniformed pers. have even been alive--and without the benefits of the tools they can carry on the job. Why not a "bouncers-only subforum"?

No need to stop there. No discussions of any MA whatsoever by those who cannot prove that they practise the MA in question--separate, totally-exclusive subforums for each and every MA. Also, let us not forget those involved in dealing with the repercussions of force used. An exclusive subforum open only to lawyers. Another one for paramedics. One for reconstructive surgeons. And so on...

This could be the start of something which, I'm sure, exists NOWHERE else on the Web...so no snarky troll-comments about "redundant", "reinventing the wheel" or any other such noise...'kay?

**Phrost** · Posted On: 4/15/2009 9:17am

I'm sold on it, but we need 3 things:

1. Solid commitment to keep it from being a ghost forum (I hate those with a passion). This involves members actively recruiting people they know on and offline to post there.

2. A crystal clear and simple set of access requirements.

3. An OPSEC for Dummies guide.