Hey Dom, good to hear you are planning the trip!
My East Wind talk radar was beeping (Google analytics) so I figured I would pop in here and offer to directly answer any questions or concerns you guys might have.
We’ll hit a few things already mentioned first:
“age restrictions: Ages 16-18 only may participate as day players unless they have administrative approval to participate as a full time participant. If you wish to discuss the option of administrative approval please feel free to contact us at
info@operationeastwind.com”
We’re actually dropping the day player option this year. It just never really worked out that well and almost everyone who was planning to come as a day player generally changed their mind and became full time instead. Age restriction thing stays the same. We will allow 16-17 year olds who we either know personally, who are attending with parents/guardians, or those who are entirely the exception to the rule maturity wise. (Eagle Scouts, those in leadership roles in JROTC, or those with exceptional references)
“I am thinking we can rent a bus, van, or RV and go together”
The best rig I have seen for this if you can find someone who rents them is the Sprinter Vans. Here in Kansas City there is a place that rents them so when we hit the road as a group we usually try to grab one of those. They drive WONDERFULLY, have tons of room, and are powered by a fuel sipping 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine that’s quite easy on the wallet to feed. Lots of other guys just opt to take normal passenger cars supplemented by U-haul trailers too so keep that option in mind.
“Yeah... I don't think ANYONE in SC has ALL the required gear. “
Lol, nobody EVER has all the required gear… Anywhere… Ever… Heck I run the darn event and I have to go get more stuff every single year just to keep up with my own demands. (Vehicles add still more required stuff)
You are taking the correct tack for certain starting the search now, this stuff is all over the place and can all be had quite cheap if you beat the bushes and shop for deals rather than just grabbing the check book and heading to the surplus dealer the week before. Around here, we find tons of good stuff off of Craigs List, at Swap and Shops, Flea Markets and from what we have termed the underground military surplus economy. If you get out to some Militaria shows, go attend a military vehicle collector club meeting, and even just snoop around at Gun Shows you’ll quickly id guys who’s hobby is buying and selling surplus, these guys are a great resource for affordable gear in addition to a lot more information about the specific gear you are buying. For instance, did you guys know that Eagle made Alice stuff back in the day? Did you know that there is a (hard to find) specific parka liner for the night desert parka? Etc etc etc. Approach the shopping with a positive attitude and a clever mind and you will likely enjoy the hunting for kit as much as the event itself.
Anyhow, if there’s anything I can answer for you guys do let me know. Of course you should all feel free to register on the East Wind forums as well or just dig around and read up all you want.
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