Ethnography (UBS)

Decio Gomes English 11


Ethnography

I was having trouble finding a subculture that would be interesting to write about. A group that would have many stories to share about their experience with what they do. I chose to write about a Taunton Local Paintball Team named Unbreakable Silence (UBS). From being close friends who grew up together to partners out in the field, each member in this team communicates the same in or out the field. They use their own slang. Words or phrases that mean something to you, will mean something different to them. To confuse or throw off opponents out on the field. I found this very interesting and also brilliant. It gives them an advantage knowing each other for so long that this “language” became their own with way of communicating.
As I arrive at their training facility, I automatically spot the team I am writing on. In the middle of an intense skirmish, the co-leader and leader are facing each other. I approach the rest of the team sitting on the sideline, some standing up from the anxiety to some unable to stop bouncing their heel in a upward and downward movement. Me not knowing what was going on, they then inform me it was a skirmish between the two who are in charge of the team. The first time meeting with the team I was forecasting in dealing with a team who does it just for the fun. I was wrong, instead I was dealing with a team who took their hobby very seriously. This team having a well organized structure, and strong communication skills increases their chances in winning.
I first realized when it was my first time with them at their practice. When the captain sorts out and displays new strategies, you must follow along carefully and know your role. Some strategies, involved in some members playing the guinea pig. Which basically meant take one for the team. Some will play the bait, while others go for the objectives. The game involves a 5 on 5. Each team consists of 8 players. Five on the field, three on the sideline.
I proceed to ask questions on how they worked as a team and the usual outcome of their strategies. The leader of the team who is one of my close friend’s brother broke down their ranking system and how to obtain each rank. The ranking is based on stripes. Each time a player is noticed to be developing in live games or do something that catches leaders attention, then leader revises member for a possible move up in the team. By doing this, players have motivation to seek another rank for more privileges. This team consists of 1 leader, 1 co-leader, 1 captain, and 5 members.

· Leader aka “The Ghost”- The team leader earned his stripes by “representing” for the team. The Ghost can be the last one left against a full roster, and he will manage to outsmart each player and eliminates his opponents one by one. His weapon equipped with attachments is customized to be silenced, gives him advantage in stealth when playing. Gets an adrenaline rush which puts him in a zone he calls “survival of the fittest”. His role as a leader is to sort out strategies in rough drafts, to keep team together by being in contact. Also being in charge of scheduled practices and skirmishes. Presents rough drafts of strategies to be revised by the co-leaders, then presented to the team by the captain.


· Co-Leader aka “Right Hand”- Earned his name along with rank, when doing really well in matches back to back by being last one left with the leader. Both matches being against their rival tensions was built between each team. By assisting an intense matches with him as a captain and his leader left against 5 opponents, both times he was recognized as MVP. By taking risks to keep the leader as the last one left, his time to shine was on. The leader seen potential. Side by Side, before their sweat makes it from their forehead to their chin, the whole opposing team was out of the game. This giving him his role, which consists in revising strategies, looking for sponsors, and helping leader with his roles.

· Captain- Captains are rotated by members who earn it. Before each match, team has practices/skirmishes. If recognized by leader or co-leader in their development, they may be eligible for the position. Captains get their taste at some “leadership” Keeps the team motivated to do better in order to achieve the promotion. The member assigned captain get privileges temporarily as they hold their role. They get “dayaways” which are 3 personal days. Those personal days can be practices or skirmishes.

What I found very interesting was the values of this team. Each player has their own preference in their game play. This results to each player getting different attachments for their weapons to adapt to their way of playing. For Example, the leader has a longer barrel which suppresses the paintball and makes lesser sound when firing. This making him undetectable gives him an advantage. There are players which have a bigger ammunition storage. This benefiting them when coming to long matches. Each player has their personality, and in my opinion their weapons symbolizes that.
Another value I noticed that was admired that is very unusual was scars and bruises. Each teammate had there own story for each scar or bruise. They refer to them as signatures. When getting hit by the opponent, you have been “signed” by them. Meaning eliminated. Each bruise they can remember who it was from and what was at stake at the time. After each match players are looked at by leader and co leaders for their records. The least bruises, the better chance of becoming captain.
Every practice, skirmish, or actual match, built up adrenaline. This was also valued. The rush that is built up, almost makes them numb to the pain. Sometimes resulting in players going on “rampages” which basically mean go all out. By getting shot multiple times but still proceeding to be careless and out in the open. This results to more bruises, and lesser chance in ranking up.
From this team’s structure and communication; their friendship and partnership becomes stronger. Their team oriented activities are very interesting to watch just because how well in tact the team is. Through experiences of winning and losing this team gained loyalty and trust within the team. The two motives that I seen and found interesting in this team, and made me choose them to write about. Seeing how they interact, and how much is accomplished by using what they have built, motivates me in creating something similar in a different field.