Thunderstruck is a team of peers and equals. This means we have no team captain. We have no leader and we normally follow whoever is 'holding the ball' in any given weekend of paintball. Sometimes it may be TB; other times Nudi; maybe even Joe or Flatline. It varies from game to game and is usually based on who the commander chooses as his point of contact with our team. We’ve structured ourselves much like a club in the fact that we have an elected president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer. This allows for the team to function and get the things done which must be done through committee; things that would normally fall within the scope of a team captain. And while we have an elected president, he is not the equivalent of a captain and has no 'veto vote;" meaning his vote is no more important than any other on the team. This way, everyone feels as much a part of the team as everyone else...no head, no foot, no hierarchy, no pecking order.
Currently our president is Barrie 'Nudi' Reid, the vice-president is Mia Cary and the secretary/treasurer is Joe Gruener. We try to meet once a month online or via conference call since we are a national team, spread out by the four winds in various states like Indiana, Texas and Florida and now New Jersey! And please don't forget that: we are a national team. Don't think just because you are talking to a member from Texas playing in a Texas game that we are a Texas-based team. Same goes for Indiana, or Florida and even New Jersey!
Many people ask questions about how we are able to dominate a field, or a game the way we do. Believe it or not, a lot of it is in how we view the game. We try to never lose sight of the big picture. We also know communication is the key: we utilize radios for inter-team communications and provide radios to the commander, allowing him to communicate not only with us, but with other teams and those teams with us and each other. This provides an invaluable tool if used correctly and allows for a quick 'snapshot' of the field at any given time. Again, communication is the key to battle, and we have proven this more times than not...
We normally play and hit the field as a group, but we can often be found running solo or in pairs. We adapt our playing style to the game. We do what is needed when and where it is needed. While it might be easier to get around two of us than ten of us, realize you will still have your work cut out for you. If you get the drop on us, we will take the walk and you won't hear a peep out of us. But we all play by the rules; we will hold you to them as well. And WE KNOW THE RULES. We suggest you don't try any cheesy crap on us or let us catch you cheating because we will (probably very loudly) call you on it or point it out to the closest ref!
And since we are on the subject of cheating, know this: THUNDERSTRUCK DOES NOT CHEAT! Period. We don't have to.
Night play is very important to us. We know night play can make or break a scenario game. Many players (who don't play at night, but prefer to stay back at camp) are shocked at the profound changes in score and tempo of the game on Sunday morning. It is our solemn pledge to any commander we play for: we won't leave this field until you do...we are here for the long haul. But don't think this is such a burdensome task! Since we play with Gen 3 Night Vision and other high-tech toys, night time is a time to savor; a time to become the predators that hunt the dark.
The future is bright for Thunderstruck as we venture forth to record our accomplishments in annals of paintball history...after all, we have a legacy AND a name to live up to. We look forward to playing with and/or against all our old friends and any new ones who enter the fray. We play for the love of the sport with intensity and honor and for the thrill of the hunt...and when your base is getting hit and you hear the sound of thunder, just remember: you’ve been Thunderstruck!