It is with great pleasure that Comrades in Arms presents the first benefit to owners of the Comrades in Arms membership card.
Since much of what we currently do (and have plans for in the future) has as much to do with re-enactment as airsoft, Comrades in Arms is now affiliated with the re-enactment umbrella organisation AFRA (All Fronts Re-enactment Association).
AFRA has representations with the Government and the Home Office as well as Police Authorities representing your interests. AFRA aims also to work alongside established bodies in this field such as NaRES, SBG, WWIILHA and anyone else who is making positive inroads in our sphere of interest.
Included in the package:
* Admittance to a Members Area of the AFRA website.
* Admittance to the AFRA Members Forum
* Access to the Events Section where they may inform the Association of their intent to attend a show on the calendar.
* Access to the Risk Assessment Section where they may compile an online Risk Assessment to qualify for the relevant insurance.
* Comprehensive Insurance Cover for Living History/re-enactment activities. (This includes – Third Party Public Liability Insurance, Theft cover from, to and at an event, Theft cover of items stored securely at home. Member to Member cover. Cover for Vehicles when not covered by the Road Traffic Act (in an arena or behind a rope on a display) Personal accident Cover.*)
* Re-enactor status for the purposes of RIF personal importation and RIF purchase from growing number of UK dealers.
So, Comrades in Arms have sold out? What happened to their coveted ‘inclusively’? Well, simply put, not much has changed other than a widening of horizon. Our game rules won’t change - we love players turning up in looks-like kit as it’s the foundation of a new player base. In time kit will ‘improve’ but always at a personal pace, not dictated by others. But, we recognise other players are looking for something more and for those that do the AFRA package may appeal.
Who might benefit?
Players who attend re-enactment events not as part of an organised group (often promenading) who are required to have personal Public Liability insurance.
Players who require insurance cover for personal injury or loss or damage to kit.
Players who want to become part of the bigger re-enactment scene.
Players who can’t fulfil the requirements of the VCRA airsofter’s defence (unable to get UKARA as they play at many sites).
How do I join
Apply to the CiA membership secretary (Old 'Un) by PM, post, email or PM - not on open forum.
How do I qualify?
CiA will validate your application.
You must be over 16yrs.
You must have played at a CiA game and hold a CiA membership card (which will be issued from 2nd March 2008)
Your level of kit accuracy/completeness must reflect that of a keen re-enactor.
You must abide by the rules of AFRA http://www.afra.org.uk/documents/AFRARules2008.pdf (rules currently under review to reflect new members need)
How much does it cost?
£20 per annum, payable to Comrades in Arms who will process the application with AFRA.
For more information on AFRA's thoughts and opinions on the affiliation to WW2 Airsoft Reenactment please read Paul Dalby's (PD) post at the bottom of this page
Impressive stuff Dave... Well done. 
Fantastic news! Applause and addulation to the CiA team for pulling this off, I'm sure it wasnt easy. 
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942
Nice work!, should help out quite a few on here who only do WW2 airsoft
great stuff
Should help a few roving players out that until now have been stuck, not for me put then I've paid out in otherways and can't justify another £20 for the same thing 
All the best with this move forward, I would watch but won't be able to 
well not past on here 
No change on that score Helga. There is no 'them and us' only 'us'.
Also AFRA membership or indeed CiA membership confers no special status on the person, they are not special or different, they are both personal choices.
As always, unpleasantness on this forum will be dealt with swiftly - it will remain a fun place to be, pointless and divisive threads will be curtailed.
However, this does open up new opportunities which we will be bringing forward in the coming months.
Comrades in Arms is and remains an inclusive organisation and we include reenactors too!
Thats fine I didn't/don't think it would 
just wanted confirmation cos I loikes it here 
and realise how easily things can spiral (am sat waiting for it to be twigged, three be a lurker watching and posted o'er elsewhere cos I realise it will make more of a storm the other way around )
You speak of the new opportunities ? is that opportunities for all ?, ones brought about by affiliation ? , ones for those that join the affiliation ?
Fantastic news! It will really help those who would struggle to get their "defence" for buying a RIF by attending the same site month in, month out.
CiA has always had the feel of a "club", firendly and welcoming, somewhere you look forward to being. This scheme can only help foster that feeling.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
This is great news, and further proof that CiA is going places. Well done organisers, I have been and will remain proud to be part of this.
Where do I sign...
You speak of the new opportunities ? is that opportunities for all ?, ones brought about by affiliation ? , ones for those that join the affiliation ?
Yes.
That doesn't answer the question I asked with genuine interest 
but I shall not pry anymore 
By the way, who is the membership secretary?
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Sorry, that is Guy (I'll amend original piece). Applications for AFRA will be in private, not on open forum - so either by post, face to face, emails or PM.
Sorry, that is Guy (I'll amend original piece). Applications for AFRA will be in private, not on open forum - so either by post, face to face, emails or PM.
Oh dear, I bet Guys "inbox" is going to get very full, very quickly!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Welcome into the fold CiA. AFRA makes no demands of you except post your events and fill in the risk assessment forms. Thats it.
I'm sure the blurring of the boundaries will continue to the benefit of all.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Sorry, that is Guy (I'll amend original piece). Applications for AFRA will be in private, not on open forum - so either by post, face to face, emails or PM.
Oh dear, I bet Guys "inbox" is going to get very full, very quickly!
Well, Kermit's doing H&S and risk assessment, CW is doing all the marketing and PR, Guy is taking care of membership and I'm treasurer so we'll all be busy!
Welcome into the fold CiA. AFRA makes no demands of you except post your events and fill in the risk assessment forms. Thats it.
I'm sure the blurring of the boundaries will continue to the benefit of all.
It doesn't look like that's the case from the pdf of rules that Chommers posted at the start of this thread... I'm assuming they need updating?
6.3. Pyrotechnics
6.3.1. Hand thrown pyrotechnics are NOT to be used at public events
6.3.2. Never throw any form of pyrotechnic into a confined space
6.3.3. All pyrotechnics must be cleared by the Pyrotechnics/Safety Officer
6.3.4. The word “GRENADE†must be called before releasing a pyrotechnic No member is to leave a battle site (whether it be public or private) without following the correct safety procedure.
6.4. Weapon Safety
6.4.1. Weapons must not be fired at a person within a distance of 10m
6.4.2. No weapon is to be loaded until given permission by the Units Commander or Senior NCO
6.4.3. Safety catches must be applied at all times unless given permission to remove by the Unit Commander
6.4.4. No weapon is ever to be pointed at a member of the public
6.4.5. No bayonets are to be fixed during the battle
6.4.6. Live firing weapons are not to be handled by the public
6.4.7. Never carry a loaded weapon in transit
6.4.8. Never discharge a weapon anywhere, only in combat or a designated weapons clearance point
6.4.9. Always make others aware that you are testing a firearm by calling out “TEST FIREâ€
6.4.10. Do not fire your weapon within 10m of the crowd line
6.4.11. Do not fire your weapon too close to the person next to you
Hardly airsoft-friendly, is it? 
