OMEGA STRYKE UNIT - MILSIM SCENARIO PAINTBALL TEAM

"DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO" - FOR GOD, THE BEST AND GREATEST

The Omega Stryke Unit started as a vision of Jim Pitts (aka TANK) who is a 15-year veteran of the sport of paintball. Jim is also a youth pastor at Bethel Church in Crown Point, and with his passion of paintball Jim wanted to start a Christian paintball team. Jim talked with a couple of his youth workers, Paul Perrin (aka AON) whom had a military background and Chuck Riggle (aka JEDI) a school teacher to help put the team together. A decision to start a Military Simulation Scenario team was decided upon and with Paul’s military background he was given command of the newly started team. Much study went into creating a proper structure for the team and a lot was copied from a army-marine based structure. Jim (TANK) took over the administrative duties and Chuck (JEDI) became the quartermaster.

On January 22, 2010 we had our first official meeting to see who might be interested and a little over 25 people came out to start the Omega Stryke Unit. On Feb. 19, 2010 we had our first training session learning how to maneuver and clear rooms. More people had decided to join the team and we had a little over 30 come out for our first tactical training session. This training session was lead by Todd Koster (aka SLOOSHY) who is a law-enforcement sniper trainer. Todd also won the US Top Cop Award in 2010 and was presented with this award by US President Obama. At the training session was also Doug Van Der Weide (aka SHEPHERD) whom volunteered to do the O.S.U. website and handle promotions. Doug (SHEPHERD) soon became the webmaster and in charge of communications for the O.S.U. A father-and-son team Jack (PIX) & Wylan (FLIX) Swets also joined the team as our official photographers.

The Omega Stryke Unit’s first mission was held on March 27, 2010 at Blast Camp which was an old Nike defense base in Hobart, Indiana. Nike bases were a significant aspect of both civilian life and military planning during the Cold War era in the United States. Nike missiles were radar guided, supersonic antiaircraft missiles, and were intended to protect a major potential target, Chicago. Most bases closed in the late 70’s and by 1988 this missile base became a great place to play paintball. The O.S.U. played many military scenarios at Blast Camp and the love of MilSim Scenario Paintball soon took everyone’s heart.

Another favorite location that we played is in one of our players (RAZOR, FALCON, VALKRY) backyard. With over 65 acres of woods, hills, plains, swamp and running river we had several events at this location re-enacting all kinds of battles from General Custerd’s Last Stand to Vietnam battles.

The O.S.U. also played several "Big Games" (Chronostorm & Mobsters II) at Fort Knox Paintball. As we continued to meet and play together the team began to grow very rapidly and at the end of 2010 we had over 46 team members. We also built some great relationships (Allies) with other teams like Lapu Lapu, Op4, Chicago Heretics, Four Horsemen, and NWI Paintballers.

The Omega Stryke Unit is NOT without its growing pains. We still struggle in areas of organization, communication and structure, but one thing is for sure…when we come to play paintball we are a force to be reckoned with!

With Paul’s (AON) schedule becoming very full, Todd (SLOOSHY) took over the "Company Commander" position in 2011. The O.S.U. struggled to stay afloat in 2011. The economy was a hard driving factor for many players trying to keep up with rising costs. Even with our limited resources and the loss of many of our players we were able to play several major games and won a Most Value Team Award for Fort Knox's Freedom Fighters Game on Sept. 10-11,2011.

In 2012, the O.S.U. Chain of Command has decided to refocus the team to the basics. We have waived any and all registration fees, and will be taking donations only to cover our costs of the website and promotional materials. The O.S.U. also has learned the importance of communication and is encouraging every member to purchase their own com unit. We decided NOT to change our uniform this year (stress) due to the economy, and even changed the boot requirements from strictly "black" to include any color of boot. We have increase our "rank system" to include four more major ranks...Staff Sergeant, Sergeant 1st Class, Master Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Most of our games this year will be played at Fort Knox and we do have plans to play some local woods games against other teams. Our strongest focus this year is to get back to the basics and rebuild the team. Many of our team members have gone off to college, military, and just life in general. Some players are "Re-upin" for another year of paintball. Other "New Recruits" are waiting in the wings, ready to shoot some paint with us this year….maybe that’s you?

The OMEGA STRYKE UNIT is a team of highly motivated Military-Simulation Scenario Paintball Players from Northwest Indiana with a common goal to help shape the sport of scenario paintball while improving our team's tactical capabilities.

The OMEGA STRYKE UNIT moto is Latin

"DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO," which means...

"FOR GOD, THE BEST AND THE GREATEST."

Deo Optimo Maximo, often abbreviated D.O.M., is a Latin phrase that originally meant "to the greatest and best God", referring to Jove, when the Romans were polytheists : IOVI OPTIMO MAXIMO (I O M). Centuries later, after the Romans had become monotheists via the adoption of Christianity, the phrase was used in reference to the Christian God, and meant "To God, most good, most great." Its use continued long after the fall of Roman civilization via Europe's retention of Latin as a scholarly and ecclesiastical language. Thus the phrase or its abbreviation can be found on many Renaissance-era churches and other buildings especially over sarcophagus, particularly in Italy.

View some old Deo Optimo Maximo images ...

Image 1	Image 2	Image 3	Image 4	Image 5
Image 6	Image 7	Image 8	Image 9	Image 10

Shield: The shield stands for defense.

Chi-Rho: Monogram and symbol for Christ, consisting of the superimposed Greek letters chi (X) and rho (P) stands for our offense, strength and reason for victory! * (see more below)

Colors: Black represents the absence of light, symbolizing the method in which we strike (stryke), without being seen until it is to late for our enemy. Silver represents purity mixed with strength to symbolize the character which every member of O.S.U. possesses and demonstrates on and off the field.

Name: The name comes from the Alpha Omega Student Ministry. The O.S.U. functions all on its own with only the support of its members and sponsers.

Banner: Placed under the shield and strength to represent our position to our Lord and as a unit.

* Chi- Rho: "With This Symbol, You Shall Conquer"

What is Chi Ro? Chi Ro, pronounced (KI ROW), is probably the oldest monogram used for the name of Christ. It was found written along the walls of the catacombs, which were the cemeteries of the early Christians and also a place where they held their secret meetings. The Chi and Ro are the first two letters in the Greek word for Christ. Our CH was one letter in Greek and was shaped like our X. The Greek R had the shape of our P. By combining the RO or P to one arm of the Chi we get XP. As a pre- Christian symbol, the Chi Ro signified good fortune. The Chi Ro became an important Christian symbol when adopted by the Roman Emperor Constantine, representing the first two letters in the name Christ. According to Church Father Eusebius, on the eve of the Battle of Milvan Bridge, the Emperor saw the emblem in a dream, with the inscription "With this symbol, you shall conquer." According to the story, the battle was won. In return for the victory, Constantine erected Christian Churches. The symbol was the standard of the Emperor's army, prominently displayed on the Emperor's labarum, or battle standard.

"DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO" - FOR GOD, THE BEST AND GREATEST

Web Site by Doug Van Der Weide