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By J. Franklin
www.specialopspaintball.com
As far as woodsball snipers go, Bruce “Charon” Johnston is one of the best. He puts his military training to good use on the paintball field, and few people – if any – love the game more than he does.
Charon discusses the do’s and don’ts of woods paintball sniping, and gives us some insight into his strategies, personality, and life on the paintball scene in Nova Scotia, Canada.
When were you in the military and in what branch did you serve?
I joined in 1985 and got out in 1994. (Served in the Canadian Armed Forces - Infantry – Royal Canadian Regiment.)
 What was your specialized area of training?
In the Canadian army all soldiers are crossed trained as much as possible. This means that any individual soldier can do almost any job within the battalion. I was qualified as machine gunner, mortarman, mortar fire controller, wheeled vehicle driver, tracked vehicle driver, reconnaissance, and sniper.
What did you enjoy most about your military training?
The things I enjoyed the most and subsequently miss the most are the camaraderie and constantly pushing yourself past what you thought your limits were. When a group of men all push themselves beyond exhaustion and fatigue helping each other along the way you build a special kind of bond that is impossible to explain. I have never found that outside the military and do miss it.
Does any particular training you received in the military apply to woodsball play?
Definitely. There are a great many aspects of military training that relate directly to paintball. Some things are obvious like camouflage and concealment but other things are much more subtle, like how to walk. Once you are in the woods the training automatically kicks in even though there might be a pretty thick layer of rust on the senses.
What training do you find most advantageous?
Mostly reconnaissance training since I am sneaking, peaking and trying to move silently, unlike I would as a regular infantryman. Also as an infantryman, you are given instructions when you are on the move or fighting, while reconnaissance patrolling requires one to think on his feet more, and to take the initiative – just like during a paintball game.
How has your personal military experience affected your woodsball play?
I think the greatest benefit to my woodsball play from my military training has been that I don’t have to think about what to do in any given situation. My body just knows what to do from training and constant hours of repetition during training.
What are the primary similarities between paintball sniping and military (other than the obvious consequences of success or failure)?
I find that the greatest similarity is sneaking into and shooting from a concealed position.
What are the fundamental differences?
There a number of major differences in paintball:
- The biggest difference in playing paintball is the complete lack of fear. If you are in the field and things go sideways you die. On the paintball field you get hit with some paint, go to the neutral zone, get a drink of water, clean up and go again.
- On the paintball field there is considerably less time to do things. You don’t have a day to crawl into a position or two hours to line up a shot. Things happen much faster.
- On the paintball field everything happens much closer. There is no long range contact because everyone has similar weapons with comparable capabilities.
- In paintball your main function is to shoot paint. There is very little recon, path finding, scouting or intelligence gathering.
Are there certain military techniques (secrets of the trade) you use that consistently provide high rates of success on the scenario field?
Everyone always seems to be in such a rush on the paintball field. The most important things you can do are stay low, move slow and be patient. Find a spot and wait. People love to shoot paint so they will advance to find you. You just have to wait.
When did you first start playing paintball, and how did you initially get involved with the sport?
I first started playing paintball in the early or mid 80s. I had heard about paintball from a TV news report and became interested. I did a little research and found a copy of Action Pursuit Games at the corner store. Since I did not know of any fields in the area, or province for that matter, I wrote APG a letter (this was in the Dark Ages before the Internet and email) asking if there were any fields in Nova Scotia. They published the letter and a month later I received contact from the owners of a new field called Splatshot. I gave them a call, got some details and went out to play on their very first day of operation. I was hooked and never looked back.
How often do you play?
I play paintball as often as I can. The Nova Scotia winters aren’t too conducive to paintball, but I try to get out between two to five times a month (between woodsball and speedball).
 Where do you play?
My home field and my team’s main sponsor is Mersey (pronounced mercy) Road Paintball in Nova Scotia, Canada, the best woodsball field in eastern Canada. I also play speedball with my three-man speedball team (the Tippinators) at Overkill Sportz in Mount Uniake, Nova Scotia. They have a great speedball field and some top-notch players.
Mersey Road Paintball has an incredible woodsball field. They have a speedball filed next to the huge w oodsball field, buildings, towers, broken cover, thick cover, rentals, on site canteen, tech truck, friendly people where everyone is made to feel welcome, bring your own paint and a free hot dog to boot. After my first visit to Mersey Road Paintball, I was so impressed with the field, the staff, and regulars that I’ve never left. I can’t say enough good things about Jim and Howie Laglois, the field owners, and the paintball experience they have put together.
What are some of your favorite aspects of woodsball?
As with the military, the camaraderie with the guys plus the time I get to spend with my son are my absolute favorite aspects of the game. But the one thing that most impresses me about paintball as a sport is the fact that any person of any age can compete to the maximum of their ability on the same field without holding anything back. How many other sports can you think of where a 40-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy can compete against each other head to head, and on any given day either one can win? Paintball is a truly a special sport. I only wish more people would see it that way.
What other positions/roles do you normally take on when playing woodsball?
I really enjoy medium rifleman / Sabre so I can be in the middle of things, and therefore switch to any position as the game develops. However, usually after an hour I have a few people following me so I end up trying to turn a gaggle of noobs into a fighting force. In other words, I end up being a squad commander. Of course, I still snipe whenever I get the chance. Old habits die hard.
What is your marker of choice?
I love my Tippmann A-5. I have it modified to look and feel like a real rifle since that is what I am accustomed to using. For me, the A-5 is the perfect all-around marker. It is easily customizable, tough as nails, inexpensive, and simple to operate and maintain. Best of all it can be used in any woodsball position – and even on the speedball field.
How would you describe your playing style?
I follow the job description of the infantryman. I “close with and destroy the enemy” so to speak. I always play honestly and have fun. If I get hit, oh well; if I take someone out great. It’s all good as long as everyone is having fun.
What are the most important attributes for a paintball sniper?
To be a great paintball sniper you must have patience, control and nerves of steel and most importantly the ability to learn from your mistakes. No one knows everything. I learn things every time I play that is the only way to get better.
What are the top five “do’s” of paintball sniping?
- Imagine what the person looking in your direction will see, not what you see. That is a tough concept to understand but very important. Try to imagine what you look like from the target’s point of view and then do everything you can to be invisible.
- Always match your camouflage to your surroundings, don’t just put on a ghillie and think you are invisible. Look at the trees and grass around you and make changes to your camo as you go. If you are in the middle of a pine forest, being covered in daisies isn’t going to help you much.
- Be patient. If possible, wait until the target passes before shooting.
- Plan your getaway. As soon as you fire, your opponents will know where you are. Can you safely displace and take up a new position from where you are now? If not, move. Pre-sight four or five shooting positions before the game starts.
- Practice and match you gun, barrel and paint. All the sneak and peek tips in the world will not help if you cannot hit anything. Spend some money on different paint to find the one that is perfect for you.
What are the top five “don’ts” of paintball sniping?
- Don’t shoot too soon.
- Don’t go near buildings or bunkers. The eye is naturally drawn toward prominent object. If you are near a prominent object there is a better chance of being detected.
- Stay out of natural lines of drift. Don’t hide where people walk stay on the tape line side of a natural path so there is less chance of detection.
- Once you get out of the safe area stay low. Crouch, crawl, wiggle whatever you need to avoid being seen while you deploy. If you cannot see the other team, then move as fast as possible to your first shooting position.
- Stay away from other players. The eye will follow a group of people so steer clear.
What are the most common mistakes you see young paintball snipers commit?
- Most new players shoot too soon and give away their position, allowing the other side ample time to move in and eliminate the shooter.
- Most don’t adapt their camouflage to match environment. Always pay attention to your surroundings.
- Forcing the contact. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to get into a firefight. It will come, patience, patience, patience.
 Bruce Johnston served as a Master Corporal / Section Commander in the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment where he was qualified as a sniper, machine gunner, mortar man, and in reconnaissance. Since his honorable discharge in 1994, Bruce has established a successful career as a business executive and lives with his wife, Christine and 12-year-old son, Josh, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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