Citadel Rules

Citadel Airsoft Anti-bullying and Harassment Po...

Harassment and bullying of individuals and employees are against federal, state and local policy, and are not tolerated by Citadel Airsoft, LLC. Citadel Airsoft is committed to providing all individuals with a safe and civil environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, Citadel Airsoft has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment and procedures to deal with incidents of bullying and harassment. Bullying and harassment of individuals including members, employees, and volunteers will not be tolerated.

Citadel Airsoft prohibits harassment, bullying, hazing, or any other victimization of individuals based on any of the following actual or perceived traits or characteristics, including but not limited to age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.

This policy is in effect while members, volunteers, and employees are on business property; while in business-owned or business-operated vehicles; while attending or engaged in business-sponsored or related activities; and while away from the business if the misconduct directly affects the good order, efficient management and welfare of the business, employees, volunteers, or members.

If, after an investigation, a member or volunteer is found to be in violation of this policy, the individual shall be disciplined by appropriate measures which may include suspension from the business or related activities, expulsion, and/or termination of membership. If, after an investigation, an employee is found to be in violation of this policy, the employee shall be disciplined by appropriate measures which may include suspension or termination.

When looking at the totality of the circumstances, harassment and bullying mean any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct toward an individual or group of individuals which is based on any actual or perceived trait or characteristic and which creates an objectively hostile environment that meets one or more of the following conditions:

• Places the individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual’s person or property;
  
• Has a substantially detrimental effect on the individual’s physical or mental health;
  
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s use of business-related services; or
  
• Has the effect of substantially interfering with the individual’s ability to participate in, enjoy, or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by membership at Citadel Airsoft.

Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, social media, internet-based communications, pager service, cell phones, electronic text messaging or similar technologies.

Harassment and bullying may include, but are not limited to, the following behaviors and circumstances:

• Repeated remarks or encouragement of such conduct to demean or tarnish the reputation of any individual or group;
  
• Conduct which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment including implied or explicit threats;
  
• Demeaning jokes, stories, or activities directed at an individual or group; and/or
  
• Unreasonable interference with an individual's use of the business, business-related activities, membership, or employment.

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to the conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of the individual’s employment, membership, or other business-related benefits;
  
• Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for business-related decisions affecting that individual; or,
  
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Any person who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of bullying or harassment under this policy to an owner or employee shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to the person’s participation in any administrative, judicial, or other proceeding relating to the report. Individuals who knowingly file a false complaint may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Retaliation against any person who has filed a bullying/ harassment complaint or assisted/participated in a harassment investigation is also prohibited. Any individuals who knowingly file false harassment complaints or gives false statements in an investigation shall be subject to discipline by appropriate measures, as shall any person who is found to have retaliated against another in violation of this policy. Any individual or volunteer found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to and including expulsion from the business and termination of membership. Any employee found to have retaliated in violation of this policy shall be subject to measures up to and including termination of employment.

Citadel Airsoft will promptly and reasonably investigate allegations of bullying or harassment. The owners will be responsible for handling all complaints alleging bullying or harassment, including any made by any employees or volunteers. The owners are also responsible for organizing training programs for staff and volunteers. The training will include how to recognize harassment and what to do in case an individual is harassed. It will also include effective harassment prevention strategies.

Citadel Airsoft will annually publish this policy. The policy may be publicized by inclusion in the employee handbook, referenced in membership materials, and on Citadel Airsoft’s website and intranet. A copy shall be made to any person at Citadel Airsoft’s Pro-Shop located at 34 Suffolk St. Worcester, MA.

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Flashpoint Rules (draft)

Citadel Flashpoint Rules
(draft)

All the usual Citadel Rules apply but these override the areas where they overlap @ Flashpoint.. so yeah no blindfiring etc etc etc.

BBs
Fully Bio-Degradable BBs only. Some brands of Bio are not really Bio Degradable and we will make a ban-list. We have a responsibility to preserve the environment and take it seriously.

Regular Airsoft Guns
FPS Limit: 400fps with .20g  360fps with .25g [1.49j]
Minimum Engagement Distance (MED):  10ft outside urban area, no MED inside
ROF Rule: Full Auto allowed outside urban area, from outside into urban area, from urban area to outside, but SEMI-ONLY within urban area.  NO AUTOWINDER MAGS ARE ALLOWED AT ANY POINT ON THIS FIELD EXCEPT IN ACTUAL SAW WEAPONS, NO M4 WITH 800 ROUNDS MAGAZINES
**note: If you are using a Polar Star Airsoft rifle you must provide your own regulator locks or will will ziptie them for you or you will not be allowed to use them on the field.**
**note: on MilSim Days only designated SAW gunners with actual SAWs will be F/A**


Sniper Guns
Anyone using a sniper weapon must be certified by Citadel Airsoft Staff prior to use to insure player safety.
FPS Limit: 550fps with .20g 450fps with .25g [2.81j]
Minimum Engagement Distance (MED):  Firm 60ft outside urban area. NO FIRE within urban area.
ROF Rule:  Gun must be bolt-action.  Mechanically restricted to semi-auto allowed on case-by-case basis with training and approval from staff.
*High FPS Revolvers can follow sniper rules including MED

Gear Rules
Eye/Face Pro:  Under 18 requires full paintball style mask, or combination of quality full-seal goggles and hard lower face protection (mesh, ironface, etc).   Over 18 requires full-seal STRAPPED ANSI Z81+ rated eye-wear.  It is ok to wear the full-seal small sunglasses things if you wear the strap, it is too easy for them to slip or fall off your face with just stems. NO EXECPTIONS.  Due to the large urban area we strongly recommend covering all exposed skin especially the face and ears for all ages.

Clothing: No shorts, no open-shoes at any age.  Much of this field is pavement, this would be a recipe for disaster.

Recommended Gear:   Knee Pads, Elbow Pads, cover all exposed skin with sturdy clothing, FRS Radio with ear-piece.

Designated Field/Range:  Players are to stay within the orange tape/flag boundary area during game, and in the designated 'range' area for testing weapons.  Discharge of any airsoft device outside of these areas, or leaving the game field during game, or shooting from the game field or range at the netting, or outside the boundary will get you immediately sent home and/or banned.  This is for the safety of our customers and the neighborhood.

Tailgating / General Gun Safety
You are not to brandish, load, dry-fire, any Airsoft weaponry in the parking area. You are not to discharge any Airsoft weapon on the property except in the designated field, and range areas. Violations of this will get you sent home or banned.  We have neighbors, we have roadways adjacent to us, this is for the protection of non-players, observers, and the public.

In addition, magazines should never be in an Airsoft weapon outside the designated game area and range.  In case of pistols and grenades if they are holstered or placed in pouches/bags with all safety devices active that is acceptable due to the time to load them but use common sense.

Barrel Bags are REQUIRED, we may have them for sale, we may not, they are still required. You can get them at most shops, and online on Amazon and other places, even ones wide enough to fit over mock-suppressors.

Do not brandish your weapon anywhere outside the game and range areas, likewise do not sweep your weapon over people. Treat your weapon as if it was real in terms of safety.

No alcohol, or drugs you do not have a prescription for are allowed on the premises at any time.

Pop-Up Canopys, camping chairs, and all that are encouraged for comfort during non-game times as we have very limited seating right now.  

There will be an area you can setup a gas-grill, (no charcoal as I don't want to dispose of it) and do cooking.  All trash from a cookout is your responsibility to bring off the property.

Likewise if we catch you littering you will be sent home or banned.

A smoking area will be designated and it is not in the grass parking lot, a butt bucket will be provided and we expect you to use it.  Smoking in dry-grass is a way to make sure everyone's car goes up in flames.  Smoking and flicking butts outside the designated area will get you sent home or banned.

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Airsoft Safety Rules

Airsoft can be a fun sport, but like many sports, proper safety equipment is required.


Full Face Protection *REQUIRED UNDER 18*
Players under the age of 18 are required by insurance to wear a hard, full face covering, such as a paintball mask that fully protects the eyes, nose, mouth, and face.  Airsoft ANSI Z87.1 rated goggles and a metal mesh, or rigid 'Ironface' lower face protection, are allowed as long as both are worn at all times.


Eye Protection  *REQUIRED*
Eye protection is the most important thing you need to play Airsoft, but often players put themselves in danger by wearing insufficient eye protection. Proper eye protection for Airsoft offers a full seal around the eyes. The lenses, at minimum, should be ANSI Z87.1 rated and ideally MIL-DTL-43511D rated. (It requires that goggle lenses can withstand impacts from .22 chisel-point projectiles fired at 560 feet/sec (~167m/sec) without penetrating the lenses.)

Do you really want to be the player who spent weeks researching the best Airsoft gun, but was too shortsighted to put the same care in protecting their eyes? You can buy another gun. You only have one pair of eyes.

NO Shooting or Safety Glasses! You must have full-seal goggles; no exceptions.


Covering Exposed Skin *RECOMMENDED*
Covering exposed skin with sturdy clothing such as BDUs, tactical gear, or even a hoodie and sweats goes a long way in helping protect your skin against both the environment and BB welts. We strongly recommend covering sensitive areas such as the head, neck, knuckles, knees, elbows, and other thin-skinned areas, but you should wear long sleeves and long pants as well.


Gloves *RECOMMENDED*
In outdoor Airsoft games, gloves are a good idea. In indoor Airsoft games, they are something that no player should be without. Nothing ruins your day like being shot in the knuckles or a finger tip from 10 feet away. A pair of mechanics-style gloves will cost about $10.00 at most stores and will protect you hands and fingers fairly well. Of course, better gloves cost more money, but they also offer better protection. Like any kind of sports equipment, as you grow into the sport you invest more in equipment, but don’t let that stop you from protecting your hands.


Lower Face Protection *RECOMMENDED*
So, you have a good set of goggles. Your eyes are protected. What about your teeth and your face in general? Having some form of lower face protection is very important when you are playing at a CQB (Close Quarters Battle) facility. You will be having BBs shot at you from 10 feet away (and sometimes less).

There are many kinds of lower face protection, and each has good points. You can wear a Shemagh, a lower face protector like 'The Ironface,' or one of the better mesh lower face protectors.


No Running *RECOMMENDED*
Running while holding onto a live Airsoft gun can result in you tripping or colliding with another player and causing injuries. The "slow is smooth, smooth is fast" saying has its origins in the military. With that context, the meaning is fairly obvious: moving fast, or rushing it is reckless and will likely get you killed. If you move slowly, carefully, and deliberate, however, you are really moving as fast as you can without needlessly increasing the risk to your life.


Barrel Blockers  *REQUIRED*
These must be on, and magazines out when you are off the playing field. No exceptions and every field in New England enforces this. If you don’t have one, we sometimes have them for sale, but so does Walmart, Dicks, and most paintball/airsoft stores. No excuses. You will get a warning, then sent home. Nobody loses an eye in our building.


FPS Limits  *REQUIRED*
The FPS limit at The Citadel is 360 FPS using .25 bbs or up to 400 using .20′s. Please note this is a limit and not a goal! a lower FPS is better overall since this is a CQB center.


No Pyrotechnics *REQUIRED*
We do not allow pyrotechnics of any kind in our building (including “cold” pyro). This rule is non-negotiable. Bringing pyrotechnics to a Citadel Event can result in a player being banned from the building.


Blind Firing  *REQUIRED*
Blind firing is not allowed. Its a safety issue and a sportsmanship issue. Blind firing is poking your gun out and shooting without being able to see what you are shooting at. It is also firing in such a way that you offer no target to shoot back at. (Like sticking your gun through a hole). You must always be looking down the barrel of your gun when you are shooting. You must also present some kind of target.

Shooting from behind cover with nothing but your gun sticking out is a safety hazard and frankly not fair to other players. What makes for a good move in a movie is not always good for a game where both sides are supposed to have fun and play fair.


Safety Tape Rules  *REQUIRED*
Areas of safety concern will be marked with neon/florescent tape, or labeled “OUT OF PLAY”. These areas are not to be entered or played with. If there are electronic or mechanical things you are allowed to play with they will be marked and your referee will explain this, but otherwise the default is ‘do not touch’.


Safe Shooting  *REQUIRED*
Nobody is to directly shoot at anything made of glass regardless if it is covered in mesh or plastic. Likewise nobody is to take cover in front of windows as well. No matter what protections we put in place deliberate shots at glass object will eventually break them. If you do this you may be asked to leave the site, possibly for good. Remember this is a safety issue and is non negotiable.

Physical Contact  *REQUIRED*
You are not allowed to grab or grapple with a player or their Airsoft Gun. Doing so can result in you being asked to leave and further penalties. If a scenario calls for you to “carry” someone you only need to put your hand on their shoulder and walk with them.


Close Kills / Safety Kills / Bang-Bang Rule *RECOMMENDED*
The Citadel does not have a mandatory “Close Kill” rule because we are a CQB facility. Everything is close. If you sneak up on someone and have them point blank you can offer a "safety kill / close kill / bang bang" if they accept it by saying "im out" or something similar they are out.  If not… Shoot them. You do not have to be cruel about it. Shoot them in the vest or the leg. There is no need to needlessly cause a player pain.

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Airsoft Gameplay Rules

These are the general rules of Airsoft that apply across all games at The Citadel.

Honor *REQUIRED*
Airsoft is an honor game and that extends past just calling your hits. You will treat other players and staff with respect at all times. Profanity strewn rants are not acceptable. Players will respect all referee and staff decisions, this not a democracy.


Calling Your  Hits! *REQUIRED*
There is one simple fact in Airsoft, and that is you will get hit no matter how skilled you are. When you are hit call our “Hit! Hit! Hit!” and stop firing your Airsoft gun. Calling your hits is a fundamental part of the sport of Airsoft and nothing will earn you a bad reputation faster than not calling your hits. You are considered “Hit” any time a BB hits your clothing, body or equipment unless you see it with your own eyes as a ricochet.

Most games will not count hits to an active Airsoft gun, (You are using at the time) but the hit will count if the weapon is “slung” or holstered.


Walls and Cracks *REQUIRED*
You are not allowed to shoot over full height walls (over 7ft) or through cracks or poke holes in things to shoot through. Anything that should be a solid wall, is even if there is a gap or crack. Windows to shoot through will be made obvious by green border tape


Grenades and Noise Makers *REQUIRED*
A Grenade is an airsoft device designed to eject BBs like a Tornado or Pro-Arms grenade. When it goes over everyone withing 10′ is hit and if a BB hits you outside 10′ you are also hit. Noise Makers like Thunder-B’s are just there to distract, they do not count as hits. Also HARD COVER (wood/stone) protects against grenades.


Sportsmanship *REQUIRED*
Yelling swears or insults at another player is unacceptable and you will be benched for a game or asked to go home. Same with any other kinds of crappy play designed to demean or pick on other players. This is a game, and its supposed to be fun for everyone.


STOP PLAY / CEASE FIRE *REQUIRED*
If there is an emergency of any sort, someone faceplants, glass gets broken somehow, a medical emergency, whatever. All players who see this should yell CEASE FIRE or STOP PLAY, and this should be repeated by EVERY player. Everyone should put on their barrel-bags and let go of their weapons. Players should remain in-place and wait for a restart once game-staff gives the all clear.


Lights/equipment & Doors *REQUIRED*
You are not to turn any lights or equipment on nor off, nor play ‘door games’ with doors. Doors also cannot be kicked open this is a safety risk and can destroy the property.


Moving / building cover *REQUIRED*
You are not to move any object in the field that you have not been instructed to by game staff and watched over by a referee. You cannot ‘fortify’ your cover, or move boxes, pallets, or anything like that. The field may not seem deliberately designed but it is. “Perfect” cover and bunkers are very rare and this is to keep game play moving. Also you are not to ask a staff/ref if something can be moved, if some reconfiguration is allowed they will tell you.


Rubber Knife Kills *REQUIRED*
The question of “Knife Kills” comes up from time to time and the answer is this. You may not “stab” or “slash” another player even if it is a “rubber” knife. You can only “assassinate” someone in the back, not the chest, head, legs, or arms. This is to prevent people from rushing at other players trying to get a “knife kill” and causing problems. You can tap the player with the flat edge of the knife, but be prepared to get shot unless the player is alone. Airsoft is not a video game. On occasion other foam/rubber weapons are permitted but follow the same rules.

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Club Rules

Membership *REQUIRED*
All applicants are required to complete the membership application and the waiver and are responsible for reading the Club and Airsoft rules before their application is accepted.


Age *REQUIRED*
Membership is open to participants 12+, all participants or their parents must sign a waiver and membership agreement. Also anyone under 16 must be off-site by 9pm or have their ride waiting.


Respect *REQUIRED*
All members must treat each other and the staff with respect at all times on and off the field. This means treating people the way you want to be treated. This means no insults, swearing at each other, or generally treating each other poorly. This is a club and an honor sport, that means conducting yourself honorably at all times.  If you find yourself getting frustrated or angry, step outside for a few minutes and clear your head.  Violations of this will be dealt with sternly and could end with you being sent home for the day or revocation of your membership for repeat offenders.


Gun-Bag / Tailgating *REQUIRED*
This facility is shared with other businesses in an urban area and the parking lots are in open areas and visible from the streets and other neighborhood businesses. This being said, the usual tailgating that goes on can not be allowed at The Citadel. You are not to hang out at your vehicles and mess with gear.

All gear, and weapons are to come in duffel bags or boxes of some sort. There are no exceptions to this rule and violations may mean a ban from the facility. In addition, wearing your tactical pants and boots is ok, but no military/tactical shirts, vests, helmets, military hats are to be worn outside the building.

What we are doing is perfectly legal but we do not want to deal with complaints from the neighbors or other businesses in our buildings because a band of mercenaries is setting up shop in the parking lot. It is a headache we do not need, do not cause problems for our facility or you will no longer be welcome. Remember Worcester is a major city and has a large police and SWAT force and having a band of armed people in masks entering a building will get us a visit, use your head.

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