History of the RATS

To understand the what the RATS are today, you really have to look back on how we evolved.

It all started at Action Tagg, which is now closed, located in Garner, NC. Just about everyone who's currently a member of the RATS
played at Action Tagg regularly. We've got a few new faces since then that never had that opportunity to play 'Tagg, but for the most
part, that is where it all begins.

As several local fields starting holding Big Games and small tournaments,
a bunch of regular 'Tagg players starting traveling to these events together.
We played at Black River, Gotcha and sometimes we played in abandoned
hotels. In October of 2004 the group starting looking for a common name
which they could identify themselves by when traveling. The Regular Action
Tagg Squad, or R.A.T.S., was adopted.

In December of 2005, after several unpleasant experiences with the land owner, Action Tagg
was forced to close the field. Left without a 'home' field a number of the R.A.T.S. started
planning for and traveling to various big game and scenario events along the east coast.

Unfortunately the R.A.T.S. name no longer applied and a search for a new team name began.

For a short time the group played with the idea of using Very Special Forces or VSF. The
VSF name was taken from a parody page done by the Red Onion and offers proof of our
collective awry sense of humor.

You can view the original article here: Clinton Deploys Very Special Forces to Iraq

Sometime in 2006, and after several discussions over beers and wings, it was decided we would stick with the 'rat' identity but drop the
acronym. So the R.A.T.S. became the RATS and the evolutionary process continued.

Today the RATS are group of friends who enjoy playing paintball together. We are slightly more structured with focus towards scenario
events. However, we'll play paintball any chance we get. We attend numerous games every year from Pennsylvania to Florida. Most of
our games are primarily in Virginia and the Carolinas.

We are also commonly referred to as being part of 'The Coalition'. The Coalition was a phrase picked up by members of Team Bebop,
Team Krisis and the RATS to identify ourselves by during the MXS Western Front game in the Fall of 2006. It has since stuck. We
frequently use that phrase to determine if all three teams will be attending an event and playing together.

Bebop, Krisis and the RATS all share similar beliefs, values and playing styles so we can frequently be found playing alongside each
other. Not to mention, we are a force to be reckoned with when we get together!