A virtual military organization (VMO) is a dedicated hobby

Hobby

A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.- Etymology :A hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse...

 organization that uses simulation to model the operations of the military

Military

A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...

. Virtual military organizations generally have a presence on the Internet

Internet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...

, similar to real military organizations. There are less than 25 VMOs of significance currently active, with thousands of participants involved at any one time. Similar to gaming clans

Clan (computer gaming)

In computer and video gaming, a clan or guild is an organised group of players that regularly play together in a particular multiplayer games. These games range from groups of a few friends to 1000-person organizations, with a broad range of structures, goals and members. The lifespan of a clan...

, the key difference is that VMOs are realism groups, focusing on following real life procedures as much as possible. A quick search on google will reveal quite a few VMO that go to varying degrees of depth to pursue their goal.

Realism vs Immersion

Each VMO chooses to either follow an immersive

Immersion (virtual reality)

Immersion is the state of consciousness where an immersant's awareness of physical self is diminished or lost by being surrounded in an engrossing total environment; often artificial. This mental state is frequently accompanied with spatial excess, intense focus, a distorted sense of time, and...

 style, or a realism

Military tactics

Military tactics, the science and art of organizing an army or an air force, are the techniques for using weapons or military units in combination for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. Changes in philosophy and technology over time have been reflected in changes to military tactics. In...

, or a combination of both. While all VMOs will incorporate a rank

Military rank

Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...

, some go as far as implementing a Military Logistics

Military logistics

Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...

 system, including an economics model

Model (economics)

In economics, a model is a theoretical construct that represents economic processes by a set of variables and a set of logical and/or quantitative relationships between them. The economic model is a simplified framework designed to illustrate complex processes, often but not always using...

.

While each has its benefits and followers, a mix between the two seems to be the most popular option.

Reception

It has been reported that Virtual Military groups which originated within the flight simulation genre are not as active as previously.

External links

• VATSIM list of Virtual Air Forces
• Bohemia Interactive list of Virtual Land Forces

Notable VMOs

• http://www.usecforce.com/
• http://www.vmarines.org/
• http://www.shacktactical.com/
• http://www.vusn.org/
• http://www.vusaf.org/
• http://www.29th.org/
• http://www.10thsf.org/
• http://www.globalnavalstrikeforce.com