Frag Out! Magazine

SPARTAN.AT: Are you guys a virtual community only or does TBOC do something real? Mike Hartmann: You cannot attest a beneficial usage to most commu- nities on Facebook but on behalf of TBOC this is definitely the case. We see ourselves as a „brotherhood" and „network" that uses this plat- form (which is exclusively for members) to organise itself. For example we had a case where vital information was exchanged faster via our platform than through „official" channels. Of course everything was strictly adhered to, to PERSEC and OPSEC safety measures. On top of that TBOC is intended to be let members make friendship with other members in "real life". We founded so-called „chapters" (like you may know from an MC) to real places to go and have meetings. It started with the primal chapter „Kabul" in Afghanistan. At this time we have a couple of chapters in Afghanistan and all over the planet. For every chapter we have a chapter flag. This flag is recognised as something special. It is the landmark serving as a bastion in an ocean of beard- less people. All weapon wielding beard owners are called hereby to assemble and meet under the flags to make new friends. Great people joined. I myself have made acquaintance with people that I never wo- uld have met without the club. And they just come over from the Mid- dle East or from Australia to become acquainted with me in real life. This is amazing. An example: The Australian band „The Beards" (a band that only sings about beards) had a concert in Berlin, Germa- ny. Out if this occasion we made a four-day meeting with a BBQ, visiting their concert with the participation of „TBOs" from USA, Australia, Poland, Germany. Why that? Because we can. At the International Weapons Exhibition (IWA) in Nurnberg we had approx. two dozen TBOC members assembled. We have acquired the well-known Mr. Kyle Lamb as an Honorary Member of the club. He has a decent beard that can tell many stories. Varia

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