To give Forest his full title, he is Major Forest Pavel, Psy D. He’s been a US Army Clinical Psychologist for 10.5 years, though he will be leaving the military early next year to pursue private practice on the civilian side.
Originally from Virginia, he grew up in the DC-metro area and now lives in Kansas City with his wife and Siberian Husky. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology in 2013, and has been on active duty since 2012. He specialises in psychometric assessment, psychotherapy (with a particular emphasis in treating PTSD), career psychology, and aeromedical psychology.
He began his gaming life with role-playing (D&D 1st Edition) but took up historical gaming in the early 2000s and was lucky enough to be welcomed into a fold that included Doug Kline (owner of Battlefield Terrain Concepts). He primarily played Napoleonics and ACW, all in 15mm, with that group, but also dabbled in 28mm WWII with IABSM, but has never been very interested in anything later than WWI.
Amongst the many things Forest has tried, the football (soccer to those of you in the US!) game Subbuteo gets an honourable mention along the way!
Forest prefers 15-18mm, although he dabbles in smaller sizes (2-6mm), and will game fantasy or ancients in 1/72 or 25-28mm. His ruleset of choice is Carnage & Glory II, which is computer-moderated, and he’s adapting it for the South American Wars of Liberation.
Forest also boasts that he’s never played anything by GW!
But what endears me to Forest is that he was an early buyer of Battlegames Magazine purchasing issue 1 when he attended Cold Wars and credits it as a major influence in his wargaming career!
So, sit back and listen to this delightful wargamer not only tell us about his hobby, but also give us some fascinating insights into psychology.
Henry
P.S. Unfortunately there were some technical issues with Forest’s side of the recording, so you may hear a degree of ‘hiss’ on the line at times that I have been unable to completely eliminate. Apologies and I hope it doesn’t spoil your listening.
Forest shows off his mint condition Battlegames issue 1, and his rare copy of the Washington Post article “War, What Is It Good For?”
Liberators! Napoleonic Wargaming in South America
Carnage & Glory Wargames Rules
“Are we the baddies?” Of course, the show I was struggling to remember is That Mitchell and Webb Look, and this is the clip to which I was referring.
The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge
“Sharpe’s Devil” by Bernard Cornwell
And please support our wonderful advertisers!
If you’re interested in advertising, get in touch! Patrons who run wargames businesses qualify for a discount!
Be the first to comment