The word “simunition”, or “simmunitions” or even just plain “sims” has become synonymous in the training world with the concept of marking cartridges. I can’t travel anywhere without hearing someone say “we’re doing ‘sims’ training … ” The big problem with this is that SIMUNITION is the name of a brand or training munitions manufactured by SNC/General Dynamics Ordnance Systems. For years, SIMUNITION was the name that appeared on every single box of ammunition they manufactured, INCLUDING munitions that were definitely NOT designed for force on force training such as the Greenshield Frangible, Short Stop SRTA and the CQT Target Cartridges to name a few. It was only in the past year or so that SNC/GDOS took the strategic decision to remove the word SIMUNITION off of the packaging of all cartridges except those specifically designed for force on force training. While this was an admirable step given the power of the brand name recognition that came with such a powerful mnemonic as SIMUNITION, this does not mean that every other box of ammunition in anyone’s armory magically vanishes from those shelves. Instead, it sits there ticking like a bomb waiting for someone with little to know knowledge to grab one of those boxes labeled SIMUNITION, load the contents into a firearm and fire it at one of their friends with the intention of doing some dynamic training. Using the word “simunition”, “simmunitions” or “simms” as a generic replacement for a reference to marking cartridges is potentially very dangerous since the uneducated hear that word and immediately associate it with marking cartridges. If someone is seriously injured or killed as a result, it will be shown that the person or agency was negligent in court and lives will be ruined. If you are using marking cartridges, the Best Practices recommendation is to refer to them as NLTA, or Non Lethal Training Ammunition. The ONLY time you should ever use the word SIMUNITION is when you are specifically talking to someone because you are specifying the brand of cartridges you are interested in procuring. You would then also mention the specific cartridge branding which is the FX Marking Cartridge. This is not just semantics … it can be the difference between life and death, or whether or not your RBT programs continues or is cancelled. Words matter. Use them appropriately.
What’s the big deal with calling marking cartridges “simmunitions”?
