I've been in the AvA recently just to check out this War you guys have going on.
What I think would help a lot is a country vox channel posted on the MOTD in big, bold letters.
Along with the channel number, post some simple instructions for new people coming in. Also mention this forum in the MOTD.
Also I noticed that the .SR command told me I wasn't in a squad, when I'm in a squad in the MA. Maybe there should be only 2 squads in this arena, one for each side. Players would be encouraged to join one if they wanted to play on a regular basis.
As far as rules of engagement goes, you really need to be realistic about it, they're unenforceable.
A fight is a fight whether it's on the street or in a cartoon plane, there are no hard and fast rules.
TMAW