With all the squads out there, how does one begin to choose?

[j500ss]

Sounds dumb I guess  But seriously, how do you even begin to choose, just pick one that is recruting and hope for the best? Do most of the squads train recruits ACM, or is it just a kind of learn as you go thing and hope for the best? How much AHII experience should one have before deciding to join a squad.

I like the idea of flying with a group that is out to have FUN  , look out for each other, and yet willing to help less experienced squad mates get better in the process. Now don't flame me for this, these just some questions I have.   

[whiteman]

I say fly with them for at least a few days, see if you have a good time flying with them. I wouldn't just jump into one unless you really want to.

Any good squad should do what it can to help new guys, if not i would think turn over would be hi and what other areas would they lack in.

Ask questions, see if their very organized in attacks and strict about flying together and switching countries.

I'm a very relaxed person and like flying on my own some times, so a squad that expects me to fly together every minute I'm on isn't going to work.

Also are you looking for a large squad of vets or one like mine, brand new and just me in the MA and a few other guys in the AVA.

I got in my first squad after a month I think, I wasn't very skilled. They helped as much as they could but I learned a lot on my own.

Hey I fly bish under Tex01, if your in the area and want to wing together let me know. Oh yea and I'm recruiting

[humble]

Personally I think most guys get roped into squads too early. Most of the established squads are very open to guys "tagging along" for extended periods. Hell, we just realized a guy who's been with us for a year didnt have a formal invite . My suggestion is to fly on multiple sides with multiple squads until you get a feel for the various styles and personalities. I cant speak for any other squad but the 71st is a pretty lose bunch. We're not plane specific and we hardly ever fly formal missions. We also dont have a squad night....in fact I dont thinkj you can really catagorize us as a "squad" per se. We have roughly 70 guys in 3 wings from all around the world so there is almost always somebody to fly with...

We have a bunch of guys who are good trainers and a top stick or two in almost any ride...

If you've got specific preferences on plane type, "mission type" or country a bunch of us are more then willing to try and steer you in the right direction. Anytime your on knight 71 squadron uses vox 171, feel free to tag along if you like.

[uberslet]

Sounds dumb I guess  But seriously, how do you even begin to choose, just pick one that is recruting and hope for the best? Do most of the squads train recruits ACM, or is it just a kind of learn as you go thing and hope for the best? How much AHII experience should one have before deciding to join a squad.

I like the idea of flying with a group that is out to have FUN  , look out for each other, and yet willing to help less experienced squad mates get better in the process. Now don't flame me for this, these just some questions I have.   

The 71st FS "The Ironmen" are recruiting. we mainly fly P38's, but do many other planes and GV as well.  even though it wont seem like your getting training, you will be as you fly with us. if you have any questions (should you join) you can ask me, TwinTail, Draken, or HGJosh08, we will be able to help you out, if one of us cant we will refer you to someone else. All we need to know before you join is:
1) TeamSpeak2 must be installed (we use it as our vox), for this you obviously must have a working microphone.
2) We will need to know your age, (you can tell us when we invite you if you choose)
  The are the basics required to join. you can PM me in-game (in-game ID is UberSlet) or PM me on the boards here. im usually on a lot, but recently have not been because life calls! If interested contact me and we'll see if we can find you a squad. 

[Trukk]

Like others have said, tag along for a few days first, you'll know very quickly whether or not the squads style, interests, etc, is right for you.

[E25280]

A lot depends on what you decide is fun for you.  Our squad usually likes to capture and defend real estate.  Other squads mostly furball.  Some mostly do bomber missions.  Some stick to certain planes.  Decide what you think is fun about the game, and ask around for that kind of squad.

But the best thing about squads is that there is nothing binding about them.  If you try out a squad and after a while decide it isn't fun or you are not getting the attention/training you want, you can always withdraw and find another.  Very, very few people in this game would take it personally if you simply decided their squad was not for you.

Tagging along for a while as others have suggested is a good idea.  Our squad and a couple others actually have a "tryout" period so that 1) you can decide if we are right for you and 2) we can decide if you are right for us.  This makes double sense for a squad like ours that wants its members to have a prefix . . . I can think of nothing that could be more annoying to a new guy than to change his name to fit a squad he joined only to find out two weeks later he doesn't care for that squad after all.

[valdals]

some are learn as you go. im on my second squad of noobs. when trained my guys usually bolt to other squads. i will train you but hope you will stay on. 

[Bruv119]

That sounds alot like my squad.

We are slightly different from the norm because we only recruit Brits or Europeans due to time zone restrictions.

If you are in the above situation look us up.   

Bruv
 

[ROX]

I agree if you are looking to join a squad fly with them for awhile.

On the other hand, I recruit for my squad on many occasions by looking for folks who are already flying for my country (knights) and who have decent bomber and attack ranks.  Our squad is all about teamwork and missions, and folks who have good bomber & mission skills seem to appreciate that.  It's AMAZING...every time I sign on I see the guys in the squad working together, and the only thing I can attribute that to is luck.  It's a real brotherhood, and THAT is a breath of fresh air in most squads.

If you qualify to fly with "The Few", I would recommend it whole heartedly.  They are a great group of European players and from what I have met of them in person are some of the best "brothers" in the game.  You join a squad like them and understand that they are going to help teach you skills....same with our squad.

Our squad (77th FS "Gamblers") flies exclusively knights.  We don't swap sides and we don't have some guys knight and some guys on another side at the same time.  We fly with an Alliance of 15 other squads that get together and have a blast.

If that's you...look me up.

ROX

[whiteman]

I agree if you are looking to join a squad fly with them for awhile.

On the other hand, I recruit for my squad on many occasions by looking for folks who are already flying for my country (knights) and who have decent bomber and attack ranks.  Our squad is all about teamwork and missions, and folks who have good bomber & mission skills seem to appreciate that.  It's AMAZING...every time I sign on I see the guys in the squad working together, and the only thing I can attribute that to is luck.  It's a real brotherhood, and THAT is a breath of fresh air in most squads.

If you qualify to fly with "The Few", I would recommend it whole heartedly.  They are a great group of European players and from what I have met of them in person are some of the best "brothers" in the game.  You join a squad like them and understand that they are going to help teach you skills....same with our squad.

Our squad (77th FS "Gamblers") flies exclusively knights.  We don't swap sides and we don't have some guys knight and some guys on another side at the same time.  We fly with an Alliance of 15 other squads that get together and have a blast.

If that's you...look me up.

ROX

ROXs guys definitely work together, ran into them Sunday night.   

[Rogue9Volt]

There's a lot to be said for what you WANT.    if you like Allied planes, you can narrow down your choices to the Allied based squads like various VF groups, The Few, 71st, 332nd, 353rd, etc.  If you like Axis rides, likewise, narrow the search down some.  JG54, AOM, JG77, JV44, JG11, etc.  Some squads focus on certain planes, or plane sets.  There's a lot of great squads out there, but you want the best one for you and the times you play.  Plus, you wanna learn to fly the planes you like, or figure out the planes you like as you fly them...

The best advice has already been offered, though.  Take your time, make an informed decision.  

[Bruv119]

thats a good point rogue but we like to fly stolen german aircraft too   

Anything that is in the hangar with a prop and two wings is golden 

[Rogue9Volt]

thats a good point rogue but we like to fly stolen german aircraft too   

Oh, you stinkers!   Good point though, not every squad sticks to one plane set.

Anything that is in the hangar with a prop and two wings is golden 

Until the wings are shot off, that is.. 

[Odee]

Like others have said, tag along for a few days first, you'll know very quickly whether or not the squads style, interests, etc, is right for you.

Exactly!  Tagging along, whether or not your in the squad or just tuned to the squads channel is the best way to get to know your prospective virtual buddies.  It's the smart player that chooses this path of compatibility and like mindedness in any game.

Whether you like flying as part of a team in that is heavy on the historical aspects such as the Axis v Allies and Friday Squad Ops arenas offer, or prefer a more relaxed "Hey guys I'm here, now where's the fight?" as are in the Main Arena, you are sure to find squad/clan/guild that meets your needs.

As with all things in real life, you will find good and bad alike here in game.  All you have to do is hitch a ride for a week or two to get the 'feel' of your playmates... what they have to offer such as training, tips, camaraderie, and so on.

So whatever your favorite plane is, there is a squadron out there that is hiring, and is proficient in it.

Good luck to you, where ever you bunk!

 

Capt. Odee
CO 7th Fighter Squadron
49th Fighter Group
P-38's

[medic341]

Odee hit the nail on the head.

Wing with them and see if you enjoy the squads style.