332nd Flying Mongrels are very much like Filth posted.
With us its not about skill at all, its all about doing your best, and getting along with the rest of the pack.
That's not to say we don't have some fairly skilled pilots. But at any given time we probably have 1/3rd that are new and mediocre at best. Or they may be fairly proficient in one plane, but totally lost when orders put us in something else. Probably another third that is fair, and getting better. And the final third is old hands or young hot sticks who are pretty good.
I wouldn't say it has much to do with browsing the boards. Although there are more than a few of my squadmates who if they post something I sit up and pay attention.
Integrity is a tough issue, as you are always going to be in transition.
First you have to accept that every AH player goes through "stages" as they learn and master different parts of the game. So you have some guys in each stage at any given time. Plus you have new guys coming in, eager as a pup, wagging its tail, trying hard to learn. You have old vets who have been here a long time. Who are very secure in what they can do. Once a squadron reaches a certain critical mass of size, your always going to have people coming and going.
Trying to keep unit cohesion and integrity can be tough at times.
I wouldn't say its irrelevant at all, however I'm not the CO. Daddog, care to comment?
Part of what we do is an extended probationary period. To me joining a squadron is a bit like getting married.
Only to 30 some other guys. Best to catch and cure problems before they start. If they can't be fixed, well then perhaps another squad will work better for the person. Also our main squad time is FSO, so it can take a few weeks to really start to get a feel for someone. Especially when the pack is in full howl, having a good time. It can be a bit intimidating to a newer player.
I think one of the things that helps us is that Daddog has put together a pretty good set of rules to live by over the years.
http://332nd.org/aces-high/squad-rulesIn any larger squad to a certain extent people come and people go.
All you can do is love the ones that are here, and miss the ones that are gone.
Last, its easy to instill a competitiveness between squadmates that IMO is not good for integrity.
A small amount of it can inspire players to work on their game. But very much starts destroying connections instead of building them. Encouraging them to work together, to accomplish a goal is much better.
