I would have much respect for these COs/XOs if they took on noobs and actually trained them a bit instead of using them as expendable radar-pork and auger type players.
1. Take on noobs...
Check: Players who are fun to fly with, want to work as a team, and demonstrate potential may be invited regardless of skill level at the recruiter's discretion.
2. Actually train them a bit instead of using them as expendables.
Check: We go to other arenas to dogfight each other and practice dive bombing several times a month. And nobody is ever ordered to perform suicide missions (but sometimes guys not too worried about their score will opt to take one for the team).
Example for #1: Me. I was invited to the squad after playing the game for little over a month. I was terrible back then, and I certainly don't draw any "woo's" from the crowd now. There's a few other players in the squad who I won't name out of respect that fit this bill as well.
Example for #2: About two and half to three weeks ago we performed our own dive bombing clinic in the training arena. We have also gone to separate arenas and dogfighted each other while critiquing ourselves on cross-country channels. (I saved the films too, I nabbed Woodi and East twice each!
) And I don't know how to address the absurdity that Devils are ordered on auger missions. If a guy crashes and burns on a porking mission it was him that brought his plane there, no one else. Any solo venture behind enemy lines is volunteered for, not ordered.
Do we have your "much respect" now?