Author Topic: Thoughts from a fellow CO  (Read 879 times)

Offline perdue3

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Thoughts from a fellow CO
« on: October 26, 2012, 11:00:32 AM »
I have some ideas that may help some CO's or whoever does orders for your squadron. I am not belittling, singling out, or picking on any squads in particular. I have noticed a trend over the last 6 months. If all of you dismiss this post I will not be offended. If it helps one squad I consider it a success.

With that said, let me say that I have seem some things in orders that concern me. Mostly Axis due to my participation as an Axis player, but also last month as Allied. Basically I just want to point out some things to try to do and try to avoid when CiC of a frame.

Avoid:

1-Copy and paste the previous orders. I consider this to be cheating the system. You are using someone else's work, ideas, and time. Although they may not mind you doing so, you are not pulling your weight when you copy and paste from last week. If you do not have extra time to put into doing orders, delegate it to a squad member or ask for a replacement for that week. Someone will cover for you, I promise.

2- Assigning squads bombers consecutively or twice in one month unless requested. Let's face it, none of us want to fly bombers all the time. Some squads enjoy it more than others I will grant you and in the right situation some squads may request bombers for all 3 frames. This is rare. A squad should never have to fly bombers twice in one month if they request fighters.


Try to do these:

1-Give squads what they request. We all know this will never work out perfectly. But, at least try to give squads what they want. Be mindful of what the squad in question has flown recently compared to their request. If a squad requests FW 190A-5 and have flown Bf 109's or Ju 87's all month, give them FW 190's. On the same note, if they flown FW 190's both frames it is time to give someone else FW 190's. The only time I would not follow this rule is if it is strategic reasons only. Strategic reasons and expectations should never justify assigning bombers, necessarily. I am not going into detail on that particular statement but I can if needed. I will say I dont mean it the way most of you will understand it.

2-Be mindful of minimums and maximums. Understand what planes may be flown and how many. Also note planes that do NOT have a minimum and maximum and understand the lack of consequence for assigning these. Last month, the P-38J and F4U-1A did not have a min or max. Therefore, 80 people could fly one type or the other at no penalty. In situations like these, be mindful of it and give squads the option to fly either if indeed one of those planes were assigned to them. The reason for this is simple and was exemplified last month for the Allies. The P-38 and F4U are two totally different aircraft and most people would prefer one over the other. Not to mention, they may be more successful in one or the other. Using this tactic ensures that the squad in question is happy and more success considering that the CO will choose the plane he knows his squad is better in. In most cases, the 109G-2 and G-6 are in this same situation. These two planes are also very different and some would prefer a G-2 over a G-6. In essence, do not assume that the squad wants that plane or make the bold statement that one plane is better than the other. Allow the squads the choice.


This is an educational post. This is not one of my normal ranting complaints. As stated earlier, if most of you dismiss it, fine. If one CiC decides to pay attention to these 4 points I have made, I consider it successful.
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Offline ImADot

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2012, 11:16:05 AM »
Good post.

Also be mindful in your orders to stay within the General Rules for FSO and any Frame-specific additions/changes...things like attacking the assigned targets with ords (strafing won't do) by T+60; assigning a single mission to a squad - you can't task them to hit one target and move on and hit another target; a squad can fly two different aircraft, but cannot have two separate objectives (bomber/escort or bomber/sweep is Ok, but they cannot attack two separate targets).
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Offline perdue3

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2012, 01:39:08 PM »
I didnt mention those because I have not seen that occur recently. I actually assigned a squad 3 different planes about a year ago. Luckily, a CM told me that wasnt legal before the frame. Fortunately, the FSO CM team has done a fantastic job of closing loopholes in the interpretation end of the rules.
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Offline ImADot

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2012, 02:56:11 PM »
Yep, things have been going well.  :salute

I only mentioned it because of some new squads/leadership might not have had CiC duty lately (if ever).  ;)
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Offline ink

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2012, 03:18:39 PM »
I am no good with this type of stuff...would it be bad to have someone else do it when it is your time :headscratch:

Offline ghostdancer

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2012, 03:31:57 PM »
Actually it is a squad responsibilty for doing the battle plans. Usually the squad CO has done it but I have known plenty of times in the past that various squads had either the XO or another squad member entirely draw up the plans for the frame. So as long as somebody does it from your squad you will be fine.
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Offline ink

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2012, 03:53:10 PM »
Actually it is a squad responsibilty for doing the battle plans. Usually the squad CO has done it but I have known plenty of times in the past that various squads had either the XO or another squad member entirely draw up the plans for the frame. So as long as somebody does it from your squad you will be fine.

cc that :salute

Offline branch37

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2012, 05:50:43 PM »
I have some ideas that may help some CO's or whoever does orders for your squadron. I am not belittling, singling out, or picking on any squads in particular. I have noticed a trend over the last 6 months. If all of you dismiss this post I will not be offended. If it helps one squad I consider it a success.

With that said, let me say that I have seem some things in orders that concern me. Mostly Axis due to my participation as an Axis player, but also last month as Allied. Basically I just want to point out some things to try to do and try to avoid when CiC of a frame.

Avoid:

1-Copy and paste the previous orders. I consider this to be cheating the system. You are using someone else's work, ideas, and time. Although they may not mind you doing so, you are not pulling your weight when you copy and paste from last week. If you do not have extra time to put into doing orders, delegate it to a squad member or ask for a replacement for that week. Someone will cover for you, I promise.

2- Assigning squads bombers consecutively or twice in one month unless requested. Let's face it, none of us want to fly bombers all the time. Some squads enjoy it more than others I will grant you and in the right situation some squads may request bombers for all 3 frames. This is rare. A squad should never have to fly bombers twice in one month if they request fighters.


Try to do these:

1-Give squads what they request. We all know this will never work out perfectly. But, at least try to give squads what they want. Be mindful of what the squad in question has flown recently compared to their request. If a squad requests FW 190A-5 and have flown Bf 109's or Ju 87's all month, give them FW 190's. On the same note, if they flown FW 190's both frames it is time to give someone else FW 190's. The only time I would not follow this rule is if it is strategic reasons only. Strategic reasons and expectations should never justify assigning bombers, necessarily. I am not going into detail on that particular statement but I can if needed. I will say I dont mean it the way most of you will understand it.

2-Be mindful of minimums and maximums. Understand what planes may be flown and how many. Also note planes that do NOT have a minimum and maximum and understand the lack of consequence for assigning these. Last month, the P-38J and F4U-1A did not have a min or max. Therefore, 80 people could fly one type or the other at no penalty. In situations like these, be mindful of it and give squads the option to fly either if indeed one of those planes were assigned to them. The reason for this is simple and was exemplified last month for the Allies. The P-38 and F4U are two totally different aircraft and most people would prefer one over the other. Not to mention, they may be more successful in one or the other. Using this tactic ensures that the squad in question is happy and more success considering that the CO will choose the plane he knows his squad is better in. In most cases, the 109G-2 and G-6 are in this same situation. These two planes are also very different and some would prefer a G-2 over a G-6. In essence, do not assume that the squad wants that plane or make the bold statement that one plane is better than the other. Allow the squads the choice.


This is an educational post. This is not one of my normal ranting complaints. As stated earlier, if most of you dismiss it, fine. If one CiC decides to pay attention to these 4 points I have made, I consider it successful.


These are all good points and I agree.  I just have one thing to add.  I always try to give squads what they request where possible.  Don't expect the person writing the orders to be a mind reader.  If you want a specific ride, then request it.  If you simply request "fighters" don't be offended when you get a fighter you don't want.  If this occurs, most CiCs are flexible, and will usually switch your ride with another available ride for the same assignment. 

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Offline perdue3

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2012, 08:07:17 PM »
I am no good with this type of stuff...would it be bad to have someone else do it when it is your time :headscratch:

If you get CiC duty, I am sure Spikes will be more than willing to aid with orders.
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Offline WxMan

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2012, 09:09:03 AM »
1. It would be helpful to any CiC, if the squadron CO updates their ride preference each time after the first and second frame with what they flew that frame.  Don't put it on the CiC to search through all the squadrons and multiple frames on what you have flown before. He has enough to do.
i.e.
Ride Preference Frame 1: flew F4F
Ride Preference Frame 2: flew SBD
Ride Preference Frame 3: P-38

2. Don't list any aircraft that you do not want to fly. Be a team player. Most CiC's will try and honor your requests, but sometimes objectives, rules and manpower will be the over riding considerations.

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Offline CAP1

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2012, 09:23:56 AM »
I am no good with this type of stuff...would it be bad to have someone else do it when it is your time :headscratch:

 ink....check this page sir.

http://www.ahevents.org/fso-example-cic-orders.html
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Offline ink

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2012, 09:35:32 AM »

Offline perdue3

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2012, 10:48:16 AM »
Nice posts fellas. WxMan, great idea with the "flew Xy 000".

I do my homework and actually have a squadmate do the research and put it all on a spreadsheet. This way I know what they have flown recently. I know Devil does not enjoy it, but it is necessary if we want to make most people happy. If Devil said he would not do it, I would.
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Offline Tull

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2012, 02:27:51 PM »
Chris,

   You waxed in detail on the tracking of preferences and assigned rides.  Do you want a copy of the ride matrix that I have always used to match your practice with your words?

v/r

Jamie
Tull  XO, 367th FG   :old:

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Offline perdue3

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Re: Thoughts from a fellow CO
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2012, 05:10:43 PM »
Chris,

   You waxed in detail on the tracking of preferences and assigned rides.  Do you want a copy of the ride matrix that I have always used to match your practice with your words?

v/r

Jamie
Tull  XO, 367th FG   :old:

JAMES W GENTRY III
Contractor, Northrop Grumman
Mission Command Training Support Program (MCTSP)
Senior Training Advisor (STA)
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, TN ARNG

"Crapgame: Hey, Oddball, this is your moment of glory. And you're chickening out!
Oddball: To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three tigers."



If yourw willing, Id be glad to take a look. Email it.
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