FSO is about who you know not what you know

[VuduVee]

i see that some folks are happy with their escorts. sure would be nice if everyone got equal escort coverage. but, its the same thing every week it seems. certain squads get the best planes every week, always have escorts and always get the best targets. while the rest of us are basically used as fodder. fed to the wolves because we arent giant squads. never get to pick first. its always the same squads in the best rides. we get the leftovers. sorry to gripe, but the sht end of the stick is old. im thinking im done with FSO till things are more fair and not so cliquish.

[Pand]

i see that some folks are happy with their escorts. sure would be nice if everyone got equal escort coverage. but, its the same thing every week it seems. certain squads get the best planes every week, always have escorts and always get the best targets. while the rest of us are basically used as fodder. fed to the wolves because we arent giant squads. never get to pick first. its always the same squads in the best rides. we get the leftovers. sorry to gripe, but the sht end of the stick is old. im thinking im done with FSO till things are more fair and not so cliquish.

Hey Al,to be fair, I'm not sure if you have planned an axis or allied attack/defense recently but it can get rather complicated trying to meet the minimums and maximums. Some small squads just get placed just like large squads get placed to fill a gap and make the numbers match.

We haven't planned in a month or two but when we did it was very hard to get people their requests and meet the requirements. Did the best we could and kept mostly everyone happy.

It also helps to perform as expected. Show up on time, with the right number, and get the job assigned done. People will start thinking, hey we should put X for escort of Y because they always stick with the buffs and get them home. They always report in and coordinate during the battle with command, etc.

Granted I've been more than disappointed with many of our assignments, but don't bail from FSO, especially between frames. That just puts a tick mark in the unreliable column.

I remember one a few months back we were assigned Bettys instead of fighters as requested. We whined and complained internally; however we executed the plan, even had some deception mixed in to confuse the enemy defense, shot down a few fighters and I believe were even top destroyers for that frame. That disappointing assignment turned out to be one of my most fun and memorable FSOs.

Don't give up on the best of part of Aces High. We all end up in the grinder at some point, in game and in life.

[VuduVee]

i understand that its difficult to set it up. but its obvious that certain squads are favored. if Duxford ever does well you can bet it was bc we overcame our placement and odds and fought like hell to do it too. and to get noticed you need to be placed in a position with at least a slim light at the end of the tunnel. but we rarely do. we've fulfilled our end every week and still get the bottom of the barrel every week. they cant keep putting us in junk and expect that we will stand out. we dont get the chance too stand out bc we are used as fodder. they can give me that mark as unreliable, bc every week they set us up to fail. so what does it matter? for me, if i see Duxford in bombers again next week with scrapped together escorts while another group has 2 dedicated fighter squadrons of escorts. ill be done with FSO. bc its not fair.

[SlipKnt]

Vudu,

     I gave Duxford Spit 8s (as was requested in your ride preference) in February Frame 1 FSO when I was CiC.  Gave you guys what I thought a rock'n mission (scouting).

     I am not trying to defend anything because I get it and I totally understand your frustration.  Our squad has been there (and still is when it comes to getting a crappy ride).  I really do think people try to do good by others in FSO.  I know that when I am CiC, I always try to put the smaller squads in with either a giant squad or multiple medium squads to give them a chance to survive and to have fun in the process.  I do recall that there have been a few first timer CiCs recently.

     Part of the problem, from what I have experienced, is a lack of communication prior to FSO night.  I don't mean commuicating the effort 30 minutes prior to launch.  I mean a few emails throughout the week.  When orders are sent on time or even early, it is a great opportunity to reach out and coordinate.  G3-MF even invites squads they are paired with to do training in the hours leading up to FSO so the communication and targeting is fine tuned.  Some squads do it, most don't.  But we always offer.  

     We only had one small/medium squad for escort.  The second squad came to our rescue from defending a base because we planned our egress to come over that target area in case we needed help (in which we did need help) and we communicated our position and situation.  We started off with an escort squad of 6  or 7 Bf109s.  JG11 came to help scrub off the last of our persuit.

     My point is don't quit.  At least in my mind, you are a valued stick in FSO and a respected person in the AH community.  


 
SlipKnoT  

[Stampf]

Vudu,

You do realize that planes and assignments are peer (CiC) assigned,  yes?  Who are these 'they' that you are referring to, that you say show favorites?

In FSO...'they'...are the participating squads.

JG11 came to help scrub off the last of our persuit.

Was dumb luck to some part, Slip.  At dot range we thought you were enemy at first, but when you transmitted that you were in trouble...it became clear...who was who.

[WxMan]

...its always the same squads in the best rides. we get the leftovers. sorry to gripe, but the sht end of the stick is old. im thinking im done with FSO till things are more fair and not so cliquish.

The AK's got Stukas this frame even though it was not our requested ride. As usual, we made lemonade out of lemons. Our frame lasted all of 15 minutes.

Many times you have to approach FSO with the frame of mind of getting the job done.

[Shamus]

...and two FSO's ago the 334th got buffs two weeks in a row, you play the cards you're dealt while squeaking loudly on squad vox to each other, but keeping it there.

shamus   

[Poppy]

Nice job SlipKnt on planning your squads egress even if it was dumb luck that you ran into. Vudu, I'm feelen ya but by no means QUIT! It works out eventually and you guys are respected, may not seem so but you guys are. Our squad gets worked up too, like outta all the squads ours has switched to axis for our fourth time in a year when mathimatically and being fair about rotations should work out to once a year if that, so I understand when you imply there may be some favoritism considering some haven't rotated in years, but it's still not worth leaving the best coordinated massed actions in the game. Do what we do when assigned CIC duty, remember who porked ya and return the favor, rotten but true. Like whomever it was that strapped us to the lowest Zero for three frames in a row, well, as CIC's whatta ya think they're gonna fly next time we pick their ride. Pand is on the money about communication the week before the frame, tremendous help shapping up with friendly squads prior to the event and every point he's made are valid and I second them. Stick it out with us, we'll back ya any chance we can    

[Devil 505]

Voodoo, you are aware that you are the CiC for frame 3 this month right? If you haven't been CiC before, I think it will become very clear to you how difficult it is accommodate all the requests and put together a battle plan that meets all the event requirements.

That said, there are some changes that you could make so that your squad gets shafted less often. (Every squad gets the shaft from time to time)

1. Always update your squad's ride preference each month. You have spit8's and 9's named but they are not in this months setup. Also you generically stated that "buffs" are OK. Well, there aren't any spits to go around so you got buffs just like you asked for(whenever you last updated your rides).

2. Focus on playing one side for a few consecutive months (this is usually easier when choosing Axis) This helps to build camaraderie between your squad and the side regulars. You don't really gain any notoriety bouncing around from side to side. As you said, who you know does helps.

3. Most importantly, recruit more members to your squad to move up to a 7-10 commitment. 4-6 size squads are generally seen as filler slots. The CiC sees that he need a few planes to bolster a portion of their plan and these small squads are used to fill the gaps. Good performance is usually overlooked because it seldom makes the "Top Squad" list. 7-10 size I consider the prime commitment for dedicated fighter squads, especially if you can maintain squad participation on the high end (9-10). These squads typically are used as the focus of a fighter contingent when planning. With a squad this size, good performance in a frame can really put your name on the map. Consistant play at this level will pay dividends over the long run. After all, KN and Jg11 didn't become the axis elite over night.

 

[VuduVee]

i understand that its sometimes hard to get everyone in plane of choice. i get it.  the spit8 week was very fun, its one of the only times we had fighters. i appreciate that you gave us that ride. youre always fair, as is G3 in general. but generally we are given whatever is left over, like Bostons. its old and im burnt out with it.
stampf- "they" are the CiC's, i know this, thats the reason i posted. mostly "they" are giving their guys the choices.  i understand this, but sometimes, throw the dog a bone right? in two weeks Qbert(Duxford) is CiC, im pretty sure he'll give others first choice to avoid being seen as playing favorites. as it should be, but im goin to push for fighters.
also, i dont know why any one would ever pick Bostons to do anything ever in any kind of war or war game. we have been stuck with those pieces of crap several times and only made it back to base one time. we can thank pand and his guys for gettin us out of it or we woulda been dead that time too.

[ink]

Nice job SlipKnt on planning your squads egress even if it was dumb luck that you ran into. Vudu, I'm feelen ya but by no means QUIT! It works out eventually and you guys are respected, may not seem so but you guys are. Our squad gets worked up too, like outta all the squads ours has switched to axis for our fourth time in a year when mathimatically and being fair about rotations should work out to once a year if that, so I understand when you imply there may be some favoritism considering some haven't rotated in years, but it's still not worth leaving the best coordinated massed actions in the game. Do what we do when assigned CIC duty, remember who porked ya and return the favor, rotten but true. Like whomever it was that strapped us to the lowest Zero for three frames in a row, well, as CIC's whatta ya think they're gonna fly next time we pick their ride. Pand is on the money about communication the week before the frame, tremendous help shapping up with friendly squads prior to the event and every point he's made are valid and I second them. Stick it out with us, we'll back ya any chance we can    

this is bullcrap.....purposely putting someone in particular rides because you got shafted is LAME....and should be grounds for suspension IMO

you say you got stuck with the lo end Zero's.....I am guessing that particular FSO EVERYONE had those crappy Zero's....

it should be about the Axis/Allies not YOU in FSO

[VuduVee]

Voodoo, you are aware that you are the CiC for frame 3 this month right? If you haven't been CiC before, I think it will become very clear to you how difficult it is accommodate all the requests and put together a battle plan that meets all the event requirements.

That said, there are some changes that you could make so that your squad gets shafted less often. (Every squad gets the shaft from time to time)

1. Always update your squad's ride preference each month. You have spit8's and 9's named but they are not in this months setup. Also you generically stated that "buffs" are OK. Well, there aren't any spits to go around so you got buffs just like you asked for(whenever you last updated your rides).

2. Focus on playing one side for a few consecutive months (this is usually easier when choosing Axis) This helps to build camaraderie between your squad and the side regulars. You don't really gain any notoriety bouncing around from side to side. As you said, who you know does helps.

3. Most importantly, recruit more members to your squad to move up to a 7-10 commitment. 4-6 size squads are generally seen as filler slots. The CiC sees that he need a few planes to bolster a portion of their plan and these small squads are used to fill the gaps. Good performance is usually overlooked because it seldom makes the "Top Squad" list. 7-10 size I consider the prime commitment for dedicated fighter squads, especially if you can maintain squad participation on the high end (9-10). These squads typically are used as the focus of a fighter contingent when planning. With a squad this size, good performance in a frame can really put your name on the map. Consistant play at this level will pay dividends over the long run. After all, KN and Jg11 didn't become the axis elite over night.

 

this post pretty much proves my point. the smaller squads get no credit and are seen as filler. even if they are misused. the suggestion is that we recruit more people. but we dont want a giant squad because we prefer quality over quantity. we dont need a hoard to be successful. to get any credit we have to be a giant squad is crap. its fairly clear to me, that we are screwed. and FSO is useless for my squad. i cant speak for all of Duxford, but im pretty sure im done bc of the mindset in FSO makeup.

[VuduVee]

this is bullcrap.....purposely putting someone in particular rides because you got shafted is LAME....and should be grounds for suspension IMO

you say you got stuck with the lo end Zero's.....I am guessing that particular FSO EVERYONE had those crappy Zero's....

it should be about the Axis/Allies not YOU in FSO

yeah i cant see Qbert working this way. he is always fair and lets us know that we may be gettin the sht end of the stick.

[Devil 505]

this post pretty much proves my point. the smaller squads get no credit and are seen as filler. even if they are misused. the suggestion is that we recruit more people. but we dont want a giant squad because we prefer quality over quantity. we dont need a hoard to be successful. to get any credit we have to be a giant squad is crap. its fairly clear to me, that we are screwed. and FSO is useless for my squad. i cant speak for all of Duxford, but im pretty sure im done bc of the mindset in FSO makeup.

You missed my point. The small squads arent seen as filler(fodder), they are used as filler(a small piece of a bigger picture). The small squads serve the purpose of being more flexible in the planning stages. These are just as vital as the big squads that rack up the majority of kills/targets.
I was not suggesting that your squad become a horde. A 10 man squad is by no means a horde, but it does have the ability to use have its force applied like a hammer, should the oppertunity present itself. You simply wont find a situation in FSO where a single 4-6 squad will have any measueable effect by themselves. The engagements are just too large. A small squad by defanition will act as part of a group with other squads. I suggested the 7-10 size as a means to get more fighter sorties, to have your squad be the main fighter force in a group. This size means you can effectly double your output without having to rely on random smaller squads. A good 7-10 is the very defanition of quality over quanitity. If Duxford Wing is as good as you say they are, I would think that you guys will thrive with a small increase in your ranks.

[VuduVee]

You missed my point. The small squads arent seen as filler(fodder), they are used as filler(a small piece of a bigger picture). The small squads serve the purpose of being more flexible in the planning stages. These are just as vital as the big squads that rack up the majority of kills/targets.
I was not suggesting that your squad become a horde. A 10 man squad is by no means a horde, but it does have the ability to use have its force applied like a hammer, should the oppertunity present itself. You simply wont find a situation in FSO where a single 4-6 squad will have any measueable effect by themselves. The engagements are just too large. A small squad by defanition will act as part of a group with other squads. I suggested the 7-10 size as a means to get more fighter sorties, to have your squad be the main fighter force in a group. This size means you can effectly double your output without having to rely on random smaller squads. A good 7-10 is the very defanition of quality over quanitity. If Duxford Wing is as good as you say they are, I would think that you guys will thrive with a small increase in your ranks.

your whole point seems to me that small squads are barely worth having bc we dont rack up kills/targets. its hard to do that when youre given junk and used as filler/fodder. im pretty sure im out. its clear that this is a big squad event and the rest are just there as filler/fodder. because we have no measurable effect.