Author Topic: Squads... think some need to merge? (Read 1196 times)

VWE001 · « **on:** June 25, 2002, 03:25:16 PM »

I was pokin around lookin at stats while eatin lunch and decided to go look through suads to see who was in each, see if I recognise names. I was amazed to see so many squads with only 4 or 5 people in them or even less. My squad EFW-SOG has 30 members and over 20 have been active this tour.

I know since I have been in my squad it has grown quite a bit and we are always looking for more to join. It seems as though that is not a goal for many of these "groups". Is that not why you form a squad and participate with one?

Now I know HTC doesn't want to pee in anyones Cheerios but shouldn't there be some type of standard in that you need XX number of people in order to form a squad. Or be given a time frame to build up your squad?

I do like the idea of rewarding "trainers" but that is exactly what a squad is for, is it not? My squad nights are Sundays and Wednesdays during which we do as much training of new people as they can handle. That is part of the fun of getting together.

Of course my opinion is just one in a billion but to have so many squads containing so few people it just seems like such a waste.

Kratzer · « **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:27:56 PM »

I couldn't disagree more.

Hooligan · « **Reply #2 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:34:34 PM »

How many members a squad contains or what the purpose or goals are for a squad are their business.

Hooligan

Manxer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:43:47 PM »

You have to consider that historical squads didn't consist of dozens of pilots. The smaller squads are likely more historic than the larger ones. I would suggest that it might be fun to have a mission outline where the small groups of squads could get together online for an evening of squad runs though. I know our squad would be up for something like this.

Yeager · « **Reply #4 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:47:20 PM »

"The only squads we have to fear, are squads themselves"

"Four score and seven squads ago, our forefathers......"

"We the people, in order to form a more perfect squad....."

"Mini-me, stop humping the squad"

"And then I saw her squad, now Im a believer"

"Ask naught, what you can do for your squad, but rauther -what can your squad do for you?"

Dux · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:48:03 PM »

I don't understand your concern. If Rogue Squadron has only 5 or 6 members, this affects you how?

Wanker · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:54:13 PM »

LOL Yeager!

Revvin · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2002, 03:56:27 PM »

To limit the squad size would discourage many from starting up squads and give those smaller squads out there who have just started up even less chance of increasing their numbers as they would not officially exist until they had quite a few members.

My squad was started a year ago and has a roster of 11 pilots. As CO I know I could easily have doubled that if I had employed a 'recruit at all costs' mentality. Each and every new recruit is asked to fly with No.9 on our Sunday squad nights and if they fit in with the squad then they are asked to join us. That may seem a little 'standoffish' but I have a duty to my other members to ensure the nice atmosphere within the squad is maintained so their fun is not spoilt by a new recruit who causes trouble. Even now I could have had 14 members but have removed three over the last few months due to inactivity for two tours. If members can't offer me the courtesy of mailing me and saying they will be away a while then I won't know if they will return and if new recruits view our roster and think they like the look of our squad from the roster size etc then it gives them a false representation of our size and that is unfair to them. Quite a few of the larger squads in AH would be half their size if you counted only active members.

Many people complain about the ammount of new players and how they don't know the game etc etc but this is where squads help and to hinder squad creation would be a very bad move IMO. New squads keep the game fresh.

agosling · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:01:27 PM »

Why not form wings?

Mr Hanky · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:08:32 PM »

No... no... no... the solution is to force people from bigger squads to join the smaller squads to make things fair.

VWE001 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:09:29 PM »

Quote

I don't understand your concern. If Rogue Squadron has only 5 or 6 members, this affects you how?

I'm not concerded at all, I just had a few questions and was looking for feedback. Everyone has a different point of view and I was wondering what others thought on this issue.

Sheesh, some of ya'll act like I just poked you with a sharp stick!

funkedup · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:15:32 PM »

"You have to consider that historical squads didn't consist of dozens of pilots"

12-24 is about right.

Kratzer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:20:18 PM »

To elaborate, we have 12 guys, most of whom have been together as a squad for 2 years. For us it is more about having a small group of friends with shared interests than it is about playing any one game. Forcing us into accepting a bunch of people we don't really know just to have a "big enough" group would suck, and be the exact opposite of our reasons for having a squad in the first place.

Rude · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:22:08 PM »

We have no desire to grow our squad...we do not actively seek out new members.

Those that have joined our squad wanted to be here with us...tends to make a tight group which in turn tends to grow real friendships which in the end is the most rewarding.

We grew to 22 members once..it sucked.

moot · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2002, 04:41:21 PM »

What Rude said, except the concluding sentence which I can't relate to.