Dealing with min-max #s in FSO for ride assignments

[Squire]

The best way to get an idea as to what a squad will show up with #s wise is to look at the past few frame logs (from either the current or previous event) on ahevents and see. That way you can get an idea as to wether the "7-10" squad usually shows up with 6, 7, 8, 9, or 12 or wether the "11-15" squad shows up usually with 8 or 16 players. Use those average calculations to help better get the min or max numbers in an assigned ride closer to the mark. I am reasonable and I realise that numbers fluctuate with FSO squads but they usually don't swing too wildly from frame to frame.

This is a friendly reminder to all current and future CiCs as to what we are trying to aim for in FSO on these issues and I hope the above tip can be helpfull.  

Thank you.  

[Squire]

Will give this next one a seperate post.

The same goes for trying to figure how many planes you will likely get to a defence or attack mission. Will those two "4-6" squads really show up with a credible escort? well...look to the past logs and see. If they are lately showing up with 2 players each don't be surprised that your torpedo bombers will be flying with little to no cover! 

[perdue3]

Cant believe this has to be said in public. Common sense CiC's 

[shegotya]

Cant believe this has to be said in public. Common sense CiC's 

I guess it could be considered common sense however, being the last squad to be CiC the reminder is appreciated. Real life and sometimes just plain old forgetfulness or even a case of the I didn't think of it can happen. If I would of looked at the attendance of the squad that could of filled the requirement and seen they usually are low in numbers I could of given a heads up to our CO who worked on the orders and got the minimum required by doing so.

Thanks Squire the advise will hopefully be remembered by future CiCs and help minimum requirements.


I'm sure your comment was made in the most nicest way possible perd but, sometimes it is ok not to comment.

[AKKuya]

That's why when I was CIC, I used the "Share the Pain" and "Share the Wealth" on aircraft assignments.  This method helps all squads feeling that they are not being picked on with lousy assignments and squads being thought of as being catered to.   

I also when I was Frame 2 and especially Frame 3 CIC, I went through the logs to see each squad's previous rides and rotated mission types.  The formula was defense fighter or low performance fighter rotated to escort fighter or high performance fighter rotated to bomber and back to defense fighter or low performance fighter.  This takes a few minutes to do.

Plus, the last factor was dividing up equally the squad roster based on squad commitment levels to select same size defensive and offensive groups coupled with meeting the stipulations in Frame Objectives and FSO Set-up rules.

Once you use this basic planning formula a few times, it becomes second nature and easy to do.

[CptA]

I find that it helps to share the load...get your whole command staff involved.

Use game Vox or other tech to meet online with your staff to discuss options and plans. In the past we have used TeamSpeak and Ventrilo. Combine it with other tech like Anymeeting to allow graphics and other options.

Maybe one of your staff is good with spreadsheets...task them to build a sheet or sheets that allow you to more easily see which squads have been tasked with which target, plane type, mission, min/max numbers, and past assignments. Build in formulas and let the spreadsheet do the math for you.

Remember, a 7-10 squad may show up with as few as 5, or as many as 12.

Spend most of your planning time getting the numbers right, and keeping your plan simple, clear and easy to understand.

Avoid the 10-15 page attempt to make your orders look historical...antique paper finishes, lots of pictures, and special type fonts may add "flavor", but drastically increase the download size of your orders without adding any real value.

Try to keep your orders compact and straight forward, 2-3 pages are usually ample to explain anything in your concept not addressed by your graphic. Remove any "fluff" that doesn't add real value. Avoid small type fonts...older eyes will thank you...if you need more room on a page to fit something in use smaller margins...1/2" margins all around are more than adequate.

A picture is worth a thousand words...a good clear Graphic is much easier to understand and more likely to be used by the majority of the player base than a complicated text document that has to be searched to find YOUR squad's assignment. Crop your graphic to reduce it's download file size.

The bottom line...keep your final plan simple, and the download file size as small as possible.

Good Luck!

CptA
Nightmares VMF-101

[captain1ma]

thanks for posting squire, i find this information very helpful even with common sense. not all of us know the in's and out's of the game.

[HighTone]

May I ask what spawned this thread?

[Viper61]

Agree with CptA on the orders part.  A Task Org Spreedsheet of 1 page.  And a simple graphic of 1 page will work 100% of the time.

I always use the "Min" number of a squad when counting planes and pilots to meet min requirements of AC types.  This normally always works.

And to you Mr. Hightone I have no idea