question for C/Os

[RedTop]

Originally posted by MoRphEuS
They have to want to join missions... They have to want to fly together... They have to want to 'work' together...

If they dont then its not a squad, nor are they squad mates...

And there folks is the perfect answer.

[Birdo]

Well first thing you do... is brain wash them!!!!! then it is all taken care of....  I have been accused of this lmao.

Honestly?   Try *asking* them of something.... stop the order garbage... get over trying to compensate just because your significant other is bossing you around.

Never ask them something that you are not willing to do yourself. Put up a mission and fly the damn goon yourself...  Take off 5 min. earlier than them...

Respect and trust are things you earn from squadies, not demand.


~WILD ACES~  " a squad of attraction, not promotion"


~Birdo

[APDrone]

Originally posted by Furious
Pretend CO's cracking the discipline whip in a video game.

That's freakin awsome.

Isn't it, though?

The whole squad mentality is simply another extension of gameplay.. except here, it's the players in control and not the  software.

You can become the greatest pilot in the game.. and all those skills aren't enough to be able to convince 20 folks to attack a target in unison. That's one of the benefits of being a CO.

Each CO is going to do things differently.  Some are in the position because of the glory. Others for the challenge of directing multiple people to a common goal.  Others are there because nobody else of the group of buds would drive the bus.

Some COs like to yell and take the concept of flame-on commander to the extreme.. and there are those that like to be yelled at.

Others require that your ID contain some squad letter(s).

Others like to fly specific planes only.

Others basically are managing chat rooms.

And all the spectrum in between.

The point of all this being that the squad concept is a tangible factor of gameplay, and, with that, there are expectations by the squad members of their commanders.

When the commander doesn't feel that he/she is fulfilling the expectations of the squad, or their own expectations of the squad, they need to take actions to get the group back on track.  

The tricky part is knowing the type of behavior that is expected and respected.  Some COs can get away with 'fall in or get out' approach.  Others will be more successful with 'C'mon guys.. fall in'.   There are so many different ways for so many different people.  It's the COs responsibility to know what works for their group. Those that dont like or agree with the approach will leave. Some more colorfully than others.

What we've seen in this thread is a good cross section of approaches.  From the committee to the dictator.  

Different strokes for different folks.  There's probably enough substance to 'virtual squad psychology on the internet' to warrant a good semester's worth of study.

Class dismissed.

[Boozer2]

luckily we only wear these funny furry leather helmets & not tights like those "clan" internet folks

[Mugzeee]

A simple phrase. Birds of a feather flock together.
IF your squad members are a compilation of people that see the game the same way, and play the game to acquire the same goals, 95% of the battle is won. This means a recruiting procedure that will automatically create the desired effect.  You must have a Recruiting Policy / Procedure and stick to it. A word to the wise, a massive recruiting campaign might build squad numbers over night. But it’s more likely to unravel and you may well end up losing all the new recruits along with several older squad members too. L Codes of conduct, You MUST have a code of conduct and it must be enforced. While it may seem that strictness will run off members or would be members. It is necessary to implement. Otherwise discord is likely to erupt and what a bummer this is. No FUN at ALL! No you wont build a huge squadron in a short time. But you will have a group of players that are on the same page and enjoy the game for all the same reasons. Final result?  PEACE. With peace comes Organization.  Communication is the other 5%. In a word, repeat...repeat…repeat. Yep…you must remember several factors that come into play where communications are concerned. Wives, Kids, Range Channel interruption,(Another reason to make range squelchable!) combat involvement,(Some squad mates are currently involved in a HOT Fight), Television, Beer runs, sandwich breaks….and on and…on and on the list goes. :. Most of all the CO or AIRBOSS (Term for Mafia Ops leader on squad nights) MUST BE ORGANIZED!!!!
It is also very helpful the have an Ops Night Schedule. i.e. A Start Time and a End Time for squad ops. We run ops on squad nights for 2 hours. The start time and the Stop time should be consistent and announced at the start and completion of squad ops on squad nights. This develops a sense of "Time to form up" and “Time to relax” attitude among the ranks.
I am lucky to have a very involved group of friends that fly for the Mafia.
Our squad has a LONG history and has been together for about 9 years. A fantastic group of honorable players with very disciplined attitudes. We did have a period were several players were not getting along.
I addressed some of the bickering and asked the guys to keep it among themselves. I asked them to keep the personal arguments among those directly involved. And to NOT subject the entire group to their arguments/snide remarks.
Unfortunately several members couldn’t get over it and they moved on their own way.
But hey…its their game too. If they didn’t enjoy the current situation…they had every right to move along.
Sure it sucks to lose any member…. But if the Peace is broken…it will spread like a cancer in no time at all. So YES…if being organized means “Puppets”? Then so be it…As long as the puppets like being puppets. It’s of their choosing. But rest assured…Organization is much more likely in this setting than a hodge podge , mix matched group of guys and gals that have totally different ideas as to what the game means to them or what the game is all about.  If they decide they want to be “Real Boys” (Pinocchio)…then it’s their right. Either way…you MUST have Organization, organization means rules.  Or having a “Squadron” is kinda meaningless. Also if you have a large squadron.. Then break up into several flights. Appoint wing leaders and communicate with them…and let the wing leaders communicate with their wing. PS communication is the single toughest challenge when leading a large squadron or mission. Most of the work is going to be on YOUR part. Its all part of the job.
and good luck
MugZ Mafia (recruiting) http://webpages.charter.net/maddogjoe/recruits.html