To give you alittle history, when JG2 had Weazel as the CO and myself as the XO, we were approx. 12 strong. We decided to go on a recruitment drive, and between Weazel and I, we ended up with 60+ members in JG2. These are my guidelines for Squadron recruitment:
You have to find them, they're not going to find you:I don't care how much web publicity you have, its just not the same as going face to face with a prospective squadmate. You have to actively search them out, and you can fulfil your requirements in about a 2 week period with taking about 15 min. a day online to recruit.
Tools to work with:Have an information sheet or a web URL (one that is NOT a squad website) that basically gives a "Readers Digest" version what your squad is all about, what your philosophy is in squad tactics, and what your general guidelines are (i.e. "We fly the P51" or "We fly all Aircraft types"..etc) Click the link in my signature at the bottom of this page for an example of a weblink to an 'Information Source' to your squadron's 'business plan'. Better yet, create a word document that you can either attach to an email, or copy and paste to an email. Link your website inside the information document, but by all means, do not just send someone your website URL and expect them to be impressed.
Log on and check the Roster:Check your Country you fly for first:
Now, some of the names with no squad affliation attached to them may have a familiar ring, you may have flown with this person in the last few weeks...these are the guys to write down on a pad of paper first. Then move onto the countries that you don't fly for, these are alittle tougher to recruit since they fly for a different country other than your own, but not impossible to persuade. Make a list of 'potential squadron mates', then Alt_Tab to the HTC website.
The best are NOT already taken! Don't think for a minute that a newbie would not make a good squadmate. I've taken completely green rookies to online sims in the 2 squads I've been CO of, and some have turned into terror for the rest of Aces High. As a matter of fact, I'd rather have someone too green than too experienced, this way you can 'mold' them to fit the needs of your squadron.
Get your squadron involved!Our squad has a 'Sponsorship Program', whereas, if one of your current squaddies spots a potential squadmate, that squaddie may 'Sponsor' the prospect. This works especially good when using a 'flattering' tactic, ie. saying "Apache has been flying with you lately online, and is sponsoring you to an invite to join our squadron". It is VERY effective, and since you can't be online all the time, why not have others looking over prospective squadmates?
Check the Last Tour Scores:Score Schmore, I could give a rats bellybutton when it comes to someones score, some of you may care, but me personally, I'm checking to see if they are 'a team player'...after all thats what squadrons are all about. I look to see if they are 'diversified'...ie. if they fly more than 1 type of fighter, if they fly bombers, if they drive vehicles, or boats...I personally like a all-around person that can do all of it, so that when the mission calls for specific tactics, I've got someone on my team to help fulfill the goals, whether it be BARCAP, CAS, ESCORT, BOMBING or JABO. Now, go down the 'list' of prospective squaddies and rank them 1-5 on their 'diversity' of A/C they fly. Trust me, the guys that fly all A/C types will make a much better squadmate than one that flys only one type, in the long run
Start Talking!Get back online by Alt-Tab'ing with your 'list' you've assembled from the score page and private channel each individual, one at a time. Make sure they are not busy, start off with something like: "Hiya Scrody, have you got a moment or are ya busy?"
Wait for a reply. If they don't reply then try again, check for their reply in all text buffers, since some may not know how to private channel you back...here's where you can help them and tell them how to private channel you back.
Once communication on PRIVATE CHANNEL (I stress this, you don't want someone to 'steal' your prospective squaddie away) is established, start off with a line something like "I'd like to extend an invitation to you in joining our squadron, we fly primarily P51 Mustangs, but fly all aircraft types that are offered in Aces High". Wait for a reply before going any further with your pitch. Keep your pitch short, simple, and don't act like you're begging, act like you're extending them an opportunity to enjoy the sim to its finest, which indeed being in a squadron can do! If they show interest, ask them for their email addy so that you may send them your 'Squaron Information Sheet' or 'Squadron information URL', or whatever you've prepared in advance to explain to a prospect what your squad is all about, DO NOT try to explain it to them in a text buffer. They are online to fly and kill, NOT to listen to a pitch...keep your pitch short and simple, get their email addy and send them the information.
Be prepared for new squadmates!Make sure you have an 'information packet' for your new squadmate once they've accepted the offer. Have a URL or word document made up with information pertaining to squad nights, passwords (for web sites, HTC Bulletin boards, etc) and I highly suggest a copy of "Rules and Regulations", an outline of what you, as a CO, expect of a person in regards to online behavior (ie., you don't want some guy whining everytime someone shoots him down, it can make the whole squad look pretty bad). Have your goals and objectives outlined either in your "Squadron information sheet" or your 'New Squad member Orientation sheet'. This will keep the newcomer focused on what your squads goals and objectives are. Make DAMN sure you send them the online INVITE once they've accepted. Never send an invite online before you've sent out your squadron information sheet, you may discover that the person is a '2-week wonder' or may not be cut out for the regiment you have, or may not have, in your squad. Everyone runs squadrons differently, so filter out the ones that may not 'fit' in your squadron by giving them information via email PRIOR to inviting them by actually sending the .invite XXXX while online.
Follow up after you've accepted them into your squad!Make sure you add the new squad mate to your email distribution list and send an email or post on the BB welcoming the new squadmate, make them feel 'at home'. After all, they may be saving your prettythang one day!
Bring them in a few at a time!Don't go out and recruit 10 people in one week, do a couple at a time, train them, get them up to speed with the rest of your squad, and if you feel so desired, go out an get a few more...its my opinion that smaller is better, and work more closely together than a huge squadron does.
Free Advertisement!If you post on bulletin boards of your fav. flight sim, use the signature files linking prospective squaddies to your 'Squadron Information URL'. If you are a member of Aces High,fill out a 'Squadron Information Sheet' found in a thread on this forum, and send it to Ripsnort, it's linked to the HTC website and can help those searching for a squad learn alittle bit more about your squad. Contact me if you may need some help, I'm always willing to help those forming new squads, you can contact me at:
ripsnort@aceshighcs.com
SummaryHope this helps, It's been very successful for me in two squadrons, and it's helped me fly with guys that have commonality in what I consider the best online expericence....FLIGHT SIMS!
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~Death Rattlers~Member of 'MAG-33' (Click here) Click here for VMF-323 Death Rattlers infoClick here for interviews with other Aces High SquadronsIf you cannot do something well,
learn to enjoy doing it poorly![This message has been edited by Ripsnort (edited 01-04-2001).]
[This message has been edited by Ripsnort (edited 01-04-2001).]
