Rizzit
ComNet Marshal
[VE-ARMY] General
Post Number: 2719
Total Posts: 2943
Joined: Mar 2002
Status: Offline
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Prefect's Report 10.11.9
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October 12, 2009
12:26:09 AM
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Prefect's Report
AWOL CheckAs most of you have seen, Jegora has started an AWOL Check recently. By this point I am sure you all know what these are, for those of us that are new however: periodically, your various commanders will run an AWOL Check to see who is actually around. Every commander also has their own personal format of how it will run, however the end result is the same: either conform to the terms of the AWOL Check or you will be marked as AWOL. Being marked as AWOL means you get removed from your squad and collect no paycheck until you return. After all, you did not ask for retirement or the reserves, you were found to be Away Without Official Leave. Depending on your circumstances you may also face a loss of rank or medals, but this is dealt with on a case-by-case basis. The real problem to most at the trooper level is if your squad fills up before you leave. When you return, you will of course be given your choice of where you would like to go; if your old squad is filled however, you will need to find yourself a new home. So to those of you "attached" to your squads at the moment: make sure you comply to the demands of the AWOL Checks that you will face and be sure you're actually around (not just checking in for the AWOL Check). People on leave however, are excused from the AWOL Check (no matter who is running it).BehaviorGenerally, we do not tell you how to behave here in the Vast Empire. You are all (hopefully) old enough that you are able to figure that out for yourselves. We have always had our share of disruptions, and generally they have been dealt with behind closed doors and for the most part it was not an issue overall. Platoon Sergeant Jegora has been dealing with an increased number of affairs lately that leave him dealing with more problems than actually doing his job. In the confines of your squad's channel, you are under the dominion of your Squad Leader: what happens there is none of our buisness. However, when you are in the public eye: you are expected to conduct yourself with a manner of maturity and professionalism so as not to upset the balance we have here. I am speaking namely of the Main Vast Empire IRC Channel and the ComNet. (Use your judgment though, there ARE other areas this applies to as well). No, we do not expect you to behave like model students at a Private School but keep your personal quarrels and things of that nature out of public eye. Jegora and I have had a chat, and we will be increasing the severity of repercussions for this as to ensure this does not repeat. If fining does not work, then perhaps losing some ranks or medals will help send the message across. We are all here to have fun, and drama like this strips others of having that fun. I also have some notes to pass on that Jegora will be enforcing. This has been approved and he is full-well within his rights to do so.
- Lately, we have had too many problems with people unable to distinguish between IRC and the Comnet. This causes a major problem. This is something that the Tactical Department will be able to call people out on (or higher up if noticed).
- Relationships can exist between people but do not let it interfere with EVERY story or your IRC lives. Not EVERYTHING that happens on IRC can be brought into the story and vice-versa. This will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
- ***Do not let relationships affect others too. Jegora had difficulty choosing a Squad Leader this recent time because every candidate had a member that stated if Member X gets SL, that member Y will be requesting a transfer rather than remaining in their squad as should happen.
Command MeetingAs I said last week, we are preparing a Halloween Story for all of you. In exactly two weeks the story will open up and will last for two weeks. If this goes over to be fairly successful: next year we will make it into a competition for everyone. However, given the fact that we have NEVER done this before in the Army: we decided to run it as a trial-basis as opposed to running a full out competition that could very well not be recieved very well. At any rate, it looks to be a lot of fun and as long as we don't all get eaten by VosGhouls, should all enjoy it to some degree.Command MeetingAs I said at the meeting there was a very successful command meeting held yesterday on IRC discussing various changes and the overall future for the Army. Your Commanders and their aides all deserve a round of applause: it is not easy being holed up like we were for as many hours as the meeting had lasted. They kept plugging away at it though. The content that was covered in that meeting will be brought to you here in the Prefect's Report.Communications and StructureBoundaries- Anything regarding Squad Matters, Jegora needs to be in the know about at all times. This can be anything from recruits being placed, to status changes, even changes in equipment. He has to run things from day to day, and communication MUST be made to him if he is to do his job properly. Not to do so, would be to intrude on his territory and duties.
- Anything to do with how stories are written falls under the territory of the Tactical Department. This includes anything from Specialty Stories to Squad Stories (basically anything that involves the writing end)
- The Academy manages all the recruits and aspects of that nature. This includes the NEW members joining our club (as compared to retired veterans who merely need to speak to anyone in power to return). Basically introducing the new people to the club, teaching them how to participate, and helping them with their bios is their domain.
- The Department of Development is basically in charge of ANY side projects. This is their domain. Graphics? Yes. Weapons Development? Yep that's them? Webpage/Wiki/Coding? You bet. Their purpose is for the general Army though not specifically for a squad or for the academy or a department. They usually do a combination of all. They could very well be called the Army's Personal Engineering Corps.
- Now we come to an exception to all of the above definitions: Projects. If for someone wants to do a project that is outside of their personal boundaries, they would need either Prefect or XO approval, or in the cases of lower end projects: Commanding Officer approval. (Yes, I know there is no XO but there will be soon) This is mainly so we don't have two people thinking they are the only two working on a project then come to find out they both are; and we now have two people fighting over who has the right to complete the project. One last example: if Sam comes to me with a project idea and Angel is working on a similar idea but does not check in with me in any form then of course I am going to give Sam the go-ahead because to my knowledge Sam is the only one working on said project.
Chain of Command- The Chain of Command is nothing new to any of you, from your earliest days at the Academy you were taught to obey it. Even in Squad Life you are taught what it is, and how it applies to you. However, as recently as Tuesday of this week far too many people either do not abide by the Chain of Command or skip links in the chain.
- As we all know, the Chain of Command was established to keep those who absolutely need to know about things that affect their roles in the loop about such things. They can inform their superiors on the comings and goings of things later. When they are skipped over, this makes things all the more difficult for them. For example, let's look at Platoon Sergeant Jegora. He manages Wildcard Platoon very efficiently by doing things his way. If anyone else were to attempt to solve a problem for him, they are not him; therefore are most likely to not reach the same decision he would have.
- If your problem is NOT urgent in nature and could do without an immediate decision: there ARE methods to contact your direct superior to inform them of the situations. Comnet PM and e-mail usually work best. If you feel the need to include the rest of us in as a CC, there is no harm in that but do not leave your Commanding Officer out of the loop. If they cannot help, keep moving up until your problem is solved.
- This works both ways as well; with few exceptions to be named. While the departments we have added in recent months can make things slightly confusing, the general flow of things should be known to you. Just as troopers should not leave their Platoon Commander or Squad Leader out of the loop when seeking a solution; Commanders should give their subordinates a chance to resolve the problem themselves (provided it can wait) before stepping on their toes and solving the problem themselves.
Specialties- When in the Academy, the trooper has the option of allowing the Academy Staff to introduce them to the program. Should they select this option the Academy Staff will be able to show them how to find their story list, what the categories mean, and help them get started on their first story. However, if this is not completed the Tactical Department needs to be informed so that they can help the trooper get started when they are ready.
- Grading for the specialties will be the domain of the Tactical Department. In fact nearly the entire program is their domain. They specialize in helping us all write better, and therefore is only fitting. Any questions? Take it up with them.
- A complete restructuring of Specialties IS being done by the Tactical Department with no estimate of a completion date. I have assurances though that the programs you complete will not be a waste of your time to do so in the meantime. Those that exist will be carried over (to some extent) and you will not need to re-do them. The overall goal is to make a progression to the specialties, while making more of them with shorter completion times. Given that this is not happening anytime soon, those wishing to do Specialty Training will need to meddle through the existing program.
In-Story PositionsAs of late, we have people with various roles in the Army that have a place outside of the story, yet have no place outside of story. This is all well and good; however when the stories start showing these roles when they should not: we have a problem. This is of course the domain of the Tactical Department, but I ended up settling this debate as it happens the parties in question were not satisfied with the judgement placed upon them. So, as it happens, a side-project was finished up rather early. I would like to thank Platoon Sergeant Jegora for his assistance.
Trooper
Easily, the simplest role of them all (and the one that sees the most action). Being a trooper, you take any order without question. If your Squad Leader tells you to attack the bunker: you attack the bunker or die trying. The bulk of every story revolves around you.
Fire Team Captain
An optional, in-story position used in order to allow the squad to break up into three groups. When such an action becomes necessary in a particular story, the Fire Team Captain will lead one of these groups. This is a strictly in-story position, and serves no purpose outside of said story.
Assistant Squad Leader
The second in command for a given squad. The Squad Leader's Assistant basically does their bidding much as a trooper would, with one difference: the ASL is practically joined at the hip to the SL. In the Squad Leader's absence, the ASL can issue orders as if they were SL. If groups or fire teams are used, the SL can lead one group and the ASL another (while the FTC would lead a third group, if necessary). Overall, the ASL is just a highly decorated trooper that is training to be SL one day.
Squad Leader
The mastermind behind most stories. A typical scenario often includes an SL receiving orders from a PC or similar authority, and then conveying those orders to their squad members. The SL almost always personally leads his or her squad on missions. In larger storylines the SL takes on a role much more similar to that of a trooper, but they would still be directing and organizing their squad throughout the story.
Platoon Adjutant
For the most part, Platoon Adjutants have very little storyline role in the stories that get written. Adjutants outside of the story are little more than secretaries and a "backup" PC in case the actual PC is MIA. In story, a PC might consult the PA while making strategic plans for a mission or an attack plan but the PA has no real use in a story aside from ceremonially being everywhere the Platoon Commander goes. If the PA serves a dual-role in the army, they would normally be asked to assume that role for stories.
Platoon Commander
The driving force behind every story. Normally, a short scene in the Platoon Commander's office (or similar) is used to issue a mission, which generally requires no action from the PC at all. For larger stories, the PC is usually right down in the action with the squads issuing mission objectives via comlink or in-person. It is not unheard of to see a PC joining in the fight. In rare occasions, PCs might even receive mission objectives from the Prefect, Executive Officer, or Tactical Officer and it will be up to them to carry those orders out.
Academy Staff
The position with many titles: Drill Instructor, Academy Staff, Aide, the list goes on and on. Once again, this position has no role in a story and is not to be mentioned. Realistically speaking, the Academy Staff do not have time to participate as a full time instructor AND as an active trooper in the Corps. As such, their Academy position is ignored in-story, much as it is with PAs and other command staffers that have dual roles.
Commander of Training
One of the members of the Army High Command, and the one that is seen the least in stories. Except in the rare cases of Officer Stories, the Commander of Training resides in the Academy....permanently. They no longer see the thrill of battle. Their role is still important, however, as they work to impart their impressive knowledge of soldiering to new recruits and trainees.
Tactical Staff
The Tactical Staff members assist the Tactical Officer with things outside of story, but in-story they serve no purpose whatsoever. In the War Room, the Tactical Officer is there with the Prefect and the Executive Officer but their "staff" is not present. As is the case with Platoon Adjutants, if the Tactical Staff has a dual-role as a trooper or similar: they are to assume that role in-story.
Tactical Officer
A mastermind of strategy, tactics, attack plans, etc., the Tactical Officer is responsible for every move made on the battlefield. Whether developing the stratagems and tactics himself, or simply advising the Prefect and/or the Executive Officer in such endeavors, the Tactical Officer is without a doubt a driving force behind the successful completion of any large scale operation. Usually, the Tactical Officer issues orders to the Platoon Commanders via ComLink from the War Room. VERY rarely does the Tactical Officer participate as a combatant during a battle, if ever.
Development Staff
Much like the other staff members working for various departments, the Development Staff are not seen in-story. Existing under much the same circumstances as the Academy Staff, there is no feasible way that a trooper could work for the Department of Development full time and remain active as a member of the Corps. Therefore, members of the Development Staff will not mention that particular role in-story, and will assume their regular duty positions on such occasions.
Commander of Development
The Commander of Development is seen very rarely in stories, but there is a chance that he or she may be encountered. If there is new technology to introduce, the Commander of Development will be the one to do so. However, they do not get involved with battles, nor do they desire to do so. Their purpose is to develop new technology and weapons for the Empire, and therefore they spend their day locked in research and development toiling away at new ideas.
AHC Adjutants
There are two adjutant positions for the Army High Command: one belonging to the Executive Officer and the other belonging to the Prefect. The purpose of these positions is unknown outside of story, as they exist to serve the whims of the Prefect and Executive Officer. If these positions are held as dual-roles, then the person in question will assume his or her regular duty position for all stories.
Executive Officer
Second in Command of the entire Army. Unlike the Adjutants of Platoon Commanders, the Executive Officer can actually issue orders if need be. They can usually be found at base in the War Room along with the Tactical Officer and the Prefect of the Army. Except for Officer Missions, rarely sees any combat.
Prefect of the Army
THE BOSS. The Prefect can overrule any order and give another. Normally their role is that of an observer of the battle from the War Room, unless they feel an absolute need to interfere with the natural chain of command (in which case everyone knows that SOMEONE is in deep shit). They may arrive on scene after the battle is won, or make motivational speeches in the briefings; however the Prefect usually does not get too involved in the actual mission as to allow his or her subordinates to do their jobs.
I have also published it for easy viewing at this link but I think people would not be likely to read it if it is not in their face on the comnet. This is also effective immediately. Tomorrow, I will be posting a version of this in my Prefect's Report.CompetitionsElite Squad ChallengeEver since Blackjack was named the ELITE Squad, one question has been asked more than any:
Members wrote:How can the ELITE Squad be challenged for their title?
I am happy to say that after a fair amount of deliberation, a decision was finally reached. So, without further ado: here is how one may challenge the ELITE Squad.
- A Squad Leader must approach the Platoon Commander and make their case to them. Wether the belief is that the ELITE Squad no longer deserves to be ELITE, or maybe they feel that they can beat the ELITE Squad in the Elite Squad Competition (ESC). Whatever the reason, they need to convince their Platoon Commander that the outcome would be different if another ESC were to be held.
- Should the Platoon Commander share the Squad Leader's concern, they in turn must approach the AHC (any one member will do) who need to decide if the point is valid enough to have an Elite Squad Competition. If so, another Elite Squad Competition will be scheduled and all squads may partake in it once again. Ultimately, the decision is that of the Prefect and the Executive Officer.
- At the end of the newest ESC, should the outcome be different: the winner will be named our newest ELITE Squad.
Calendar of Events- Regardless of when we inform them, Squad Leaders are NEVER prepared for when competitions come up. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to them if they knew about things a good deal in advance so they can plan their stories around competitions. Not to mention if we create a yearly calendar: people might begin to look forward to events and it will increase morale.
- Events listed on the calendar will not go into details: just the name of the event. Also, they are not set in stone, and can be delayed/moved up without notice or debate. The purpose is to help in the aide of planning events and to keep everyone in the know. It will be publicly viewable once completed.
Activities- There will be a list of new ways to participate in the club officially over the coming months. (Yes, this means you can report it in as activity in your Squad Reports.)
- Ron is heading a recruiting campaign using a game called Cybernations. The plan is to create a guild and use the guild to draw in members.
- As you have seen, Anival has begun hosting Lounge Nights once again. I hear they have some excellent new prizes to hand out, so go claim those before they vanish.
- If enough intrest is shown, I have volunteers ready to begin hosting IRC RPGs and other forms of games. Look for threads of similar nature to sign up. Hopefully, that can be started again for you.
- Ideas for activities are ALWAYS welcome. You can contact any of your superiors on this and they will be happy to direct you to the person most likely to help you in making it official and getting you started.
ClosingSorry for the rather long length this week, there was a lot of information to get out that you deserve to be in the know about. Some of your squad stories are actually getting very enticing for anyone to read at the moment, so keep up the excellent work. As always, if there any concerns you may have: my door is always open. Have a good week everyone!  General Rizzit Blackheart Prefect of the ArmyXO/GEN Rizzit/VEA/VE[OPE][OTH][EW1][RCoD][CRoM][CoH][OPA][SoA][SoS][SCP]"Everything expressed truly from your heart and soul is as pure as gold in the minds of anyone who listens"--Rizzit
[This message has been edited by
Rizzit
(edited October 12, 2009
12:27:21 AM)]
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