Well, what a day! Lots of stuff to go over in this report, so get ready for plenty of good ol' fashion reading.
First issue ... this report is a couple of days late. That's because of some messy RL issues that snatched my e-mail access away from me temporarily. But fear not my brothers ... for I have looked the demon of RL square in the eye, and said, "Get the heck outta my way you big RL demony-looking thing! Don't make you hurt you, sucka!"
Um ... and then I got my e-mail back. That's mostly, just about, kinda how it actually happened.
Well then.
Moving on ...
Wing III Stats
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Aleth - 8 (CRR Level 0)
Beth - 8 (CRR Level 0)
Gimel - 8 (CRR Level 0)
Daleth - 8 (CRR Level 0)
Hey - 7 (CRR Level 0)
Vav - 0 (Inactive)
Flag Officer - 1
Total: 40 (+2 from last report!)
Position Moves (9.24.00 -- 10.03.00)
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- TRN/CT Psylocke : Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and assigned to Beth Squad!
- FM/SL Psylocke (Beth) : Promoted to Lieutenant!
- TRN/CT Hexen : Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and assigned to Gimel Squad!
- FM/LCM Kep Rainer (Aleth) : Retires from active duty into the TC Reserves
- FL/LCM Mayk Wolverine (Aleth) : Steps down to Flight Member
- FM/LCM Nurel Turr (Aleth) : Advanced to Flight Leader!
- WC/COL Sasquatch : Promoted to General
Awards 'n' Stuff
-----------------------
The Order of the Vanguard has been awarded to :
- MAJ Daniel Kamprath
Wing III News Headlines
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- Big news this week is the implementation of Combat Readiness Testing, or CRT, which became effective on October 1st. For those of you with no CRT background at all, here is a complete breakdown on 'The Great Experiment' :
[Start CRT]
=============================
COMBAT READINESS TESTING (CRT)
=============================
Effective October 1st, 2000, the system of Combat Readiness Testing will be started in Wing III. Combat Readiness Testing serves several purposes :
- It gives a comprehensive Combat Response Rating (CRR) to each active squadron in the wing
- Gaining a higher CRR opens up new opportunities for your squad
- CRRs allow you to see how your squad rates in comparison to the other squads in the wing
- Awards will be authorized to be awarded after most Combat Readiness Tests
- CRTs are designed to allow CMDRs to run their squads through 'drills' ... improving skills, squadron pride, competitive spirit, and (hopefully) level of fun
Background
------------------
Combat Readiness Testing was designed to improve activity and spirit throughout the wing. The roots of the CRT system come from the old 'Supremacy Series' rules ... a system designed to allow pilots in the Emperor's Hammer to compete against the pilots of the Rebel Squadrons, our enemy. However, I have made a great many changes to the system to allow it to work for our purposes ... still, I must credit the Supremecy Series for serving as partial inspiration.
Beginning a Combat Readiness Test
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Combat Readiness Testing takes place at the request of the Squadron Commander. When the CMDR feels that his squad is prepared for a CRT, he will e-mail me and request a CRT. In the e-mail, the CMDR will specifiy whether they wish to test using a Free Mission or Battle. More on that later.
Each squadron receives ONE CRT per calendar month. It is possible to test during the last week of a month, then immediatly test again during the first week of the next month. However, that squad would then have to wait until the NEXT month to request testing again. I highly suggest that CMDRs use a bit of strategy and careful planning when they determine to begin a CRT.
Taking the Combat Readiness Test
---------------------------------------------------
Taking a CRT is easy, but doing well is not as simple. Don't worry, it was designed that way.
CRT testing begins bright and early on the next Monday morning after you have requested testing for your squad. You will recieve an e-mail from me, in which I will have randomly chosen a Free Mission or Battle (depending on which you requested) for your squadron to fly. The test will last until Sunday night at 11:59pm EST.
Your objective is simple. Get as many pilots as possible to fly the mission(s) within ONE WEEK. When a pilot completes the mission(s), they should e-mail their pilot file to their CMDR, and CC me. The CMDR will BSF the pilot file, and I will count it towards the squadrons score. The pilot MUST e-mail the pilot file to me. I will not accept pilot files from the CMDR, saying "Oh, he said that I should send this to you". The CMDR can only submit ONE pilot file ... his or her own.
Negative scores or scores of zero will not be counted. The pilot will be notifed and given another chance if they turn in a pilot file with a negative score or a score of zero. Exceptionally low scores will be frowned upon, but accepted (for the time being).
However, CRTs will not focus on scores alone, but rather on participation. Your Combat Readiness Rating will be assigned depending on what percentage of your pilots fly the mission with a score higher than zero. The percentage of participating pilots will be calculated with the following formula :
X Y
---- = ----
100% Z%
Where X = Total number of pilots in the squad
Y = Number of pilots who participated
And so, Z = Percentage of pilots who participated
At the end of the testing period, the CMDR will be e-mailed with a comprehensive report of how the squad did. This report will also contain the squad's Combat Response Rating (CRR). More on CRR follows below.
Combat Response Ratings Over Time
-------------------------------------------------------
CRRs depreciate over time. After taking the CRT, your squad is assigned a rating. The CRR is good for 2 months, or until the next time you test. After the two months is up, your CRR will drop one level for each month that your squad fails to re-test. After all, just because you score perfectly in January doesn't mean you deserve to hold on to that high rank 4 months later in May.
For example, Beth Squadron takes the Combat Readiness Test in October. They score a CRR of Level 4. Here is their CRR for the next few months, assuming they do not re-test :
November : CRR Level 4
December : CRR Level 4
January : CRR Level 3
February : CRR Level 2
March : CRR Level 1
April : CRR Level 0
Squadrons are REQUIRED to take the Combat Readiness Test AT LEAST TWO times every calendar year. Once for the first half of the year (January -- June), and once for the last half (July -- December). Failure to take the CRT for a time period of 6 months will result in a CRR Level of 0, an unplesent e-mail asking the CMDR why the squadron is so ill-prepared, and a serious consideration of a switch in command to better benefit the pilots of that squad.
You are required to take the CRT every 6 months, but no more than once a month. You are NOT required to do well. However, hopefully the next section will motivate you to do your best ...
==============================
COMBAT RESPONSE RATINGS (CRRs)
==============================
100% Participation : CRR Level 6 : "Perfect" :
99% -- 90% Participation : CRR Level 5 : "Excellent" :
89% -- 80% Participation : CRR Level 4 : "Above Average" :
79% -- 70% Participation : CRR Level 3 : "Good" :
69% -- 60% Participation : CRR Level 2 : "Needs Improvement" :
59% -- 50% Particiaption : CRR Level 1 : "Ewoks in Flight Suits" :
49% -- 40% Participation and below : CRR Level 0 : "Unacceptable" :
* CRR Level 1 -- 4 can be attained by testing with a Free Mission. To reach levels 5 or 6, you MUST test using a full battle.
* "The Sequoh Clause" : For squads with less than 10 pilots, it has been shown to be impossible to attain CRR Level 5. Therefore, any squad with less than 10 pilots, which tests USING A FULL BATTLE, can have their CRR raised from Level 4 to Level 5.
Importance of CRRs :
-------------------------------
CRRs will be reported in the Wing Reports, in the "Wing III Stats" section. They should also be reported in squadron reports. A high CRR is something to be proud of, and should be bragged and boasted about. A low CRR should prompt everyone to try and do better and improve.
Your squad's CRR rating will be a consideration when choosing the Wing Commander's Own for a given month. However, it is not the only consideration ... all the others still apply. Timeliness with MSEs, good general activity, interesting and prompt squad reports, success in past competitions, etc etc ... only now CRRs will be taken into consideration as well. A squad with a CRR of Level 0 will probably not be the Wing Commander's Own anytime soon.
Last but certainly not least, your squad's CRR will determine what kind of competitions I will approve for you to take part in. Here is a chart that should explain it all :
Level 0 : "Unacceptable" : Over half the squad is not participating. Improvement is mandatory. You may drill your pilots with competitions between Flights until they advance to AT LEAST CRR Level 1.
Level 1 : "Ewoks in Flight Suits" : Just over half of the pilots are flying. This is still too low, but any improvement will be rewarded. You may now challenge another Wing III squad with an equal or better CRR.
Level 2 : "Needs Improvement" : About 65% participation. Things are getting better. You may now challenge any other XWA squadron in the fleet.
Level 3 : "Good" : 3 out of 4 pilots are participating now ... very nice! A Level 3 or better CRR qualifies your squad to take part in a Wing vs. Wing competition.
Level 4 : "Above Average" : Participation is at 80% or better, very good work! Very few squadrons can reach this benchmark.
Level 5 : "Excellent" : Over 90% of the squad is taking part now ... outstanding work!!! Getting to CRR Level 5 is something to brag about ... be sure to add this to your ID line! If your squad makes it to CRR Level 5, I think you have qualified to compete against a squad from the Rebel Squadrons to help defend the honor of the EH.
Level 6 : "Perfect" : Every single member of the squad managed to participate!!! Other squads only WISH they could perform like this. I would think twice about challenging a squad that has attained CRR Level 6.
You will note that the different CRRs are based on participation, NOT on scores. Attaining a high CRR level does not guarantee that you will win in a competition ... but it shows everyone just how hard you are trying.
Rewards :
---------------
At the end of testing, each CMDR will have the OPTION to distribute certain rewards, depending on the squad's level of Combat Readiness.
Level 0 : Are you kidding? No rewards for the lowest level. That's like ejecting just because you feel sorry for the Rebels!
Level 1 : Still no reward. Level 1 should be ridicoulously easy to attain.
Level 2 : The CMDR may award an Imperial Security Medal to the pilot he thinks performed the best during testing.
Level 3 : This is the level that all squads should try to stay above. The CMDR may award an ISM to the pilot who performed best.
Level 4 : Now we're talking. The CMDR automatically recieves an ISM for keeping his squad in such great shape. He may also award an additional ISM, once again to the pilot he feels helped the most during testing.
Level 5 : Probably the best that can be achived!!! The CMDR automatically recieves a Palpatine's Crescent, and has the option of recommending another of his pilots to recieve an additional PC.
Level 6 : You'll find out when you get there ...
These rewards are subject to change in the future, and are in place for 'motivational purposes' at present. The real awards will come from winning a competition ... but to qualify for the highest-rewarding competitions, you must first have the appropriate CRR ...
=================
[End CRT]
The CRT system has been heavily discussed now for quite some time by the CMDRs of Wing III and myself ... now we can see if all the time spent in discussion was really worth it. Aleth Squadron is scheduled to take the very first CRT ever, beginning this upcoming Monday and running throughout next week.
- I think just about everyone has given up on the Commendation's of Loyalty by now. Here we are in October, and they were supposed to be awarded ... when? The end of August?
- The MegaSov competition is offically over! Remember, it was based on how many FCHG points we earned during the month of September. Well, we didn't win, but we also didn't do too shabby! I've sent out detailed reports to your CMDR ... here is the brief points summary :
Beth : 227 pts. (37% of total)
Daleth : 138 pts. (23% of total)
Gimel : 127 pts. (21% of total)
Aleth : 76 pts. (12% of total)
Hey : 37 pts. (6% of total)
Flag Officer : 6 pts. (1% of total)
If you do the math, you will notice that we ended up with 611 points ... nicely done, people! At least I won't get the jester's hat ;-)
Congratulations to CPT Pete Mitchell, who managed to gain more than 100 points, and the Palpatine's Crescent that comes with that!
- Results have FINALLY been posted for the Wing III Multi-Catagory Competition that ran from mid-August to mid-September ... the judges have voted, and here's how things turned out :
Division One - TIE Fighter Flight (XWA, using LCM Herman's "The Duel" Free Mission)
=======================
FL/LCM Van (Daleth) : 4,044 pts. [Palpatine's Crescent]
CMDR/MAJ Sequoh Marden (Beth) : 3,242 pts. [Imperial Security Medal]
WC/GN Sasquatch : 2,589 pts.
FL/LCM Cal Sinis (Beth) : 2,531 pts.
FM/LCM Emperor's Shield (Beth) : 1,462 pts.
CMDR/MAJ Daniel Kamprath (Daleth) : 1,423 pts.
CMDR/CPT Pete Mitchell (Gimel) : 1,367 pts.
FL/LCM Yun (Aleth) : 885 pts.
FM/LCM Quake (Gimel, formerly) : 842 pts.
FM/CPT Werdna Elbee (Beth) : 316 pts.
Division Two - Fiction
================
FL/LCM Nurel Turr (Aleth) / "The Outsiders" : 1st Place [Palpatine's Crescent]
FL/LCM Van (Daleth) / "ISD Revenge" : 2nd Place [Imperial Security Medal]
FM/LT Loor (Beth) / "First Contact" : 3rd Place
Division Three - Graphics
==================
FM/LCM Quake (Gimel, formerly) / "SovCity.JPG" : 1st (and only) Place [Palpatine's Crescent]
Congratulations to all of our medal winners! Fiction and graphics entries are attached.
- The Gimel vs. Hey compeition has started! All Gimel and Hey pilots are to fly Free-XWA #14 to uphold the honor of their squad. Since this competition officially began in September, it will not be affected by CRT guidelines. The contest ends on October 7th, so all pilots involved should get flying!
- We had two squads participate in the Supreme Squadron Series fiction contest, Beth and Daleth. You will find their entries attached for your reading pleasure. Be sure to check out Daleth's 'Sniffer', which explains the entire story of how they ended up with a rabbit for a mascot (did you guys know that FA Kramer's scorpions are scared of rabbits?). Also, don't miss Beth's "All Doth Perish but the Dark Side," by LCM Cray Mikalen.
- New Aleth Squadron mailing list, courtesy of CMDR Jaster Sadista : Aleth@squadron.org
- Beth's LCM Cray Mikalen continues his excellent work maintaining the Wing III Uniform Archive! Be sure to stop by and admire his handiwork : http://wing3uniforms.ehnet.org
- Aleth Squadron considering possible squadron nickname change, from 'Black Talons' to 'Dark Talons' ... Aleth'ers are encouraged to make their opinion known to CM Sadista, who has authority over such things ...
- Hey Squadron's LT Osan'gar reminds us all ... Wing III has a message board!!! Let's all try to use it a bit more : http://www.sitepowerup.com/mb/view.asp?Action=Display&BoardID=105828
- Hey Squadron CMDR Lavos will be stepping down from his post due to RL pressures that prevent him from having enough time to devote to the position. Stay tuned, his replacement will be announced soon ...
- Newsletter #68 has been released to the fleet : http://www.tiecorps.org/files/nl/hammer68.zip
- And lastly, a strange thing happened to me this week on my way to the briefing room ... it turns out I got promoted to General ;-)
SOOOOoooo ... who am I to break tradition? Since I am the newly promoted, drinks are officially on me! But let's finish the rest of the report before we run off to the cantina, shall we?
Wing III Orders
----------------------
Well, with the ending of both the MegaSov comp and the Sovereign Squadron League, I'm hard-pressed to come up with any orders that can apply to the entire wing. CMDRs, I suggest you use this "free time" to busy yourselves with CRTs. Everyone else ... go fly FREE-TIE 121 ... just because I said so ;-)
COM/FA Kramer is planning another Sovereign-wide competition for next month, which will once again put all the wings against each other ... more news on this as it becomes available!
Wing III Quote of the Week
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"We have spoon issues." -- LCM Cray Mikalen warns new guy Jaster why Beth pilots love silverware so much when they're drunk
Other notable quotes this week :
"Well, COL Sas gave me work to do (what nerve), so I better get started. <*sigh*>" -- CM Jaster Sadista moves into Wing III, his new home
"Urg. I have to spend money on all of you? I have a better idea.
::Sadista buys one beer::
Share it." -- Jaster thinks he has found a way around 'The System' of being forced to buy drinks after being promoted ... but ...
"Request permission to shoot the new CMDR for this gross violation of Wing III protocol!" -- ... you have to get up PRETTY early in the morning to seperate Cray Mikalen from his free drinks
"DOH! OK, OK, you can all have your own drink. But make them cheap ones. Are there any 'managers specials'?" -- Jaster gives in to the Dark Side of drink buying
"I sometimes think my computer spends more time open on the floor of my workshop than under my desk, and has more Radio Shack than Microsoft in it." -- Former Aleth CMDR Jahan Kalar vents ... well, less Microsoft can only be a GOOD thing
"I was very warmly welcomed by the CMDRs of the Wing (for the most part. There was that "being shot at point blank range" thing. Don't ask)." -- What does Jaster expect after trying to cheat us out of our free drinks?
Misc.
--------
- Congratulations go out to Wing II WC Inkwolf, who was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel! Congrats, Inky!
- Fencing is cool ... and a good way to throw-off your opponent is to randomly throw out Star Wars quotes as you duel. Trust me, it works ;-)
Okay, that's gonna wrap it up for this report. And now I think it's time we all retire to the cantina, for drinks and snacks courtesy of yours truly! And let's make some noise!!!
If all goes according to plan, next report should be Saturday or Sunday. Until then ... Fly High and Watch Your Six!
WC/GN Sasquatch / Wing III / SSSD Sovereign
[BSx2] [PCx10] [ISMx9] [MoT-gh] [CoB] [LoA] [OV-2E] [IWATS-SM-TT-TM-M-IIC-GFX] [GALL]
M-T/A 'Silhouette'
Wing III - Phantoms
"We are your Grim Reaper"