Battlegroups Report 20

FLEET-TYPE NEWS

A new NL is out. Take a look at the main TC page (http://www.emperorshammer.net/news.asp) for links and stuff.

The TAC office continues to roll out battles, mainly for TIE and XvT, although there are some XWA offerings as well.

NEWS FROM THE BGS

Not much going on in the BGs this week, aside from the usual round of internal competitions and some comings and goings. Our numbers are down again, which calls for recruiting on all fronts. I’d especially like to see some FMs and FLs get involved. Heck, I’m even trying to convince my wife to give this thing a try. If you have friends who are interested in Star Wars or play one of our games, see if you can convince them to give the TC (and the BGs) a try.

In other news, a former ChalCOM stepped down as COM of the Avenger due to RL military obligations. Demos, good luck and come back soon. Applications are NOT being taken, so don’t bug Pri or anyone else about it.

We do, however, have a CMDR opening in the BGs. Demon Squadron on the Immortal is in need of a CMDR.

STANDING ORDERS AND PROCEDURES

MSEs are due. And Flag Staff, don’t forget your ‘of the Month’ recommendations! If you have any questions, contact me ASAP. Starting next week there will be comps to design banners for these awards, which will be awarded to the winners of the ‘of the Month’ awards each month.

I’ve seen another round of transfers where the BGCOMs involved were not cc’d in the e-mails. Come on, people! This is standard procedure, and it’s also just basically a nice thing to do. Keeping your chain of command informed is a good idea, especially since they’re the ones who approve awards and promotions, and may be of use in the future.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Last week I beat on the recruiting drum…and I almost feel obligated to do it again this week. The Challenge has a special website up that deals only with recruiting, and this might be a good route for the rest of us to follow. It seems pretty clear now that the ‘old ways’ of doing this just don’t work like they used to. It’s time for new and innovative approaches, combined with our tradition of excellence.

It’s that tradition that has in part resulted in our lower numbers. BGs ships AWOL aggressively. It’s what we do, and I have no desire to see that change. Roster padding may be nice in some places, but I’d rather be part of a Squadron or Wing (no matter how small) that was active and enjoying themselves. It’s no fun when you’re the only guy on a roster of five or six who’s doing anything. I’ve been in both situations, and had much more fun in the former than the latter.

People like to go where there’s activity. There are a number of Squadrons in the BGs that are proof of that. Recruiting is important, but don’t let it dominate your activity to the exclusion of everything else. As has been said before, it’s important for a CMDR to remain focused on the needs of his Squadron RIGHT NOW.

Our best option may be to concentrate on who we know. As I said, I’m seeing if I can get my wife interested in this stuff. She’s done quite a bit of computer gaming over the years (kept her busy while I was deployed), and being married to me has given her a firm understanding of the military and its ways. Most of us (at least I’m assuming) have friends we could get interested in the EH. We need to find our own ways to make this work, and I’m open to any thoughts or suggestions you might have. I especially want to hear from the new guys…the FMs and FLs who make this whole thing work. What brought you to the BGs, and why do you stay? If it’s your Squadron, brag about it on the Recruiting Forum. Same goes for your Wing. Too many CMDRs and up post there. It would be a breath of fresh air, and maybe very helpful to new guys still trying to decide, if our newer members were to post.

That’s all for now. Keep flying and having fun!

BGCOM/AD Krax Tarnisar/TIE Corps Battlegroups