Naval Corps Protocol

Platform Policy

There can be no gaming club without games, so here's a little explanation on what games we'll be supporting. Obviously, we'll be supporting the usual Star Wars space games, but since they're old, we won't just stick to them. The Naval Corps will be open to any space game that has a SW mod or SW ships available, and to other popular games.

Notice it says "space games" and not "space sims". That's because we'll also be open to strategy games. The Homeworld saga will also be included in our list of games, so don't forget to grab a copy of Homeworld 2 when you see it.

We are 100% open to suggestions on this area, so don't hesitate to mail us. Also, if anyone can run a dedicated server for Freelancer, please inform us. Thank you.

General Protocol

1. Respect is to be given to both the commissioned and non � warrant officers. This is the primary consideration when giving or following orders.
2. Orders are to be followed at all times. If the order is something one doesn�t like, state your opinion respectfully, though the superior officer has in his power to keep his own counsel.
3. Complaints or problems are to be submitted to one�s immediate superior. Listed below are the reasons for bypassing a superior officer.
   1. If the officer fails to address a complaint or problem in a timely manner.
   2. If the situation is sensitive in nature, one is to submit the concern to the Navy Commander (for now at least).

Unit Protocol

Any organization in the Naval Corps may submit their own Standing Orders to their immediate superior. They are to be used to help the unit function by more sharply defining their duties. The one requirement is that the Standing Orders don�t violate any of Vader�s Fist�s regulations, the Naval Corps or any other governing body (COMM, SO, etc). Therefore anyone in the High Council may deny a Standing Order in regards to their specific area of command.

Commissioned Officers

1. Officers are responsible for the discipline of the company under their command. It is their job to see that an order, that is fair, is maintained. This includes keeping their subordinates aware of regulations. Failure to do so is neglect in their duties.
2. Orders given to subordinates are to be made out of respect. If not followed purposefully, one will remedy it or be found in disobedience of the Naval Commander.

Warrant Officers

1. Non � warrant officers are expected to follow their immediate commander.
2. If a problem arises, use the general orders as a guideline as a recourse. Non � warrant officers immediate responsibility is themselves.

Joining and Training

1. Recruitees who wish to join, will fill out an information form that will tell the Naval Commander what the person is interested in.
2. Due to the wide range of interest that pilots may have, and the different way they can participate, there are a couple activities one can you to join the Naval Corps. The point isn�t to overwhelm a prospective pilot, but rather to give the pilot a taste of what they can do
   1. A battle of some sort
   2. A fiction
   3. A graphic
   4. Submission that the Naval Commander deems admissible
3. The Naval Commander will put the person in a squadron that suits the pilot.
4. It will be up to the wing/squad (details later) to train the pilot. This relates to the commander�s duty of making sure the pilots are adequately kept aware of things.

Transfers

1. If one wishes to transfer, one should talk to their immediate superior* about the transfer. This will allow commanding officer to know the reason for transferring and may solve a conflict if that is the reasoning for transferring. Without this step, all transfers will be denied due to the lack of respect given to your commanding officer.**
2. Once approved by the commanding officer, the pilot will contact the officer in charge of the unit one is being transferred to. *
3. The new commanding officer will send a request to the Naval Commander (or possible staff) with the following.
   1. The name
   2. The pin
   3. Where he is being place

* It is the job of the commanders involved to tell his superiors about the transfer
**If the commanding officer ignores the pilot, they will then go to the next person above the commanding officer.

Chain of Command

Command Positions

Captain (CAPT): This officer commands a warship that is not large enough to maintain a fighter Wing. Min � LC Max � RA

Wing Commander (WC): Min � MAJ Max � COL

Commander (CMDR): Squadron Commander. Min � CM Max � LC

Flight Leader (FL): This is the only command position that may be held by a WO. Minimum rank � Any Max � CM

It is possible for an officer to move from a WO career path to that of a commissioned officer. To do so, the officer must pass the Commander�s Course. He is then promoted to LCM. Likewise a commissioned officer may move to WO status, in which case he becomes a WO-2.

Any officer who resigns from a higher position shall be given the rank of LCM or WO-2, depending on the officer�s choice.

Ranks

The Vader�s Fist fleet uses for the most part standard Imperial ranks and positions. There are some exceptions, all learned through the hard school of battle.

Coming out of training, every pilot is called a Flight Trainee (FT), who is then assigned to a unit where he will learn the skills needed to survive in an unstable galaxy. At the completion of his training he is allowed to choose a rank path � Warrant Officer or Commissioned Officer.

Unlike other Imperial units, the VF uses Warrant Officer ranks to designate pilots who have great ability but do not desire command responsibility.

Warrant Officer (WO)-1
WO-2 (from this point on a WO may serve as a FL)
WO-3
WO-4
WO-5

There are three other WO ranks, but these are open by invitation of a high-ranking officer. They are Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) � the senior WO in a Wing; Master Chief Warrant Officer (MCWO) the senior WO in a Battlegroup (once those are formed); and Fleet Chief Warrant Officer (FCWO) the highest level WO in the fleet who works directly with the NC, XO, and FC on matters that impact the pilots of the VF. Ok changes put FA between AD and HA and add GA to the top of the list. Also put beside the HA part that this rank is restricted as an XO Rank after the XO has served with distinction for a period of time that the FC deems appropriate.

Commissioned Ranks

Admiralty
            Grand Admiral (GA)
            High Admiral (HA)
            Fleet Admiral (FA)
            Admiral (AD)
            Vice Admiral (VA)
            Rear Admiral (RA)
Line Ranks
            Colonel (COL)
            Lieutenant Colonel (LC)
            Major (MAJ)
            Captain (CPT)
            Commander (CM)
            Lieutenant Commander (LCM)
            Lieutenant (LT)

Promotion system:

Each promotion calls for at least 4 months at a particular rank if holding a command positions (six months otherwise). WOs have a minimum of four months in grade.

However, it is possible for an officer to be promoted if he reaches the required points before meeting the Time in Grade (TIG) requirements. This is at the discretion of the NC and the XO.

Evaluation points needed for:

Advancement from FT to LT or WO-1: 10 points and one month in service
LCM: 60 points
CM: 110 points
CAPT: 160
MAJ: 210
LC: 270
COL: 340

WO-2: 70
WO-3:150
WO-4: 240
WO-5: 320

Promotions above COL and WO-5 are at the discretion of the FC and XO, with input and recommendations from the NC and other HC members concerned.

These point totals are based on average evaluation scores over a four month period.

Monthly Evaluation (ME) Criteria

COMMUNICATION: This covers all the 'talking' your people do, be it on message boards, e-mail, mailing lists, IRC, or some other messaging forum.

FICTION/GRAPHICS: This combined area covers most creative things your people will do. Writing a short story, doing a squadron patch, or any other visual/writing activity fits into this area.

FLYING: Here we cover both single player flying using custom missions AND multi-player activity. Winning or losing doesn't matter; it's the simple act of flying that you measure here.

LEADERSHIP: This is a 'fuzzy' area, but it is intended to cover all acts of leadership or initiative shown by your people. Volunteering to come up with a web site is leadership, as is organizing a competition or helping to train a new Squadron member. Keep in mind that a person is showing leadership by VF standards when he does something that ISN�T part of his position requirements. Remember that FLs are expected to help train people.

PARTICIPATION: A simple rating area. Does the person take part in competitions or Squadron activities? How often? That's about it.

Each rating area is �graded� on the ME on a scale of 0 to 5.

0. No activity. None. The person doesn't answer e-mail, doesn't fly, nothing.
1. Slight activity. The person occasionally answers e-mail, may fly one mission or two a month, or does some token communication.
2. Moderate activity. Takes part in one competition out of four, answers e-mail twice a month.
3. Average activity. This person is dead average in the Squadron. Does what's expected, but doesn't exceed that.
4. Above average activity. This pilot flies when it's not required, does fiction on his own, starts some MB threads, and generally tries a bit harder to be active.
5. Outstanding activity. This person is the star of the Squadron in whatever area is being rated. Flies tons of missions, volunteers competition ideas and then helps organize them, volunteers to train a new member even though he isn't a FL, and generally is the top performer in the Squadron.

Naval Order of Battle

ISD II Vindicator
    Wing 14
        23rd Interceptor Squadron (T/I, T/I, T/A)
        24th Strike Squadron (GUN,T/B,T/B)
        25th Reconnaissance Squadron (GUN,GUN,T/D)
        26th Assault Squadron (T/B,T/B,T/B)
        27th Interceptor Squadron (T/I,T/I,T/I)
        28th Support Squadron (T/D,T/A,T/A)

VSD Defiant
        19th Interceptor Squadron (TIE,T/I,T/I)
        20th Strike Squadron (GUN,GUN,T/B)

VSD Saber
        21st Strike Squadron (GUN,T/B,GUN)
        22nd Interceptor Squadron (T/I,T/I,T/I)

INT Parallax
        18th Interceptor Squadron (T/I,T/I,T/I)

M/FRG Spectre
        1st Special Operations Squadron (T/D,T/A,GUN)

ESC Usher
    Wing 22
        45th Interceptor Squadron (T/A,T/I,T/I)
        46th Strike Squadron (GUN,GUN,GUN)
        47th Assault Squadron (T/B,T/B,T/B)
        48th Interceptor Squadron (TIE,TIE,T/I)
        49th Assault Squadron (T/B,T/B,T/B)
        50th Strike Squadron (GUN,GUN,T/B)

Other ships in the fleet will include a number of CRVs and M/CRVs, two GSPs, a DREAD and STRKC

It is further assumed that the TIEs in the fleet have all been upgraded with shields.

Opening of a ship or squadron

Modifications to Naval Standing Corps Protocol