EOT
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Article By:
Commander Shazam -
Commander of Nazguls Squadron, Phoenix Wing and Training
Regardless of the overall attitude of the VE, or even the VEN, it is pivotal that the basic unit of our air forces stay a unit. They must be controlled and patrolled- never letting a simple problem like activity get in the way of greater goals. It falls to the SC to coordinate such activities and give orders, but an SC can't watch every individual and be in every spot at all times when they're problems constantly popping up. So, these men and women depend on their command staff to help them out and take off a lot of their work load. Executive Officer training is meant to inform you of all kinds of information you probably knew nothing about so that you may better help your SC. Also, you must know how to take command and with some FL experience, this should just be a step up into a bigger world. Without any further ado- let's get started.
Problem Solving Skills
A problem evolves when minor instances go un-noticed or simply left alone. This can mean a minor incident between two members, only a minor shoving match. While it may not seem like much, a firm warning should be put into order- why? These things evolve, as most other problems do. That refers to in-activity, instability and inaccuracy. It's a question of correction really- if you don't tell someone they're doing it wrong and reinforce it, will they ever stop doing it incorrectly? That applies to real life as well, and more importantly- we're dealing with real people aren't we? We solve real problems here in the VEN and it is paramount that you understand you're people are just that- people. Are they more likely to respond to negative or position reinforcement? How can you figure out where your main problems lie?
Let's go back to the cause and effect relationship though- inactivity, instability and inaccuracy. In-activity occurs because of any number of reason, we couldn't possibly get down to all the complexities involved in understanding why it is people decide not to get on and write or communicate with us. People are people and everyone has their own agenda- we can't force our way in. Instead, the VEN has to be about having fun so that they want to work us in and spend time here. Thus, based off of that theory, if we become a chore- we are no longer fun. They won't want us in that little black book- they're schedule suddenly becomes too much for them and the VEN is forgotten, meaning we lose another member. Thus, no minor incident should be overlooked- no report, a lack of activity in the squadron topic or squadron story, and disappearing from the IRC channel can be strong indicators that your member is not having fun for some reason. The people who should be dealing most directly with this are Flight Leaders as well as the Flight members themselves, but eventually, if allowed to rock-slide, the inactivity can become enormous and it will be called to the attention of the XO and SC. That's when people get AWOLed. SO: in basic- don't let anything get away from you. See what's bothering that one person! Do they not understand part of the story? Are they timid to post? Are they just not having fun for some reason? Get them help if they need it, but do your best to offer your people their assistance. Its' paramount you understand that fundamental relationship and XOs as well as SCs should make sure the Flights are acting as their own groups and being autonomic. A squadron is like a family so what is a flight? Figure that out and you may be figuring things out a little faster...
What is instability within a squadron? Instability is the lack of cooperation within a squadron- people simply don't get on the same page. It may start small: one person becomes separated from their flight, or maybe there's a small argument, or some people just don't agree over something and tension exist because of it. What needs to be done here is damage control and finding the source of the problem- if its a competition results or some kind of ego battle, you let them know what's up and you end the argument. The best way to resolve an argument is to end it as soon as possible! Also, instability can not be fixed with your own angry output- control your own temper before you decide to go in and solve problems. This is discussed in greater detail below.
And finally- inaccuracy? Inaccuracy is probably the most important of these factors because it allows the other cause and effect relationships to appear and snowball. In truth, were there no inaccuracy problems, people probably wouldn't be getting confused and leaving stories, which causes inactivity, and there wouldn't be tension between flight leads and their flight members over that inactivity because of that original confusion! If you haven't guessed already, inaccuracy is the art of misconception- getting the wrong idea or information and letting it get the best of you. Inaccuracy is seen mostly in stories where details and important information can become skewed- this creates the confusion. If one person says the commander is on a ship and yet another person says the commander is on the ground- how the hell did that happen? This is where people suddenly step back and say- let's wait it out and see what happens. What if no one fixes it? Do we just move on? That's confusion- that leads to anger over the fact you can't get anything done and eventually- inactivity. We've just worked out way back! That means, as an XO or SC, you should be making sure that the FLs are making things work smoothly within their flights. Information should be well scripted, and if there's an discrepancy, it needs to be fixed. Don't worry about being a bully or to specific- it needs to be done and as long as you're polite about it and get it fixed, you're totally fine. These are only minor problems at first- remember that. Its only when you let them get out of hand they become major problems and the difficulty lies in settling things down and getting things back to the norm. So, whether it be a consistent spelling error on the word turret, or perhaps some misinterpreting of orders or information in the squadron- fix them before they can get out of hand and lead to other, larger problems.
Emotion in Command
One thing that a lot of commanders have to learn the hard way is that emotion can not be the major force behind one's decision. Its effects have been seen first hand by countless members of the VEN and just look to the real world for better examples. Very basically- if you let something like anger or frustration over a member get in the way of your decision making, you will make a bad decision. This is most evident in some cases where a member decides that they aren't going to listen to an order. The flight leader or maybe the commander decides that he or she's going to take it upon themselves to chew this person out in front of a crowd, possibly in an open thread like a squadron topic. Once you've released this utterly vitriolic onslaught into an open channel- your ass is grass. Why? You've just invited an innumerable amount of people to join the fight. You've started an argument you have no hope of containing- you lack that authority and apparently, the judgment to regain control and settle the conflict peacefully. Even in a private argument, perhaps through IRC, Message Center or E-mail, the effects are felt throughout the Navy. You are not acting like an officer when you privately sleigh someone on why they have to follow your orders. What's worse is when they go over your head, find your commander and have you confronted. Now, you don't want that because then we get into a whole new range of problems- position stripping, demotions and fines and who knows- executions? It's been done. To say the least- emotion is a feeling- not a tool.
The consequences for making a mistake in terms of information or big-decisions will not be looked at on even close to the same level as one involving foolish behavior where a pilot things they can say anything they damn well please. Remember- this is not the United States- we're not a democracy. You may defend yourself, but its totally up to your commanders what happens to you here.
So one might ask? What are we supposed to do then!? Yea, we're pissed! SO WHAT? I'd tell you to pack your bags of course, but there is a way to get through an argument without exchanging harsh words. It's a bit of an art, but I like to think I've mastered it for the most part. And that is outright positive reinforcement. You are incredibly nice to them despite the fact they've been a total dickweed- they are the most unpleasant person in the universe yet you praise them, yet you agree with them. "You'll be sorry when my book comes out!" You might reply- "Send me a copy, I'd love to read it..." Being humorous is okay as well, as long as it's not insulting. Sometimes laughing is all it takes.
All of this brings us into a new discussion, though:
Positive and Negative Reinforcement
Running on emotion usually leads to what we know as 'Negative Reinforcement.' This is the need to make another member feel pain in one way or another by inflicting some kind of retribution. That sounds really dramatic, but in the most simple context- that's what it is isn't it? You feel that pain will teach them a lesson in one way or another? That's not saying negative reinforcement is always bad, but most of the time- it doesn’t fit the equation. I point to inactivity in a squadron when I refer to mis-use of negative reinforcement. Someone's not being active- FINE THEM! Does that really teach them a lesson? Perhaps, if it's someone who is already incredibly active and has all the time to give to the VE. But what if they don't? That's just creating a gap between you and your FM. Why? Number 1- they're even angrier that they got fined for not doing something they may think is stupid. Who knows, they may fight it even further because you decided to spite them for their minor mistake! It's such a sensitive battleground when you start using negative reinforcement- you need to be extremely careful. While it may be part of your responsibility to punish people for making serious mistakes, its not your job to make them feel like crap for it.
This is where positive reinforcement comes in... What is Negative Reinforcement in the first place? That's using something you believe harms the other person to get your point across, right?. So what does that make positive reinforcement? Using something you believe helps someone to get the point across? Interesting idea. This idea is expressed most graciously through promotions, rewards and other praise, but its even simpler than that. It's as simple as being pleasent when someone gets on IRC or having a nice way to go about explaining a problem. Mostly, it’s about respecting your fellow pilot and realizing they don't need to be treated like dirt- they have enough crap to deal with outside of this club- this should be fun for them. Constantly beating down on someone for mistakes is no way to go when you're trying to get them onto your side and enjoying themselves. Rather, rewards and a positive attitude are usually the way to go. It shouldn't seem like you're trying 'dog' someone out of the club- you're trying to keep them here. No matter how crappy things have been, you can make things work out- you need to promote that image if you hope to hold on to your people. Come to agreements with your people, meet them half-way! Enjoy each other’s company rather than picking at each other’s problems- it's futile!
These are just two forms of reinforcement though- neither is write or wrong all of the time. Very truly, negative reinforcement can create a valuable lesson for a member when they've made a mistake, and it’s important to put your foot down as the commander. As was mentioned, it's your job to promote respect throughout this club- no one is above that law. You are respectful toward the people below you as they are respectful to you- there is no grey zone. As long as you carry out your punishment with that respect and do it in the best interest of the member after some careful analyzing- negative reinforcement may be the best way to go. If you think this is just a question of motivation or finding the root problem, maybe you should look to positive reinforcement...
Then- how do I know when to choose? As a wise, experienced leader here in the VEN, you should already know when you're making a good decision. Usually people get a little uncomfortable when they know they're doing something wrong- listen to your gut. If you're unsure- ask for some help on the issue: identify a commanding officer that could lend you some excellent advice and get it!
If you can understand and master the concepts mentioned above- you should have very little problems here in the VEN. In fact, you should be able to put them out before they become anything else, right? Even if the problem is above you, caused by a higher up, you are a fundamental part of getting it calmed down- point to this manual if you have to or at least act in the way we've promoted here to help cool things down a bit. Sometimes that's all it takes- take a step back and just calm down so that you can act in the best interest of the VEN. Hopefully this has been helpful to all those reading it. Thoughts can be added underneath in italics if one chooses to add their own input.
(Note: Any inappropriate language used in this article was to help emphasize the style of argument you’ll probably be faced with in many situations. One should not use swearing to get the point across in any form if it can be helped!)
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