The Role of the Squadron

As an SC, your time is somewhat limited; from six months to a year, you'll probably hold your position. After that, it's quite likely that you'll be shifted out so that someone else can have an opportunity to lead. If you decide to pursue a higher-course in the CSS, or maybe take an administrative job: these are all totally acceptable courses. However, you shouldn't be dismayed, or feel slighted for that matter, if you choose to become an FL or even an FM again. The experience of being at the bottom, once again, can give you a great deal of insight into what it means to keep the interest of a pilot alive.

All of this is important because your knowledge will shape how well your squadron performs, and it's important that your squadron performs well because it's the driving force in the Imperial Navy. The Starfighter Corps (SFC) is comprised almost completely of starfighter squadrons, and if that basic unit fails (which houses all of our new recruits, median vets and some long-time veterans), then the back-bone of the Navy has really failed. There are other areas of the Navy, like the CSS, but most of those organizations are periphery and for a more existential or individual reward; they aren't the basis of community, though. That's the squadrons, and the rivalries and good times that occur between them. It's unusual for a member of the SFC to post on a CSS topic, but highly likely that a member of the CSS will post on an SFC topic... This should be very telling about where the main force of the Navy comes from.

Now, having said that, it's also important to understand that squadrons come and they go. Your squadron, once you leave, will probably be disbanded, for instance. Your members will be re-allocated or re-organized, and the next squadron will start anew. Some squadrons do live on, yes, but we generally try to avoid that so that members don't get stuck and stagnate, as they've tended to do in the past. Therefore, squadrons are born, they live- and then they die. This is a very natural process. If we didn't do it ourselves, it would occur regardless as people began to lose interest and the squadron fell apart regardless. So, instead, we do the job ourselves after about six to twelve months (usually taking into account the ESC).

It's also important to understand that the squadron is so important because, quite frankly, you're more important than the other programs going on. The emphasis is almost always going to be put on supporting you and your efforts first, so please, we beg of you- never hesitate to ask for help or advice. We're more than willing to put the time in to helping you because, quite frankly: that's what we're here for. The admins are in existence, primarily, to ensure that people know their jobs, that they do their jobs, and that the members are properly rewarded as well as protected. That's... Essentially it. The real creative and driving force is in the hands of the squadrons: not the admins. If you're wondering about skills like "promoting or medaling members," don't worry- we're going to help you through that as you start reporting. As a side note, it would probably be good if you read something as a means of understanding where we come down on "discipline" and what's expected of you in that arena. Generally speaking- anything serious should probably be given to the admins to handle; that's really not something you should have to deal with.

Now then, if you feel like you've got a pretty good understanding of the materials, send a message to your WC alerting him to your succesful completion of this pre-liminary Squadron Commander walk-through. Good luck, and... *coughs* "May the force be with you... Always..."

Bye now!!

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