The Commander-grunt Relationship

BFishman

<div class="IPBDescription">They're suprisingly similar...</div> When you think of it, what's the most important aspect of leadership? Ability to work under pressure? Long term strategy? Guts? While these are all important factors, they are not THE most important. That one key factor which, unfortunately, a lot of NS Commanders lack, is 'Followership'. Thats right - the ability to take orders.

If a commander sympathizes with his troops, the team will be far more efficient and organized.

If a commander realizes that giving a waypoint all the way at the edge of the map with innumerable ducts and corridors in between is a BAD idea, he will likely guide his troops step by step, making them feel more safe, and ensuring that they don't get lost or seperated.

If he understands the instinctual desire for a bigger gun when spawn is being assaulted, he will calmly explain to the troops that he's waiting for another few RPs until he can drop that shiny new HMG, and comfort the troops with motivationsal phrases such as "Hold on just a little longer guys, if we can hold off this wave we'll be secure...". This prevents panic and cluttering of the COM channels.

If a commander understands that skulks like to hide in dark corners, he will not send his troops into a dark room without first scanning it, or at least warning the troops to stay on their toes.

All of this field knowledge comes from getting one's feet dirty and actually experiencing what it's like to be the guy behind the gun.

And so you see, the key to being a successful commander is understanding what you're troops are thinking, and communicating with them.

Don't believe me? This is straight from the teachings of the US Marine Corps (I am a member of ROTC). Booyah.

-Fishman

Ezekiel

ROTC?

BFishman

ROTC = Reserve Officer Training Corps

It's essentially a College scholarship program where, in exchange for the Gov't paying 75% of your college tuition, you join the Services (any branch) as an officer immediately after you leave college for a set period of time (usually 4-6 years). You are required to attend weekend training sessions at lesat once a month, and summer 'boot camp' programs. It's really quite worthwhile.

-Fishman

Ezekiel

doesnt sound <i>too</i> bad

Paranoia2MB

Going to be an officer in the Marines? Cool

I was thinking of doing ROTC and then the Marines after high shcool, but i'm in college right now. I may join in the future, it just depends on how my life is.

Good luck in ROTC/Marines hehe
<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->

BFishman

Thanks! I'm actually looking to be a pilot in the Navy. *fingers crossed*

-Fishman

Texas_Ranger

This is probably the most overlooked point of commanders, in reality a good commander is at first a good soldier... You really have to go in and get dirty before you can see things as your troops do. It is a shame that you can't switch from overhead to some 1st person pov of your troops to see what they see. As a commander I find that I occassionaly drop things in unreachable places, and don't always see the big picture. Its not because I am a bad commander or soldier, its just a matter of experience. However there is no way a commander can lead without first following. And as I commander I love it and encourage it, when the "grunts" point out the fact that the Turret fact i just dropped is under a vent and easily attacked from above, or that it has a weak/blind spot etc. You just can't see everything without first experiencing it on the ground level.

Most of this is covered in my guide I wrote which got moved to New Players forum....

Anyways I have to agree that good soldiers can (with proper training ) make excellent commanders and there are no good commanders who didn't first do it the hard way(grunt).,
Texas Ranger
Now if we could only teach the llamas to read it would be frag fest paradise