Fist Over Hand

Day 2,061, 11:38 • Published in USA USA • by Aeriadne


Hey there, folks. Been a while, hasn't it? I go away for a spell, and it seems like folk get suddenly get occupied with something or other. But while we've got those problems aplenty, we've got a couple more that I'd like to talk about.

So sit back, light up a drag, and let's talk some business needs addressing.



Aiming High
Now, I've been an airmen since I started this game. Got a lot of loyalty for it. And while I've had my doubts every so often about where I'm supposed to be, I've stayed with it and done the best I could.

But I'm sad to say the Air Force isn't in the best of shape right now. This isn't to put blame on the commanders who've been putting their times and efforts into supplying and keeping the whole damn thing from crashing down in a ball of fire. It ain't their fault. Some done wrong, and that's alright because they're still good. We all make mistakes and do wrong.

Point is, we move on and progress.

Only thing is, we ain't progressing. The turnover rate amongst our officers is high. The retention amongst our new recruits is low. Plainly put, we're not pulling our load.

And that... well, that's a problem.

So what can be done about our 4th most killingest military outfit? What can be done about what should rightfully be one of the most productive units in the American military in a time where we need it to be?

Again, I'm no politician, but I got a couple thoughts about the matter.



Firstly, we need a test. There's no proper learning that really goes on in Flight School. If it's stayed the same quality of examination we had when I went through, then it needs revamping. What I'm talking about is, on top of the standard roll calls and uniforming we got going on, we need a comprehensive test to not only see if they are active but to also teach them the subtle art of war. On top of knowing facts like knowing you need to save gold for your Training Ground and what sort of ranks and damage you can do with bombs in each division, they need to be checked for activity and communication. "Learn 3 facts about X amount of officers by talking to them on IRC," "Make X amount of posts on the eusforums," "write one article explaining why you joined the Air Force." That sort of deal. It's extensive, but it's the sort of extensiveness we need. That communication between officers and airmen is necessary for an active military. And speaking of officers...

Secondly, we need stricter officer guidelines. I know I haven't done my best as an officer or done my dailies on a regular basis. That has some RL trouble associated with it, and I properly demoted myself a while back because of it, but there are some who are just riding the rails with their commissions. That's gotta change. And for that to change, we need a core group of officers willing to devote their time. There's no real way we can get that without communication, which brings me to my third point.

The third and final point is communication. Plain and simple. We've gotta have the brass communicating at least weekly about what plans look like to the officers or what they can expect. We've gotta have officers doing proper roll calls. We've gotta have airmen coming on IRC. We've gotta build a community.

And that's what it comes down to right now. We don't have a community. We're wandering a little right now, and that's gotta be righted.

I trust in the leadership we have in the Air Force right now. dmjohnston, Dr Luis Sentieiro, Black Baroness, and many others; we've got the folk we need to make the right calls.

We've just gotta go ahead and make them.



Thanks for listening, and as always, dothras chek.