NCO's

I would take all this reference to NCO and ranks off the public forum, at least until closer to the game.

It acts as a disincentive to new players as it appears stuff is sorted - plus there is continuing pointless discussion about ranks. It really doesn't matter what they have on their sleeves we only need commanding officers (us - as we need to drive the game) and squad leaders, everything else is by-the-by. It was brought home to me at the last game how it is next to imposssible to get players to work in squads, let alone deal with rank structures.

Summary - way too early to be publicly discussing squad leaders, suggest deleting current references at the moment.

I agree CW... have moved thread into our private forum. (i.e. this one)

I agrre in Jan it's a bit early, but suggest keeping the ideas of NCOs alive.

Squad structures can be pants ( ie don't really work amongst strangers) , however clearly designated NCOs who can help to herd the players where you want them are probably worth having .

Maybe revisit this in March when we have a game plan ?

100% in agreement there Guy!

Certainly nothing wrong with the concept of NCO's / squad leaders, just too early for public involvement. MArch would seem to be a good date for gearing players up into a frenzy!!

hehehe - storming norming performing again .

More I think of this the less I like set squads. Some clearly designated NCOs who are familiar with the rules (and also roughly the game and sides objectives) would be a total boon on the day . People always wander around wondering whats going on, some NCOs on hand to lead them & advise them takes some of the strain off us , they could almost be seen as "helper" organisers .
It also avoids the whole "regen and get back to your squad" thing . If an NCO/ commander regens along with 6-7 others , then thats "his" squad until he has to regen again . People can be added or taken away as the game decrees, with a flexible structure throughout . As a player it means you'll probably have a far more varied day as different NCOs / Comanders grab you and take you off on missions .
It also allows us to involve people into the game / organising in a minor way without having to get them fully on board.
Historically this model fits quite well with the idea of a roughly formed Kampfgruppe or even the chaos at Arnhem !

We are Genius's !!

I believe I suggested this before the first event and was shouted down with cries of. "No, No, we don't like it!!"

Well it just shows what a good idea it was , now that I've thought of it !

It'll make our lives as organisers much easier , as well a involving others and hopefully making it easier for players.

PS You'd better head Gadge off the idea of fixed squads , he was quite keen to have set battalions of South Staffs last time I looked .

I do think we should try and have all the S Staffs concentrating on going to the hotel rather than the bridge, paras go to either. As that is what should happen! But really thats about all we need.

Achh! ve Deutches don't care, SS, Heer, FJ we all fight together !!

Had further thoughts about this. I want German NCOs at least to be really visible on the field . Having bought an Officers field cap , I thought myself and Chomley would be readily identifiable, and was considering a white tape "cuff band" for German NCOs . It's a bit gay but can be spotted from a distance , which is what I think it needs. Either than or try to coordinate on hats .
Any ideas for Allied? Too many people wear badges of rank to use them successfully I would suggest .
PS I don't want such identifiers being made common knowledge to the opposite side

Rank slides may work (for officers) or armbands with rank on (for NCOs). All other rank insignia doesn't count perhaps?

We could use specific coloured backing for the armbands and rank slides...

Maybe khaki? I've got a reference of an airborne reenactor using khaki rank slides on his denison in a VERY accurate book so its pretty good...

We could buy rank insignia from sof.

Don't need to bother with pips and stripes malarky - I'm sure we will have a varied assortment of ranked uniforms which you will have to pretend aren't there! We only have three ranks for the game purpose - officers, NCO's and privates.

Both teams need to know who the officers are on both sides - given that us four are the four officers there will be no problem for any player to identify us.

Within each side as Guys says it would be useful to have identification so that same side-players can indentify the squad leaders quickly and at a distance. I can't see headgear being do-able (though would be cool!) - Phoenix has velcro armbands of various colours which could be used? Alternatively we can just make sure at the start of the team breifings that NCO's are pulled out and introduced clearly.

My main concern is not to ruin the look of ANYONES uniform. Especially after people put so much effort in.

For that reason Phoenix's arm bands are right out as far as I'm concerned. As is any sort of "taped band" for the allies. It'll look bollocks.

BTW, we already have extra ranks in the allies. Officers (2 ranks for me and gadge), Sergeant (Webby is general dogs body) and Corporals (to be assigned). We also have the special case of a combat Medic (balderick24)

If we get NCO Stripes sorted as armbands and do them nicely we can use them in all future games. Assuming we actually only need Corporal ones then at

LOL, best of luck with extra ranks, it's hard enough with just NCO's!!

I won't be asking players to remove their ranks from uniforms as it matters not one jot. We only have three ranks and that is the ones they are given on the day! I hope, given that we have a lot more space than at our cramped team briefing the F&O we can ensure everyone knows who the squad leaders are this time and make the thig work!

Guy was talking about the Axis - you guys can do what you want! (Damn, wish there was a gay emoticon )

I agree - officers, NCOs everyone else.
It would be nice to have a plethora of proper insignia, however I would like something clearly identifiable for me , as I want NCOs to be clearly recognisable to all players inc me . A cuff title or something obvious like a swastika band would do fine .
My intention is to use floating NCOs a lot more if possible .

LOL - Ah right, you want armbands because YOU can't remember who the NCO's are.

Story: At LFW on Sunday I was talking to one of the players about my first faltering steps at WW2 Brit.
Him: I do reenacting you know, in a German group
Me: Aha, then you will be interested in our 'Comrades in Arms' WW2 airsofts games - we had one at F&O in December
Him: Yes, I know, I was there.
Me: Oh shit!
Turns out I put him in Tony's squad!!

Swastica armband is a great idea.

lmao

I'm the same Chomley... always forget faces!

Ah I've been rumbled !

It's true , I've been caught out a few times , especially when doing several different types of events. I've met Imaheretic at TAs and WWIIs and yet still fail to connect the two .

So- look for the swastika armband etc, it maybe a bit farbe but at least when someone wearing one is around you know he's the NCO !

hehe Maybe I'll get some "Waffen Kamerade" cuff titles !