Since I've stepped down as the SL of the Apaches, I've taken some time to step back and really look at the cohesiveness of the group of players we have and the mechanics that go on behind the scenes. For the most part, I am still awed by how we dismantle opposing teams. But there is one aspect that I am left disappointed in.

Leadership.

Yes, I am calling the squad leaders and squad assistants out on the carpet. I don't think anyone can deny that when I lead, I am very vocal about what is going on. It's all about the big picture and doing what is necessary to win. However since I've stepped back to watch, no one has stood up to take over the battles and lead effectively.

For the most part when we win (and typically dominate) we do so because we have a very solid group of players who are very good at doing what they need to do. However, when we lose, its not because the whole team that we are playing is better, but because there is one particular squad that is operating together that manages to elude us. It is at this time that the leadership should step back and take a look at the big picture and start spitting out orders to the FT's to counter this insurgent squad. That is not happening.

I'm not gonna deny, playing as just a soldier is a blast, I love running around and playing small picture (knifing like Ghost does) however there has to be someone to take over and lead. This game was designed to be a team/squad based game, no room for heroes or lone-wolfs. Teams/squad thrive and succeed when they are lead properly.

So my question to all of you, especially the squad staff is, who is going to step up and lead. The Squad leader/assistant tags you wear are not just for show, you've done something in the past that indicated that you have the capacity to lead your troops, DO IT!!!

Be, Know, Do. The process of leadership begins with being. To be is to exist and to utilise that existence and your post seems to suggest that although SLs and SAs exist they do not utilise that existence.

How is that existence utilised ? First comes awareness of self. A good exercise might be for every leader to describe their command philosophy. I have linked to the CO of the New Zealand SAS's Command Philosophy document :

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.defence.gov.au%2Fjetwc%2Fdocs%2Fpublications%25202010%2FPublcnsGeddes2003_300310_BriefforPersonal.pdf&rct=j&q=major%20parsons%20nz%20sas&ei=1MKKTOKQCcK4jAfJ9YnKBg&usg=AFQjCNFuN0bxhL0QcHJcmIR9N0P8r8LCIg&sig2=w4xBZmkg4u9wEShtPUmViQ&cad=rja

It might be worth each leader within the Clan going through the process of solidifying their own command philosophy ? This allows their subordinates to understand what their leaders are and how they exist, allowing the leader to more easily utilise the subordinates and to communicate to their SAs the way their Squad / Battallion / etc is to be run ?

Once everyone's philosophy is known, a position for the whole Batt. could then be worked up and tested by the Batt / Division staff.

Good to know everyone likes big speeches. But Dtiger is right there is no room for lonewolves,heroes,vehicle whores. Tiger just select someone who you think can handle SL but if they dont want it then theres something to say about loyalty and leadership skills.

Purplevine4 wrote:

Good . . . . .

Completely off topic but how do you have 302 team kills ? That's just plain nasty.

who said i was nice?
Mind you roughly 50 of them were from J_A_S_O_N_123

100% agreed. I have thought this for awhile now.

In many games I play with my clan members I am usually the first one to say "Alright, I'm rolling out with the _________ kit, I'm going to be heading towards objective _______. Hey ______ you should spawn on me to flank to the _______." or something along those lines, I think you get the point.

I'd love to see more leadership amongst the Assistants and Leaders, some of them aren't even frequently active on the forums to be honest. A few of them don't post anything of significance anymore. I'd like to see some more commitment in scheduling meets/practices within squads. Most of the squad discussion threads aren't even active to be honest.. a few posts here and there that are of little significance.

I just got Axx's adapter he sent me today, I am looking forward to getting online ASAP tomorrow and showing some leadership. I am all for communication, if anyone in my group is ever lacking it I usually make up for it. People that play with me will probably tell you I talk a lot, but I talk a lot about the game. I'd like to see others talk a lot more.

I'm not gonna toot a horn for me or anyone else. Just do what needs to be done, whether it's lead or follow. If you're not leading, and someone else is trying to, then we need to take heed of that individual(s) and let them lead (even if you out-rank them in the game, or clan).

Just sayin'.

And, no, if someone is offered leadership and turns it down, it doesn't show a lack of leadership or loyalty, in-fact, it could be the opposite. I just had a Sergeant turn down a Team Leader position in my squad because he will have to focus on school and won't be able to give the Army his all in that position. So, he left it for someone who we know will be able to do better than him right now. I would say that Sergeant just showed an amazing capacity for leadership and loyalty to my squad and the Army by committing to that action.

But, back on track. Leadership does need to be worked on. It great, but could definitely be better.

Thank you for bringing this up. I'll be sure to keep the squad structure more organized the next time I'm in charge of a meeting/practice. No more, lone wolfing for me or anyone else unless there is a good reason to do so. For example, if we need a tank destroyed behind enemy forces then we would provide covering fire and distract the tank while a C4er goes around. We could also all spawn as engineer and take the tank out faster but it leaves us at a small disadvantage when another obstacle comes our way.

I'd also like to add that I have been known to joke around and not take anything seriously so next time a meeting happens, I'll try to stay focus at the task at hand and try to help out my Squad leader keep the team focused.

I welcomed the chance to speak with Tech today about this issue. Let echo some of the thoughts I shared with him.

While I have only been a [13] member since 3/2010, it has been enough time to see how it goes with members. Retention and sustaining interest in the game(s) we play is a challenge we must address.

This will be the 1st fall school start for [13] I believe. This fact offers it's own set of unique challenges we must accept and adapt.

We may very well find ourselves with a reduced number of active members. However, we should not be discouraged and through in the towel. Rather as many of us as possible should march forward keeping [13] as active as possible in whatever games we will end up playing the most.

I wold suggest Bronx reach out and make contact will ALL SL/SA staff and inquire regarding their intentions and commitment to [13] going forward. Some members may wish to scale back to regular member status, while other will offer a commitment to help lead [13] though the transition we face.

As Tech told me, [13] is still one of the most organized clans that's to play with. Unfortunately some members don't see it that way and they go inactive/MIA. However, all of the members who will stick around and continue to make [13] a great place to find friends to play the game as execute squad/team tactics, I salute you.

Don't be discouraged. We can work through this.

Axx

I'm sure you guys have noticed I've been active as hell on the forums, but missing from games...I start on the 20th.

i feel a little called out on this, so i'll reply. yeah, i lonewolf it a lot, i admit it. but it's never in a game i feel threatened that we need extensive tactics. plus, i knock a lot of tickets off. and on defense for example, i constantly call out where the enemy is and which base is being threatened and assist in the area. along with being the lonewolf ghost i've become, it's almost to the point that people call out where the enemy is posted up. 'ghost, on the left, go get them.' haha. cracks me up.

sl/sa is also more than giving orders and kits. i always include 13 members over friends when i make games/squads. i don't care what squad you are in, how good you play compared to others, etc. if i feel you are dedicated and put in your all, i never leave anybody behind, i'll invite you. and if someone comes in game and doesn't have a squad and i'm in a full one, i will break off so we end up with a couple squads. i know i hate spawning alone.

also, the posting on this site sucks! it does!! except for a select few that i see posts from, that irritates me the most. i see players on a lot and they never post, or extremely rarely, almost to where their last post was their F-in application. really? come on guys. it takes 5 minutes to get on the site and cruise some tactics and write up something you noticed in game.

i play a lot with friends too. i have a good friends list of people other than 13s that play well. i think they have basically been doctored into the 13s friends list, but i always try and get them to join. ehh, if they don't, but i will continue to play with them. i'm sure you other 13s who are on a lot know this small list of good friends.

it's not really that tought to lead, but with the inactivity of each random person, it's hard to wish and hope who will be on day to day as well. the ones who are on a lot know each other's style and dedication.

write-ups like this are necesary too. i hate to admit it, but voice anything.

Souljah E wrote:

Purplevine4 wrote:

Good . . . . .

Completely off topic but how do you have 302 team kills ? That's just plain nasty.

I didnt type good . . . . .