8/30/09

Okay, the only issue I'm going to address here is the new CO training. I'm going to be short and very forward because I am actually writing this from my phone and it sucks bad. The argument is coming from my own personal experience and that of others who related the same issues to me. The only problem that I saw was the power struggle the CO's have when trying for the 1st or 2nd time. When it comes to a new CO all veteran players will need to step back and let them make all the decisions, good or bad, yes advice is well warranted but they/we will learn much more from our mistakes. If we fumble on a decision try to help them make up their mind. Force the order out of them if you will ( figuratively ). All CO's have to learn to make quick decisions and this will help. Just give them full reign, and if they lead your team to a horrible fiery death and a loss then o well! They will learn from it, promise! Maybe an easy way would be to have the new CO who dosnt know the finer details just give basic orders, troop movement, game plan ect. and have experienced team leads to help carry out the finer details for the 1st few games. My 1st CO experience was an amazing and a very learning experience, tom and nick gave very good advice but let all decisions be made by the me. When time came for a quick decision they would say "we need an order now, now!" And whatever I said they would carry out to the letter. Very good way to learn.Even tho we died

But all that was lost in this last game. Basically 1st real time on field so I was completely lost. When game started I tried to work out a plan but before much got out there were 5 orders already given by others and everyone was moving out. (Not much to learn on, also makes it hard to be a leader if your led by others ) Now I'm not trying to be mean or pick on anyone. No one tried to take over on purpose, natural born leaders just tend to lead, its a great quality in many of our players. But being CO I was personally given orders at least 4 times when I should have been giving them. Being told to "go do this, go do that, go with them....etc" After that it became very confusing, orders would be given by others and started to be carried out, 10min later I would be asked how I wanted something to be done. Then more orders, then later I would be asked again. Does anyone know how confusing this is? At one point everyone but me died by a plan that I didn't know much about. Once everyone was dead I was asked what I wanted done now and that I needed to regroup everyone. Please don't do something then throw all that at someone. I felt more like a joke than an officer and a KSUAT member.

So all that boils down to this.
And this is my own opinion.
I don't think we will get new memebers to ever CO again unless we change how the game will be handled with new CO's.
The power struggle has to die out. The whole team should revolve around the orders and game plan of the acting CO. Yes, we do need lots of advice and help. But we will learn so much more if u just let us lead the team with absolute power. The order has to be followed just like you would follow an order from Tom, Romee, Nick, Greg, ect.
So I guess I'm just repeating my self but from now on I think we should just let the new CO's lead the team in every decision weather they do bad or good. They will learn.

Aside from the threat(?) to never be CO again, I'm very pleased with how Simey stepped in and stood up as Vice President. Maybe the threat(?) was for emphasis? I don't know...anyway...very impressed, Simey.

...and all that from a phone...even more impressed. About all I can text on my phone is "lunch?" John can vouch.

Anyway, you got the right attitude and I'd love to see KSUAT continue with that drive.

I want to second what Brian has said. This has happened, not only to me and him personally, but others have talked to me after a game about it. I'm pretty sure that it's just a natural impulse of the stronger leadership personalities of the team when there is hesitation or indecision on the part of newer CO's. However, it is something I would like everyone to think about when you're in a game, that way we can those good leaders still when some of the senior members of the team leave.

That being said, please let me know if you have any advice, tips, or ideas, during or after a game. I am still a "noob" at airsofting, and I really want to get better so that I can better represent the team, especially as president. Those of you that have played with me have seen that I'm always asking for advice or ideas, learning is always my goal no matter what.

Shane