7th Special Operations "Alpha" Squadron Standing Orders

7th Special Operations "Alpha" Squadron Standing Orders (7SOAlphaSSO)

Squadron Standing Orders will be in effect upon publication. Any suggestions for changes must be made in writing to the Commanding Officer, Alpha CMDR.

Version: 1.2.1
Date of Last Revision: 2023.06.03
Originally Created:2022.08.08 (30ABY)

Preface

7th Special Operations (hereafter called Squadron Standing Orders – SSOs) are issued under the authority of the Commanding Officer (Alpha CMDR).

Squadron standing Orders are regulations pertaining to the personnel, regular operation and any relevant operating aspects of 7th SO Alpha Squadron. These orders are meant to amplify regulations issued under TIE Corps regulations and TIE Corps Pilot's Manual (TCPM), and other standard regulatory instruments issued. The Commanding Officer shall be the final authority for interpretation and enforcement of Squadron Standing Orders.

These orders are effective upon receipt and are applicable to all officers, pilots, civilian staff and cadets involved with 7th SO Alpha Squadron.

Copies of these orders will be made readily accessible to all staff members of 7th SO Alpha Squadron for review and reference, and will also be made available by electronic form to all pilots. It is the responsibility of the individual pilot to make themselves aware of the content of the orders and to keep current with amendments.

Visitors to the squadron are also subject to these orders and it is incumbent upon those members who are hosting visitors and transient personnel to advise them of those orders which apply in each case.

These orders will be reviewed annually and updated as required. These orders continue to be developed and additions and revisions may be made during the operating year. Revisions and additions will be provided to all personnel and will be effective immediately upon publication. All requests to amend the SSOs shall be submitted in writing to the CMDR.

//Signed//
A. Araujo
Lieutenant Colonel
CMDR, 7th SO "Alpha" Squadron.

Mission Statement

Special Operations, SpecOps or SO, are military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment. For details on SO, see Special Forces

Mission

The 7th SO Alpha Squadron as a SpecOps unit, conducts (but is not limited to) offensive strikes to prevent, deter, pre-empt and respond to enemy threats both in cover and open, conventional or unconventional modes of warfare. Alpha Squadron operates in any environment, from city fighting to jungle warfare to desert scouting and in the coldness of space. Special operations may include reconnaissance, psychological warfare, and counterterrorism. Alpha pilots are highly trained and does use any means necessary to achieve the objectives, including the weaponization of memes, diplomacy, rubber ducks, airlocks and above all, lag.

Real Mission

To preserve the fine and fun art of exerting skill, endurance, tactic and strategy on the SW classic flight sims, RTS and their mods (TFTC mainly) while enjoying the RP aspects, delivering both high combat flight performance and immersive stories with messages for reflection, all in service of the TIE Corps.

Basic Principles

7th SO Alpha Squadron performs a wide variety of SpecOps under the following principles:

i. Loyalty: The expression of our collective dedication to the ideals of the New Order and to all its members. Serve the Empire above all others.

ii. Professionalism: The accomplishment of all tasks with pride and diligence.

iii. Mutual Respect: The treatment of others with dignity and equality.

iv. Integrity: The courage and commitment to exemplify trust, sincerity, and honesty.

v. Emotional Control: firm control of your emotions. While on duty, servants of the Empire do not gloat, cheer, or weep, or rage, although cold fury can be deemed an appropiate reaction to particular circumstances. Humor can also be used on certain contexts.

vi. Commitment: you're expected to do your best effort in all activities: Mission Compendium simulations, competitions, events, meetings, etc.

v. Communication and activity: Until further notice, you're also expected to fully observe TC activiity bar: 30 days of zero comms from you will result in AWOL (Absent Without Leave) status. 60 days of zero activity will result in Involuntary Reserve (InvolRSV) status. You may, however, request a LOA or, if your absence will last long enough or you feel you cannot or do not want to keep the activity bar, request your voluntary transfer to Reserves (RSV) following the chain of command. On this regard, the guidelines from BGCOM RA Genie indicates that you are expected to proactively communicate on the official EHTC Discord channel. By proactive communication we mean not just waiting on your CO to DM you but interacting with your squadmates and the community at large on your own initiative.

vi. Chain of Command. CMDRs are the first contact of the pilots. However, it is a good practice to approach your FL and/or your SQXO first, as they might usually assist you most of the time with day-to-day questions. They might redirect you to your CMDR or another superior officer as part of the solution offered nevertheless. If there's no response from the FL, SQXO or CMDR or if there is a problem regarding them, you may contact your ship's COM who will address the issue.

vii. Terms and acronyms. You are expected to become familiar with EH-lore and in-universe terminology. Refer to the TIE Corps Pilot Manual for further information.

viii. Full EH Code of Conduct and Articles of War are to be observed and followed by all personnel of this squadron. No exceptions.

Combat Philosophy

Imperial starfighter pilots do not surrender; they fight back against anything the enemy throws at them.

Imperial 7thSO Alpha Squadron pilots will fly even under the laggiest of conditions: we stay till the end. If the match is jumpy, we just go full evasive and wait for our opportunity to attack. We do not quit. Whoever quits will have to send Horus a 500 word essay on why TFTC is the best mod ever and why he should play it and send a copy to Genie in .rar format.

Operational Workstreams

The basic lines of action for the squadron to operate comes in SP, PvE and PvP contexts. For more information, please see Squadron Operational Workstreams main article for more details.

The workstreams are entirely oriented towards the accomplishment of the squadron's main goals by operating the classic platforms and their mods whilst expanding our competitive experience in an organized way, ultimately aiming to explore and enhance the Role Play aspects and the EH's lore.

Platforms Used

As part of the Emperor's Hammer TIE Corps we nominally use all primary, secondary and tertiary platforms command establishes as such. However, our focus is at the classic X-Wing series of flight simulators, Empire at Ear, their expansions and mods.

We are proposing a list of additional, Auxiliary Platforms we believe are in the same context of what the unit seeks to achieve.

Our reason to focus on the classics lies on the quality of the games, the immersion and the level of skill needed to succeed. The possibility for modding, adding ships and stories, the playability, the attention put into the performance via statistics... those are the very games that inspired the existence of clubs like this. We are open to play new games but we also will promote the classics.

Primary Goal

RL Goal

Your primary goal here is to have fun with your favorite SW flight sims, improving the mastery of your piloting skills while enjoying the RP , trivia, art and fiction aspects of fun as well. We have a series of competitions going on for which you're more than welcome to participate.

In-Game mission

The "Penguins" are geared towards nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, special reconnaissance, information operations, counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and security force assistance. They are capable of hostage rescue and combat search and rescue if they are needed. The unit emphasizes language, cultural, and training skills in working with foreign troops; recruits are required to learn a foreign language as part of their training and must maintain knowledge of the political, economic, and cultural complexities of the regions in which they are deployed.

Other 7thSO Alpha missions, known as secondary missions, include combat search and rescue (CSAR), counter-narcotics, hostage rescue, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian demining, peacekeeping, and manhunts. Other components of the Emperor's Hammer TIE Corps or other Galactic Empire activities may also specialize in these secondary missions. Alpha Squadron conduct these missions via deployment from the ISDII: Hammer. Many of their operational techniques are classified, but some nonfiction works (the lag is real) and doctrinal manuals are available...somewhere.

Alpha Squadron capabilities include the following:

Space flight operations Special reconnaissance and surveillance in hostile environments Foreign internal defense: Training and development of other states' military and security forces Offensive action (and we can be very offensive) Support to counter-insurgency through population engagement and support Counter-terrorism operations Sabotage and demolition Hostage rescue Other capabilities can include close personal protection; waterborne operations involving combat diving/combat swimming, maritime boarding and amphibious missions; as well as support of space/air force operations.

Alpha Squadron directly responds to BGI, just wait for its response.

As a special operations units, Alpha Squadron is not necessarily under the command authority of the local ground commanders in those systems. Instead, while in theater, the 7thSO may report directly to a space combatant command, be it TCCS, or other command authorities of the EH.

Activity Bar

Activity is defined as any action related to the main gaming objective of this club: to have fun. It might take place using supported platforms, non supported platforms or by other means.

We classify activity in two main clases: Regular and Extraordinary and these in 3 sub-classes: Flight, Auxiliary and Administrative activities.

Regular Activities

Regular Flight Activities

The following actions are considered Regular Flight Activities:

• Single Player (SP) completion of a free mission (individual mission) or an entire battle (set of missions) from our compendium for each one of our supported platforms. Please refer to the manuals for more documentation.
• Multiplayer (MP) which can be classified in order as follows:
  • Player vs Environment (PvE) for matches on our supported platforms where two or more players win a match against AI-controlled opponents. Since a Legion of Skirmished is awarded for each match won, they're also known as LoS
  • Player vs Player (PvP) for matches on our supported platforms where two or more players win a match against human-controlled opponents. Since a Legion of Combat is awarded for each match won, they're also known as LoCs.

Any participation on competitions/events based on any supported gaming platform shall be considered as a flight operation as per CoC directives.

For more information, please refer to the COO Manual.

Combat Drills

You are expected to take part on the following drills:

• Training Drills: SP drills will be exerted to strengthen basic piloting skills. You will earn 1 SP point for each mission flown, two if you reach a HS. If you complete a Battle, you will receive as many SP points as missions are on the Battle. If you reach a Battle HS you'll receive twice the points.
  

• Weekly Sparrings: In order to maintain operative and tactical combat-readiness, Alpha Squadron will perform weekend sparring sessions where pilots will engage against each other in 1v1/2v2 matches on XvT/BoP/XWA/XWAU/TFTC platforms. You will get 1 LoC per victory but here really focus on the experience you gain as your skills grows and you receive combat tips.
  

• Slumber Party: All this training will lead us to challenge other units on the TC and possibly other clubs in PvP matches. you will receive 1 LoC for each victory and will be ranked according to the competition indicators.
  

• Alpha Chronicles: A RP dynamic campaign with PvE/PvP elements will take place to develop additional tactical/strategic skills and RP aspects to explore the squadron's plotline. You will earn LoS or LoCs for each PvE/PvP mission completed plus the appropriate ranking in accordance to competition metrics.
  

Your orders are to participate on the Weekly Sparring, you are also encouraged to run the Training Drills and participate on the Slumber Party. You will be cordially invited to take part on the Alpha Chronicles Campaign once it begins (soon, hopefully).

Regular Auxiliary Activities

The following actions are considered Regular Auxiliary Activities:

• Any gaming on non-supported platforms where the EH is represented (you use the [EH] tag on your nick and/or at least two squadron pilots are participating.
  
• Game streaming
• Fan art submission
• Fan fiction submission
• Any other form of art shared on our Discord or email list.
• Submitting or updating uniform.
• Submitting or updating your Imperial Navy Personnel Record (INPR)
• Submitting or editing article on this wikia
• Compendium battle/free mission review
• Compendium battle/free mission bug submission
• Trivia and any form of non-flight competition/event participation.
• Completing IU courses.
• Any others the CMDR considers worth classifying as such or the SQXO recommends to classify as such with the CMDRs approval.

Regular Administrative Activities

The following are examples of Regular Administrative Activities:

• Competition/event creation/submission.
• INPR first creation
• First uniform submisssion
• Display name/email change (must be informed to the unit's command staff)
• Report submission (for both primary and secondary positions)
• Profile update
• Transfer request
• Any others the CMDR considers worth classifying as such or the SQXO recommends to classify as such with the CMDRs approval.

Extraordinary Activities

Any uncommon activity that can't fit any of the previous categories will be classified as an extraordinary activity with the same sub-classes as before.

Extraordinary Flight Activities

Examples of this are the following:

• Participation in events involving flight sims not officially supported by the TC.
• Any others the CMDR considers worth classifying as such or the SQXO recommends to classify as such with the CMDRs approval.

Extraordinary Auxiliary Activities

Examples of this are the following:

• Mission creation/update
• Ship creation/update
• Mod creation/update
• Any others the CMDR considers worth classifying as such or the SQXO recommends to classify as such with the CMDRs approval.

Extraordinary Administrative Activities

Examples of this are the following:

• Assisting Command on regular or special duties not related to infrastructure.
• Creating/updating proposals for EH structure update.
• Creation/update of EH infrastructure (like assisting the IO team)

Minimum Activity Requirements

Except me, your CMDR (for I have more strict requisites), as per TC guidelines, a pilot who doesn’t communicate after 30 days is considered AWOL and will be transferred to RSV. Likewise, a pilot on any active squadron (like Alpha) that doesn’t do any activity (flight/non-flight) for 60 days will be transferred to RSV as well. You have been warned pilots!

Imperial University (IU) courses

Out of all the courses, make sure you complete TCCORE. It is vital that we all understand proper Imperial procedures. you're welcome to complete the rest, naturally.

Mission Review Guidelines

I thank you for flying compendium missions and reviewing them. It is important that we provide feedback and that we analyze each mission. I therefore propose a set of guidelines for grading and evaluating a mission with 5 topics. On each one I suggest we decide if we award it a point or no on each one (Y/N)

1) Storyline: was the plot reasonable? was it interesting? were you provided enough information on it? did it provide enough messages to feel the immersion? did those in-flight messages give enough information? If you have 3 out of 5 or more positive answers, then give the mission this point.
2) Technical: bugs, details (well placed FGs on the map, event timing, etc) features like tricks, extra custom ships , use of hooks.

3) Operational/Tactical/Strategic: was it challenging for you as a pilot on dogfight? did you have to plan parts of the mission and bring your A-game on situational awareness ? or did you have to plan ahead the entire mission?

4) Briefing/inflight messages/character development: was there a briefing extensive enough? good grammar? was there any character development on the in-flight messages? did commander briefings provide additional context? was there any voice acting present?

5) Fun factor: was it too easy? too hard that it did stress you? too boring? or did you felt your adrenaline surge? was it too long? did you truly enjoy it?

Accountability

Report your participation in competitions: as former Alpha CMDR LC Quincy Nelson said:

"If you guys get on IRC Discord or do any other comps. Let me know. That way I can put it down. Because I am sure some of you are active in other things and I'm not aware of it".

Report also any additional activity that isn't logged on your ATRs: Again, quoting LC Nelson:

"If I missed some of your guys activity. Let me know. If you do something send it to me in an email (or Discord)".

Feedback

Questions, comments, ideas, suggestions or even complains can be sent to your FL, COL Horus Blackheart, your SQXO, Talons Pryde or to me, your CMDR, LC Alejandro Araujo. Also should the need arise, you can reach our COM, RA Genie.

You're welcome to contact the Chain of Command at any point.

Additional Rules (Clause 126 for teh lulz)

• Our current COM, RA Genie, hates .rar files. Therefore, you're invited to mail him 200 word essay on why .rar files are better than .zip files.

• Our SQXO Talons Pryde really dislikes bureaucracy so you're encouraged to send him a 200 word essay on why endless forms are the way to go for organizations.

• Our esteemed FL, Horus Blackheart also hates XWA mods with a passion. So you're also invited to send him a 200 word essay on why TFTC is an awesome mod.

• If you happen to see Alejandro Araujo being airlocked, be so kind to tractor him back to the Hammer as he hates coming back to life over and over :V

If you have any questions about these latter standing orders then congratulations!!! You've managed to read the entre document and you're expected to proceed accordingly.