TCCOM:TIE Corps Pilot Manual
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| TIE Corps Pilot Manual | From the Office of the TIE Corps Commander | Last update: Plif (09/25/2022) |
TIE Corps Pilot Manual
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Introduction
Welcome, pilot. Whether you are a trainee or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find everything that you need to know about the TIE Corps in this manual. Designed by pilots, for pilots, it is supposed to be the primary source of information for any TIE Corps member.
I hope that all of you will find this manual a useful source of information while also keeping in mind the only constant in life is change. Future decisions made by the Command Staff might lead to this document becoming outdated. When in doubt, communicate with the officers you report to via the chain of command.
New members, please note that you are required to be acquainted with this document and the supplementary documents referred to within it in order to be accepted in the fleet as an active member. If you have any questions, reach out to your immediate superior.
The most important thing to emphasize here is that the Emperor’s Hammer TIE Corps is a Star Wars gaming club. As such, one of its greatest aspects is the potential to meet and interact with fellow pilots who share a common interest while having fun with our favorite games.
The Command Staff and I wish you all a fun time with us here in the TIE Corps.
Regards,
High Admiral Plif, TIE Corps Commander
Chain of Command
The TIE Corps is a military dictatorship and, as such, it possesses a chain of command – a line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed. A Flight Member is under a Flight Leader's authority, a Flight Leader is under a Squadron Commander's authority, and so on. It is also worth noting that a higher position's orders always override ones from a lower position – for example, a Commodore’s orders would supersede those of a Squadron Commander.
An overview of the chain of command in the TIE Corps:
Note that Fleet Commander is not a TIE Corps position. The Fleet Commander sits at the top of the Emperor’s Hammer Command Staff of which the TIE Corps is considered a Group.
Ideally, questions should be resolved at the lowest level possible. As a FM, ask your FL or CMDR first. If they don’t have the answer, they’ll refer the question to their superior and so on up the chain until an answer is given or a decision is reached by the TCCOM.
Structure
The smallest unit in the TIE Corps is a flight, which consists of up to four pilots: a Flight Leader and up to three Flight Members. It is the smallest unit usually sent into battle, however it is not considered independent. Each flight has its own nickname and motto and all of its members are assigned the same type of starfighters.
A group of three flights makes a squadron. The leader of Flight I is in command of the squadron and is called the Squadron Commander. A squadron may consist of up to twelve pilots and is the smallest unit considered independent.
A grouping of two to six squadrons is called a wing and is led by a Wing Commander. Currently, the Wing Commander positions are occupied exclusively by non-player characters, but they could be staffed by live members again should the need arise.
A wing is usually stationed aboard an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer of the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. Each ISDII in the fleet is the flagship of a battlegroup of numerous support ships. Each battlegroup is commanded by a Commodore who holds a flag rank.
Leading the TIE Corps is the TIE Corps Command Staff (TCCS), a group of three admirals that are in direct command of the entire TIE Corps. The TCCS consists of the TIE Corps Commander, the Strategic Operations Officer, and the Combat Operations Officer. The TIE Corps Commander is the highest authority in the entire TIE Corps and may be overruled only by the Executive Officer or Fleet Commander of the Emperor's Hammer.
The TCCS plus the Commodores may be referred to as the TIE Corps Admiralty Board (TCAB) as a group of all of the admirals in the Corps.
The entire Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet is under the authority of the Emperor's Hammer Command Staff, a group of admirals that are in direct control of various aspects of the entire organization. They are led by the Fleet Commander and their second-in-command, the Executive Officer.
For more information on the Command Staff positions, please consult the Emperor's Hammer Training Manual.
Positions
This section describes the various positions available in the TIE Corps.
Line Positions
Trainee (TRN)
Position Description: Aspiring pilots who join the TIE Corps are initially given the rank of Cadet and the position of Trainee upon arrival on the Super Star Destroyer Avenger until they complete their training, during which they will learn the basic knowledge and skills necessary for service in the TIE Corps. Trainees are included in the roster count but cannot be awarded medals or promotions until they complete their training and are assigned to a squadron. Upon completing their training, a Trainee is promoted to Sub-Lieutenant and assigned to a squadron in a Flight Member position.
Rank: Cadet
Duties: Completing training
Contact Requirements: Low. At least once per month contact via email the TIE Corps Commander. However, they are encouraged to complete their training requirements as soon as possible so that they may be assigned to an active squadron.
Flight Member (FM)
Position Description: Flight Member is the most common role in the TIE Corps. Flight Members participate in competitions, post on message boards, talk with fellow members, play custom missions and multiplayer matches, and undertake other activities. In addition, Flight Members are encouraged to interact with their immediate superiors (Flight Leaders and/or Squadron Commanders) in regards to any questions or suggestions they may have.
Rank: Sub-Lieutenant on appointment, may be promoted up to Major
Duties: Being active, participating in TIE Corps activities
Contact Requirements: Low. At least once per month contact via email or other form of communication with immediate superior.
Flight Leader (FL)
Position Description: The Flight Leader serves as a team leader for the three Flight Members within the flight to which they're assigned.
Rank: Lieutenant on appointment, may be promoted up to Colonel
Duties: A Flight Leader should lead by example and be active
Contact Requirements: Low to moderate. A Flight Leader should stay in contact with their Squadron Commander and their flight. Response time should not exceed 72 hours.
Squadron Executive Officer (SQXO)
Position Description: The SQXO serves as the designated second-in-command of a squadron and performs any additional duties assigned by the CMDR.
Rank: No new rank upon appointment, may be promoted in line with primary position
Duties: Each CMDR may choose which duties, if any, to assign to their unit’s SQXO. Examples are listed below.
- Serving as the Acting CMDR while the CMDR is on leave
- Submitting squadron reports (preferably only occasionally)
- Contacting other FLs and FMs
- Running competitions
- Tracking squadron citation progress
Contact Requirements: Generally low, but might be needed more often depending on assigned duties
Squadron Commander (CMDR)
Position Description: A key position in the TIE Corps, the CMDR manages the day-to-day operations of the squadron. Because nearly all the members of the TIE Corps are assigned to a squadron, the CMDRs are critical to maintaining the line of communication across the chain of command.
Rank: Commander on appointment, may be promoted up to General.
Duties:
- Keeping in contact with the FLs and FMs under their command and answering any questions that arise
- Informing the squadron of news and important events
- Writing squadron reports
- Submitting Monthly Squadron Evaluations (MSE), which includes making medal and rank promotion recommendations
- Creating competitions for the squadron
- Being familiar with primary reference materials (TIE Corps Pilot Manual, Emperor's Hammer Training Manual, etc.)
Contact Requirements: Moderate. Answering emails, writing reports, and writing evaluations will take most of the CMDR’s time. A CMDR is also expected to maintain regular contact with their squadron and Commodore via email. Response time should not exceed 2 days.
Wing Commander (WC)
Position Description: The Wing Commander is in charge of two to six squadrons, which compose a wing. These positions are currently not filled by live officers and are instead held by NPCs with the duties of the WCs performed by the Commodores.
Rank: Major on appointment, may be promoted up to General
Duties:
- Overseeing daily operations of the wing
- Writing wing reports
- Reviewing monthly evaluations submitted by the CMDRs
- Staying in contact with the pilots in their wing, particularly the CMDRs
- Appointing CMDRs (usually with approval from the Commodore)
- Creating competitions for the wing
- Informing the wing of news and important events
- Being very familiar with primary reference materials (TIE Corps Pilot Manual, Emperor's Hammer Training Manual, etc.)
Contact Requirements: Moderate to high. The WC must keep in contact with the CMDRs in their wing and make sure the squadrons are active. In addition, the email load of a WC is rather heavy, with response times expected to be 24-48 hours.
Flag Positions
Commodore (COM)
Position Description: Commodores each command a battlegroup (BG) of ships and one wing of active duty squadrons. With the flagship of the battlegroup being the home of the active duty squadrons, COMs are often referred to as being the commander of that ship. They direct their flagship’s operations, both day-to-day and in battle. With the WC positions currently not staffed, COMs fulfill the duties that a WC would normally perform.
Rank: Commodores must hold the rank of Rear Admiral or higher and may be promoted up to Admiral
Duties:
- Overseeing daily operations of the ship
- Reviewing monthly evaluations submitted by the WCs and CMDRs
- Writing ship reports
- Staying in contact with the pilots assigned to their ship, particularly the WC and the CMDRs
- Creating competitions for the ship
- Informing the ship of news and important events
- Being completely familiar with primary reference materials (TIE Corps Pilot Manual, Emperor's Hammer Training Manual, etc.)
Contact Requirements: Heavy. The Commodore is expected to attend official meetings, communicate on Discord, etc. as often as possible. Response time should not exceed 24 hours.
TIE Corps Command Staff
Combat Operations Officer (COO/TC-3)
Position Description: The Combat Operations Officer oversees all multiplayer activities in the TIE Corps. The Combat Operations Officer's primary duties are coordination of multiplayer pilots, expanding multiplayer activities, and approving multiplayer-oriented awards.
Rank: Rear Admiral upon appointment, may be promoted up to Fleet Admiral
Duties:
- Writing weekly reports
- Reviewing and approving multiplayer matches for all platforms
- Creating and coordinating multiplayer competitions and events
- Reviewing and approving competitions
Contact Requirements: Moderate to high. The COO will constantly receive message from pilots with match results for their events and other multiplayer-related inquiries.
Strategic Operations Officer (SOO/TC-2)
Position Description: The Strategic Operations Officer is primarily responsible for awarding medals and reviewing evaluations. The Strategic Operations Officer is also considered the second-in-command of the TIE Corps.
Rank: Rear Admiral upon appointment, may be promoted up to Fleet Admiral
Duties:
- Writing reports
- Reviewing the evaluations submitted by the CMDRs, WCs, and COMs
- Reviewing and approving medal recommendations
- Staying in contact with the pilots in the TIE Corps, particularly the COMs
Contact Requirements: High. The Strategic Operations Officer needs to maintain contact with the COMs and be ready to answer any question regarding the TIE Corps asked by members.
TIE Corps Commander (TCCOM/TC-1)
Position Description: The TIE Corps Commander is in overall command of the TIE Corps and reports directly to the Fleet Commander of the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. He bears the ultimate responsibility for the TIE Corps. Aside from keeping a close eye on the general state of the TIE Corps, the TIE Corps Commander is responsible for roster updates and promotion requests. The TIE Corps Commander is also considered part of the Emperor's Hammer Command Staff as a Group Commanding Officer.
Rank: Admiral upon appointment, may be promoted up to High Admiral
Duties:
- Writing weekly reports
- Overseeing the general state of TIE Corps
- Maintaining the online roster
- Maintaining the TIE Corps Pilot Manual
- Reviewing and approving promotion requests
- Reviewing and approving uniform submissions
- Coordinating and managing the SOO and COO
Contact Requirements: High. The TIE Corps Commander must be always aware about the state of the TIE Corps and be ready to support the SOO and COO when needed.
Assistants and Other Secondary Positions
Because the positions of the TIE Corps Command Staff and Emperor's Hammer Command Staff involve highly sensitive and extensive duties, each member of the TCCS and EHCS may appoint Assistants. An Assistant shall remain in their previous position on the roster and perform their usual role, however he will be expected to support the TCCS member in fulfilling some of their duties. Although this shall require more effort from the Assistant than if he would be a typical member, Assistants have more activity to note in evaluations and often receive additional or higher merit medals than they would have received otherwise.
The position of Assistant is signified by an appropriate addition in the ID line, in the position's section. The addition takes the form of 'XXA', where XX is the abbreviation for the officer you are assisting. For example a Squadron Commander who is also a COO Assistant would start their ID line with 'CMDR-COOA', where COOA indicates the Assistant position.
There are also several other secondary positions like the Tactician (TCT) and Tactical Surveyors (TCS). The only difference that separates those positions from that of the Assistant is that their duties are more specific than those of the Assistant.
Warden of the Imperial Archives (WARD)
Position Description: The Warden is responsible for championing fiction, writing and related non-flight activity within the TC Rank: No new rank upon appointment, may be promoted in line with primary position.
Duties:
- Supports and encourages fiction and related non-flight activity with the creation of competitions and other activities
- Maintains a historic background for TC competitions, establishing a narrative and continuing to develop it as the TC progresses
- Utilizes all available TC media to promote fiction and communication, such as TC message boards and mailing lists
- Uploads submitted fiction and graphics to their creator's profile
- Other duties assigned by the TCCS as needed
Contact Requirements: Moderate to High. A Warden will be expected to lead by example and provide a useful source of guidance or information to any pilot.
Editor of the TC Newsletter (EDR)
Position Description: The Editor of the TC Newsletter compiles submissions and publishes the TIE Corps newsletter, currently called The Commodore
Rank: No new rank upon appointment, may be promoted in line with primary position
Duties:
- Accepts submissions for the newsletter
- Actively looks for works that have been created but not specifically submitted for the newsletter, communicates with those creators about their works as needed
- Uploads any needed materials to tc.emperorshammer.org/commodore/
- Creates the newsletter through HTML coding, word processing, etc.
- Sets a schedule for the publication of newsletters
- Submits a list of needed Letter of Achievement awards to the TCCS after the publication of a newsletter
Contact Requirements: Low, mostly coordinating submissions for the newsletter.
Simulations Officer (SIMS)
Position Description: The Simulations Officer runs Imperial Storm events and performs related duties
Rank: No new rank upon appointment, may be promoted in line with primary position
Duties:
- Maintains and publishes the rules for Imperial Storm
- Works with the TCCS on scheduling Imperial Storm events
- Acts as the primary contact for inquiries related to Imperial Storm
- Provides the coordination needed to run an Imperial Storm event
- Creates and maintains the Imperial Storm website (currently imperialstorm.emperorshammer.org)
Contact Requirements: Low most of the time, High when actively running an Imperial Storm event.
Captain of the M/FRG Phoenix (CAPT)
Position Description: The CAPT reaches out to the members of the Reserves regularly and coordinates with the TCCOM concerning assignments
Rank: No new rank upon appointment, may be promoted in line with primary position
Duties:
- Emails the Reserves on a regular basis, normally quarterly
- Handles any questions from the Reservists about the Corps’ current operations
- Refers Reservists to the TCCOM if they’d like to return to active duty
- Relays any bouncing email addresses to the TCCOM, not having a valid email address on file would lead to an AWOL declaration
Contact Requirements: Low, mostly confined to an active round of emailing the Reservists
Tour of Duty
A Tour of Duty is currently defined as four months of continuous, active service. When needed, a Tour of Duty will be reviewed and considered completed if an officer fulfilled their duties during that time frame. A Tour of Duty will be considered incomplete if an officer was absent for some of that time or did not fulfill the duties of their position.
Reserves
The TIE Corps Reserves, based on the Modified Frigate Phoenix, is where retired officers are assigned. Reserve officers have no duties besides maintaining an active email address for future contact.
A Reservist will hold the last rank they have had before transferring and all of their data will remain stored in the TIE Corps database. Former admirals that retire in a line position may reclaim their flag rank as long as they completed a full Tour of Duty as an admiral.
Trainees may not join the Reserves. A pilot must have completed their training first and hold the rank of at least Sub-Lieutenant to be eligible for transfer to the Reserves.
Ranks
Although a member’s overall status within the Fleet will be entirely determined by their position, the military ranks presented below further stratify the TIE Corps and give something for members to strive for. The position of a member will always take precedence over conflicting ranks (e.g., a Flight Leader who is a Lieutenant Colonel does not outrank a Squadron Commander who is a Captain). A member may retain a rank achieved in a previous assignment to a higher command position even if their current position does not warrant a promotion to that rank.
Flag ranks may not be held in line positions (i.e., FM, FL, SQXO, CMDR, and WC). Former admirals that are assigned to line positions will be granted the rank of Colonel regardless of their line rank before assignment to an admiral position as long as they completed a full Tour of Duty in their admiralty role. The exception for this rule is applied to members that achieved the rank of General before the admiralty appointment, in which case they will be returned to the rank of General.
Line Ranks
 Cadet (CT) |
Rank assigned to the Trainees assigned to the Imperial Weapons and Tactics School (IWATS) aboard the Super Star Destroyer Avenger |
 Sub-Lieutenant (SL) |
Cadets that complete their training and are assigned as Flight Members are promoted to Sub-Lieutenant |
 Lieutenant (LT) |
SLs that complete one of the requirements listed in Promotion to LT are promoted to LT |
 Lieutenant Commander (LCM) |
Active LTs that have completed the TIE Corps Core course (TCCORE) from the Imperial University (IU) may be promoted to LCM |
 Commander (CM) |
Active LCMs may be promoted to CM. SLs, LTs, and LCMs that are promoted to CMDR roles are also promoted to CM and will retain that rank as long as they complete at least one Tour of Duty as a CMDR. |
 Captain (CPT) |
Active CMs may be promoted to CPT |
 Major (MAJ) |
Active CPTs are promoted to MAJ. MAJ is the highest rank that a FM may be promoted to. |
 Lieutenant Colonel (LC) |
Active MAJs in a FL role or higher may be promoted to LC |
 Colonel (COL) |
Active LCs in a SQXO or FL role or higher may be promoted to COL. As noted above, admirals that have completed a Tour of Duty in their admiralty role will receive the rank of COL when transferred to an FM, FL, CMDR, or WC assignment. COL is the highest rank that a SQXO or FL may be promoted to. |
 General (GN) |
Exceptional CMDR/COLs and CMDR/WCs may be promoted to the rank of GN, the highest line rank and prestigious honor to receive |
Flag Ranks
 Rear Admiral (RA) |
First-time admirals being assigned to a COM, SOO, or COO role will receive the rank of RA and will retain that rank as long as they complete at least one Tour of Duty as an admiral |
 Vice Admiral (VA) |
Active RAs may be promoted to the rank of VA |
 Admiral (AD) |
Active VAs may be promoted to the rank of AD. If someone is promoted to TCCOM that doesn’t already hold this rank or higher, they will be promoted to AD and will retain that rank as long as they complete at least one Tour of Duty as the TCCOM. AD is the highest rank that a COM may be promoted to. |
 Fleet Admiral (FA) |
Active ADs in a SOO, COO, or TCCOM role may be promoted to FA. FA is the highest rank that the SOO and COO may be promoted to. |
 High Admiral (HA) |
This is the highest rank achievable within the TIE Corps. Only a TCCOM holding the rank of FA may be promoted to HA, and this often requires outstanding service in that capacity in order to receive this promotion from the Fleet Commander. |
 Sector Admiral (SA) |
The Executive Officer (XO) of the Emperor’s Hammer is granted this exclusive rank. Former XOs are allowed to retain this rank after leaving the XO position. |
 Grand Admiral (GA) |
The Fleet Commander (FC) of the Emperor’s Hammer is granted this exclusive rank. Former FCs are allowed to retain this rank after leaving the FC position. |
Promotions
Although the entire Chain of Command in the TIE Corps is based on positions and not ranks, the possibility of attaining new 'bars' has been a motivation for many generations of TIE Corps pilots to go above and beyond the minimum requirements of a pilot. The following section deals with various issues regarding the promotions – the procedure itself is discussed in section VIII. Procedures.
Promotional Authority
Promotion recommendations usually come from the officer immediately above the recommended member in the Chain of Command. For example, promotion requests for FMs, FLs, and SQXOs will normally be made by their CMDR. All promotion requests must receive the approval of the TCCOM or the SOO. Promotion requests for the TCCOM must be approved by the FC.
Position Requirements
| Position | Minimum rank | Maximum rank |
|---|---|---|
| TIE Corps Commander (TCCOM) | Admiral (AD) | High Admiral (HA) |
| Strategic Operations Officer (SOO) | Rear Admiral (RA) | Fleet Admiral (FA) |
| Combat Operations Officer (COO) | Rear Admiral (RA) | Fleet Admiral (FA) |
| Commodore (COM) | Rear Admiral (RA) | Admiral (AD) |
| Wing Commander (WC) | Major (MAJ) | General (GN) |
| Squadron Commander (CMDR) | Commander (CM) | General (GN) |
| Squadron Executive Officer (SQXO) | Lieutenant (LT) | Colonel (COL) |
| Flight Leader (FL) | Lieutenant (LT) | Colonel (COL) |
| Flight Member (FM) | Sub-Lieutenant (SL) | Major (MAJ) |
While an officer may be promoted by several ranks in the case of an appointment to a position (for example a Lieutenant getting appointed as a Squadron Commander and thus elevated to the rank of Commander, omitting the rank of Lieutenant Commander), it will not be a permanent promotion until the officer finishes at least one Tour of Duty in their new position or they receive another promotion. If a Tour of Duty is not completed, their rank will revert to the one they held prior to their promotion.
This obviously does not affect officers that did not have to be promoted for the position appointment as well as officers that were promoted during the first four months of their command in a new position.
As previously mentioned, a member may retain a rank achieved in a previous assignment to a higher command position, even if their current position does not warrant a promotion to that rank. For example, if a Wing Commander that has attained the rank of General wishes to retire and instead become a Flight Member in a squadron, he would not be demoted to Major.
All Admirals that are retiring to a line position in the TIE Corps from an admiralty position will be appointed the rank of Colonel, without regard for their ranks before their ascendancy to the admiralty, as long as they have completed a Tour of Duty. The only exception is a situation when an admiralty member held the rank of General before being appointed as an Admiral. In such a case, the member in question would be given back his General rank after retiring from the admiralty position.
Rank Requirements
All promotions will be reviewed on a case-to-case basis. The following presents a listing of the ranks, minimum time served in previous rank and current position (if applicable) and services typically required prior to promotions in the TIE Corps.
Note: Serving the minimum time-in-rank does not automatically entitle a member to a rank promotion.
| Rank | Time in previous rank | Typical position(s) |
|---|---|---|
| High Admiral (HA) | FC’s Discretion | TIE Corps Commander (TCCOM) |
| Fleet Admiral (FA) | FC’s Discretion (TCCOM) TCCOM’s Discretion (SOO, COO) |
TIE Corps Commander (TCCOM) Strategic Operations Officer (SOO) Combat Operations Officer (COO) |
| Admiral (AD) | TCCOM’s Discretion | TIE Corps Commander (TCCOM) Strategic Operations Officer (SOO) Combat Operations Officer (COO) Commodore (COM) |
| Vice Admiral (VA) | TCCOM’s Discretion | Strategic Operations Officer (SOO) Combat Operations Officer (COO) Commodore (COM) |
| Rear Admiral (RA) | Appointment | Strategic Operations Officer (SOO) Combat Operations Officer (COO) Commodore (COM) |
| General (GN) | 4 months (WC) 8 months (CMDR) |
Wing Commander (WC) Squadron Commander (CMDR) |
| Colonel (COL) | 3 months (WC) 6 months (CMDR) 12 months (SQXO, FL) |
Wing Commander (WC) Squadron Commander (CMDR) Squadron Executive Officer(SQXO) Flight Leader (FL) |
| Lieutenant Colonel (LC) | 2 months (WC) 4 months (CMDR) 10 months (SQXO, FL) |
Wing Commander (WC) Squadron Commander (CMDR) Squadron Executive Officer(SQXO) Flight Leader (FL) |
| Major (MAJ) | Appointment (WC) 2 months (CMDR) 8 months (SQXO, FL) 10 months (FM) |
Wing Commander (WC) Squadron Commander (CMDR) Squadron Executive Officer(SQXO) Flight Leader (FL) Flight Member (FM) |
| Captain (CPT) | 2 months (CMDR) 4 months (SQXO, FL) 6 months (FM) |
Squadron Commander (CMDR) Squadron Executive Officer(SQXO) Flight Leader (FL) Flight Member (FM) |
| Commander (CM) | Appointment (CMDR) 3 months (SQXO, FL) 4 months (FM) |
Squadron Commander (CMDR) Squadron Executive Officer(SQXO) Flight Leader (FL) Flight Member (FM) |
| Lieutenant Commander (LCM) | 1 month (SQXO, FL) 2 months (FM) Completion of TCCORE |
Squadron Executive Officer(SQXO) Flight Leader (FL) Flight Member (FM) |
| Lieutenant (LT) | Completing one approved activity (FM) | Flight Member (FM) |
| Cadet (CT) | Enlistment | Trainee (TRN) |
Promotion to LT
A Sub-Lieutenant earns their promotion to full Lieutenant by completing any of the following tasks:
- Completing an Emperor’s Hammer battle or free mission for X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing versus TIE Fighter, or X-Wing Alliance
- Earning an Iron Star, Operational Readiness Award, Legion of Combat, Legion of Skirmish, Medal of Tactics, or Commendation of Service
- Submitting a piece of fiction or a graphic to the Warden of the Imperial Archives (WARD)
- Submitting a complete Imperial Navy Pilot Record (INPR)
- Completing any Imperial University (IU) course
TIE Corps Core
The completion of TIE Corps Core (TCCORE) is required for promotion to LCM. TCCORE introduces pilots to our structure, ranks, positions, and other basic knowledge. Most of that information is also here in the Pilot Manual, but the course features a test that confirms the pilot’s understanding.
Awards
Members of the TIE Corps may be recognized with the following awards depending on the level and significance of their work. All award recommendations are reviewed and approved by the Strategic Operations Officer unless the recommendation comes from the TIE Corps Commander, Executive Officer, or Fleet Commander, in which case those officers may approve the award themselves.
There are three types of medals that a member can earn while in the service of the Emperor’s Hammer: Merit Awards, Service Awards, and Commendations.
Merit Awards
| [image] | Medal of Honor (MoH) The Medal of Honor is the highest medal a member of the Emperor’s Hammer may be awarded. The recipients of the Medal of Honor have performed consistent service above and beyond the call of duty and have personally and significantly improved the entire Fleet through their direct actions. A fictional example of such service would include the sacrifice of a pilot in the line of duty while saving others. A more practical example for the award would be for a member who personally introduced an aspect to the Fleet that proves to be instrumental in its growth. This medal may only be awarded by the Fleet Commander. |
| [image] | Imperial Cross (IC) The Imperial Cross is awarded to members who have shown exceptional loyalty and dedication to the Fleet. These officers will have shown consistent, exceptional and innovative service in their assigned function. This medal may be awarded by Group Commanders, the Executive Officer, and the Fleet Commander. |
| [image] | Order of the Renegade (OoR) The Order of the Renegade is given for exceptional dedication, service and loyalty to the fleet far surpassing all other members and is regarded to be an independent recognition of a member’s actions. This is awarded in memory of Sector Admiral Renegade for his incredible work in the service to the Emperor’s Hammer. Members who are already Fleet Admirals (or of equivalent rank) and who have achieved almost all merit awards are awarded the coveted Order of the Renegade, which may only be bestowed by the Executive Officer or the Fleet Commander. |
| [image] | Grand Order of the Emperor (GOE) Any member of the Emperor’s Hammer may be awarded this medal for service above and beyond the call of duty. The awarding of this medal constitutes entrance into a fraternal order, with recipients being highly respected in all manners of Imperial functions. This medal may only be awarded by Group Commanders, the Executive Officer, and the Fleet Commander. |
| [image] | Gold Star of the Empire (GS) The Gold Star of the Empire is awarded for extraordinary service to the TIE Corps exceeding contributions that would be recognized with the SS. |
| [image] | Silver Star of the Empire (SS) The Silver Star of the Empire is awarded for exceptional service to the TIE Corps exceeding contributions that would be recognized with the BS. |
| [image] | Bronze Star of the Empire (BS) The Bronze Star of the Empire is awarded for excellent service to the TIE Corps exceeding contributions that would be recognized with the PC. |
| [image] | Palpatine Crescent (PC) The Palpatine Crescent is awarded for outstanding service to the TIE Corps exceeding contributions that would be recognized with the ISM. |
| [image] | Imperial Security Medal (ISM) The Imperial Security Medal is awarded for notable achievements made on behalf of the TIE Corps. |
| [image] | Imperial Achievement Ribbon (IAR) Used to recognize short-term bursts of activity, the Imperial Achievement Ribbon is awarded to pilots that exert effort beyond the normal scope of their duties worthy of being mentioned in a dispatch. The IAR may be upgraded as follows:
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Service Awards
| [image] | Medal of Instruction (MoI) The Medal of Instruction is awarded to any officer who personally recruits a new member to the TIE Corps who then completes the requirements to be assigned to a squadron. The MoI may be upgraded as follows:
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| [image] | Medal of Tactics (MoT) The Medal of Tactics is awarded by the TAC to members who create a battle or free mission that is added to the EH Battle Center. Creation of a battle is rewarded with a Red Hammer (-rh), and a free mission is rewarded with a Green Hammer (-gh). Longer battles can qualify for multiple Red Hammers: a 4-8 mission battle receives 1 Red Hammer, a 9-13 mission battle receives 2 Red Hammers, and so on. Members who provide corrections to battles and missions under the supervision of and with prior approval of the Tactical Officer are eligible to receive a Medal of Tactics with a Blue Hammer (-bh), up to the Tactical Officer’s discretion.
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| [image] | Medal of Communication (MoC) The Medal of Communication is awarded by the SOO to members who display constant communication efforts like posting on mailing lists and participating on Discord and/or our other communications platforms. The MoC is awarded with the following devices:
If a member is somehow not active for a few months they’ll pick up where they left off in the award cycle. |
| [image] | TIE Corps Commander’s Unit Award (TUA) The TIE Corps Commander’s Unit Award is presented to the members of the first place squadron in a fleet-wide competition. For a pilot to receive the award, they must have contributed to the squadron's victory through activities such as flying missions, submitting fiction, etc. Upgrades to the TUA are as follows:
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| [image] | TIE Corps Meritorious Unit Award (MUA) The TIE Corps Meritorious Unit Award is presented to the members of runners-up squadrons in a fleet-wide competition, both second and third places. The MUA is also awarded to the members of the first place wing/ship in a fleet-wide competition and the members of the first place squadron in a wing or ship competition. For a pilot to receive the award, they must have contributed to the wing’s or ship’s victory through activities such as flying missions, submitting fiction, etc. Upgrades to the MUA are as follows:
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| [image] | Iron Star (IS) The Iron Star is awarded for placing in a competition. The level awarded depends on the scale and scope of the competition and will ultimately be approved or denied by the TCCOM when the competition is submitted in the database. The Iron Star is always presented with a device, either Wings or a Ribbon. Iron Stars with Wings are awarded for competitions that involve gaming in one of our main games. Iron Stars with Ribbons are awarded for competitions that involve non-gaming activity or secondary games. Copper Iron Stars are awarded for second place in squadron-level competitions lasting less than one month. They’re also awarded for third place in competitions that award Silver Iron Stars for first place, fourth place in competitions that award Gold Iron Stars for first place, or fifth place in competitions that award Platinum Iron Stars for first place. Bronze Iron Stars are awarded for first place in squadron-level competitions lasting less than one month. They’re also awarded for second place in competitions that award Silver Iron Stars for first place, third place in competitions that award Gold Iron Stars for first place, or fourth place in competitions that award Platinum Iron Stars for first place. Silver Iron Stars are awarded for first place in squadron-level competitions that last at least one month. They’re also awarded for second place in competitions that award Gold Iron Stars for first place or third place in competitions that award Platinum Iron Stars for first place. Gold Iron Stars are awarded for first place in ship-level competitions. They’re also awarded for Corps-level competitions that last less than a few months and for second place in competitions that award Platinum Iron Stars. Competitions at the Corps, Ship, and Wing levels that run for less than a month or have rounds that last less than a month should not award Gold Iron Stars to keep them from becoming too common. The Platinum level of the Iron Star may only be awarded for first place in Corps-level competitions that either last several months or for more elaborate events like Raise the Flag and Ace of the TIE Corps. |
| [image] | Operational Readiness Award (ORA) Presented for achievements made during competitions and events. Multiple awards may be presented for an individual achievement based on the nature of the excellence demonstrated. Where the Iron Star recognizes placement in a competition, competition runners can set up objectives for participants to complete and earn the ORA. Each competition presents unique opportunities for objectives, so they'd be discussed between the competition runner and the TCCOM before the competition is approved. The ORA is upgraded as a pilot receives more of them, starting with the First Circle (-1C) at five awards, Second Circle (-2C) at 25 awards, Third Circle (-3C) at 125 awards, then further levels every additional 125 awards. |
| [image] | Legion of Combat (LoC) Awarded for participation and victory in Player vs. Player (PvP) rounds. This medal is upgradable with the following devices:
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| [image] | Legion of Skirmish (LoS) Awarded for participation and victory in cooperative Player vs. Environment (co-op PvE) rounds. There must be at least two human players in the match in order to be eligible for the LoS. This medal is upgradable with the following devices:
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| [image] | Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded by the Combat Operations Officer for being declared the winning participant of a Combat Operations Office-approved multiplayer event. Additional awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross are the:
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| [image] | Order of the Vanguard (OV) The Order of the Vanguard is awarded to members for extended service in the fleet. It is granted for one year of service in the Emperor's Hammer, with an additional Echelon being awarded each additional year. This is the only medal that is awarded automatically by the database. The uniform ribbon for the OV starts at the base red ribbon with no device which represents one year of service. [image] White pips are added each additional year. The following ribbon is worn for the OV-5E. [image] A gold pip represents five years. The following ribbon is worn for the OV-6E. [image] A blue pip represents ten years. The following ribbon is worn for the OV-11E. [image] Over time, the pips can really add up. The following ribbon is worn for the OV-20E. [image] |
Commendations
| [image] | Commendation of Bravery (CoB) The Commendation of Bravery is awarded to a member who has shown consistent dedication in combat by completing at least 30 missions or online combat engagements (or a combination of both). This commendation can only be awarded once. |
| [image] | Commendation of Excellence (CoE) The Commendation of Excellence is awarded by the EH Internet Office for consistent support, maintenance and creation of official Emperor’s Hammer webpages and websites. |
| [image] | Commendation of Loyalty (CoL) The Commendation of Loyalty is awarded by the Fleet Commander or Executive Officer to members of the Emperor’s Hammer who have displayed consistently excellent service to the Fleet. It may be recommended only twice a year, at the occasions of the Emperor's Hammer Anniversary (January 7th) and the founder of the Emperor’s Hammer, Grand Admiral Ronin's Birthday (August 21st) of each Standard Imperial Year. |
| [image] | Commendation of Service (CoS) The Commendation of Service is awarded by the Tactical Officer to members who provide an approved storyline for a custom battle. This is usually an extra award in a Tactical Office sponsored mission design competition. The CoS can only be awarded to a member who does not create this battle himself (as he is then awarded the Medal of Tactics). Although preferred, the approved storyline need not necessarily lead to an EH approved battle being released. |
| [image] | Letter of Achievement (LoA) The Letter of Achievement is awarded for each newsletter submission that is published in the Emperor’s Hammer Dark Sentinel or TIE Corps newsletter. |
Procedures
Even though a great many recommendations and requests are made through the database, it is necessary to follow certain procedures to avoid any problems and confusion as well as to maintain order throughout TIE Corps ranks.
Appointments
Appointment procedures are fairly simple. First, the pilot applying for a given position must send in an application to the officer in charge, as specified in the application requirements. All applications are then reviewed by this officer and their superiors, and afterwards a request is sent to the Strategic Operations Officer and TIE Corps Commander to appoint the member to a given position. This may be carried out through whichever communications platform is desired.
Transfers
During a pilot's career in the TIE Corps, they might find themselves in need of a transfer to another unit. Most of the transfers connected with appointments and restructures are done by the TCCOM without the need of any input from a pilot. However transfers between units require effort from the pilot requesting transfer.
To request a transfer, email the TCCOM. The TCCOM will then seek out all the needed acknowledgements and approvals before moving forward.
Promotions and Awards
Although all promotions and awards are handled through the use of the database, it is recommended that they should be discussed with superior officers before filling in an official recommendation. A good moment for such a discussion is during the period of handing in and reviewing monthly evaluations, so that the promotion and medal requests may be considered by either the Wing Commander/Commodore and the Strategic OperationsOfficer/TIE Corps Commander. This is done to ensure that all recommendations are properly discussed by the chain of command and also to minimize the number of promotions and medal denials in the database.
Creating Competitions
Anyone in the Corps may submit a competition through the form in the database (Submit a new competition to the TCCOM), which is sent to the COO for review before being posted as an active competition in the Competitions Center. If they are not a CMDR or above, though, they would need someone else to submit the medal recommendations for any awards earned by participants in the competition.
Squadron Citations
A squadron possessing at least six members will be credited for any battle that at least half of the present members have completed, thus earning a Squadron Citation. The citations achieved by a squadron can be viewed on the Squadron Battleboards on the TIE Corps site.
Titles
Command officers may bestow titles like “Wing Commander's Own”, “Pilot of the Week”, etc., to various members and units of the TIE Corps. Such a title should be considered permanent unless stated otherwise by the officer bestowing the given title and may be used below the ID line of a member. The naming of the titles and requirements for achieving them are left up to the creator to determine, though these will generally be reviewed by the TCCOM as part of a competition.
Absent Without Leave (AWOL)
Pilots should communicate with their immediate superior at least once every 30 days. Not doing so could lead to the pilot being declared AWOL and being removed from their active duty assignment. It’s expected that the superior officer will proactively reach out to the pilot as opposed to simply looking back and seeing that the pilot hasn’t communicated with them in the last 30 days. An AWOL declaration is subject to approval from the chain of command before being actioned.
Pilots that are declared AWOL are not moved to the Reserves. They are tagged as [Inactive] in the database, may not log in, are not assigned to the M/FRG Phoenix or any other unit, are removed from the TIE Corps mailing list, and are removed from all Discord roles. Inactive pilots may contact the TCCOM to be assigned to the Reserves or be returned to active duty.
Activity Expectation
If a FM or FL hasn’t been active for two consecutive months, the CMDR may ask for that pilot to be transferred to the Reserves. A FM or FL should be doing more than just communicating with the CMDR once in a while, it’s expected that the pilot should be flying missions, participating in competitions, working on Wiki articles, taking IU courses, writing fiction, creating graphics, or showing an effort in some other way that shows a contribution to the Corps. Sometimes pilots lose track of how long it's been since they've been an active part of their squadrons, and the goal of this process is to allow the CMDR to make the call in situations where the pilot doesn't have time for us but doesn’t request to be transferred to the Reserves. A request to transfer a pilot to the Reserves is subject to approval from the chain of command before being actioned.
File Submission
Most TIE Corps competitions are run over a set amount of time. Using the clock to one’s advantage by saving up submissions and turning them in during the last day or two of a competition is known as “hoarding”, considered bad sportsmanship, and may result in disqualification from the competition. Files should be submitted within 72 hours of their creation or completion. If this cannot be avoided, the pilot should communicate with the officer running the competition so that an exception can be considered.
Flight Certification Wings
Shown on the pilot’s profile and their dress uniform, the Flight Certification Wings reflect how many missions a pilot has flown in the service of the TIE Corps between single player, multiplayer PvP, and multiplayer PvE. Single player high scores and Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFCs) also contribute to the total number of missions at a rate of two per mission high score, two times the number of missions in the battle per battle high score, and five points per DFC.
| [image] | 1st Echelon 10 points |
| [image] | 2nd Echelon 25 points |
| [image] | 3rd Echelon 50 points |
| [image] | 4th Echelon 75 points |
| [image] | 5th Echelon 100 points |
| [image] | 6th Echelon 150 points |
| [image] | 7th Echelon 200 points |
| [image] | 8th Echelon 250 points |
| [image] | 9th Echelon 300 points |
| [image] | 10th Echelon 400 points |
| [image] | 11th Echelon 500 points |
| [image] | 12th Echelon 750 points |
| [image] | 13th Echelon 1000 points |
| [image] | 14th Echelon 1250 points |
| [image] | 15th Echelon 1500 points |
| [image] | 16th Echelon 2000 points |
| [image] | 17th Echelon 2500 points |
| [image] | 18th Echelon 3000 points |
| [image] | 19th Echelon 3500 points |
| [image] | 20th Echelon 4000 points |
| [image] | 21st Echelon 5000 points |
Fleet Commander's Honor Guard
The Fleet Commander's Honor Guard (FCHG) is a special ranking system that ranks pilots in the TIE Corps by single player combat activity and performance using a point system:
- Grenadier – 10 points
- Lancer – 25 points
- Hussar – 50 points
- Fusilier – 75 points
- Dragoon – 100 points
- Cavalier – 150 points
- Gallant – 200 points
- Knight – 250 points
- Paladin – 300 points
- Legionnaire – 400 points
- Aquilifer – 500 points
- Decurion – 750 points
- Tesserarius – 1000 points
- Optio – 1250 points
- Centurion – 1500 points
- Executor – 2000 points
- Gladiator – 2500 points
- Archon – 3000 points
- Templar – 3500 points
- Imperator – 4000 points
Points are awarded for the following flight activity:
- every mission flown – 1 point
- every mission high score – 2 points
- every battle high score – 2 points times the number of missions in the battle
The list of pilots that hold each FCHG rank can be found on this listing on the TIE Corps site.
Additionally, the TCCOM awards merit medals to pilots that have reached certain FCHG ranks:
- Dragoon – 100 points – Imperial Security Medal
- Knight – 250 points – Palpatine Crescent
- Aquilifer – 500 points – Bronze Star of the Empire
- Executor – 2000 points – Silver Star of the Empire
- Imperator – 4000 points – Gold Star of the Empire
PvP Combat Rating
The PvP Combat Rating is a special ranking system, similar to Fleet Commander's Honor Guard (FCHG), which rates pilots and officers in the TIE Corps by multiplayer player vs. player (PvP) combat activity and performance using a point system:
- Trainee – 1 point
- Certified – 10 points
- Marksman 4th – 25 points
- Marksman 3rd – 50 points
- Marksman 2nd – 75 points
- Marksman 1st – 100 points
- Officer 4th – 150 points
- Officer 3rd – 200 points
- Officer 2nd – 250 points
- Officer 1st – 300 points
- Veteran 4th – 375 points
- Veteran 3rd – 450 points
- Veteran 2nd – 525 points
- Veteran 1st – 600 points
- Elite 4th – 700 points
- Elite 3rd – 800 points
- Elite 2nd – 900 points
- Elite 1st – 1000 points
- Ace 4th – 1250 points
- Ace 3rd – 1500 points
- Ace 2nd – 1750 points
- Ace 1st – 2000 points
- Top Ace 4th – 2500 points
- Top Ace 3rd – 3000 points
- Top Ace 2nd – 3500 points
- Top Ace 1st – 4000 points
- Tan – 5000 points
Points are awarded for the following flight activity:
- every Legion of Combat earned – 1 point
- every Distinguished Flying Cross earned – 5 points
The list of pilots that hold each Combat Rating can be found on this listing on the TIE Corps site.
Additionally, the COO awards merit medals to pilots that have reached certain combat ratings:
- Marksman 1st – 100 points – Imperial Security Medal
- Officer 1st – 300 points – Palpatine Crescent
- Veteran 1st – 600 points – Bronze Star of the Empire
- Ace 1st – 2000 points – Silver Star of the Empire
- Tan – 5000 points – Gold Star of the Empire
Co-Op Combat Rating
The Co-Op Combat Rating is a special ranking system, similar to Fleet Commander's Honor Guard (FCHG), which rates pilots and officers in the TIE Corps by multiplayer player vs. environment (PvE) combat activity and performance using a point system:
- Beginner – 1 point
- Qualified – 10 points
- Private 4th – 25 points
- Private 3rd – 50 points
- Private 2nd – 75 points
- Private 1st – 100 points
- Gunner’s Mate 4th – 150 points
- Gunner’s Mate 3rd – 200 points
- Gunner’s Mate 2nd – 250 points
- Gunner’s Mate 1st – 300 points
- Campaigner 4th – 375 points
- Campaigner 3rd – 450 points
- Campaigner 2nd – 525 points
- Campaigner 1st – 600 points
- Ranger 4th – 700 points
- Ranger 3rd – 800 points
- Ranger 2nd – 900 points
- Ranger 1st – 1000 points
- Master Ranger 4th – 1250 points
- Master Ranger 3rd – 1500 points
- Master Ranger 2nd – 1750 points
- Master Ranger 1st – 2000 points
- Ace Ranger 4th – 2500 points
- Ace Ranger 3rd – 3000 points
- Ace Ranger 2nd – 3500 points
- Ace Ranger 1st – 4000 points
- Top Ace Ranger – 5000 points
Every Legion of Skirmish earned counts as 1 point in this system. Currently, LoSs are the only source of Co-Op Combat Rating points.
The list of pilots that hold each Co-Op PvE Rating can be found on this listing on the TIE Corps site.
Additionally, the COO awards merit medals to pilots that have reached certain Co-Op Combat Ratings:
- Private 1st – 100 points – Imperial Security Medal
- Gunner’s Mate 1st – 300 points – Palpatine Crescent
- Campaigner 1st – 600 points – Bronze Star of the Empire
- Master Ranger 1st – 2000 points – Silver Star of the Empire
- Top Ace Ranger – 5000 points – Gold Star of the Empire
Playing Custom Missions
Emperor's Hammer Battle Launcher
Playing custom missions made by Emperor's Hammer members for X-Wing (XW, XW95), TIE Fighter (TIE, TIE95), X-wing vs. TIE Fighter (XvT), Balance of Power (BoP) and X-wing Alliance (XWA) is one of the primary activities available to TIE Corps pilots.
Note: This manual assumes that you have already installed a playable version of one or more of the games mentioned above and patched it to the highest possible version and as such shall not address the problem of running those games on different hardware and operating systems.
There are currently two ways of playing Emperor's Hammer custom missions: you can use the unencrypted version (downloadable via the Battle Center, choose to download the ZIP file), or the encrypted version (choose to download the EHM file). There is no difference between these versions. Note that if you downloaded the EHM version but there is a ZIP file on your computer you need to rename this back to EHM. In that case, unzipping the archive and manually installing the files will not allow you to play the missions.
To install a ZIP version, you will have to manually install the necessary files into their appropriate folders on your computer. See the installation instructions provided within the ZIP file. To install an EHM version, make sure you have the Emperor's Hammer Battle Launcher (EHBL) installed. All you will have to do then is double-click on the EHM file and the missions will be installed for you. The EHBL is available for download in the Battle Center.
To install the EHBL for use, download the file from the website, extract the archive and run the installation file. Once installed, open the program by clicking the icon on your desktop, and make sure the game directories are set properly (in the File menu choose Directories).
Important: XWA requires you play using a pilot file that has completed the LucasArts original missions, which can be provided by the Tactical Office, when necessary. You should rename the pilot file prior to copying it into your XWA directory. If you are playing the EHM version of a battle, you can use the EHBL to create a new pilot (Game -> XWA Options -> Pilot Options -> New Pilot - make sure to check the 'Prepare for EH Battle' box).
The recommended format for a pilot file filename is PIN_PLATFORM_BATTLENUMBER, for instance 12519_TIETC_201.TFR. You may also include your name in the filename.
Once you have completed all the missions for the battle you have chosen, you can submit the pilot file for approval using the "Submit singleplayer battle flown (BSF)" function on the TIE Corps site.
Emperor's Hammer Ship Patcher
A number of Emperor's hammer Custom Missions require you to patch the game, which simply means craft not supplied with the game itself can be used. This will allow you to fly non-standard craft. These patches are installed via the Emperor's Hammer Ship Patcher (EHSP) which is available through the Emperor's Hammer Patch Archive.
To install the EHSP, simply follow the instructions the program provides.
Ship Patches
A ship patch (EHSP) is available for TIE Fighter, X-wing vs. TIE Fighter and Balance of Power. It is recommended you install this, as you will not be able to fly a number of battles without it. For each of these games, the EHSP adds a number of craft to the game. Also, in TIE Fighter it fixes a bug in the game where Imperial Star Destroyers do not fire their turbolasers. Also, the EHSP is required if you wish to run custom ship patches. It is recommended you keep the EHSP installed. There is no EHSP for X-Wing Alliance.
Single Craft Patches
The Emperor's Hammer Patch Archive provides a large supply of single craft patches that you can use. Note that if you do not install a required patch, the mission that employs it may not be winnable. For TIE Fighter, X-wing vs. TIE Fighter, Balance of Power and X-Wing Alliance, these single ship patches come in the form of an EHF file. These patches can be installed and uninstalled via the EHSP. These patches have been tested to work on all operating systems.
Unfortunately, since there is no EHSP for X-wing Alliance, the single ship patches for this game rely on the old patching system: the patches are downloadable as a ZIP file that needs to be extracted. They can then be installed and uninstalled via the included BAT files. See the patch readme file for instructions.
Remember you should always remove a single ship patch after completing a battle to make sure there will be no problems if you decide to fly another battle or mission at a later time.
