A Case for the Reorganization of the Imperial Navy

[LC La Forge]

Navy folks,

As I presented on my other thread, the Imperial Navy is in a bit of a dire straight. We find ourselves with outdated gaming platforms, few cadets in the Academy, and a general decline in numbers for some time now. What I'd like to present herein are the reasons why the Imperial Navy should be restructured and a possible framework for doing so.

1) Why we need to restructure
Look at the people who stick around in organizations and clubs like these. They are people who earn medals, go on the MBs, use IRC, etc etc ec. What does this ultimately point to? It points to people making connections here, becoming a part of the GE community. People JOIN because they like to game; people STAY because they have friends here (in the 'online' sense of friends, as it were).

What gives people that sense of friendship or connection here? These days it's typically whomever finds their way to IRC or the MBs. But, I recall the days of the VSD Striker. What kept that (famous) crew here, what kept them together? It was the connections they had within their units.

Do we have any of that today? Of course not. Why? Because units are made up of rarely more than 5-6 people, half of which are inactive most of the time and the other half typically don't do more than play a game here or there and/or write the unit report once every x weeks. What does this look like from the outside? Frankly, boring. Why, as a new recruit, would I want to stay in a 'unit' like that? There isn't any reason. Those who stick around in the GE in situations like that are those who have drive for promotions and positions, not their units. I submit then, that we are losing people in the Navy because the Squadrons are poorly run and personnel is spread too thin between them.

2) What can we do about it?
Here's what we need:
-We need to consolidate all basic Navy personnel unit leader and down into as few units as possible. We have, what, 5 units int the Navy at the moment? We need to make that three.
-Get rid of the bridge crews. Consolidation of units won't be possible if we have two structures in use. The squadron becomes the sole base unit of the Navy again and EaW people are transfered to squadrons.
-Remove squadron platform-specific membership where needed; reason for this is the same as above.

Here's what we can do:
-Run a week-long AWOL check on ALL navy units. Get rid of everyone who doesn't want to stay.
-Close the Nemesis. Move all units off to the Chimaera, or (to maintain the OOB) transfer people into current inactive Chimmy units like Alpha Squadron and Delta Squadron.
-Close the bridge crew units. Move their personnel into Chimmy squadrons.
-Put into place on the Chimmy an ACTIVE SCS and squadron leaders. Remove any unit leader who's not doing their job immediately and do so immediately in the future. We need active leadership that participates in the GE as a whole (MBs, IRC, etc) and can get their units acting like UNITS and into the GE as a whole. Inactive leadership and poor leadership kill us.

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And that's really it. Any thoughts? Any comments? I toss this out here to say what I think we need to do, but I'm sure it can be improved.

[LGN_Antillies]

I recognize your argument and the reasons for doing so, but I am against such drastic measures before we have tried other things.

For instance, where would you put CL Calder and CM Gulrays? They have been long serving members and I don't think it would be appropriate to throw them out of their positions.

I am also against closing down the bridge crews. Personally, I joined the Empire to crew a Star Destroyer. I have nothing against fighter pilots but I wanted the job of being on the Star Destroyer 24/7. It was somewhat lucky that the FRGs got shut down and I ultimately landed up where I wanted to be. I also think that we have to cater to multiple audiences and at least give them some option as to where they go. And even if it's only to the bridge crews or squadrons, it's at least a choice.

I realize I'm army now but I was navy for the majority of my career. Anyways, that's my input.

[Vortagh]

I agree with what LaForge says, with the sole exception of closing the bridge crews. EAW should still be bridge crews. Make them bigger, to consolidate the ones from other ships (there's more than a handful people on an ISD bridge), but don't close them.

[LC La Forge]

Antilles: Jamie hasn't been around for ages from what I understand and most likely could be demoted to Ensign and placed within a squadron without any issues. I suspect that Captain Calder's situation would work itself out, as well.

Personally, I joined the Empire to crew a Star Destroyer. I have nothing against fighter pilots but I wanted the job of being on the Star Destroyer 24/7

That's fine, but where are the priorities? Do you want the Navy to fall apart just so some people can role-play that they are ISD crew versus pilots? There are role-playing ways around that problem; there are not RP ways around the Navy's situation. I whole-heartedly disagree here.

EAW should still be bridge crews. Make them bigger, to consolidate the ones from other ships (there's more than a handful people on an ISD bridge), but don't close them.

In that case, consolidate to one bridge crew and two squadrons. Resize the BC so that everyone fits, create a new Adjunct position (bringing the total to two like a squadron), and move it to the Chimmy. Then, consolidate Psi, Epsilon, and Iota into two units on the Chimmy. I wouldn't mind seeing Gamma come back, but whatever frankly. The name isn't important, the roster membership is.

I recognize your argument and the reasons for doing so, but I am against such drastic measures before we have tried other things.

Given the trends in Navy membership over the past few years, I think doing this will be more effective than doing nothing, which seems to be the order of the day as of late. If you can come up with something else, another plan or course of action, by all means propose it. You will have my ear and my unbiased view.

[Hazledine]

Here here!! Good points well made! I think this is a great idea. Except Fewr would be in charge of so many people! :P j/k.

Nah, this sounds like it could work. You have my blessing :D

[Vortagh]

LaFo: One could just let the Captain and Commander handle the two branches. One deals with Bridge Crews, the other with Squadrons. That way, both of them actually had something to do. ;P

[LC La Forge]

Vort: I am not interested in the specific details of the implementation, not in that regard anyways. I am interested in the overall 'picture' as it were and the effects of any implementation. Captains and Commanders can figure things out on their own.

Ensign Hazledine: Good to hear.

I don't suppose I could get some High Command input into this? Consider it a "RFC"... :)

[LC La Forge]

...or not? :P

Anyone else have thoughts? Or am I just talking nonsense to most people here?

[Calder]

And don't worry about me. I'd like nothing more than a desk job where I don't command a ship anymore. I don't have the time for it.

[Fel]

Jag and I are looking at it, but we won't be posting anything until we actually come to a decision...

[LC La Forge]

Fair enough. :)

[LCL Fewrfreyut]

LF: I agree. consolidation is needed. Clsoing the bridge crews, however... and the Nemesis? The Nemesis has been around largely for most of the Galactic Empire's existence.

Don't you think closing it would just be abit...demoralizing? To disband something that has been through all the grit and tough times of the Empire? The ISDs are more than just categories for placement of officers in the Navy. They're a symbol. A symbol of the Navy's strength and endurance. To battle through a pair of brutal campaigns aganst the New Republic. Deactivating the ship and relocating her crew... it just reminds us all of how much the Empire has declined over the years. I don't think that would help. I'm not defending an of the wannabies who join for a week then don't do squat. Zerek crew has been extremely active. We take pride in our service aboard the Nemesis.

I agree with pretty much everything other than that. We do need to weed out the awols. But we also need to take steps to keep our officers involved. Maybe more internal competitions, like the TC screenshot comp. Maybe we should broaden our fields in less combat match based ideas. Try more things like, for the bridge crews, an eaw map creator competition. For the squadrons, TIE mission creators. Not saying those should be the competitions, those are just some ideas. Not all of the Empire's competitions have to be combat related. Some should be more about design or creativity.

Now, I wasn't there for the "Glory days" of the Empire, when we had more than twice the number we have now. All have to go on is my experience since I joined the Empire, and accounts of others about the past, when squadrons had connections within their unit. I can only tell you what I've seen. And what I've seen lately is crews coming together. Zerek crew, all are active, and we all have fought with each other, fought for each other, and fought against each other at some point. We always help each other out. At least from my perspective, we operate well, and we have connections. It was the same way when I served with Antillies aboard the FRG Chinook and later the Chimaera. Like I said, no idea if I'm even in the same ball field as you in that category, but from what I've seen in the units I've served in is a connection.

Haz: I could manage it =P

(note: I cross over between role playing and reality alot, in my speech here, so sorry if anyone is abit confused.)

[LC La Forge]

You cannot keep the Nemesis open and consolidate at the same time. It appears to be the opinion of most that the bridge crews are a good idea, fine. However, we cannot staff two ISDs at the moment. Something is going to give. Keeping a ship open because it's been around for a long time really isn't that great of an idea; there's no justification there. And, consider, it will be further demoralizing if the Navy no longer exists... (okay, a little extreme, but you get the idea! :)).

[LCL Fewrfreyut]

very well. I agree with your case.

[Munro Burton]

Plus other ships that have been around for a long time have gone too. So...