Last nights class went well, for a first class, and thanks to all for teaching me the following:
a) more than four participants impinges on the instruction through frame rate loss and repetition of instruction;
b) "unlimited ammo" was a bad idea; and
c) some people came just to screw around.
Gunnery skills covered were Attack of Single and Multiple Soft and Hard Targets, Single and Multiple Soft and Hard Columns, and some Attack Coordination practice. Additionally, a Combined Column of Hard Targets with Support Vehicles and AAA used as a test demonstrated the effectiveness of teamwork.
I did not keep track of all that attended. Will those other than Sneaky and NightCat
who attended and actually are seriously interested in the Close Support Role please let me know so I can complete a Roster.
Thanks for all who actually came for the training.
As Sneaky and NightCat will agree, the Close Support Role is "a whole different animal" from the Interceptor role. The same rules do not apply to both camps. There is an art to Close Support just as there is to Dogfighting, and the two do not mix well.
That said, I do think it important to lay some ground rules for future Close Support Training Sessions to prevent delays, confusion, or devolving into a melee.
Ground Rules for the Close Support Training Sessions:
1. All Close Support Training Sessions will be strictly limited to a maximum of four (4) participants, to include the instructor. This will allow for only 3 students during any given Session and is limited to :FI: members only. External View and Speedbar will be enabled as aids to training.
2. Those wishing to perticipate in future scheduled Session(s) must
ENROLL by sending me a PM in advance of the Session(s).
3. All participants will be accepted on a "First Come...First Served" basis. No exceptions.
4. Members accepted for the up-coming Session will be announced via this Forum in advance to allow for necessary changes in Roll in the event RL prevents an acceptee from attending or there is room for a 2nd and/or third acceptee. It is expected that should any acceptee be unable to attend, that acceptee will notify me at the earliest convenience so I am able to notify the next in line that he/she may attend.
5. All sessions will be Password Protected. The password and IP addie will be issued immediately prior to the Session, which, once begun, will remain closed until time or completion ends the instruction.
6. Once begun, training will continue to completion (ie through Advanced) before the next group begins.
7. All sessions will have limited ammo. Period. The purpose of Training is to learn to use what you have to maximum effect. Unlimited ammo will teach you nothing.
8. Any acceptee/participant showing a disinterest in the training or deviating from the training during any session will be asked to leave.
I do not think it unreasonable to lay these ground rules. Those of us that take more than a passing interest in the Close Support role and want no disruptions to the classes will not find them confining or feel restricted in any way.
They help improve the flow of instruction and, time permitting, perhaps the class can advance to the next step that much sooner.
For those who don't or can't make the first group, please be patient. Time and scheduling may permit me to conduct more than one session per week.
Thank You!
