Building a Military - Chapter 1 (Initial Construction)
The first and foremost phase of building a military is the initial construction phase. This article will detail on what methods of organization work, and how to apply these to the actual clan itself. Although the chapters are closely related, refer to II Power III's chapter on Clan Structure in "The Art of Clan Leading" for details on how you should first base your clan. The chapters for this topic will serve both as a "guide" to the training methods of potential recruits/members and the actual uses of these methods.
The Initial Construction Phase of a clan and military can be defined as the period where the creator(s) had an idea for a clan, designed a system of organization, began work forging maps, and opened the clan for recruiting. This process is often easier said than done, and sometimes can be a lengthy phase in the construction of a clan. Initial construction is also often overlooked by many beginning clans, and usually costs them in the future. Follow these steps for initial construction if you would like your clan to be successful:
First remember to always plan and build the basic systems your clan will need before you open for recruitment.
This includes the clan structure, basic training maps, bases, and a general plan of how you will run your clan.
BASIC SYSTEMS
1. Ranking System-Your clan needs branches and an organized chain of command if you are going for the "Militarized" style, which means that when your members are recruited, they start at the bottom and work their way up. This chain of command should allow for more junior members to take on leadership roles while also receiving directions from officers senior to them. A system like this allows for members to gain rank and responsibility based on their commitment to the clan, and therefore is more rewarding to the average member. A basic example of a military chain of command system would look like this:
Enlisted Ranks
Recruit-RCT (Given upon being recruited)
Private-PVT (Earned upon graduation of boot camp/basic training)
Corporal-CPL (Earned when member has increased experience level and demonstrates higher commitment to clan)
Sergeant-SGT (Earned only when member has stepped up to a position of responsibility, such as a squad leader/drill instructor) reports to SSG
Staff Sergeant-SSG (Earned upon taking higher responsibility such as a second in command of a platoon, or a senior drill instructor) reports to LT
Officer Ranks
Lieutenant-LT (Earned upon completion of officer selection/training, and is responsible for a platoon sized unit) reports to CPT
Captain-CPT (Earned upon having gained experience in leadership, and taking higher responsibility of a company sized unit) reports to MAJ/COL
Major-MAJ (Earned upon taking a second in command position of a battalion) reports to COL/GEN
Colonel-COL (Earned upon taking command of a battalion, and increased leadership ability) reports to GEN/clan leader
General-GEN (Should only be earned upon taking command of a branch or second in command of the clan, depends on how your system works)
The system above is only a basic example of a chain of command/military styled ranking system, it can be sized up/down and changed as you see fit.
2. Branches-Your militarized clan should include branches that meet your specific needs, and you never want too many of them either. A basic clan system of organization should match what your branches are expected to hold in each, for example a special forces branch should not be sized to contain a company sized unit (40-80 members) and instead should be squad/platoon based (10-20) because of its specific purpose. An example of clan-branch organization is listed below, but remember that your clan will not be 100 members strong as soon as it begins:
Army Branch (Basic Infantry/Cavalry)
Alpha Company
-1st Squad/Platoon
-2nd Squad/Platoon
...
Military Police/National Guard (Police/Security)
-3rd Squad/Platoon (MP Unit)
...
Delta Force (Special Forces Branch)
-Delta Squad
...
The above system is merely a basic example, and can be completely different depending on your clan's design and specific functions. Also note that your clan should follow a specific "theme" that generally attracts more members to join. Your branches should be relevant under your overall clan theme. For example in a modern military based clan you wouldn't have a branch called the "Flaming Monkeys" because not only is it silly but it does not follow your clan's theme.
3. Maps-One of my personal specialties lies with the construction of maps, so I may go more into depth on this one... Clan maps are required for any clan to have other means of operating other than playing the game provided matchmaking. Although genres for clan maps may seem infinite, I have divided them into generalized categories for your better understanding:
The Initial Construction Phase of a clan and military can be defined as the period where the creator(s) had an idea for a clan, designed a system of organization, began work forging maps, and opened the clan for recruiting. This process is often easier said than done, and sometimes can be a lengthy phase in the construction of a clan. Initial construction is also often overlooked by many beginning clans, and usually costs them in the future. Follow these steps for initial construction if you would like your clan to be successful:
First remember to always plan and build the basic systems your clan will need before you open for recruitment.
This includes the clan structure, basic training maps, bases, and a general plan of how you will run your clan.
BASIC SYSTEMS
1. Ranking System-Your clan needs branches and an organized chain of command if you are going for the "Militarized" style, which means that when your members are recruited, they start at the bottom and work their way up. This chain of command should allow for more junior members to take on leadership roles while also receiving directions from officers senior to them. A system like this allows for members to gain rank and responsibility based on their commitment to the clan, and therefore is more rewarding to the average member. A basic example of a military chain of command system would look like this:
Enlisted Ranks
Recruit-RCT (Given upon being recruited)
Private-PVT (Earned upon graduation of boot camp/basic training)
Corporal-CPL (Earned when member has increased experience level and demonstrates higher commitment to clan)
Sergeant-SGT (Earned only when member has stepped up to a position of responsibility, such as a squad leader/drill instructor) reports to SSG
Staff Sergeant-SSG (Earned upon taking higher responsibility such as a second in command of a platoon, or a senior drill instructor) reports to LT
Officer Ranks
Lieutenant-LT (Earned upon completion of officer selection/training, and is responsible for a platoon sized unit) reports to CPT
Captain-CPT (Earned upon having gained experience in leadership, and taking higher responsibility of a company sized unit) reports to MAJ/COL
Major-MAJ (Earned upon taking a second in command position of a battalion) reports to COL/GEN
Colonel-COL (Earned upon taking command of a battalion, and increased leadership ability) reports to GEN/clan leader
General-GEN (Should only be earned upon taking command of a branch or second in command of the clan, depends on how your system works)
The system above is only a basic example of a chain of command/military styled ranking system, it can be sized up/down and changed as you see fit.
2. Branches-Your militarized clan should include branches that meet your specific needs, and you never want too many of them either. A basic clan system of organization should match what your branches are expected to hold in each, for example a special forces branch should not be sized to contain a company sized unit (40-80 members) and instead should be squad/platoon based (10-20) because of its specific purpose. An example of clan-branch organization is listed below, but remember that your clan will not be 100 members strong as soon as it begins:
Army Branch (Basic Infantry/Cavalry)
Alpha Company
-1st Squad/Platoon
-2nd Squad/Platoon
...
Military Police/National Guard (Police/Security)
-3rd Squad/Platoon (MP Unit)
...
Delta Force (Special Forces Branch)
-Delta Squad
...
The above system is merely a basic example, and can be completely different depending on your clan's design and specific functions. Also note that your clan should follow a specific "theme" that generally attracts more members to join. Your branches should be relevant under your overall clan theme. For example in a modern military based clan you wouldn't have a branch called the "Flaming Monkeys" because not only is it silly but it does not follow your clan's theme.
3. Maps-One of my personal specialties lies with the construction of maps, so I may go more into depth on this one... Clan maps are required for any clan to have other means of operating other than playing the game provided matchmaking. Although genres for clan maps may seem infinite, I have divided them into generalized categories for your better understanding:
Training Maps-
Any map that has the specific purpose of teaching members anything from basics, to advanced obstacle courses/ live-fire exercises. These maps can also be designed as defendable forts in case of attack, but for the most part under this category they are made to train specific lessons to those undergoing them.
Any map that has the specific purpose of teaching members anything from basics, to advanced obstacle courses/ live-fire exercises. These maps can also be designed as defendable forts in case of attack, but for the most part under this category they are made to train specific lessons to those undergoing them.
Forts-
Any map that has the specific purpose of defense against an attacker joining the game in which the game is then fabled a "raid", these have been some of the most controversial and widely used maps in clan military history. The design of these forts have varied between clans, most with protective walls surrounding a base that is usually over equipped compared to the attacking force.
Any map that has the specific purpose of defense against an attacker joining the game in which the game is then fabled a "raid", these have been some of the most controversial and widely used maps in clan military history. The design of these forts have varied between clans, most with protective walls surrounding a base that is usually over equipped compared to the attacking force.
Meeting Maps-
Any map that has the specific purpose of hosting a meeting between members and clans. Designs of meeting maps have also varied greatly between clans and often times are merged in with forts and other bases. Maps dedicated solely to meetings often have increased security checkpoints and other protective systems in place to prevent/stop a shootout if one were to escalate as many tense inter clan meetings do. The hosting clan often provides the security and is armed with more powerful weaponry than the visitors.
Any map that has the specific purpose of hosting a meeting between members and clans. Designs of meeting maps have also varied greatly between clans and often times are merged in with forts and other bases. Maps dedicated solely to meetings often have increased security checkpoints and other protective systems in place to prevent/stop a shootout if one were to escalate as many tense inter clan meetings do. The hosting clan often provides the security and is armed with more powerful weaponry than the visitors.
Battle Maps-
Any map specifically designed for a battle where both sides are equipped as equally as possible, with for the most part even teams. There is a set goal, or in game objective such as reaching a certain score or capturing a flag. Maps such as these have been pre-made by the game creators for use in matchmaking, however these are also applicable to inter-clan conflicts. A clan can also build it's own even-combat maps but they'd have to be tested to prevent any one team from being given an immediate advantage.
Any map specifically designed for a battle where both sides are equipped as equally as possible, with for the most part even teams. There is a set goal, or in game objective such as reaching a certain score or capturing a flag. Maps such as these have been pre-made by the game creators for use in matchmaking, however these are also applicable to inter-clan conflicts. A clan can also build it's own even-combat maps but they'd have to be tested to prevent any one team from being given an immediate advantage.
4. Having a Plan-Once you've created all the above content, its time to generate a plan (if you haven't already done so by this stage). Your plan should include exactly what your goals will be and how you will reach them. This means you also need written rules, and codes recorded somewhere regarding how you will handle all the little situations you will face while leading a growing clan. If you are unprepared for theses issues you may find it increasingly hard to lead your clan. A plan should also include exactly how and what a trainer should say during the running of your "boot camp" or basic training which decides who can and cannot join your clan. Having a plan for training creates a sense of a standardized process where all members have the same experience upon joining your clan. You should also prepare for assignments/training/activities your members will preform after graduating boot camp, because if their only role is to recruit more member and train them instead of moving on to more interesting things, members will become bored and quit. This is why you need goals/assignments to keep your members busy, and fun events/activities to keep them entertained. If your clan members enjoy a positive experience upon joining the clan, they will likely speak highly of the clan with their friends and other clans which will increase your reputation and cause your clan to grow in size.
In the next chapter of "Building a Military" I will go into detail on the actual running of "boot camps", the further training methods of clan members and their uses in different situations.