If you've been online in the last few weeks, you are no doubt aware the entire battalion is under revision. We've changed a lot of things in preparation for the coming Community Warfare, but we're not done with everything. If you thought our recent changes were going to be limited to reorder in the ranks and the TeamSpeak...well, no need to think we're going to be anything less than thorough.
Starting today, a new Tactical Manual will begin to replace the current one.
A lot has changed since we started the Tactical Manual last year, and as we have sharpened our focus over the last few weeks it has become apparent that it is time for a radical change. After speaking with the Command Staff and a few Sao-Wei at length, the new plan is in place. Unfortunately, we cannot publish the entire Tactical Manual at once - the new setup will feature over 50 articles detailing everything you need to know about our new doctrines.
So what are those new doctrines, anyway? What is it you can expect over the next few weeks? Does this mean everything in the Tactica categories is defunct?
First of all, the old Tactica articles are still quite valid. They represent general information we ported over from tabletop Battletech soon after we formed the unit. However, we have found that such division isn't strictly necessary - all the terms used for unit designations can be quite confusing. So while the old Tactica are still usable, they only represent extreme generalities. After the Strategic Revision, we will build on those general description in order to present more defined units - the general builds the battalion will use in each position. In addition, many of the terms used to define a 'mech's role on the battlefield will be ditched entirely in favor of a new, easy to learn system that's also easy to remember.
A more military-oriented structure will be used in group play from now on as well. In addition to redefining our 'mechs and their place on the battlefield, we will be introducing a number of tactical compositions for lances. This will enable us to create effective drop groups quickly. More than that, however, are the layered strategic implements we will use to coordinate in combat. These new terms fall into a few categories, each of which must be learned and practiced by the entire company.
We won't spend a great deal of time going over this new Strategic Organization in this article. However, I'd like everyone to have a good idea of where we're going. Over the next few weeks, the new Tactical Manual will explain all of this in-depth.
New Strategic Organization Components
- Technical Guidelines for Battlemech Weight Classes and Roles
- New articles detailing 'mech roles the Gatekeepers Battalion utilizes.
- Lance Compositions and Formations
- Lances will have set compositions depending on battlefield objective. Lance Formations will be defined, complete with fire solutions.
- Company Compositions and Formations
- Companies will have set compositions, as lances will. Company Formations will be defined as well.
- Categories of Action
- This term describes the type of offensive or defensive objective. The Strategic Revision will include 3 categories for each type of action (Offense / Defense).
- Tactical Echeloning
- This is a new name for a concept we already utilize: the deployment of military units (“echelons”) in depth according to a plan of battle or operation. For our purposes, units are considered to be echeloned when a given distance from one another according to company formation, mission and current Category of Action. Several types of echelon strategy will be described. Implementation of Tactical Echlons will be described in the Company Formations articles, however these can be assigned ad-hoc by the drop commander dependent on Company Composition.
- Maneuvers
- This term describes a specific type of maneuver to be performed by a unit (i.e. Lance, Echelon or Company). At the start, we will focus on only 3 maneuvers.
- Map / Mode Strategies
- Though most of the other information from this revision will be accessible to the public, we will retain our current draconian policies regarding specific map / mode strategies. However, general information will be emailed to all active-duty members toward the completion of the Strategic Revision.
In addition, we are changing how we play certain types of games. In all cases, the primary tactical objective of any drop is to destroy the enemy fighting capacity - i.e. the enemy 'mechs. Other objectives are secondary and will be addressed in the individual map strategy.
A new section will be added to the Tactical Manual to gather all the general company combat information in one spot - the Battalion Combat Primer. All personnel will be required to review each article in this section and be able to correctly use the terminology presented therein. It sounds hairy, but the officers will have it even rougher.
The Command Staff will all be learning how to implement these Organization Components and train our soldiers in the new battalion strategies. In fact, a second whole new section will be added to codify how we do everything from organize small drops to coordinating an entire company in action. The forthcoming Command Primer will be perusable by all personnel, but required reading for officers.
The reason for all this is to eliminate some problems we are having during company level drops. There are too many issues to go over here, but rest assured this new Strategic Revision is aimed at granting us strength in the areas we do not yet possess it. Our pilots are some of the best in MWO, but we still need to get into a "unit" mindset. As we'll all be learning and practicing with the same material, synergy will build almost immediately.
We will try to present this information here on the site as quickly as possible. The entire plan is already drafted...we're not making this up as we go along. However, it will take time to complete the typing of the articles, not to mention the creation of graphics. In order to avoid confusion, in the meantime we will continue to use our old strategies until each section of the revision is complete. At that time, we will implement the new sections one at a time.
The Command Staff hopes that everyone appreciates, and is ready for, this shift in direction and attitude. After asking around, it's become apparent that a more structured and controlled military experience is what our pilots want. It's time to do it - and as Tuco says, "When you got to shoot, shoot...don't talk".
It's an exciting time to be a Gatekeeper.
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