Getting into TC 2.0

Getting into TC 2.0

Pre-Recruitment
You are a non-commissioned officer, a sergeant in one of TC's squads. You have the power to recruit and suspend, and act as a second-in-command to your squad leader.

You encounter a man who's been consistently volunteering for patrols and various tasks at many turns, and he seems to have a clear head on his shoulders. Your squad is short on members, and you think he would be a good addition to your unit.

So, taking him aside, you ask him a basic set of questions, to roughly gage his personality and background.

What is your name?
Where are you from?
Tell me about yourself.
What do the machines want from us? What is SkyNET's goal? -> This is an important question, and is realistically the only one that should be judged objectively. If he does not make it clear that he is aware that SkyNET intends to destroy the human race, it may not be a good idea to recruit him.
Why are you here?
Do you want to join TC? Why?

He tells you about himself, and why he's here and that he is interested in TC if he is being offered a spot. You've found no problems, or if you have, you reason they can be sorted out during training. So, you offer him one and stick a recruit pin on him.

Phase 1: Basic Training
Overview- John Doe is now Rct. John Doe. Good on you, Sergeant Anonymous. Once you've given him his pin, it's time for him to get started with the tests. Medical, fitness, infiltrator, and so forth.
Fitness Test- This allows you to, well, test their fitness, while also gauging their RP skills.

Medical Exam- This should be done as close to receiving their pin as possible, to determine any pre-existing medical conditions and related health info.

Infiltrator Test- Again, should be done almost immediately after recruitment, performed by a medical specialist or other qualified personnel.

Firearms Training- Recruits will be taught weapon safety (i.e. Shaw's SLB- Safety, Load, Breach system), shot efficiency, ammo conservancy, and proper care for a weapon. Unlike recent years IC, supply shortages, inaccuracy and wasting ammo are all very important problems, so efficiency with a weapon and good habits should be taught from the beginning.
In the beginning, they will likely use a low-tier rifle, such as an M16, due to the simplicity of repair, generally decent performance and to accustom them to a commonly used weapon platform. As time progresses, they may upgrade to a 7.62 rifle, to be determined.

General infantry training- While this isn't necessarily a particularly formal training, the recruit will be expected to learn to move with others as a unit, and to follow orders and signals promptly in a combat environment. This would likely be taught while on patrols. Alongside maneuvers and what have you, this is also meant to teach good habits and keep them busy performing useful tasks, and introduce them to concepts such as watch duty (Which will be required of every recruit at least twice)

First Aid Training- Taught by a medical specialist or medical officer, recruits will learn how to handle basic injuries in a combat environment, such as a gunshot wound or a broken limb. The most basic of stabilization techniques are also available, but further training will require an active interest in medicine, which will likely lead to the medical division following recruitment, or a willing specialist to teach you during their free time.

Explosives Training- Taught by a technical specialist, recruits will learn how to handle basic explosive charges, such as C4 and breaching charges. Like Medical, this training is intended for all TC to be able to handle basic tasks and decrease reliance on specialists, and further knowledge will likely require inquiry into the Technical Division outside of normal training.

Logic and Reasoning Tasks- Not entirely official, but these should be performed at random, throughout the entire training process, when a recruit is not busy with other activities. The tasks are all centered around, as titled, their logic and reasoning skills, by forcing them to complete a certain task within a set time frame, and to think creatively of solutions. The first ones should be simple, such as asking them to climb a tree as fast as they can. However, as they complete these menial tasks, they should be introduced to harder tasks, such as retrieving an object from a difficult location and deliver it to someone. I will create a set of example tasks later.

OOCly, these tasks are also good, because they help encourage creative and detailed RP from the performer.

Phase 2: Intermediate Training.

Overview- You've watched them complete their basic training, and now they can handle a rifle, apply pressure to a wound, as well as place an IED. When all of this has been done, they enter the Second Phase of recruitment. Here, they continue their infantry training, learning tactics and maneuvers. Additionally, they may begin to show interest in a particular specialization, or even the specialist squads. Note should be taken of this, and the recruit should probably be asked about it.

Firearms training- With basic rifle training complete, they are ready to move onto more powerful weapons. Using a 7.62 rifle, they will learn to fight with accuracy, precision, and increased firepower. (Another idea could be that they also learn to use support weapons, or at least act as a reloader if needed, while still retaining their M16's) Recruits with excellent accuracy should be observed carefully and noted down for possible qualifications for marksmanship in the future once squadded.

Knowing your Enemy: Skynet training- Whether in the first phase or the second phase, recruits will be taught about the variants of drones frequently used by Skynet, including their performance, typical loadout, strengths, and weaknesses. Emphasis will also be taught on learning to use a drone's weaknesses, and its strengths to thir advantage in a combat situation.

General Infantry training- Here, they will continue to learn squad maneuvers and tactics, and will be used increasingly on patrols and some combat missions. Also, they will learn how to survive in the wasteland by living off of scant resources and utilizing their environment. (possibly traps, if a trainer can be found?)

Logic and Reasoning tasks- Alongside more advanced firearms training, these tasks, which started in the first phase, become more important, although this should not replace their training in any regards.

Additional Medical/Technical training- If the recruit seems to be interested in either the medical or the technical field, they should be allowed to access further training from the appropriate specialists. However, this training does not supersede infantry training, and all recruits must pass infantry training to be able to apply for the specialist squads.

Phase 3: Final Phase.

Overview: By now, the recruit is almost ready to fully join the ranks as a Private. He's gained sufficient training in firearms to act as a rifleman, and his experience may allow him to start seeking a specialization, once he enters a squad. The final requirement for entering TC is a survival scenario, which will require them to apply everything they've learned to survive for a night in the wilderness.

Additional Training: The Recruit can continue to hone his skills with a rifle, or perhaps look further into marksman or support gunner qualification (note, he is expected to abide by the regulations set by the squad, so it is not guaranteed). In the meantime, if he proves to be interested in specialist work, he may spend more time working with their respective trainers.

Squad Placement- By now, the recruit should also be looking into which squad he plans on joining, and should approach the squad leader or their sergeant, if he is not already being groomed by one squad or another. THis must be done before the final test.

Survival Test- The final test, which will utilize everything they've learned so far. In the daytime, they are taken to an area not too distant from camp, but distant enough that they will not be distrued. Then, they are provided with their trusty rifle, containing only a few rounds, a knife, a water bottle, 3 pieces of wood, and a dead animal, such as a rabbit, coyoted, deer, or something along those lines.

The objective is simple, but also daunting. They must establish a safe and relatively secure campsite, which is up to them to determine exactly what that is (Rule of thumb= elevated position, hidden, and/or booby trapped). Using these three planks of wood, they must start a fire, and prepare the animal as a meal. This all must be completed by nightfall, when trainers will return to evaluate their progress.

If they have not completed this, or have expended all of their ammo, they have failed, unless there was a truly unavoidable danger, such as a bear, or a drone that had discovered the position. In any case, they may be asked to retake the test at the trainer's discretion.

If the recruit succeeds in all of these tasks, with minimal usage of resources, the recruit should be congratulated and welcomed into TC.

Welcome to TC: Where to go now.

Assuming that the recruit passed his trial, and is now ready for assignment, he should be consulted about his intended placement. If he has worked with Echo, and has gained the consent of an NCO, he can transfer to Echo at the next chance. However, even after he gains entry into TC, training should never really stop.

Infantry Path.

Depending on the recruit's performance during training, he may be interested in pursuing a sub-specialization, such as Support Gunner or marksman. I do not know about the qualification standards at the moment, but I recommend they be fairly high, as these are very important roles within a squad and should not be common to award them.

Should the private be considered ready for promotion, the next available rank should instruct him on the responsibilities of the new rank before even being considered for promotion, as well as offer additional tactical and leadership training if needed. This will generally continue as he works his way up the ranks, to ensure that he is adequately trained for the job at all times. (This will be expanded upon later, once I merge with McCrae's system)

Specialist Path: Medical
Let's assume the Recruit chose to pursue the medical field, rather than enter infantry. He will enter the Medical Division with the rank of Medical Aide. Here, he is expected to perform general medical tasks and nurse work, such as managing recovering patients, learning to administer IV's and shots, and so forth. His responsibility is also to watch and learn, and when situations arise, to assist in procedures. When he is fully trained on basic and intermediate procedures, he will lose the rank of Medical Aide and become a Medical Specialist.

Medical Specialist allows many more opportunities to specialize. For example, a Mspc could choose to become certified for Combat Medic, allowing the individual to spend time out of the medbay and assist units on the field. Unlike the old system, these MSpcs remain as such, and do not fall under infantry command, to be deployed as needed, although they are allowed to choose which squad they will work with more often than not.

Additional note: To keep things fair, it is also possible for a rifleman within infantry to train as a combat medic. However, they will only be instructed on the basics of wound stabilization, and will remain as their current rank, while also most likely being required to shoulder their responsibilities as a rifleman. Further training will likely require transfer into the specialist division, or a trainer that has the time to teach. As a general rule of thumb, combat medics from the specialists will almost invariably be better trained than those who are not.

Promotions will largely depend on leadership ability, as well as a broad knowledge on medical topics between the specialties. A medic with a moderate knowledge in everything is preferable to one who is primarily a neurosurgeon. Therefore, while a medic could easily become specialized, they are still expected to retain knowledge of the other fields, in the event that the resident expert is not around.

Specialist Path: Technical.

The Process for Tspecs works similarly to the Medical Division. Technical aides will watch and learn, and assist in tasks as opportunities arise. A TSpc can also acquire Combat Engineer (or Sapper) certification. A rifleman can also acquire combat engineer training, but again, it is not official, and requires a cooperative trainer to teach beyond the basics.