How to Squadlead/Fireteamlead Effectively

[Intrepid]

Some of you may know me as a frequent squad leader.

I just wanted to point out that I don't believe in fireteam leaders. At least not in PR:A2. Some of you like xXZoImbIeXx (SP?) and Ytman will disagree with me on this point but let me explain:

In coop it works fine because you have lots of time for organization and there is very little 'fog of war' contributing to the battlefield chaos.

In TVT the fighting becomes too intense to keep that level of cohesion and the FTL diminishes in usefulness.

Once a fireteam starts taking casualties you often wind up in the position with members spawning back at FO's or Rallies and having to regroup with their team leader. If the teamleader is killed and you have relied on him, you lose your ability to command that element effectively. If his fireteam is killed and he survives and is cut off from them, that fireteam becomes combat ineffective.

I still use fireteams of 1 SL and 2-3x groups of 4 members.

HOWEVER, when I am issuing orders I do it to the fireteam as a whole 'alpha move to markets' or 'if you're green follow my white dot'.

If we are getting into formation I explain a line, column or wedge and say something 'green to my left and blue to my right, look at your squad radar'.

When we move cross country I say 'green hold here and cover, blue advance to that next ridgeline' (or use corresponding fireteam names ex. alpha, bravo, charlie. I don't use terms like travelling overwatch or peeling. I just try to explain what I want as simply as possible and once people start doing it they understand what is going on anyhow without my having to teach them a quick class on military fire & maneuver.

My traveling condition is always weapons 'RED' with action on contact being to seek cover and disengage if we come under fire.

When moving into a CP my standing order is always to enter structures and keep a low profile, not to engage the enemy until they come in close and to avoid use of voice communication.

On round start I don't have a high tolerance for time wasting and am usually in a truck with a crate and a car full of guys behind me within the first minute. I tell them to wait for the FO crate to get their precious kits and just to mount up.

HOWEVER:

I think that the most important vision is the squad leader's vision. This means that the only orders the squad should be following are those from their squad leader who is in communication with other squad leaders and eventually, commander and therefore has a good understanding of the way the unit relates to other units around them.

FTL's in my experience can misinterpret orders, contravene orders or lack the necessary initiative or wherewithal to delegate a dangerous or seemingly foolhardy task to their subordinates. As such, I don't use them and just issue all my orders directly.

It's a bit more 'fast and loose' with the squad command (I also let my squads use the squad voice channel to communicate even if it does get a bit chaotic.) The insistence on having everyone but FTL's and the SL use direct means that many contact reports may go unnoticed and that orders may be miscommunicated or unheard.

I don't see any reason to increase the effect of chaos or fog of war on my unit, particularly not by relying on two other people to make sure that what I think should be done, gets done. No reason to make things potentially more confusing than they already are.

[XxZIOIMIBIExX]

thats understandable intrepid, and ive been in your squad before. you get the job done :P so i have no complaints, to each his own right.

[ytman]

If it works it works.

I like my fireteams but it does require me to have competent FireTeam leaders as well. Recently when asking for fireteam leaders I've gotten mute responses... I don't get it... people actually don't like the high rank/responsibility?!

Next time I'll just make someone a FTL and see if they take to it...

====

And personally I think every team should have about two large infantry squads;9-11. Then one squad dedicated to logistics; 4 minimum together at one time. Maybe a 'special' Recce/Ambush squad of 4. And the change left for supporting roles like Armor/CAS/Air Trans.

[CaptainX]

Originally Posted by Intrepid

Some of you may know me as a frequent squad leader.

I just wanted to point out that I don't believe in fireteam leaders. At least not in PR:A2. Some of you like xXZoImbIeXx (SP?) and Ytman will disagree with me on this point but let me explain:
(...)

Hey Intrepid! I was FTL in your squad once and the way you work is awesome. Thx for the good rounds.

[Trout]

Please dont limit squad sizes.

What I think you need to do is figure out a way of designating certain people (our best squad leaders) with the ability to manage a large group, and then limit everyone else.

It could work like this:

-good squad leaders are usually regular squad leaders and frequent players
-good squad leaders are more likely to have high score squad members

using this kind of server data you could look at the data and give "large squad" privileges to the top 50% of your players who regularly squad lead.

my point is that the best squad leaders make this game worth playing, and evidence (data) of thier abilities is on the servers or on their client. You can tap into this and give them meaningful "rank".

trout

[RGG:Dale]

As a SQL, I need two FTL at least so that I can lead the squad effectively.

It is a given that if you are taking fire from enemy infantry you are focusing on staying alive, therefore you are not thinking and you are not giving orders which are precise and clear.

A great leader never even has to touch his weapon.

never move to the frontline, that gets you killed and means you cant keep an eye on whats happening, in the end the FTL's are who you are supposed to be giving orders too, they then apply those orders to the situation.

also if you stay out of the fire fight you can receive requests from your FTL's, which in turn means you can coordinate support and supply with other SQL's.

i think the best SQL will be somewhere where he/she can keep and eye on both Fireteams, while being able to use the map to locate problematic scenarios, therefore coordinating solutions to each scenario.

In essence the SQL is an Officer and the FTL's are NCO's

and communication is what keeps FTL's and their teams alive, therefore inorder for it to work(even more so with lack of prior training) there needs to be a person dedicated Communication.

[Foxxy]

Originally Posted by thejackalkernl

As a SQL, I need two FTL at least so that I can lead the squad effectively.

It is a given that if you are taking fire from enemy infantry you are focusing on staying alive, therefore you are not thinking and you are not giving orders which are precise and clear.

A great leader never even has to touch his weapon.

never move to the frontline, that gets you killed and means you cant keep an eye on whats happening, in the end the FTL's are who you are supposed to be giving orders too, they then apply those orders to the situation.

also if you stay out of the fire fight you can receive requests from your FTL's, which in turn means you can coordinate support and supply with other SQL's.

i think the best SQL will be somewhere where he/she can keep and eye on both Fireteams, while being able to use the map to locate problematic scenarios, therefore coordinating solutions to each scenario.

In essence the SQL is an Officer and the FTL's are NCO's

and communication is what keeps FTL's and their teams alive, therefore inorder for it to work(even more so with lack of prior training) there needs to be a person dedicated Communication.

Words of wisdom

Good Stuff

[=]H[=TangFiend]

Fireteams or no fireteams whatever the SL's preference.

1. SL's should at least start pushing for MIC check's + kicks for non responders. a'la PR:BF2 community

2. And can we all take that extra moment to make sure players who join the squad have their squad radar open and some understanding of recognizing their leaders and fireteam (if applicable) colors.

Past couple nights I could totally tell if players in squads I was in didn't have it open. You could totally see squadmembers fall behind then wander off.

[DDS]

The main problem I'm seeing is... if I may borrow a phrase and jingle. Logistics.
Von seems to crap out at times and there is a lot of confusion in main at round start. And of course the continued transport needed to flag areas.
Once that gets sorted out gamplay will greatly improve.

..When it's planes in the sky
For a chain of supply
That's logistics

When the pipes for the line
Come precisely on time
That's logistics

Bells will ring, ring-a-ding
Ring-a-ding ring-a-dinga-ling
Thats Logi-stics

[[RGG]Zane]

Oh wow, this is just sweet! thanks for this mate