OTF's Blue Publication May 2011
So after months of the Outpost being a "ghost town" for the most part a fire was finally lit to get the place back on track. The match? It was AJ, who just earned his first Admiral's Star for his efforts in the last few months. I had a sit down with AJ a few weeks ago and asked him about a few proposed changes to get the low down on what exactly is going on.
BR: Thanks for taking some time for the Blue Report, Admiral, I'm sure things are busy.
AJ: Yes, they are indeed! And it is a welcome change, believe me!
BR: So you've been working on a new rank system for OTF, how did this project come about?
AJ: Well, it came about after I'd realised that the current system no longer suited our needs, and didn't work well with our current level of activity. I was given a mandate by the Commander in Chief to look into every facet of the Outpost, and suggest changes, regardless of how radical it may be!
BR: Why mess with something that's been unchanged since the start of the Outpost?
AJ: The main reason is this: At the moment, there are only 4 realistic Senior promotions (CL4 -5, 5 - 6, 6 - 7 and 7 - 8 - and even the latter is VERY rare), and the requirements for those are currently too demanding for our reduced level of activity. Why work when there are only three - realistic - rewards available? Similarly, the requirements for, say, Commander, at present, are leading a team - how many teams do you see out there? Not many. By the same measure, the 'rank terms' are too long for our current level of activity. Waiting half-a-year for an internet promotion doesn't work these days, so we are also culling the required terms dramatically.
BR: Does this mean that higher ranks and privileges will be easier to attain?
AJ: Yes and no. Captain, for example, is still hard to obtain. The difference is the curve does not jump dramatically any more - rather it is more structure to encourage people to reach their true potential. What I mean by this is we have people at CL6 who are better than CL6, but because CL7 is so demanding, they're stuck. The change solves that.
BR: So how exactly are things going to change as a part of this proposal?
AJ: Firstly, ranks will increase from 12 to 19, and there will be extra ranks between most of the current ones. The requirements for each rank have also been altered, to comply with the above point. More details can be found at the OTF forums!
BR: Will these new ranks shift anyone around or do ranks stay with their user?
AJ: Ranks stay with the user. Everyone will keep their current Starfleet (i.e, default) rank title. No-one will lose out.
BR: Aren't we going to run the risk of getting rank orientated people in leadership positions just trying to get a leg up?
AJ: That has always been a risk at OTF, but one that has been managed well. The Execs, VC and CinC act as the buffer to ensure this doesn't happen.
BR: What are going to be the benefits to the partons of OTF?
AJ: A much more fluid system that allows people to reach their true potential! ;-)
BR: There's been some talk in the Forums about rotating assignments. Can you tell us some more about that?
AJ: Unfortunately, I can not. We haven't touched on it in great detail at this time, but we have discussed the idea of Provisional/Acting/Temporary promotions, where we can get active CL4s, for example, to get involved with a team - perhaps even leading, if needs be - and given them a provisional rank of, say, Commander. Field/brevet promotions worked in Star Trek, and in reality, and it's something we're looking to explore.
BR: When is all this supposed to take root?
AJ: Unfortunately, I can't say right now. Iain, as you know, is one VERY busy man, so it depends on his timetable at the moment! Similarly, we are discussing other changes that we want to finalise so we can roll them all out together.
BR: Are there any other changes in the works that we should keep an eye out for?
AJ: We are looking at the way promotions are issued, with a view to modernising and make it more fluid, as well. More details as and when we thrash out minor details amongst ourselves!
BR: Anything else for the good of the order?
AJ: There are always new ideas being brought forward - all I can say is keep an eye on the forums... ;-)
BR: Thanks for bringing us up to date on what's going on.
AJ: Any time!