Platoon Leader, or Company Commander

[Killaninja12]

Summary (a quick, 2-3 sentence summary): Basically just have another role, and have it's ranking structure be right above Squad Leader, so the Platoon/Company leader can control each of the squads directly on the ground.

Benefits (How this will benefit the server and game as a whole): Typically I'll see quite often squads are left without a Squad Leader and have to just fend for themselves without having much communication amongst each other, and other SL's don't have direct contact within those other squads over the radio. I believe this would help with that, as adding the ability for the Platoon Leader to be able to dabble in the other Squads channels, can efficiently direct them around whilst being on the ground.

Details (Description of how you think this would work, the benefits, etc): I think the best way to implement this, would be to allow the Platoon Leader to have pretty much the same gear, or maybe a tad different stuff to an SL, but allow them to have a command headset, or just name it differently, but so that way they can communicate efficiently between the four different squads. As I said before, it's typical for the various squads to not have an SL whatsoever, and 1 person being able to manage the squads while being on the ground with them in my opinion would benefit the team play aspect of the game immensely. It's typically odd for a lot of people, or idiotic to some to see an XO or CO head planetside to control the different groups of squads. I believe this role would fix the gap between having a Commanding type role heading planetside to manage the men. Communication is key in this game, allowing someone to be on the ground whilst still having communication with all the squads I believe would heavily up the factor of working together with little effort to implement it.

Implementation (Optional, if you have an idea how to implement it): I believe just adding a place similar to the SL Prep, where the Platoon/Company Leader would be able to get his gear, whatever it would be, headset, etc etc. After that, it's mostly just similar to SL but being able to communicate and direct stuff more.

[Sargeantmuffinman]

We can send an XO/CO down there to yell at people to do something give orders to the squads.

But one of them has to stay on the ship.

And I don't think it is odd to see one down there.

A CO would be odd but an XO would be fine on the planet.

[Seehund]

I'm very unsure about this.

Seems just another step on the already fucked up logistical ladder, that serves no greater purpose.

Neutral, leaning towards -1.

[Grypho]

Uhm... first off remember that Company commander is a very high ranked soldier who usually commands 80-150 soldiers. They are usually of rank captain or major. A platoon consists of 2-3 squads and those are led by a lieutenant, in other words.. a BO. So I think that simply allowing BO to get on the planet when physically needed could do it, but I get your idea, having someone on the ground all the time managing those squads. It is not a bad idea, but the problem of disobeying marines will occur because there are no MPs down there. And if there are, they must usually guard the shuttle or stay at the FOB area.

[Killaninja12]

Of course Gryphon, and I know this. That's why I said either/or. Whatever anyone thought sounded cooler. A Platoon leader commands up to 4 squads, and a Company Comander controls 4 platoons. It's simply just a name here, this is already a fictional universe, I just listed it as a name since players might think that sounds better.

[Fitchace]

I am also for a -1 because we already have a XO or a CO that can fulfill that leadership role on the planet. However to build off your idea, there are always specialists, which according to the wiki are the next in command. Therefore the specialist should not have anything changed EXCEPT their font size. Something larger than the normal small letters of standards and smaller than SL,BO,XO,CO font size. And that easier to see text from the specialist would help gain some attention from squad members to follow their orders.

[Killaninja12]

It just improves the teamplay aspect. The XO and CO are more attained to being on the Sulaco dealing with the problems that arise up there. A lot of the time most squads aren't outfitted with an SL, and even if there's one in a squad, he can't assist the other squads anyway as he doesn't have access directly to their comms. The logistics structure isn't messed up, and this wouldn't do any damage to it. It's simply above the SL's, just as a Platoon leader over the 4 squads, and has access to the communications between each. It allows a lot more teamplay and variety between the squads to happen in my opinion.

[Feweh]

Been suggested SOOO many times and I wish this would be added.

A lot of good players really like to play Marines but not Sulaco Command Roles.

[Killaninja12]

Indeed Feweh, and I really wish it would be added as well. I like playing Command roles, but I enjoy the aspect of being on the field as well. Something in between like that type of role would be very neat to have.

[qsleepy]

+1 the lack of ground control is unrealistic. There would be a VIP on ground assessing the situation for all parties involved.

[LordLoko]

This was suggested so many times...

I'm neutral for this, for one side we can send the XO and this will be irrelevant.
For anotherside, this could make we have those field CO/XO every time, and they are usually cool.

[apophis775]

We've discussed/debating this MANY TIMES in dev/chat.

Always end up agreeing it won't work out effectively.

[Snypehunter007]

We've discussed/debating this MANY TIMES in dev/chat.

Always end up agreeing it won't work out effectively.

But (and I may sound like a dick for saying it like this) is it better to lose the the Platoon Commander, who commands the MARINE detachment and really is just there to filter things up to the Commander for approval like supplies and to brief him. OR you can send down the CO or XO, the people who are (truthfully) maintaining the ship, have one of them die and it puts more stress on the other role that wasn't killed.

If I may suggest an expansion to the current suggestion, I would suggest allowing the Platoon Commander to send the transports, (shuttle and pod)(Side note: Why doesn't the pod have a console on the ground instead of in the pod? Or both?) suggest RP wise for the role that the Platoon Commander stay AT the FOB because he needs to be directing the troops not fighting, and basically become a support role for marines on the ground. While I can see problems over the effectiveness of the role, I think having it would add a new dynamic to it. Another minor suggestion would be for there to "Field Command Squad" to accompany the Platoon Commander. IDK what the fine details of their job would be OTHER than guarding the FOB and the Platoon Commander. I guess if this were implemented it would free up manpower to assault the aliens with the main squads and you would never have to worry about the FOB being undermanned or unguarded completely as a marine. Just my ideas on the topic.

[KingKire]

+1: I'm gonna say that, Marines NEED a field officer to be present during ground operations. Currently there is too large of a gap in the chain of command. Whether that means we need another role to fill that gap, or if the current rules need to be rewritten to make it easier on command staff to deploy to the field needs to be seen. I do know that having flag officers deploy to active combat areas is bad strategy, but that is why lower ranked officers exist. Personally, i believe that adding 1 more Lt. officer role who can be operate in the FOB would be a good call. A band-aid but acceptable fix would be to rewrite the BO's role to allow for ground deployment. I do not think its a wise idea to send down CO's to direct the battles on the ground, and it is a lot of risk to send down XO's by themselves to the FOB.

to put it bluntly: The CO should be involved with the general direction of everything, the XO should be coordinating the ship, BO's should be concerned with transmitting info to and from the squads, the PO (Platoon Officer) should be concerned with coordinating the ground, and the SL's should be concerned with the squad.

[Trench007]

I think this is a really good idea as well. Even though there is an Overwatch system for the CO, XO, and BO to monitor ground operations, it would be nice to have a guy on the ground commanding everyone if comms go out. Also, the Overwatch system only works when the SLs are alive with their special helmets. Another command element on the ground would help the command structure, as that person would have a better grasp of the ground situation and would be able to give more effective orders. Oftentimes, the CO/XO/BO give orders that aren't well fleshed out or relevant to the current events taking place on the ground.

This isn't' exactly a cohesive argument for this suggestion to be implemented, but I personally think it would help improve the organization of the marines.

Therefore I'm giving this: +1

[Killaninja12]

I still wish this were added, I just remembered this suggestion. I still believe there's too far of a gap in command, and with Feweh's statement prior I agree wholeheartedly. It's a wonderful middle ground between playing a command role, but also doing ground work and managing everyone on the planet directly. I definitely wish at the very least something as simple as this would be tested to see it play out within a span of time. Something like this as a middle area between command and the ground I think would still increase teamwork and the effectiveness of the Marines.

[Monoo]

If you imagine a bridge between command and the regular grunts, the missing link is a regular ground command figure. We have the CO/XO on the ground occasionally but they're very prone to dying or being dragged off, and are usually quite ineffective as they still are at the top of the chain of command. They lost most of their decisive and tactical advantage on the bridge.

A ground command rank would give the standards someone to rally behind and let interaction between the marines and the command players transpire much more smoothly. A squad doesn't have overwatch functions activated? No problem, the company commander can relay the information to the bridge themselves. They would also presumably be bringing better equipment to the table so that the initial marine assault had a bit more kick.

+1 all the way.

[LordLoko]

"How many drops is this for you, Lieutenant?"
"Thirty-eight. Simulated."
"How many combat drops?"
"Uh, two... Including this one."

+1

[Killaninja12]

Weekly reminder that this would still assist that good old gap we've got in between that there command, mhm. (͡ ͡° ͜ つ ͡͡°)

[Steelpoint]

Its this or make the XO more of a field commander.

Having at least one commander on planet would make overall command easier.

[Killaninja12]

My problem with going down to the planet as XO is simply that if the CO goes SSD, dies, etc etc, then you're in command and have to get your ass back to the Sulaco. Issue with that? Good amount of times you'll be knee deep in Xeno booty, surrounded, assaulting somewhere and aren't able to deviate your attention to getting back to the Sulaco immediately.

[TopHatPenguin]

I personally think this is a great idea as it allows for a better rhythm of play for instance if the squad leaders are all dead (which is pretty common) your only chance to get anything done after this is either to appoint a new Sl which takes times to get the gear etc, or to rely fully on the bridge staff who are most likely ssd, drunk or dead.

[Tristan63]

Of course Gryphon, and I know this. That's why I said either/or. Whatever anyone thought sounded cooler. A Platoon leader commands up to 4 squads, and a Company Comander controls 4 platoons. It's simply just a name here, this is already a fictional universe, I just listed it as a name since players might think that sounds better.

SLS are Staff Sergeants.

So make this guy a Master Sergeant

[LordLoko]

Or make him the same rank of the BO, but with a different role.

What is important is his job, not his rank, rank is just fluff.

[Snypehunter007]

Bumping this.