":)
High Command NewsFlash 2/10/02

============== Community Meetings ===============

       From now on RS Community Meetings are tentatively scheduled for the
second Sunday of every month. As always, member suggestions and comments are
welcome on this. The times will be from 5 PM EST to 6 PM EST, obviously
lasting only an hour in channel #OuterRim. Afterwards, members are welcomed
to stick around and discuss any developments of the meeting. Therefore, the
next meeting will be on Sunday, February 17th at 5 PM EST in channel
#OuterRim.

================== Member Suggestions ====================

From: Brigadier General Garrik "Face" Loran
Issue: Undergrad Academyies under Fleet control
Status: Forwarded to HC and under heavy debate with a vote taken on a
related side-debate

       This debate has splintered off a discussion on the current Academy
biography
structure and a proposal for reform was put forth. The splinter debate
generated over 70 emails since the last HC NF in a very heated debate. High
Command has focused on the side-debate to clear it up before refocusing on
the overall issue.

       As a refresher, from the last HC NF:

"As part of this debate a side-discussion on whether the requirement of a
biography is necessary for cadets who are not going into role playing fleets.
Some
believe that bios are important regardless of where the person goes, others
point out that the gaming Fleets only worry about the game itself, and not
any storyline writing on the parts of the pilots/commandos.

There are a few ideas on this and how to resolve it:

1) Do nothing, but remind cadets that their bios are really not anything
intense. Just the information in their profile would suffice (the new
academy system will provide a cadet profile for them to plug that info into).
2) Do not require bios for basic graduation, just for Master Cadet W/ Honors.
3) Do not require bios for anything but the role-playing academies (ABG/AW
and AF)."

       The proposal was voted upon, and has been passed with a majority vote
of
High Command. The changes voted upon are below as sent to HC for vote by
RSFC Vice Admiral Rahj Tharen. In brackets [] are the old Bylaws for
comparrison.

------

4.1.3 Senior Cadet - SCA: Academy internal rank. Awarded by Instructor, XO,
or CO of respective Undergrad. Cadets must submit at least two mission
reports or the equivalent. Requirements will vary from Undergrad to
Undergrad, but these are the minimum requirements.

[This changes from 1 Bio, 1 Mission report]

4.1.4 Master Cadet - MCA: Academy internal rank. In addition to completing
the requirements of Senior Cadet, to obtain the Mastery rank cadets must
submit at least 3 mission reports or the equivalent. Requirements will vary
from Undergrad to Undergrad, but these are the minimum requirements.

[This changes from "cadets must also participate in multiplayer games with
flight instructors (if possible), submit at least 2 additional mission
reports, and be familiar with the organization of the Rebelsquadrons"]

4.1.5 Master Cadet (with Honors) - MCHA: Academy internal rank. In addition
to completing the requirements of Master Cadet, cadets must submit the
equivalent of three mission reports within an appropriate allotted time
limit and a Biography. Cadets must also complete other requirements for this
rank that are specific to the Undergrad they are in. Requirements will vary
from Undergrad to Undergrad, but these are the minimum requirements.

[This changes from 4.1.6, "Cadet must submit the equivalent of three mission
reports within the appropriate allotted time limit, which will vary from
UnderGrad to UnderGrad. A Master Cadet (w/honors) must fulfill all the
requirements of a Master Cadet. Cadets must also complete other requirements
for this rank that are specific the UnderGrad they are in." The redundant
original 4.1.5 was also eliminated ]

4.1.6 Academy Honor Graduates (Master Cadet with honors) carry with them
recommendation for immediate advancement to Second Lieutenant upon placement
in a Primary Squadron. This recommendation is reward for completing all
Academy graduation requirements in a timely manner, and should be granted by
the member's Primary Squadron Leader as soon as possible."

[Formally 4.1.8]

4.1.7 Lieutenant Junior Grade - LJG Awarded to all Cadets upon graduation
from the Academy.

------

      To sum all of this up, the Academy graduation requirements now look like
this:

Senior Cadet
2 mission reports (or equivalent)

Master Cadet
3 mission reports (or equivalent)

Master Cadet w/ Honors
3 mission reports in timely manner (or equivalent)
1 Biography

=========== Contact Information ===========

Feel free to direct suggestions or concerns to HC via any of the following
options:

1) Use the "Email HC" feature of the Roster Database:
(http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/roster/mail.php?type=hc).
2) Email your Primary Fleet CO and ask them to forward your comments on.
3) Contact HC members on IRC or an Instant Messaging client like AOL or ICQ
(both of which appear in roster profiles if supplied).
4) The new "Community Meetings" on IRC. They are currently being held on the
second Sunday of every month, from 5-6PM EST (GMT -0400) in #OuterRim.

":)
Vice Admiral Shikkie Kaaran, RSXO