operational command Guidelines

Running a large operation requires many moving parts. The broader the range of roles and specializations, the more chances for miscommunication, misdirected efforts, and confusion. Here’s some quick breakdowns for different general jobs within an operation, and how you can keep things moving smoothly.

Individual / Talon

A soldier in a squad. A strike craft pilot. The crew members of a mining vessel. As an individual contributing to a larger operation, you’re closest to the metal.

What You Should Focus On

Individuals will have discrete tasks handed out by their Squad Leader. Depending on how tight of an operation you’re running, you may have some latitude on achieving your goal, or you may be moving in lockstep with your Squad Leader.

Comms Dos and Don’ts

  • DO confirm orders from your Squad Leader

  • DO talk with your squad members to achieve combined goals

  • DO report intel or flag issues to your Squad Leader

  • DON’T talk to other Squads directly. Go through your Squad Leader instead

  • DON’T perform an action outside of your current assignment without confirming with your Squad Leader


Squad Leader / Claw Master / lance Master

The Captain of a small ship. The embedded command of a fireteam. The coordinator for a survey unit. As Squad Leader, you’ll be given the what and help your squad figure out the how.

What You Should Focus On

Orders will come from above, and it will be your job to make sure they’re accomplished. Maintain communication with your Squad members, keep them informed,

Comms Dos and Don’ts

  • DO relay orders and information requests to your Squad members

  • DO surface requested information to the next level of Command

  • DO confirm task completion. I.e., if order is “Red Alpha, Move to bunker”, once all members are in position, respond to command with “Red Alpha, in position”

  • DO handle squad issues internally whenever possible. If a member falls out of position, or experiences a technical issue, adapt the plan. Only surface individual issues if the current task is in jeopardy.

  • DON’T surface minutae to Command. I.e., if order is “Red Alpha, Move to bunker”, do not send updates of “Members 1, 2, and 3 are in position. Waiting on 4” unless a detailed report is requested.

  • DON’T worry about the status of other Squads unless it is blocking your current task

  • DON’T abuse Command channels to provide orders to other units. This only leads to confusion.

  • DO surface mission critical information to the next level of Command


Op Command

The Admiral of a Fleet. The overseer for a largescale mining operation. The General for a ground force. As Op Command, you need to focus on the big picture, and avoid getting bogged down in the details. Your job is to clearly lay out the what, and trust the leadership below you to see it through.

What You Should Focus On

As the head of an operation, or the Commander of multiple units for a complex operation, you should be focused on the large scale objectives. Delegate to the unit leaders under your Command, and trust them to do the job.

Comms Dos and Don’ts

  • DO provide clear commands to the leadership below you

  • DO request information to keep situational awareness high

  • DO respond to unit leader’s requests for information, and acknowledge updates.

  • DO trust your unit leaders to turn high level goals into action

  • DON’T micromanage

  • DON’T get distracted by individual member actions

  • DON’T abuse Command channels with unreasonable requests for minutae. Focus on providing command and confirming general status unless the required information is mission critical

Do One Job

One of the most important things to a successful operation is committing to one goal at a time. If you are leading an Operation, you should be focusing solely on the large scale. If you are leading a Squad, you should be focusing on that Squad’s tasks. If you are an Individual, you should be focused on the current assignment from your Squad Lead.

Even with the most simple missions, as operation scales grow, so to does the difficulty of trying to keep the full machinery in your head at one. By breaking down responsibilities, and focusing at different levels of specificity, participants can significantly reduce the mental workload required of them, and will be able to complete their current goals with more focus and clarity.

On Comms Discipline

Comms Discipline expectations can vary depending on the current state of the mission. Your squad channel may be all-clear for chatter one moment, then require mission critical comms only while a maneuver occurs or due to a change in situation. If your Squad Leader tells you to tighten up, keep your signal to noise ratio high.

The Command Channel should be kept high signal at all times. Command Channels are not for social use, and should be reserved for surfacing critical information, handing out and relaying orders, acknowledging and confirming requests, and for coordinating with parallel Squads working on the same objective.