CT Sideways, Publisher
Sunday, July 14th, 2019

     The nature of ARMA 3 and its interface makes it seem like a fighting force can simply drag and drop its forces to conduct maneuvers like in a game of Total War. However, this is simply not the case. To coordinate movements, allied forces rely on a network of radio communications using a protocol that has recently undergone a significant update.

     This protocol is Viper Net. Introduced in preparation for deployment of Mynock, Viper Net is a means of organizing radio traffic between infantry and any of their supporting elements. This week, 501st News Writer CX-X Shnuffles tunes in to RTO HQ to get the low-down on the new task frequencies. The following material is collected and paraphrased from CI-O Roadboy.

VIPER NET

CI-O: “The task frequency system or the 'Viper Net' was created to accommodate for the introduction of Mynock onto a frequency, and instead of having more callsigns on one frequency, RTO HQ designed a system where different ground units would have their own assigned frequency to be able to call in support without clogging up radio traffic for other callsigns.” 

CX-X: What’s changed?

CI-O: “The 'Ground to Support' freq or '35' (once Ground to Air) now works with the Section RTOs within Mynock and the Razor Forward Air Controller. Their tasks is to assign vehicles, air or ground, to ground units’ own frequencies.

For example, hypothetically, Avalanche 1-1 requests extract for a squad and a few HVTs on 35, so Razor FAC would assign one LAAT to their task frequency on 35.1 so that they could communicate further to carry out the tasking without clogging up the traffic on 35 itself.“

CX-X: How does the new radio protocol better incorporate Mynock? Are you satisfied with said changes?

CI-O: “I am very satisfied for the changes made to better incorporate Mynock, as it means the inclusion for everyone to be able to play. I've always been one for getting everyone involved and not making anyone sit on the side bench to wait. 

As an ex-Lightning pilot, I can recall occasions where there were enough LAATs to supplement the ground forces within fun ops or operations however CAS or other Lightning taskings weren't required, forcing me and my wingman to sit and wait for the situation to arise where we would be needed. I don't want anyone else to have to do the same in this day, the 501st has come a long long way since those days, and it's time to not cut anyone out.”

CX-X: As it stands now, are you satisfied with the changes made? Additionally, what changes would you like to see if any are necessary further down the road made towards improving Viper Net?

CI-O: “As it stands, RTO HQ is happy with the results. Obviously there are still tweaks to this day, but we don't think a more efficient system could have been introduced. I'm proud of those who put the time and effort in to make the system the best it could be, and to be patient with the updates and changes to best suit everyone. It wasn't an easy run, but it was accomplished.”

Mynock has designed their gun batteries to best accommodate the members manning those vehicles to ensure everyone is playing the game, while this also simplifies the understanding of how many shells will be landing on target as its always a multiple of four, there's no grey area anymore. This means that all four artillery guns in the battery will be utilized without anyone having to wait around to get their turn to shoot, instead all members are involved at all times.”

^{Brave UTC Cadets storm the beaches}

WE’RE IN FOR SOME CHOP

CX-X: How long has the concept been in its "trial phase" so to speak? Additionally, when was the idea first drafted and by whom?

CI-O: “The trial or test phase for this system was for a good matter of months, with lots of tweaking and changes being made as each week went by with the feedback from RTOs, Razor and Mynock units.  The idea of a new task frequency communications system was drafted by myself in the early months of 2019 if not earlier when Mynock was in mention, and this was discussed among RTO HQ members at the time and also went through development stages with Razor, and Captain Klein who also had ideas of how it could be programmed to run.”

CX-X: Has the transition been smooth?

CI-O: “The transition at first was far from smooth, as the ones who were testing it had to be nearly dropped into the deep end, although we did try to cushion the blow of this transition as best we could to help them understand what was going on and how to use the new system. 

The introduction of the task frequencies has brought along new challenges for the RTOs and members of Razor to tackle, as they're unseen before and bring communication to a much larger scale. 

The benefits of the task freqs have allowed the RTOs to expand their skills, and it has allowed for a large scale communications system for multiple callsigns to be contacting each other for different purposes without clogging up a single freq, allowing for smooth communications for everyone.”

VECTOR LOCKED IN

Though wholesale departures from established doctrine are rare, the establishment of Viper Net was a much-needed exception. Now, Avalanche forces can call upon more than just Razor for support tasking. 

The unit showed that it was capable of reorganizing to handle the challenge, and deploying Mynock has paved the way for the addition of ground-based infantry support assets to come. CI-O Roadboy will take us out:

CX-X: What should we expect to see from Mynock now that we have opened the door further for them to provide armored support?

CI-O: “We should expect to Mynock to grow into the unit as they have been doing, with as much support for them being provided by our staff as possible to make their lives easier as well as ours. I look forward to further development with the new detachment and expect great things from their staff.”

Avalanche HQ -
"Avalanche HQ is currently looking for a person to fill the vacent leadership position left by a fatal bird attack on one of our most senior leadership members." - CC Player

Avalanche 1 -

Siffy (CR-C to CT), Fluorite (CT to Sr. CT) and Saprez (CT to Sr. CT), Alistair (Sr. CT to Vt. CT) and Biscuit (Sr. CT to Vt. CT) 

“Avalanche 1 is doing great and looking forward to the next set of operations!” - CS Legia

Avalanche 2 - 

“We have a lot of new blood who we want to make experienced” - CS-M Crisis

Acklay - 

“"It is believed that if you deprive Lava of tea for several days he'll go insane. We'll find out soon…. Look ma, I'm in the news letter!” - CS Ricochet

Razor -

“Razor has opened a 4th Flight. We’re excited for new leaders and new pilots.” - CX Scuba

Mynock - 

“Mynock is currently working on the final draft of our SOP, we’re doing great.” - CS-M Verax

Zeta -

“Fancy is wrong. TF2 is a good game.”- CP Delta

Onyx -

“Onyx is doing well, there will be some up and coming changes as we work on improving.” - CI-P Brennan

DID YOU KNOW?

You can pack someone up in a manned E-web and deploy them elsewhere.

501st Trivia

It’s been one full year since CT Sideways, CS-M Crisis, CS-M Verax and a former CS played Left 4 Dead 2.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Sideways, CW-P Archon and CT Swanny.  Extra graphics by: CT Daku and CT Shifty}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor:CP Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CP Hoodoo, CT Momentum, CT Stone, CX-X Shnuffles, CT Lucky and CT Ruse}

CT Sideways, Publisher
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019

THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY

Zeta Company is available to members who have completed UTC. For all you hopefuls out there, we have breaking news on some big changes coming to Zeta.

When word reached the 501st news team of the recent reforms undergone by Zeta Company, we shipped our very own CT Ruse off to the far corners of the galaxy to find out more.

THE RESERVIST EXPERIENCE

CP DELTA, COMPANY EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

     When you finish UTC, all you gotta do is fill out the Zeta application form and join the Zeta discord. Links are in my TS channel and in the main discord. After joining, Zeta applicants request their tags and search for the Zeta squad that best matches their availability by asking around or by reading the descriptions of the section rooms in TeamSpeak. Once they get into their squads they’re all set.

     Zeta is here to make sure people can have a place to go. We encourage people in Zeta to go to Avalanche squad trainings so they can get themselves slotted. It’s not our job to get them slotted, it’s up to them if they get slotted or not. How long someone stays in Zeta completely depends on the trooper. Some people leave for Avalanche the same day they join Zeta. We also make sure that people in Zeta get trained in their Zeta squads so they are still on the up and up.

UTC CADET:

      I think that in my limited exposure to Zeta and in regards to their Ops. I think the people in Zeta are fine, they are good people, all good troopers. I think I may have had a bad experience in the Zeta Ops because what I have seen is that people forget about their training in UTC. I don’t have full spectrum there, but that's my view of Zeta at the moment.

AVALANCHE TROOPER:

      Zeta's a good place to provide a more casual environment for our cadets to grow and learn while allowing them to build better relationships with others. Through monthly check-ins, members are encouraged to take the initiative to be responsible for their own activity, giving them a chance to mark their place in the unit. 

      If their intention is to join Avalanche, they have the opportunity to try out with different squads to find the perfect fit. Though it may seem tedious at first, this process helps to create a stronger trooper.

THE REFORMS

CP FANCY, COMPANY COMMANDER:

     I'll be 100% with you, this interview couldn't have come at a better time. We're trying to fix up how are sections work so they can mimic Avalanche times. That way Avalanche can go to specific sections of Zeta for its reserves. Section 1 will most often work with 1st Platoon and 4th Platoon, and Section 2 will most often work with 2nd Platoon. Section 3 would help 3rd Platoon. 4th Section is the home for our lower activity members and personnel who cannot attend Avalanche functions. We are also making it easier to set up Zeta members with Avalanche squad leaders.
     These concepts were lost in the development of Zeta due to the growing process, and now we are reorganizing to reflect that now. I think this is a good change but it’s a lot of micro managing and a lot of data manipulation as well. At the end of the day people will hopefully say that the end result helped them save time and make processes more efficient.
     Zeta serves the general infantry and as we are Reservists first and foremost, we needed to make a few changes to Zeta so it was less of a "holding area with training" to a Reservist Company. Avalanche NCOs and their leaderships have taken the helm in the training of personnel once they leave Zeta and enter the infantry. This led to the removal of our original Zeta company policy number 2, which was you have to be a trooper to transfer out of Zeta and were required to remain within Zeta for one month after UTC before you could transfer. Now, Zeta is more narrowly focused around providing Transfers and Reservists.

CP DELTA

      Zeta hasn't really had a straight direction up until now. We had been trying way too many things at once. Outside of doing their check ins once in a blue moon, people were just sitting around, waiting for something to happen until they got moved into Avalanche. We are working through this currently to give Zeta a better direction. We have a better command structure. It’s 100% getting better.

      We have 15 open spots in Avalanche, and if it was entirely up to me we’d get people in them. Number 1, if you have lower activity, then we have a home for you. Those people that can’t make it any of the Avalanche times have a place here in Zeta. 

      Number 2, we make sure that people are trained as they wait to get slotted in Avalanche overall. There are multiple Zeta squad and section operations in addition to actively reserving. We have had the occasional Zeta op as well.

      And yeah, you can say that there is not much to do in Zeta. With the coming reorganization of Zeta, we are putting our foot down and we are saying: whatever you consider the old Zeta to be, this is what Zeta is now.

      And remember to not be toxic, especially CP Fancy.

FROM Z TO A

      Having a fifth person is critical to the Avalanche fireteam dynamic. The team is still above half strength with one wounded and one to stabilize. This is not the case with four or three members. Having a healthy pool of active reserves means waving good-bye to the possibility of deploying with an under-strength squad.

      When a Cadet reserves in Avalanche or the other elements, they are bringing value to the table. Before Zeta, finding a reservist was a complete crap shoot. Now, reservists are more familiar with the game’s mechanics than some of the old slotted troopers. 

     It really was the wild west when it came to staking a claim on reserves before this organized system was put in place. Zeta Company serves these specific needs of the community, and I order you to revere them.

Battalion HQ -

“Get off my grass.” - CC Bondoer

Avalanche HQ -
Sam (CP to CS), Myers (CT to Sr. CT), Goddest (CT to Sr.CT)

“Avalanche is enjoying the campaign. We look forward to the hard work the mission team is putting in and want to thank them for the work they put in. 

Brace yourselves, the Sergeants are coming!” - CC Player

Avalanche 1 -

Tee (CP to Sr. CP), Strill (CP to Sr. CP) 

"Looking forward to wrapping things up in the campaign" - CS-M Point

Avalanche 3 -

Goddest (CT to Sr. CT), Crebar (CR-C to CT), Sledge (CR-C to CT) 

"3rd's doing good" - CC Ewik

Acklay -

Ricochet (CP to CS), Nobear (CP to CS)

“Ewik's natural armament is rocks and sticks. He's still unable to break bones.”- CC Lava

 
Onyx -

CT Korvus (Candidate to Member of Cyrus 2-1), CT Sazi (Candidate to Member of Solus 1-1), CT Owl (Candidate to Member of Cyrus 2-1), CI Flux (Candidate to Member of Triton 2-2)

“The ARC Forward Observer Position remains in its testing phase as we continue to make sure that it is functioning on a Platoon-Level with both Platoon Commanders and Sergeant Majors.” - CS George

Razor -

“17th Cycle has completed, next announcement regarding the 18th Cycle for Razor candidacy will be coming mid-July, stay posted in #razor-open” - CX Scuba

Mynock -

CT Silent (Applicant to Member of Team Two in Mynock 1)

RTO -

“Company is without RTO due to stress, however they are being managed and maintained by one another and myself to ensure that everything is running smoothly. We are trying to train and keep RTO numbers up, and with the assistance from Zeta and taking RTOs from squads there to bring into Avalanche means the task of doing that is much much easier.” - CI-O Roadboy

Medical - 

“I asked for a rectangular prism, and Koop gave me a cube.” - CM-O Koda

Zeta -

“Upper Leadership has decided that Corporal Ghost will not be eligible for Sergeant until he learns to roll-over on command. I vehemently disagree with this decision.” - CP Fancy

DID YOU KNOW?

Smoke grenades are like deployable bushes that have a specific area of effectiveness for a short period of time. If you're seen before you can hide in the billowy part you will continue to be seen for a few seconds with zero cover. Everyone should take some time to learn how to use them because they are life savers when used properly but difficult to use effectively. - CP Zora

501st Trivia

CI-O Roadboy eats cheese before bed to get those trippy dreams.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways, or one of the news editors for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Sideways and CR Teal. Extra graphics by: CT Shifty and CT Daku}

^{Publisher: CT Sideways}

^{News Editors: CP Sense and CP Hoodoo}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Momentum, CT Ruse, CX-X Shnuffles}

CT Sideways, 501st Publisher
Thursday, June 27th, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    LET THE GAMES BEGIN

For two weeks in June, Avalanche Company suspended its regularly scheduled official events and faced off in the Avalanche Company Olympics, an event designed to create healthy competition among the four platoons in Avalanche Company and among their sixteen squads. 

There were three events, the first two of which were platoon-level assessments while the final event pitted one squad against another. The games of 6/8/2019 were the Convoy Escort and the Mortar Run, and the competitive event on 6/15/2019 was the Squad Relay Race. The following is an account of the proceedings as described by one Avalanche Company squad leader.

INTACT AND EN ROUTE

    On opening day, five Republic Bantha IFVs crewed by Mynock detachment sappers rolled out of a 501st vehicle depot for the first event, the Convoy Escort. Their objective: follow the road to the finish line a klick and a half away through hordes of CIS infantry squirming for their next field update, equipped with antitank weaponry and entrenched in prepared positions along a narrow road that wound through the precipitous heights and deep passes of the scenic Altis mountains.

    The results for this event were as follows:

The results of this event determined the order of position for the rest of the festivities:

• 2nd Platoon (tied for 1st with 24 points)
• 4th Platoon (tied for 1st with 24 points)
• 3rd Platoon (3rd with 20 points)
• 1st Platoon (4th with 18 points)

… AND FEAR NOT PAIN OR DEATH

    Immediately following this gauntlet was the aptly named Mortar Run, which saw the 501st’s Mynock representatives turn on their Avalanche company counterparts. All squads from an infantry platoon lined up on the starting line which faced a barren no-man’s-land across which stood a small blue flag on a shell-shocked beach. Flanking the plain rose small hillocks upon which sat Mynock mortar crews. A whistle was sounded, and the mortar crews opened fire on the infantrymen as they attempted to reach the safety of the bombed-out beach.

    The results for this event were as follows:

The order of positions of the Avalanche company platoons was as follows after the event:

• 2nd Platoon (49 points)
• 4th Platoon (48 points)
• 1st Platoon (43 points)
• 3rd Platoon (39 points)
  
  

RAMIREZ!

   
    The final event, the Squad Relay Race, took place the following weekend. The organizers worked tirelessly through the week so that when the sun rose on Saturday morning, a vast obstacle course cast a towering shadow over the salt flats.

    The course was, in fact, two courses, each a mirror of the other. One squad would assume responsibility for the left course, while their opponents would assemble across from them on the right side. The objective of this course was to locate intelligence, which would provide the location of a CAS target.

     One representative from each squad - with the exception of the medical leg and the support leg, both of which required two operatives - would run each leg at a time. The legs tested fundamental infantry skills: Riflery, Sharpshooting, Combat Medical, Tank Hunting, Support Gunnery, Grenadier Marksmanship, CQC and RT Operations. The squad leader ran above the course, yammering advice into the radio and inspiring their comrades with buffs and holy magic. The intelligence was located on the CQC On the final leg, each squad RT would call in an airstrike on their target, confirming the end of the race.

     After the race concluded, penalties were assessed based on VIPs killed and designated targets left alive. These penalties became time values - numbers of seconds - that were added to each squad’s score. The squad with the fastest overall time was recognized. Each squad then totaled their times to get a platoon combined time. The platoons’ times and corresponding scores were then ordered to get the rankings for this event.

The view from the starting line. Note the elevated catwalks on each side.

The results from this event were as follows:

And the aggregate results for each platoon were:

The final standings of the Olympic Games were:

• 1st Platoon (57 points)
• 4th Platoon (57 points)
• 2nd Platoon (56 points)
• 3rd Platoon (47 points)

Yes, you read that right - there was a tie for first place! This will not be allowed to stand, and the brass will have its blood. A tiebreaker will be conducted between 1st and 4th platoons for first place at a later date. In the meantime, the campaign has begun! The 501st news team will be your source of delicious campaign digest in the coming weeks. 

The Olympics were streamed live! You can watch footage of the event at the approved stream here:

https://www.twitch.tv/sorensic_steel/

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Battalion HQ - 

“Verax promoted to BN CS-M Billet, for his hard work and dedicated to the unit. His promotion is a unanimous decision by command staff.” - BC Jay

Avalanche 1 -

Jane (CT to Sr. CT), Doe (CR-C to CT)

“Proud of the way 1st Platoon performed in the Olympics and looking forward to the campaign.” - CS-M Point

Avalanche 3 - 

“Lava is just dirty magma.” - CC Ewik

Acklay - 

“Papers, please. (We’re updating a lot of paperwork.)" - CC Lava

Razor - 

“Glad the campaign is back.” - CX Scuba

Zeta -

"Verax has been stolen. I will never forgive this betrayal." - CP Fancy

News Team -
The News Team is proud to announce the opening of new positions within the News Team. The News Team will be opening a media team, that will be responsible for finding videos, pictures, and creating custom graphics for the News Team to use. New positions will also be opening in the near future so keep a lookout. If any of these new positions interest you, please fill out the News Team application, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Arma 3 is currently on sale thanks to the Steam Summer Sale, pick that up or it's DLC today!

501st Trivia

CS-M Sorensic needs to upload that infection video.

501st Discord

501st Legion

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Rayne and the News team. Extra graphics by: CT Daku and CT Shifty}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editors:CP Sense, CP Hoodoo}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Momentum, CT Stone and CT Ruse}

CT Sideways, 501st Publisher
Sunday, June 16th, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     To the members of the 501st and its GARC allies,

     A special report.

     Advanced Recon Commandos, the best of the best, or as they are widely known: ARC troopers. Showing outstanding skill and teamwork, 501st ARC troopers are the subject of much awe and reverence. But what does ARC mean to the 501st, how do their soldiers operate, and what’s the stuff that really makes an ARC trooper? These questions and more were answered when I had the chance to sit down with Sergeant Major Crow, Commander of Arc Detachment Alpha “Onyx.”

AS THE CROW FLIES

     Crow joined the 501st Legion in July of 2017. He became a Trooper, but he wasn’t destined to stay in general infantry for long. “I was in a fun op and I was down, and Valmoric came over to me. He was role-playing, telling me I was gonna be alright, all that stuff,” he recalls. Crow also received medical training from Koda himself. “I'm super thankful to the medics.... Koda, Valmoric and Bondoer, for helping me find my personality in the unit.”

    He went on to become an Acklay medic and served in Acklay for sometime before switching over to a team lead position. “I actually Co-team lead with Lava back then. He’s still one of my best friends to this day. I talk with him all the time.”

     As time went on, the Sergeant Major grew to enjoy seeing how the unit worked. His reputation eventually landed him an invitation to try out for Onyx - the 501st’s elite ARC trooper program. “Onyx was just getting back together, and I was invited to try out. I went into it, not necessarily with the mindset of ‘I'm not gonna get in,’ but I'll do my best and see what happens.” It's plain to see how that turned out: crow was slotted into Krayt squad - to the sure satisfaction of the now-Battalion Medic Koda - as a medic.

     As more recruits entered the detachment, Crow stepped up to fill a leadership role and inject new blood into the commando corps. His goal was simple: to produce exceptionally trained troopers worthy of the respect they received in the ARC program. With the help of Sergeant George, Crow feels like he’s succeeded in that goal. “Onyx is a place people call home. People know the ins and outs. People get along. It's a family more than a detachment - the image of what the 501st can accomplish.”

    ARC troopers “know every in and out of every piece of equipment, and they are always testing things out,” even in their free time. Crow “came in once and found them trying to see how many underwater rounds it would take to kill an HSD.” Each trooper has a different preference for their loadouts, much like in the infantry. However, commandos are given more generous leeway with customization.

    Crow prefers the MOD-0, but admits that the Westar is, in his own words, “a machine.” On top of the Westar, Onyx has access to the ARC rangefinder. The rangefinder acts as an NVG, and several types of thermals. This tool allows the ARC troopers to see threats and neutralize them.

ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION

     It takes a lot of training to become qualified for the use of such equipment, and that all starts with the infamous Assessment and Selection (AnS):

     “AnS is the primary testing period for people in the 501st. We asses to see if (Troopers) have the skill set and mind set to begin ARC training. When referencing a skill set and mind set, it's looking at how troopers think on their feet to complete a goal. It's a personality test as much as a skill test.”

     Onyx is most concerned with trooper’s core values, and AnS is there to evaluate disposition as much as field performance. The training program breaks applicants down so the commandos-aspirant can understand their values for themselves. But for those who've gone through and have not made it: do not view it as a failure, but a learning opportunity. “Everything is a learning opportunity, and we love seeing self growth, even from those who don't make it.”

ADVANCED RECON COMMANDOS

     If a trooper is skilled enough to make it into ARC, they become an ARC candidate through two varying selection processes. Through these an ARC candidate may one day become one of two arc types: a  member of a strike team, or a member of a ranger team.

      Strike teams are four man ARC teams who see the bulk of the battle line. They see the worst of it, and give it right back. These teams have your standardized 501st roles. Medics, RTOs, Squad leaders etc. and operate to complete an objective or to assist Avalanche forces.

      The ARC Ranger is a Trooper incredibly talented in long range engagements and reconnaissance. They offer scouting, field intel, and detect QRF forces. There are two ranger ARC’s per team, so nobody goes alone! And of course these troopers are lead by the Alpha ARC’s. “Alpha’s are exceptional NCO’s who are tasked with leading ARC’s in the field.

     Of course, the 501st loves seeing Onyx in fun ops, but what about official joint training? “I have a bunch of ops on the drawing board. If someone wanted to run a training op with us next Tuesday, I could do it,” Crow goes on, “ but I don't know what people want to learn!” The Sergeant Major encourages any element in the 501st to come to him or George with ideas and topics they would like to learn about. Onyx is excited to teach. In fact, their goal is to “get as many troops into teaching roles as soon as possible,” so, Squad leads and Platoon commanders, be sure to drop by and see about getting a joint training done soon!

     Above all else, Onyx is part of the 501st. They’re here, like us, to game and learn with each other. When asked what message he’d like to pass on, Crow had these words:

    “Onyx is not special. We are like everyone else. We treat everyone with respect and common courtesy. We ask that its given in return. Some people don't like us because of our pauldrons or our weapons. But we earned those privileges, and they are privileges. We wanna get to know everyone but we are kinda shy. I encourage people to come to get to know us. Don't be afraid to come to the Team speak channel, We’d love to meet you. Come hang!”  

     Before I leave you, when asked what Crow’s favorite moment in Onyx was, the Sergeant Major didn't hesitate in his response. “When Salvo shot Klein in the face with a grenade launcher. These are the people I have the pleasure of working with.” after some chuckling, he continued. “It was a funny moment that we still laugh about. Yes, we try and have professionalism, but we are human. People make mistakes, and at the end of the day, we are here to have fun.”

     The 501st is lucky to have Sergeant Major Crow. A leader of commandos, a teacher of troopers, and a friend to many he’s met along the way, Crow deserves recognition for the legacy he’s created in Onyx and the unit at large. And don’t forget to stop and chat with an ARC trooper, or if you're feeling extra daring, challenge them to a game of Rainbow Six Siege. I’m told it's quite popular among the ARC troopers, though I can’t imagine why….

Until next time,

CT Momentum Signing off

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Avalanche 1 -

Swanny (CT to Sr. CT)

“We’re excited for the campaign to start up again and can’t wait to get back into it (:”

- CS-M Point

Avalanche 2 -

Bishop (CT to Sr. CT) Gull (CT to Sr. CT)

“Little does Lava know that I am in my Mid-Life” - CS-M Crisis

Avalanche 3 -

“3rd's doing good.” - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

“I will have my gold. No matter how many men it costs.” - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

Grinch (CT to CP)

"Ewik is just a tree hugger" - CC Lava

Onyx -

“No commendations/promotions unfortunately this time. We wish all avalanche platoons the best of luck in the 501st Olympics!” - CS-M Crow

Razor -

Alex (CX-C to CX-X)

“Announcing another Razor candidate cycle on the 16th of this month. Post will be in #razor-open on discord as usual. If anyone wants a head start to the process you can read older pins of the same announcement. Officers and NCOs that have not taken the opportunity to ask questions or observe the process may still do so.” - CX Scuba

RTO -

“CT Sideways is a mage” - CI-O Roadboy

Medical -

Jericho (CM-C to CM)

Zeta -

"Daddy's home." - CS Verax

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Drag Key Bind

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Common > Drag/Release Object

Capture Key Bind

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Common > Take Prisoner

Set Underwater & SR Radio to same button

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > TFAR > DD Transmit > Set to Caps Lock

Quick Mount

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Movement > Vehicle Quick Mount

MAKE SURE YOU SET THE PRIORITY SEAT TO PASSENGER.

Magical Door Opener

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Common > Open / Close Door

^{-Thanks to CT Pro}

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Hoodoo for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Photographers is a new position that is available. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Komodo and CT Noviix Extra graphics by: CT Daku}

^{Publisher: CT Sideways}

^{Editors: CP Sense, CP Hoodoo}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Momentum, CT Stone, CT Ruse, CX-X Shnuffles and CT Lucky}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Monday, June 3rd, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     To my fellow members of the 501st and its GARC allies, a special report:

     It starts with a rumble in the sky. You know the sound - hostile air. You see Heavy Missile Platforms (HMPs) and Vultures flying over head. You wonder if your assault trooper brought enough AA rockets. Then the ARC-170’s roar overhead and the skies are clear.

     Lightning has been a long-standing presence in the unit and a place for experienced leaders in Razor to shine. Always emphasizing teamwork and fast responses, the pilots of Lightning exemplify the fundamentals of Razor.

     To be a Lightning pilot is to be a leader. After talking to CX Scuba, that became evident.

    “Lightning pilots are a position of earned notability, comparable to an NCO” he said. One has to not only have a good understanding of the situations that can develop on the field, but also nimble awareness.

    Lighting pilots aren’t usually the first ones to respond to a problem in the skies on accident. Combining their aircraft's extreme speed with their pilots’ ability to read and gauge a battlefield, these pilots are able to handle situations at speeds the contemporary Confederacy fighters could only hope to mimic.  

    When asked about the specific aircraft, I was informed that Razor typically uses three aircraft. The ARC-170 fighter, Y-Wing attack Bomber, and the A-Wing Interceptor. Speaking to flight commander CX-X Dylan I was given a thorough education on the airframes:

    “The ARC-170s are what we practice the most. They are the all rounders, able to give support and dog fight. Then we have the Y-wings. Not as good in a dog fight, but carry more fire power and give a bigger punch. Finally there's the V-wings. They are almost to fast, but they rip apart Vultures. Obviously each airframe is built for different tasks but Dylan says its important to know which one you need for the job. With all this fire power, its important to know when to use it.” With the power to level an Area of Operations its no wonder Dylan values restraint.

     Lightning also maintains a lesser-known secondary duty. Not only are they responsible for dealing with red air and CAS missions, they also help send messages across the front line using their aircraft as a mobile long range radio.

     “They fill a role called Midpoint Operator” Scuba told me. “We used to have a LAAT that would be assigned to fly around from place to place, carrying messages across the AO. The venator was pretty far away back then.”

     But with the new aircraft at the Republic's disposal, that task can be handed off to the faster aircraft on the field.

     I had then asked Scuba what he would want the unit at large to know about Lightning, and he said how great an example of a detachment can work. That some people can be tasked with different objectives, but work together and still be part of the team. Lighting pilots are never treated any differently, and are always treated as if they are part of Razor, but don’t be fooled, the pilots of Lightning still have the responsibility of maintaining Razor’s mission. These clone pilots are just as deadly in a LAAT, so feel confident the next time you jump in!

     Dylan notes that combat flying is a priority for the pilots under his command. While stressing that any lighting pilot is capable of piloting a LAAT, their training becomes more combat-oriented as their time in the detachment goes on.

     With all the level of training under Lightnings’ belts, it's no wonder there's so much awe aimed at them. Next time you see a pilot on, be sure to say hello! If you’re interested in joining Razor, be sure to check out their discord channel.

    
      Until next time,

      CT Momentum, signing off.  

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Battalion HQ -
"I told you it would happen. I told you all it would happen. I've been saying it since the 501st, but no one listened" - CC Bondoer

Avalanche HQ -

Olympics kick off this weekend.

Avalanche 1 -

Tom(CT to Sr. CT)

“We’re ready for the campaign to start and kick everyone’s ass in the Olympics” - CS Legia

Avalanche 2 -

“The quote above us is completely and utterly false. Also, the other platoons may find themselves in a "Crisis" during the Olympics.” - CS Pompano

Avalanche 3 -

Sunshine (Cadet to CT)

"Lava hates the JT-12." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

Snorri (Cadet to CT)

"I've made a mistake. The consequences have yet to appear. But once they do it'll be impossible not to notice. Everyone should live in fear from this point onward." - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

“Crisis isn’t even in his mid-life.” - CC Lava

Razor -

"If you're interested in being a pilot prepare for an announcement Soon " - CX Scuba

Mynock -

“A good soldier obeys without question. A good officers commands without doubt.”- CC Klein

Zeta -

“The beatings shall continue until the morale has improved.” - CP Fancy

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Double clicking on map markers allows you to change the colors, text and symbol of already placed markers. Use this to change the mark to black once you know the target has been destroyed.

501st Trivia

LT Euler thinks Big Mouth is a good show and that it is not trying to destroy the moral fabric of society.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CX-C Lutas, CT Aeon and CT Momentum Extra graphics by: CT Shift and CT Daku}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor: CP Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CP Hoodoo, CT Momentum, CT Stone and CT Ruse}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor

Wednesday, May 25th 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To my Fellow 501st members and all GARC members, a special report.

The Return of Checkpoints RP

     From delivery drivers to drug lords, backwater storytellers and bartenders, and all the Coruscant guard members in between: after a long hiatus, Checkpoints RP is back.

All the Galaxy’s a Stage….

     The premise is simple: participants are divided into two groups, the actors and the Guard. The actors get to be whatever they want. On this day of fantasy, some chose laborers such as hospital workers. Others became hungry for power and chose to serve their own ambitions.

A Hive of Fun and Villainy

     Perhaps unsurprisingly for a game mode which revolves around border crossing hi jinks, a group of weapons smugglers were the fan-favorite actors. The actors in question had snuck weapons through the checkpoint to sell on the market. Once in town, the smugglers became disgusted with the living conditions facing the poor people in the town.

     As they witnessed the horrible taxation of the people, the smugglers became sympathetic to the commoners’ cause. Overwhelmed by a sense of justice, the smugglers turned revolutionary and staged a protest.

     It became violent very quickly. After a fierce firefight, manhunt, and an eventual hostage situation, the rebellion was squashed. Historians are still analyzing the rebellions effects to this day.

Move Along, Move Along

     The other side of the struggle for revolutionary justice is also worth exploring. Like with every town, there are laws and regulations, and there are those commissioned to ensure any loose nails are hammered back into place. The constables of the town surrounded by the titular checkpoints were the Coruscant Guard. These guard were very, very busy.

     Aside from the mountainous task of dealing with a splatter painting of unrestrained shenanigans, they also had the duty of collecting taxes,  performing cargo checks and frisking incoming citizens for contraband. The Coruscant Guard kept order with foot patrols, vehicle transports, and of course LAAT surveillance.

     Anyone caught breaking the rules would be detained and sent to court. There, a judge would deal a punishment to fit the crime. The judge, like the Guard, had a very active Saturday.

Execute Order 404

     But so too did the servers. A queue to get in had to be formed almost immediately. Some members of the unit waited hours to get in, with the highest reported wait time pushing six hours. Some people never got to login at all. Unfortunately for them, it was a blast. After such a long break from Checkpoints RP, it’s unsurprising to many unit members that there was a significant turnout. Still others are pushing to make the event a recurring one as it was in years past.

The Eye in the Sky

    Speaking to CC Player gave some enlightenment into how much work goes into these events. Player ran 3 sessions on Sunday, each about 3 hours long. Including setup and organization, Player says he spent about 11 hours in front of his computer. Not only that, he had to make sure the Coruscant guard leadership knew their responsibilities, map editing, and all the other things required to run a smooth operation.

    After CC Player announced his intent to revive Checkpoints RP, CC Lava, a veteran of some of the older Tatooine Checkpoints RPs, wanted in. It was his first run as Zeus for the event, but his experience with former CW-O Lindsey left him more than prepared.

     Some of Lava’s favorite activities where the Geonosian invasion, the rebel insurrection, and Coward’s rousing speech rallying his troops. The Lieutenant was disappointed at the lack of turnout at his personal go kart track, which had been open to scum and villainy alike despite the limited use. Player also had some favorite memories of the event. In particular he enjoyed seeing a pilot giving helicopter tours of the city, the Porg invasion of the checkpoints, and seeing members of GARC come out.

     When asked if we would see another Checkpoints RP before the third anniversary, Lava responded: “that's to be determined.” Player was a little more optimistic but thinks it needs to grow small and organically.

     “CT Pro’s Trouble in Quarantine Town is a great example of how it could work. He's started small, organizing his events and his zeus's. If it was handed off and someone tried to make it as big as it is now off the bat, it might not go as well.”

      As always, make sure to give CC Lava and CC Player a big thank you for all their hard work during the event.

     Until next time.

     CR-C Momentum, signing off.
     Edited by CP Hoodoo

The following article was written by our very own CC Cruisie:

    Two years ago, give or take a day or two, I was talking to one of the founding members of the 501st Legion - a guy named Piner. This guy that I've known for the past year or two, with Jay, while talking to him about the 501st Legion he told me something that sticks with me to this day. He told me that Jay ,and himself will find away to keep this unit up for a long time. He might not know how the unit would turn out, or that he would be kicked out for doing something stupid, but the unit is still up, still growing, and still kicking ass. Sadly I am the third longest member in the unit, Shiv in second, and Jay in first.... The sad part is, Jay never talked to me about the Starsim unit, I had to go to him.... I asked him, "What does a guy gotta do to join this Star Wars unit?", he  replied: "You guys got to answer one question, do you like Star Wars?". I sat there thinking, I've known this guy for almost two years, played other games, like Star Trek Online, and others.... So I replied "No I don't like Star Wars, Star Wars is life!". I did not think I would be here today making sure the servers are up and running on our own Dedicated Server Box that I help built, that all of you help funded. I also didn't think we would be using the same TeamSpeak 3 server that Jay bought back in 2015 for a team that uses a Star Wars symbol for the logo. After a month of the unit creation, I built a website for shit's and giggles to show it off to Jay, and the other members in leadership - last week the website had 5,988 users login via Steam today, that is at 6,014 and growing. 6,014 people have come and gone from the unit, not only has the unit been alive for two years now, it's got over six thousand people coming to our website to either join, check us out, to see what the 501st Legion Star Sim unit is about. We have had a few bad apples come, and try to destroy the 501st Legion, but failed, it show who can be trusted, and who cannot. As I see it, it was a means of shaking out  the flakes in the unit, to keep the loyal, and the people who want to see the unit grow strong. Yes I did forget that fireworks mission that I had made last year anniversary, but there is always next year!

    The last week has been a great anniversary for the 501st. I’ve personally seen many great things not only in the last few days, but in my entire journey of the 501st. Back in late 2017 I joined because I had seen a video of someone being executed from a huge amount of clones.

     I was amazed, as I had never seen a Star Wars mod this large with the capabilities of Arma III. With some time I rose through the ranks and now it’s been almost two full years since. I have many stories to share and many important memories and experiences inside the unit. Many of the people who were here in late 2017, when I joined, are still around, in many different positions and holding many different ranks. These loyal members and myself continue to maintain the unit in hopes that more people will come to gain these memories and form new experiences. With the last anniversary weekend, we had over 90 people trying to come play the old-school checkpoints RP. There was a 3 hour long queue to join! This was a major reason for a large majority of our members joining and even to this day, people are willing to join the 501st to experience such a large community together. Let us now work together for the future of the Legion and here’s to another two good years of the 501st.

-CT Sideways

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Avalanche HQ -

“I was promoted this week, however I still feel the same.” - CC Player

Avalanche 1 -

Aeon (CR-C to CT)

“1st Platoon is taking names and kicking ass and is ready for the FTX cycle and the Olympics” - CS-M Point

1st Platoon game night is after the 1st Platoon FTX/Op and everyone is welcome

Avalanche 2 -

Urse (CT to CP)

“Lava is a closet Scotsman” - CS-M Crisis

Avalanche 3 -

Zoro (CT to Sr. CT), Trip (CT to Sr. CT), Leon (CT to Sr. CT), Snoopy (CT to Sr. CT), Husky (CT to Sr. CT)
"We're doing good." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

“While we are not saying 5th Platoon does exist, we're not willing to admit it's not real” - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

"Regarding last week, I found out that CC Ewik dips pineapple pizza in milk!" - CC Lava

Onyx -

“We’re about to be filling in a lot of positions for the detachment very soon” - CS-M Crow

Razor -

“Congrats to Razor class 16. Roster is almost full, however the next class will be delayed.” - CX Scuba

Mynock -

“Mynock is excited to hold our FTX next week. Additionally Mynock is looking to fill our two remaining slots and is finishing up on our needed documentation.” - CS-M Jan

Zeta -

“Full speed ahead” - CP Fancy

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Hitting DEL (Delete) on your keyboard while driving a vehicle will activate the cruise control, allowing you to maintain a slower speed.

501st Trivia

CP Delta is SCP-1567*

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: Me, CT Kuro, CM-C Flourite, CX-P Kushiban and CP Hoodoo. Extra graphics by: CT Daku}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor:CT Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CP Hoodoo, CT Ruse, CT Stone and CR-C Momentum}

^{*note: CP Delta is not actually SCP-1567}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Saturday, May 16th, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LIBERATION!

     Disaster, Deprivation and Lawlessness. As the Clone War rages across the stars, numerous refugees flock to the independent planet of Lok to escape the travesties and malicious brutality of the Separatist Forces. Unknown to them, the opportunistic scum and villainy within the growing communities seek to take advantage of these starving people with gleeful, gluttonous credit filled hands.

     The planet Lok is currently transitioning into the winter, mountain tops are snowy but rest of the planet remains temperate until late into the winter season. The population is a mixture of refugees and survivors of the war, living in villages, trying to move on. The rest are expected to be spacers, mercenaries and other various vagrant groups with limited technology. Doing their best to get by, they’ve resorted to many new lifestyles trying to recover from the conflict. Some groups have even gone so far as to have made claims that the Republic is attacking them. Repeating broadcasts are being sent out with the message that they are being attacked by Republic forces and need help. It’s public knowledge that we have no forces there.



     Lok has had its infamy with individuals who have drifted toward it throughout history, looking to hide or avoid suspicions. Is not aligned with the Republic or the Confederacy and will now make it’s name in galactic history.

      By order of the Republic Senate itself; the 501st Clone Legion, Hailstorm Battalion deploys in full force onto the planet to restore order and bring liberation to the people of Lok. As expected by Republic Intelligence; Separatist spies have begun sending propaganda signals of terror to the planet’s would-be occupiers and the many Droid fleets that ravage exposed worlds.

     Brave and determined clone forces fight through villainous pockets of Separatist Terrorist Cells to liberate and bring each village into the warm embrace of the Republic for the quickening winter that approaches; threatening to bring these starving refugees into more dire circumstances..

     This news team would like to ensure the people of Lok that we come to help. Stay within your homes, cooperate with the Clones that come to assist and free you but otherwise remain out of danger. Finally, the Confederacy of Independent Systems are not your friends and will seek to destroy what little of your livelihoods you have left.



    The following article was commissioned by the 501st News Team and received from CP Klown with information regarding his very own MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain) trainings that he has hosted for quite some time.

    Topic of Teamwork, Cohesion and Communication

     Teamwork in the context of CQC is, at its core, defined by the level of respect and trust a fireteam has between its members. A fireteam in which nobody trusts each other is just four individuals being glued together by the rules, whereas a fireteam that has members who respect and trust each other gain a synergy that cannot be achieved otherwise. This enables said fireteam to shine as well as bring out each individual’s best aspects.
     Communication is just the same, you can’t get above a basic level if you don’t have strong cohesion. The more tight-knit your unit is, the less likely it is for communication to break down when shit hits the fan, and that is the only time when it truly matters.

MOUT Tips and Tricks

     There is only one tip I have for you. Stay alive.

      Surround everything that you do with that objective in mind and you will succeed in anything. Any mission, no matter the difficulty, can be completed as long as one condition remains true: there is someone to finish the job. If you want more generic crap advice like keeping your gun on full auto and shit, you came to the wrong person. Risk management is the single most important thing you need to be aware of, and is the core of survivability. Every move you make exposes you to a whole new batch of risks. The challenge of MOUT is being able to critically assess these risks and take them without losing trust in yourself or your team. The greatest enemy you will ever have to deal with is not a b2, a squad of B1s, or an IG88, but your ability to stay cool and deal with the situation as it develops.  Break down every engagement to its core elements, see it for what it is, deal with one problem at a time, and I guarantee you will succeed in whatever task is before you. I would say this applies to most things in life actually.

Clearing Buildings

      The standard fireteam breach commonly taught in initial is good for beginners, but it is not an effective method at all. This does not mean that what you are taught in Initial is useless, but breaching and clearing is not something that you should standardize if you want to be truly good at it. There are dozens of methods one can use in order to breach and clear a building. Determining the best one for your situation depends on more factors than I would be able to write without this turning into one massive word wall; breaching and clearing is an art form, and should be treated as such. Think outside the box, try new things, do what works for you, and forget what doesn’t. Refine your method through trial and error.

MOUT Planning

     Planning for a MOUT operation is like planning your road trip based entirely on the weather prognosis. It’s not always wrong, but your plan is 1 dimensional and will be found lacking at some point. One should always attempt to plan in a manner that will force the enemy to have the fewest moves possible while enabling the most wiggle room for your unit. As a simple example, when pushing into a city, do so with your flanks covered so you take away the droids ability to flank you. If there is an MSR that the droids could use to flank you with AATs or MK2s, block it off or mine it if possible; at the very least keep your flank in the back of your mind and check it regularly. If they have a QRF base or mortar emplacement on the outskirts, prioritize those; generally, make an effort to remove outlying force multipliers before going in. Limiting and forcing your opponent into a corner makes him predictable, and you always want to fight the enemy you know rather than the one you don’t. MOUT will always be the most unpredictable environment of all, but bringing an umbrella even if the forecast calls for clear skies, it might just be worth the small burden. Stay adaptable, be ready for anything, and remember the old saying, “no battle plan survives first contact”. Taking a proactive and dynamic approach will always be the most difficult but also the best; reality doesn’t care about how well written your OPORD is.

Final statement

     Experience outranks everything. Training is simply passing experience down quickly from those who have it to those who don’t, but training alone cannot ever hope to substitute firsthand experience.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Battalion HQ -

"It's been a hell of a ride, hitting 2 years this weekend, and we hope to see all of you here for many more years to come!" - BC Jay

Avalanche 1 -

“Did a good job on Llanic and looking forward to Lok, my quote is better than Pompano’s quote” - CS Legia

Avalanche 2 -

Cursed (CT to CP)

“2nd platoon is geared up and ready to take on whatever lies ahead.” - CS Pompano

Avalanche 3 -

Darkstar (CT to CP)

“3rd Platoon is doing all good and excited for the upcoming 501st anniversary” - CS Andromeda

Acklay -

"Did you know that CC Ewik dips his pizza in milk?" - CC Lava

Onyx -

“With Trainings and Operations on the up, we’re continuing to refine ourselves as an effective unit. We look forward to the anniversary, and look forward to another year of the 501st.” - CS George

Razor -

"Everyone DM CX-X Namenai: ~Happy Birthday Script Lord~" CX- Scuba

Mynock -

“Everything is going according to plan …” - CC Klein

Zeta -

“The Boys are back in town.” - CP Fancy

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

You have to stun an enemy in the legs in order for the effect to be successful.

501st Trivia

Lt. Euler can sometimes get “fustrated”.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CI Daedalus for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CM-P Navo, CT Chaser, CT Raykan, CT September and Me  Extra graphics by: CT Daku}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor:CT Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CP Hoodoo, CT Ruse and CR-C Momentum.}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Tuesday, May 14th, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TROUBLE IN QUARANTINE TOWN
by CT Ruse and the 501st News team

     Once upon a late-night fun op, I participated in a mini-game on 501st servers called Trouble in Terrorist Town, which was itself a reproduction of a popular Counter Strike custom game of the same name.
     I had no idea what I was doing, but the community kept the game rolling, like the ancient players who told and retold the classic stories in the amphitheatres. Over time, the game gained traction, details were changed, and it became Trouble in Quarantine Town.
     The 501st Journalist CT Ruse sat down with CT Pro, the creator of the custom game, to discuss its past and future.

Cops and Robbers for Millenials

     While Trouble in Quarantine Town has its roots in the classic custom game, it’s got several unique rules that come from this community’s unique penchant for RP.

     “I referenced the original TTT [Trouble in Terrorist Town], the good old gmod game mod - but there’s a lot more to it now. TTT was just the base for TQT when we started. Basically, now, you have three factions: the terrorists, the military, and the civilians."

The Terrorists’ main goal is to cause so much trouble as much as possible. They have to assault three hard targets. After that, they have two other objectives: to kill or capture the two HVTs. These HVTs are the senator and the military commander. If the terrorists complete all their objectives, they win the round.

The military’s goal is to kill all of the terrorists, but there’s a catch - the terrorists are rolling around with the civilians.

Then you have the civilian roles as well. They are just there to keep the game interesting. Even though development is pretty much complete, that doesn't mean that we won’t throw something new in there to make the game more interesting once a awhile.”

From Humble Beginnings

The idea for TQT has been around for a while, just not in its current form. As mentioned, existing custom games, as well as group games played before the age of electronics are the basis for TQT, wherein some players cause chaos while a small group of enforces tries to retain order. Pro describes the inception of the idea:

     “Well, we ended up doing a role playing event called Dark Business, and basically it was a PvP game, where you have 3 factions, you have the pirates, the Clones, and the Droids. So basically, that kinda got me thinking that this was interesting…. Around the time we had the second event - it was just a few months later - I got thinking: do I want to make something more of this?”

     The answer, of course, was yes. And the community would rally in support. Pro continues, “I started planning TQT for at least 3 or 4 months to make sure I actually planned it out properly. I got around to pitching my idea to other people, then i was told to talk to this person and this other person, until it kind of fell on deaf ears. Because of that, I ended up doing most of the stuff on my own. I think it's because people are not fond of role playing events."

     “Also, at the time, PvP events weren’t that popular and weren’t going over so well from what I’d heard from other people on fun ops. That's why I want people to give me input on every single TQT event that I do: to make it better for everyone.”

The Pantheon

     As the popularity of his creation grew, Pro found himself adding more features and depth to the game. He was soon in need of loyal lieutenants to ensure the scenario flowed smoothly. He describes the staff of TQT:

     “At the moment i’m still the lead developer of TQT, but I do have some staff to help me out with. I like to call them game masters. They help me Zeus the events, work together, and talk about new ideas etc, etc."

     However, in all honesty TQT was launched pretty much whole and it was pretty rock solid idea when it came out. The set of rules we have implemented in TQT are well done, too, and we have tweaked a few little things over the past months.

     Largely, development has already been completed because I made sure that everything was spic n span before we did anything else with TQT.”

Looking to the Future

     The popularity of TQT has taken off, and Pro has some plans for the future for his roleplaying events. When asked for any word on what the future might hold, Pro says:

     “Well I would say don’t do drugs kids, but in all seriousness, though, TQT is a lot of fun, and the whole reason that I started it was because I really love RP."

      “It’s a shame that I can’t go down there to play because I have to host the events, but I am planning to be making a second host in the future, so I can have a day off and actually play the game mode with everyone else."

Star Wars RP: RP

     As a game maker, Pro has not rested on his laurels following the takeoff success of TQT. He and his cadre are thinking of new ideas for fun ops and mini games. When asked if he’s making any more games, he states:

     “For right now, yes, and I won’t go into detail because I’m actually still talking to my staff about it a the moment. I can so that it’s going to be a lot bigger then what TQT and a lot more detailed as well. Also it will definitely be roleplaying mode too.”

He concludes: “Come join! I mean, it’s worth it to join at least once and to see for yourself if you like it or not.”

CT Pro's next TQT event has been announced for the 24th of May and more information can be found here:

CT Pro's TQT Discord

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Battalion HQ -

Fancy is taking over Zeta responsibilities.
Andromeda is taking over UTC. The “Overseer” role was removed as it was a placeholder.
Odin was promoted the Company CS-M

Avalanche HQ -

Odin (CS to CS-M)

Sense (CT to CP), Skittles (CP to Sr. CP)

Myrola (CT to Sr. CT), Fiend (CT to Sr. CT)

News is that we as Avalanche company will now be accepting CR-C's into our platoons as long as they have completed UTC and completed at least one check in with Zeta company. We are also looking for active people who are interested in leadership to talk with platoon leaders and inquire about how to continue moving forward in the unit.

"If the number (21) is twenty one and the number (31) is thirty one then why is the number (11) eleven?” - CC Player

Avalanche 1 -

Simon (CT to Sr. CT)
“First platoon is still kicking ass and taking names” - CS-M Point

Avalanche 2 -

Soviet (CM to CM-P)

Avalanche 3 -

Nevermore (CT to CP), Schames (CT to CP), Dimitri (CT to CP)

CT Rayne (CT to Sr. CT), Deci (CT to Sr. CT), Sour (CT to Sr. CT), Bjorn (CT to Sr. CT)
"We're doing good." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

Turkey (CT to Sr. CT)

"Wait, I can just say anything and you'll put it in the newsletter? Let me think of something." - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

"We're all doing good here." - CC Lava

Onyx -

"We're preparing for our campaign operations this weekend and working on trainings, nothing else new" - CS-M Crow

Mynock -

“We are running in normal parameters and are Finishing up the last Things to be fully operational.”  - CS-M Jan

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Pressing backspace while in Zeus will remove the HUD elements, allowing you to take great screenshots.

501st Trivia

LT. Euler is currently the mod lead of the TCW mod.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CT Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits:}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor:CT Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Stone, CP Hoodoo and CT Ruse}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Friday, May 3rd, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

      Hello everybody! With the legion approaching to the summer months, the staff of the 501st prepares for a large recruitment cycle to replenish from lost casualties in the war against the Confederacy! To bring combat ineffective units back up full strength, the Legion relies on it's vast amount of training personnel to cover the selection and training of all the new generations of clones sent to the front! CT Ruse and CT Hoodoo had the chance to take an in-depth look into the workings and history of CTC.

CTC, UTC, Baby You and Me, Girl: A History of the 501st’s Training Program

     The basic initial test is a crucible of gamers. Twice a week, hopeful newcomers stand shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers to attempt a live-fire course where every corner, every killzone is optimized for lethality of the participants and thrills of the spectators. The task of these greenhorns seems suicidal, and for many, it is. If they triumph, they will together, and their reward is sweeter than their success itself: a one-way ticket to Upsilon Training Corps.

     In the fall of 2017 and before, the initial test was considered the end of the targeted training of newer players. Recruits of the surviving class were made Cadets on the spot and sent off to be forged into elite riflemen in a nurturing squad environment. As membership has increased, so too has the need for training beyond the initial test.

    In addition to metering the flow of new members, CTC, or Cadet Training Corps, was introduced in the winter of 2017-18 to ensure new members had more supervised training hours under their belts before they were thrown into active duty. CS Andromeda, UTC commandant and former CTC instructor, recounts:

     “They were building up CTC to be something between BCT [Basic Combat Training] and just throwing people right into the unit so that people needed to know what to learn to become great troops in the community.”

     However, CTC was not without its issues. Each class of CTC Cadets comprised up to eight squads of cadets. The instructor of each class reported directly to the class commandant. This structure meant that command was centralized. In addition, the cadets advanced (or did not advance) through the course as a squad. Andromeda elaborates:

     “CTC had a lot less communication than what we have now between instructors and upper staff; recruits would fall through the cracks in the old system, and with the amount of recruits that we were getting, it was too much for the old system can handle…. Classes would sometimes not have a instructor because the instructors’ schedules couldn’t line up with their classes or with CTC all together.”

     It was for these reasons among others that CTC replaced by UTC as the 501st’s training program during the winter of 2018-19. However, more than just a C to a U was changed during UTC’s creation. There is now a platoon of instructors and cadets with a decentralized command structure. The pace of the course has been reworked to minimize the downtime for individuals who exceeded expectations. CT Nevermore is a former UTC instructor with experience in both programs. He explains the adjusted focus of UTC:

     “It’s more about the individual training than the entire group, so if one recruit is ready to move on to phase red (which is more of a combat training rather than information training), that individual recruit gets to move on while the others remain in phase green. It’s less of a group effort and more towards making sure that each recruit is ready on their own to move on, rather than as a group.”

     Commandant Andromeda explains that the long-term goal of the switch to UTC - it needed a greater instructor role and a simplification of the chain of command. As new members roll in, Andromeda’s “instructors have a greater range of [UTC Cadets] to work with.” In addition, fresh folks are exposed to new members more quickly.

     A more immediate benefit of restructuring the program was that UTC cadets no longer all have to log on at the same time as their peers to progress. As a result, UTC cadets with isolated time zones get to be in a squad just like everyone else. Nevermore continues:

     “The New system allows people with disparate schedules get the training that they need in a timely manner. Where the old system used to take three weeks to get everyone done in CTC, this new system can get some done faster, and still get everyone else caught up.”

     With the removal of the time zone barrier and the increase in class size, some UTC instructors find that they’re unable to make as strong of a connection with their Cadets as they had in CTC. Andromeda describes weighing the pros and cons of the switch:

     “We wanted to fit everybody into a public squad, instead of one person being by themselves and not getting the same opportunity as anyone else gets in UCT, we wanted to bring out the team aspect and the squad aspect and what it means to be in this unit this time around in UTC.”

     Another downside of a training corps structured on company lines is the need for qualified existing members to staff each element at the company, platoon and squad level. Nevermore himself recently stepped down from UTC for availability reasons - the time commitment is significant. CM Bronson, a Senior UTC instructor, admits the lack of instructor availability is an issue:

     “We’re trying to get more staff and people into the program. Yes we did have a fair amount of instructors and upper staff that left UTC but they couldn’t make the times any more,so they left or in some cases went to a different unit all together or went up in the chain of command to be moved into the section system. With all of that we need more instructors then we had in the past.”

     This turnover of instructors is a healthy part of achieving the goal of the program. Bronson elaborates on the growing pains of the company:

     “I think a lot of it is growing pains, any expansion in the unit. Blizzard and Zeta [Companies] had the same issues when they came out, and this was a big thing that had happened in CTC at the time. So along with that ambition, there’s a period to expand the unit and feel out what we want it to be. There was a vision to achieve.”

     CS Legia, former assistant commandant to Andromeda, agrees with Bronson’s assessment. He says:

     “People leave. It’s that some of them don’t have the time for the more rigid format. I would say in that regard that's upsetting but it will allow us to make the changes that we need in UTC for the system to work for everyone.”

     Andromeda concludes:

    “We’re expecting an increase in recruits coming in the starting summer, and I admit that we are understaffed at the moment. That’s why we are opening up applications for UTC, so when we get more Jr. Instructors to help out with the recruits, we can get them going faster through the first, second, and the third phases as well.”

      More recruits need more instructors. More instructors beget more recruits. This is a perpetual cycle, the heartbeat of the unit, with those graduates who return as instructors doing a particularly poetic service. That the purpose of the training company is dual served is an apt reflection of our unit: UTC, like the 501st as a whole, bridges the gap between combat training and community.

Upsilon Training Company is currently recruiting instructors in anticipation of the summer membership surge.

Credit:

CS Andromeda

CS Legia

CT Nevermore

CM Bronson

CM Pipit

     With the Galactic Campaign underway and the month of July approaching fast, we here at the 501st News Team bid hopes and good fortunes to the members of the UTC personnel during those times. Stay around for more news from the 501st in next week's newsletter!



_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Avalanche HQ -

“It's hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse.” - CC Player

Avalanche 1 -

“This past weekend Avalanche 1 performed valiantly on the field and successfully [REDACTED]” - CS Legia

Avalanche 2 -

"2nd platoon is doing well and looking forward to this weekend." - CS Pompano

Avalanche 3 -

"3rd's doing good." - CC Ewik

Acklay -

“Surely there's no reason we cant be civilised about all this." - CC Lava

ARC -

“...continuing to practice and improve with FTX’s and we look forward to the anniversary of the Unit’s creation!”  - CS-M Crow

Razor -

"Razor recruitment is open, go to #razor-open in pinned messages on discord for information. As long as you are eligible for UTC you are eligible to participate to become a pilot." - CX Scuba

Mynock -

"Mynock is excellent and very diligent in their training. We should be done very soon and ready to provide support to the rest of the Battalion." - CI Zulu

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

You can mark nearby mines with "T", however this might spam your short range additional radio channel.

501st Trivia
Koop's dad is badass.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CI Daedalus for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CM-C Ifrus, CT Swanny, CM-P Navo and Me. Extra graphics by: CT Daku and CT Shifty.}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor:CT Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Stone, CP Hoodoo}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Thursday, April 25th, 2019

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

      The updated campaign progress of the 501st Legion as described below seems to indicated the battle is going well for Republic forces. Initial intelligence indicates that we have found where the CIS leadership are located and are devising a plan to deal with them. Reports seem to indicate that the CIS attacked the civilian populace using a dirty bomb, procured possibly by mercenary Mandalorians. Efforts are being made to secure the civilian populace from the terrorists and install a Pro-Republic Government.

      Avalanche’s First Platoon has taken the time to run field training exercises on FOB Security and Patrols. This isn’t glamorous work, but it provides the necessary foundations for the security of the rest of The 501st Legion and the civilian populace on the planet. This is a job that has only been made more important due to the recent actions against the citizens of the planet from Separatist forces like the Mandalorian mercenaries who carried out the horrific dirty bomb attack on the good people of the planet in an effort to strike fear into those who wish to be free.

     Second Platoon has spent time preparing for an upcoming push into the highlands of the planet, this upcoming offensive has the goal of eliminating the threat from organized CIS forces on the planet.

     Third Platoon has been tasked with the vital responsibility of restoring the civilian populace’s freedom of movement through the recapture of vital roadways and transportation hubs.

     Fourth Platoon has been taking a direct approach to ensuring the safety and prosperity of the planet’s people, doing key patrols through the area, securing towns and reinstall a peaceful regime on this planet.

     Acklay has been instrumental in counter-espionage operations, securing and investigating assets vital to the Legion’s operations.

     Onyx has proved invaluable once again by fulfilling much-needed support and direct-action operations.

     Razor, as always, has provided a backbone for the Legion by providing logistical and fire support with immense professionalism and precision.

    Casualty counts for the operations have been very low with a high kill/casualty ratio for all combat operations. Unfortunately, most deaths in the 501st seem to be the result of weapons malfunctions and terrorist attacks from Separatist terrorists.

    
     In summary, the operations of The 501st Legion on the planet have been largely successful, and final victory on the planet seems imminent.



_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Avalanche 1 -

Sticks (CT to Sr. CT)

“Kicked ass, took names, and cut through the enemy like a hot knife through butter. Also dropped a nuke” - CS-M Point

Avalanche 2 -

Stoanes(CT to Sr. CT), Purdy(CT to Sr. CT)

"Second platoon is looking to leave no survivors this weekend" - CS-M Crisis

Avalanche 3 -

Sven (CT to Sr. CT)

“He's a bit weeby but he deserves it nonetheless, overall 3rd is doing good and ready for Friday.” - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

Fixit (CT to Sr. CT), Delaney (CT to Sr. CT)

“We welcome all 501st elements to pin any alleged war crimes onto 4-3” - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

"Acklay is doing well & working hard. We're on board to Assist Avalanche this weekend." - CC Lava

Onyx -

“The ARC Detachment is currently making preparations for a large scale assault over the weekend. We will be training on different variants of insertion and extraction methods along with testing of  weapons in CQC environments. We are very anxious to see what the future holds for this planetary system in the campaign and have nothing but positivity for our goals!” - CS-M Crow

Razor -

4 New Razors: Cadets CX-C Dog, CX-C Aspect, CX-C Slurps, and CX-C Dubbs.

2 Promotions: Ensigns CX-X Grizzly and CX-X Namenai

RTO -

Almost done with testing of the comms, Mynock is fitting well.

“Ewik is Ukrainian” - CI-O Roadboy

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Don't forget to delete those map markers once the targets have been destroyed.

501st Trivia
Lieutenant Euler. Come back.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donations

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CI Daedalus for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CR Naya, CT Stone and CT Zen Additional graphics by: CT Shifty and CT Daku}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor: CT Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Stone, CP Hoodoo, and CT Ruse}