OCS Field Training   Draft 1.03    

5 Day-Training Officers Outline

General:  With exception of the attack and defense exercises, OC Field training will occur two to three hours nightly.  The officer cadet will undergo approximately one hour of dynamic training during which the field trainer will actively work with the OC on specific topics or objectives. This is to be a period of compressed activity and evaluation but should not be overly difficult to accomplish if the cadets are well versed on the topics outlined below. The remainder of the evening the OC will be observed by the field trainer to evaluate player interaction and communication skills.  If necessary, the training officers can be flexible on the training time.  Throughout the week it should be remembered that the purpose of the field trainer is to evaluate the cadets on the practical execution of the IKW training that they have already received and to allow them the opportunity to lead troops in real game situations.  If severe weaknesses are identified regarding the basics of the IKW training, field training will be put on hold until IKW can work with the cadet to bring them up to speed in the weak areas.  Any area of the IKW training is fair game to include in the field training evaluation.  Example: As the cadets are performing an attack on a FB the field trainer can ask them to explain what they would do if a subordinate officer disagreed with the way the mission was being executed.  The cadet would be expected to cover the various clauses of the AOC that are appropriate.  

Day 1 - Trainee Orientation
Information - Officer cadets must gain a firm knowledge of Armee chat channel (19/29), LW (18/28) or KM (84) as well as Division and KG channels.  Evaluation is as simple as sending text messages to cadet on the various channels especially while cadet is occupied with other activities.  Effective use of the communication skills are basic to command and should be automatic.  Failure to monitor required text channels would be one of the reasons to return the cadet to IKW for further training.

Officer cadets should have a basic knowledge of the division’s current area of operations. This should be completed prior to day one and provided by IKW before sending cadet to field training. 

Officer cadets should research and retain the names of division as well as kg officers in order to be familiar with who they will be working with and obtain an understanding of the COC. This should be completed prior to day one and provided by IKW before sending cadet to field training.

Resource - http://www.axishq.wwiionline.com

Practical - *Officer cadets must be able to navigate the OKW TS server - locating Division as well as KG channels.
                  
*Officer cadets should be able to engage as well as understand uses for command channel whisper. 

*Although it is recognized that voice com programs are very useful and cadets should be encouraged to use them, please note that use of TS is not a requirement for OKW officers.  If there are issues with the various ways that TS can be utilized, the training officer work with the cadet to gain a working knowledge of these concepts.  

Officer cadets must be able to communicate with fellow officers via PM as well as LW (18/28), Armee (19/29) and division channels.

Officer cadets must be able to post missions with proper mission posting format.

Day 2 - Day in the Life (of an OKW officer)
Information - Officer cadets should have a basic knowledge of advanced .dot commands.  (example .fallback, .delay, .attack)
                       
Officer cadets must be able to identify current OIC of their Armee/Flotte
                       
Officer cadets should have a basic overview of the steps an officer goes through when entering WW2OL (.hcon, check objectives, check attack obj and defense obj info, announce presence on command channels, etc)

Practical - Officer cadets should be able to apply basic .dot commands in the field and game map.  This will have to be accomplished via quizzing.  The cadet can explain how, why and when but it is not believed that the OC cadets have .fallback, .hold, .clear, .attack , .delay and etc. authority until promotion from OCS.

Officer cadets must be able to deploy a fire base defense.
                   
Officer cadets should be able to mount a fighting withdrawal from a FB and let it fall.
                   
Officer cadets must be able to deploy a basic town defense.

Day 3 - Building The Sandbox
Implementation - Officer cadets will first be tasked with determining a valid attack objective or operation.

Officer cadets will then lead this operation to its natural conclusion.  Success or failure of the mission is not as important as how the cadet handles command.

The goal is to create a fun environment for Indy players.

A secondary goal is to help develop the officer cadet’s ability to lead in field.

Practical - Officer cadets should be able to lead a basic attack.

Officer cadets must be able to organize a basic FB attack.  This is a small operation and can be implemented without assistance from other KGs. Would also like to see the cadet organize an attack on an AO.  All Division KGs will be used for this effort.  This can occur on Day 3, 4 or 5 as the opportunity presents itself.

Day 4 - The wringer
Implementation - Officer cadets will first be assigned impossible tasks and monitored closely on how they handle them.  Field Trainers should observe the officer cadets strengths and weaknesses during the first three days of field training.  These weaknesses will then determine which task(s) to assign during this phase.

Suggested Impossible tasks (Field Trainers can be as creative as they see fit for this exercise).
Luftwaffe:
Organize a flight to create and hold Cap over a heavily contested airspace around an attack or defense objective.  This task must be completed without an .axis for additional pilots (3-6 pilots should be involved).
Organize a flight to create and provide CAS to a CP that has enemy control of the airspace.  This task must be completed without an .axis for additional pilots (2-4 pilots should be involved)

Kriegsmarine: KM to design a list of unit specific impossible tasks.

Heer:
Officer will be tasked to destroy an enemy FB that is open to a current defense objective.  Force that is used cannot exceed 6-8 members, and cannot be drawn from the defense object or frontline town.  Time limit 1 hour.
Organize JU-52 mission on a one-AB town.  Accomplish multicap.  Success determined by cap of all CPs including the spawnable and fallback CPs.  This is doable but would be extremely difficult with one JU flight. 
Establish interdiction force to defend against two enemy fbs.  Success is determined by the number of units prevented from attacking the town cadet is defending or conversely, the number of enemy units that get to the defending town. Variation on the theme: Only KG3 players are to be used in this exercise.  This limits cadet’s resources.
Assign cadet multiple and conflicting orders: Ex: “Need defense established at XXX Fb” And “Resupply defense town with HTs and 88s” When officer cadet requests clarification or priority, the field trainer will basically tell him he is on his own.  Variation on the theme: Once officer cadet begins to implement his missions order an abort and issue another set of conflicting orders.  

Positive evaluation of the tasks should not be directly tied with tactical success of the given objective.  Officer cadets should be judged on HOW they conduct themselves, primarily their ability to retain composure and communication throughout the exercise.

Day 5 - The Division

Implementation - Officer cadets will be assigned supervised control of the entire Division. This will include all tasks typically carried out by division officers.  Including such tasks as: 1) Determination of theatre risks and opportunities within the division Area of operations, 2) Obtaining orders from Korps (optional - could receive from field trainer), 3) Meeting with kg officers to receive briefs and then delegating officers to tasks as needed and 4) Monitoring and adjusting the division deployment in a fluid manner.