VMF214  Blacksheep Squadron

Policy

Last Updated:  3-12-2007

 

 

We use their name, their Marine symbols, designations
and some of us took their names with pride to honor
their bravery, accomplishments and memories.

 

 

Our Fighter Ace Squadron began as the "99th Flying Tigers" in January 1998. On October 22, 1998 we adopted our current squadron name (with the introduction of the F4U Corsair into the game), which is based on the Black Sheep Squadron famous for its WW2 exploits in the southwest Pacific.

 

Rule #1 is to have Fun!  This is a game, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose and sometimes we have to remind ourselves of Rule #1.  Recruits are required to memorize Rule #1!

 

Our group governs ourselves relatively loosely. Though we have Commanding, Executive and other Officers, we do not operate under a typical command hierarchy. All members have an equal say in Squadron decisions and we try to achieve these through group consensus. We highly value our Squadron camaraderie and so, new members are accepted only after scrutiny and only if there are no dissenting votes.

 

We have no allegiance with any single country however we tend to lean towards US (in keeping with our VMF214 Squadron personas).  We also fly other teams' planes, partly because we encourage Squadron members to be proficient in all of FighterAce's planes and will join a country other times for "country balance" purposes.

 

We follow the Fighter Ace Code of Conduct, which includes no foul, crude, or vulgar language, no personal attacks, and respect shown for SysOps, HQ and any other designated Ketsujin/FighterAce personnel. Squadron members are also required to adhere to the rules governing any arena or event they’re flying in.

 

Our Squadron members play FighterAce with a sense of sportsmanship. Our members refrain from taunting, gloating, or boasting, and otherwise avoid provoking or disturbing others. We also encourage Squadron members to take any online "disputes" out of the arena and into a private chat. Our Squadron members never "Escape" from an engagement, so if you see us "disappear" you can safely bet that it's a lost connection.  While ‘chute shooting’ was a reality in WWII, we leave it up to individual members since an argument can be made on either side, it’s up to each pilots sense of ethics and not governed by squad policy.

 

No "hacking" or "cracking" of the FighterAce program is tolerated within the Squadron. Any member who is ever found to do so will be expelled from the Squadron and reported to FA Management.

 

Should you develop a dispute with any of our Squadron members, please take it out of the FA arenas and the Lobby chats and into private (or empty arenas). If you feel it necessary, please submit your grievance to our Commanding Officer (please use the form on this link).  Your comments will receive unbiased consideration and deliberation, investigation if necessary and will to attempt to resolve the dispute and take action that is deemed necessary.

 

 

Articles of Command

1. When it’s necessary to replace the Commanding Officer (CO), the outgoing CO can execute these Articles of Command by his own choice. If that’s not an option it’s the responsibility of the Executive Officer (XO), or his designate, to execute the Articles of Command.  The person who is deemed responsible is referred to as the ‘Manager’.
1. The CO is the only elected position within the squad.  The XO and any other positions deemed necessary by the CO are appointed positions by the CO.

                                                               i.      The CO can also remove/replace any officer at any time.

2. The Manager has voting rights.

 

2. Notice via email is sent to all members asking for discussion and nominations for the CO position.  The Manager has discretion as to how often to email reminders or status.  Squad responses and discussion should be terminated within approximately one week (or longer if more discussion is needed but no longer than two weeks).
1. If the Manager becomes one of the nominees, he must hand off execution of the remaining Articles to another Command Officer or member of the squad at this point.
2. Email is sent to all squad members notifying them of the new Manager.
   
   
3. The Manager emails all members listing the eligible nominees for Commanding Officer and asks for a PRIVATE vote, responding ONLY to the Manager with their ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Abstain’ votes for each listed nominee and sets a deadline for responding of 5 days.  Emails received will be responded to by the Manager to confirm receipt. If a member does not receive a confirmation within 12 hours of sending, they should contact the Manager ASAP.
1. If at the closing of this process there is only one nominee, the vote will continue even though there are no other choices.
2. If the single nominee does not receive the majority vote, the process (#3) restarts with the same Manager.
3. If a new CO cannot be agreed upon, the current XO will continue on as the interim CO until one can be agreed upon.

 

4. The Manager tallies the vote.  The nominee with a majority of votes is announced as the new squadron Commanding Officer to the members.
1. If there is a tie, another vote between those nominees tied is held.
2. If there is a second tie, the Manager will determine the winner by coin-toss.
   
   
5. In the event there is a grievance against any Command Staff Officer, they can initiate a ‘Discussion For Impeachment’ on their own accord by formally emailing a ‘DFI’ to all squad members detailing their grievance. 
1. At the conclusion of any discussion, the person that initiated the grievance and the Officer in question shall choose a squad member both parties agree to, to act as ‘Manager’.

                                                               i.      The ‘Manager’ is allowed to vote.

2. The Manager will email a brief description of the grievance and name the officer that the squad is to vote on whether or not to ask for his resignation (from that position).  Voting will close on the 5^th day.
3. A Majority vote will decide the outcome.

 

 

Articles of Recruitment & Membership

1. All members are required to abide by the FA Code of Conduct.
2. Age is restricted to 18 years old or older.
3. While a member of the VMF214, members are not allowed to hold membership in another squad (without special permission and under certain circumstances).
4. VMF214 members cannot attempt to recruit a member that’s already in another squad, however, someone that’s a member of another squad can initiate contact regarding membership into the VMF214 with the understanding that they will not be allowed to maintain membership in their other squad if accepted to join the VMF214.
5. How recruitment is administered (by the CO or by his/her designate);

1. Potential recruits/candidates are required to fill out the website questionnaire.
2. Questionnaire is reviewed first by command staff (decision required within 2 days).

                                                               i.      If accepted by command staff it goes to the squad for approval.

                                                             ii.      If not accepted, candidate will receive an email stating so.

3. Questionnaire is reviewed next by the entire squad.  If even one member disapproves for any reason, the candidate is disqualified… 100% acceptance for trial period AND membership is required. (Responses required within 3 days)

                                                               i.      If all members accept application, candidate is sent an email inviting him/her to a 30-day probationary period where they will need to fly with the squad as much as possible.

                                                             ii.      If application is not accepted, candidate will receive an email stating so.

4. At the end of the 30-day probation period a vote is taken to either accept or reject the candidates petition.  All squad members will be asked to vote YES, NO or Abstain (a null vote).  Abstaining carries no weight in the voting (the member was probably not able to fly or talk to the candidate or not enough to form an opinion one way or the other).  A SINGLE ‘NO’ vote is enough to reject a candidate.
5. If accepted, the recruit will be sent an email and asked to create a new VMF214 squad nickname and register on the FighterAce Squadrons page.  By acceptance into the squad the recruit is agreeing to abide by FighterAces Code of Conduct and agrees to hold in the strictest confidence the squads communications, information, and assets. While holding membership in the VMF214 (and without special permission) it’s agreed that the recruit will not hold membership in any other squad without terminating membership in the VMF214 first.
   
   

6. Anyone can initiate cause for having an existing member(s) removed from the VMF214 by contacting the CO with details.
1. The CO will investigate to confirm any assertions made and will notify Staff.
2. The ‘problem’ member will be confronted with the issue; the CO will attempt to resolve the issue without it going any further.
3. If the initiator isn’t satisfied, the issue will go to the squad for discussion and given a time limit of 5 days. 
4. If at the end of the 5^th day no resolution is made, it will go to vote that will also be given 5 days to conclude.
5. If the majority votes that the ‘problem’ member is to be terminated from the squad, he will be notified of that result by the CO and asked to leave.
6. If the majority votes no, no further action will be taken.