Every great team has a great leader at its helm. In the case of the newly minted CSGO division, that leader is Jankles. This hardworking DC left TAW years ago and explored the world of gaming clans before returning with a fresh new perspective on why TAW is the best community the web has to offer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First off, tell us a little about your history with TAW. We can see from your profile that you were with us in 2004, left sometime after, and returned just a few months ago. Fill us in on the back story.
I joined TAW back in 2004 into the Raven Shield or Rainbow six division. Back then I had not really been in too many clans and I ended up playing a lot without a team. As Raven Shield is a squad based game, without teamwork you got nowhere. So I decided to look around for a good bunch of guys to play with and that is when I found TAW. The structure, dedication, and friendliness of the clan was so awesome that it made the game ten times better. I had never seen the level of dedication or intricacy of structure before so it blew my mind. Eventually, I decided that I wanted to give back so I took up the position of Drill Instructor to introduce and welcome all the new recruits to TAW. As time went by I moved up the chain from Squad Leader to Head Drill Instructor, or Staff Officer as we call it now. I stayed in Raven Shield until about the end of 2006 when I left due to personal reasons. I began playing Counter Strike Source sometime later and joined numerous clans here and there. What had always happened with those clans was that there would always be some dispute between members and it would eventually lead to a split off to a new clan. This had happened numerous times and it had gotten me fairly discouraged about playing in a clan or community, so I took a break from gaming. TAW had always been in the back of my mind as the best community I had ever joined so when I heard Counter Strike Global Offensive was coming out I decided to look into whether or not they were going to have a division to support it. So I reapplied and the rest in history.
You rocketed to the top of CSGO, taking a Staff Officer slot in the EU Battalion, moving to the NA Competitive Platoon, then taking over as the division's first DC. How did you move up so fast?
I came into CSGO as it was in Vanguard, so everything was still being set up and we had low numbers. I saw the need for a Staff Officer to take charge of new recruits so using my previous experience I was promoted to the NA SO. We had a very hard time finding people who wanted to help out in the drill instructor position so I ended up doing most of the bootcamps myself with some help. About a month went by of the same thing, no drill instructors with an inflow of new recruits coming our way, and that is when we lost our leadership in the EU Battalion that had gotten promoted out. So at this time we had no drill instructors in both battalions, or an EU Staff Officer. So I stepped up and became the SO for both battalions to help out and continued to do bootcamps on both sides. This went on for about another month and a half but we still had no real leadership to lead practices in the EU. We were discharging people as fast as I could do bootcamps. We came to talk with Vanguard about the possible closure of the European Battalion and we decided to give it one last go. This is when Dapeople from the NA side stepped up and really took charge to help me lead the practices and keep the guys in. So it was a joint effort that Dapeople and myself got the battalion back on its feet and be able to hold its own again, I could not have done it without him. Once the EU was back on its feet I got promoted to Commanding Officer for the NA side and continued to do the job of the SO. Upon launch, Vanguard Command gave me a nice recommendation for the DC spot for my works and leadership in both battalions. And that is how I moved up so fast to Division Commander.
What were some of the biggest accomplishments CSGO has made since your return?
I would have to say our competitive team, Black Lungs, really have it together and have taken a couple wins under the belt in their league season. These guys are extremely dedicated, focused and are always willing to help out any new members who may need pointers of how to shape up their game.
What do you feel sets CSGO apart from other TAW divisions?
The level of dedication and commitment from our staff and members is one of the best attributes of our division. When something needs to be done it gets done, a lot of members here take the initiative and are just go getters who are constantly looking for ways to make our division better. If someone has an idea for the division or a direction we should go with practice the officers listen no matter who it is. Our opinions aren't always right and that is why we take our feedback seriously. And the number one reason I would say our division is set apart is that when you join your family. Everyone is friends with everyone here, we make it a point to make sure that people are taken care of.
What factors contributed most to your return to TAW?
In all my years of gaming I have yet to come across another community like TAW. The people here are so nice and helpful, you don't feel like just another number added to the roster as you do when you join a community like EGO. Also the structure modeled after the military fits and works so well within the community that when I had left and joined numerous other clans it could not compare. Honestly, some people may take it for granted but the time and effort put into setting up the structure of TAW is a huge part of what makes it stand out today. TAW always had a special place in the back of my mind for me from my time in Raven Shield and all of the previous reasons is why I decided to eventually come back.
What about you? What are some of your out of game hobbies and interests?
Right now being a newlywed who just got married in June, most of my free time is spent with my wife relaxing or going out on dates as sappy as that sounds. Being in my final year of college and working doesn't give me vast amounts of free time so I like to spend it with her.
Do you play any other video games outside of those you are involved with in TAW?
Oh yes, I play lots of games. I am always looking for a new game to play as long as it isn't crazy expensive. I have been known to dabble in; The Hidden, DayZ, Blacklight Retribution, and of course Minecraft.
Any parting words for the rest of the community?
Just that if you guys are looking for a game to pick up and play with a great bunch of guys jump into our channels and try out some Counter Strike GO.