The Art of Warfare Blogs: TAW Blogs

CIC Icarus : Year One

One year ago, the TAW community elected its 4th Commander-In-Chief in a history breaking election that went down to a single vote. TAW’s highest and most demanding position was bestowed upon Icarus on January 28th, 2012 and since that day, he has made the TAW community his number one priority. We took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to ask what exactly our CIC has been up to and what we might expect from him in 2013

First of all, I want to thank you for your time and for helping TAW Media spread your message to the TAW community.

1. What do you like and dislike about your position as CIC?"

The Commander in Chief position is a huge honor. I feel privileged to be able to steer the overall direction of TAW. The thing I like the best about being CIC is being able to work closely with some of the best and most experienced leaders in TAW. I think the only thing that I dislike is losing touch with all our great membership. With TAW being over 2000 members, it is impossible for me to get to know everyone!

2. Thus far, what has been the hardest part about the CIC position?

The hardest thing about the CIC position would be communication. Divisions work hard to ensure that there is communication up and down the COC. In Central Command, we have to work even harder to ensure good communication, especially considering I am worried about two whole branches of TAW

3. What have been some of the goals you set out with that you have accomplished as CIC?

I am very happy with the growth of leadership across TAW. This has been my largest goal. I have strived to improve at the CC level, but TAW has performed incredibly well everywhere. Vanguard is also a special point of pride. I can’t thank Kingcheese and Wardy enough for all they have done to build that team. They have met and exceeded every one of my expectations

4. In November, you announced TAW’s 2013 motto as “Servant Leaders Lead The Way” Are there plans to further develop the servant leadership roles within TAW?

We continue through the TAW University to support our leadership growth. I plan on using that platform in 2013 to really overhaul the documentation and training materials for our leadership. What is more critical though is each leader in TAW continuing to identify future servant leaders!

5. How is TAW 3.0 coming along? Are you still very much involved in it like you were in 2.0?

I am stepped back a lot from my role in TAW.net 2.0. This is due to the phenomenal Operations Support team of Cutthroat, Ekis, and Eifer. I have been supporting the work, but letting that team take the reins. As far as progress, we are in the very initial stages. I know the team is working hard to identify new software that will meet TAW’s needs going forward and designing an implementation strategy

6. Care to share any updates or any ideas that you’ve been working on?

Well we have been working a lot lately on dealing with the significant growth of TAW. We have had to upgrade our Teamspeak server and come up with plans for the future. TAW’s significant growth has attracted attention from the outside, so I am working hard to secure TAW’s best interests going forward. There will be more to come on this, but everyone should rest assured that TAW is in good hands! The CIC’s main responsibility is watching out for TAW.

7. The TAW Community Fundraiser was a huge success in 2012, will there be another one in 2013?

I expect so. I will be looking at our funding situation this year as we make long term plans, but I try to have one fundraiser a year to make sure the community fund of TAW stays strong. Folks should look for something for the middle of this year.

8. We’ve seen a rise in Free to Play games in TAW lately. Are there any plans for another TAW@WAR event in 2013?

We already have a volunteer to run a TAW@WAR for 2013, Oldwolf. I would expect to hear more from him in the coming months.

9. What can the members of TAW look forward to in 2013?

I can’t help but laugh at those who predicted a “death to PC gaming”. We have the largest number of strong PC titles that I can ever remember. I expect 2013 to be a very strong year for TAW as we continue to do what we do. We have seen unprecedented growth, and so we will need to stay on our game in 2013 to ensure TAW stays strong, but I am confident with all our great leadership, we will thrive.

10. Which games can we find you playing nowadays? Which ones are you looking forward to in 2013?

Well I have just gotten involved in Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, and I will be supporting the spin up of that team out of Horizon. We have a strong team so far, so I hope that there is even more interest! Between TAW and everything else, I try to not think about more than one game at any one time. I will keep you posted though!

11. Is there anything you would like to say to the members of TAW?

I would only say keep doing what you all are doing. Support your teams and your leaders and volunteer to help out. Almost without exception, every leader you see at Division or Central Command level started out as a DI. There is no better way to support your team!

Icarus, on behalf of the TAW Community I’d like to congratulate you on your first year as CIC and would like to again thank you for your time and overwhelming dedication to The Art of Warfare.

HOOOORAH!!!

Colonel DeadXOn

TAW Media / Operations Support

Suport Division Commander