How come we don't have a reserve unit?

Good afternoon,

I asked myself: "Why don't we have a reserve unit?"

In the troubling times we find ourselves in, some IRL stuff requires more time to complete than it would without the global pandemic going about; I can't personally visit a customer and sign a contract in one day, sometimes it takes a full week of bothersome online meetings to build the same trust you get in a in-person meeting; maybe it's hard for me to follow lectures at college/university for me and I have to spent twice as much time starring at my screen as I would listen to the lecturer in person.

Naturally, even outside of the pandemic situation, we have period where we have less time on our hands. Why don't have a place for TAW members where they can step back from responsibilities, but still be connected to the organization? If I discharge, I'm out of the loop; I lose contact since I'm no longer part - some might prefer the term "asset" - of the unit and I certainly don't get regular updates through email from my previous unit. You always want to keep a connection open, even if it is a bit forced, to increase the chance for the ex-member to return.

"Well, you can take a leave, right?" , you might say. But, I want to save those in case I want to go on a summer trip or there's an emergency (e.g. finalizing my thesis, work abroad, illness etc.) .

Where I'm pointing at is a laid back, side unit next to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalion, where members are not deemed to sign up for mandatories, but they are included in the day-to-day regular talk of their respective region. They might show up and fill the members of a squad, but they're not guaranteed they get a spot they'd prefer. They don't get positions - no responsibilities. No promotions, since they're not in active duty, but they can - and this is shocking - enjoy the game at their own pace. You'd of course have to pass the PFC rank beforehand in your respective unit of region, and maybe some additional requirements to prove effort and interest.

You want that spicy SL role? Well, you'd better get back in active duty chief. Are you content with running logistics for the mission from time-to-time? Why not join the logistics core in the reserves?* There's a place for everyone!

I understand this goes against a lot of policies we stand for, but the most important part of a gaming community is the community and the enjoyment you get from it through building relationships. Since I have the gut feeling member retention is an issue, this would insure members with less time on their hands won't abruptly leave TAW to never return, and members that want to enjoy a community for the game and the people aren't forced to participate in the military-esc structure. Particularly in games like Arma 3 where we need to fill up infantry squads it is of utmost interest to have high member attendance, however we can't shove members with low attendance in the poor-man-squad because we're unsure whether they're going to show up next time to carry anti-tank or play the medic.

What are your thoughts?

*These are very much examples from Arma 3, I don't have anything to say for other games.

Each member has two leaves per year, this allows you to take that step back when needed. I think this cover's what you are proposing.

Not at all.

On leave is generally 30 days a year with an additional 30 days when given a good reason. "On leave" means you step away from TAW for said period to do your business, as in "I go on leave tomorrow, make sure to send that email out, 'caus I won't be in the office 'till end of the month." , as in "don't  bother me". What I'm proposing is a reserve unit that is not obliged by mandatories. They are part of the organization, thus know of and are invited of all events, however do not positions nor promotions, since they are not active duty.

Say my wife has a baby: I want to continue playing with TAW, but my hours are very sporadic and I'm often urged to leave mandatories to deal with matters. A "On leave"-period ain't gonna cover it. I just formed a connection with a few of the members and don't want to lose it. I join the reserves and join them every week or two for a mandatory, and in the meantime remain in the big loop. Whenever my schedule clears up, I get back into active duty, and since the members know me and I'm in good standing, I swiffle my way into a FTL position in that same period of time.

On the other hand, I might enjoy TAW for it's community, but for the foreseeable future my schedule doesn't clear up; I'm still representing the community I love and continue upholding relationships with a few of the members. I'm able to join them just a few times a month, but that is enough for me. It's nice that I can play co-op game "A" with an organized community like TAW, since I'd have to find a new unit and possibly start all over again.

We're not talking one month, two months; we're talking half a year, one year periods.

I get your point, apart from lifetime or leaves, your only option is excusing from events. It really does depend on the division itself. I know some are more demanding than others, because that's what the game leans towards and some are more relaxed. My personal opinion is, I don't think we need another system. The debate of mandatories comes up every few months, but it's a huge part of what TAW is and keeps members invested and engaged. I agree with Warlohn, that 60 days leave a year, combined with excusal's from events is enough to keep you active in the community, anything more and it's not a dedicated community.

Just a side note, discharging from TAW, doesn't mean you're out of the family, many division now have discords that allow discharged members to be active in. This keeps you in the loop and makes it easier to reinstate in the future.

You seem really passionate about the community, so if you do have a proposed idea for change, you can always request that your CoC sponsor it for you.

I see where you are coming from - wanting to continue being involved in the community when your schedule is all out of sorts.

We have many systems in place that allow you to deal with random events in your life and staying connected to TAW. Warlohn brought up going on leave. Which is great when you need to step back to handle real life things. You also have the ability to submit an excusal, which allows you to stay in position while not needing to attend the mandatory event. Finally, you can always contact your CoC for all other reasons. All of us here are reasonable people, and are happy to help you so long as you keep us in the loop. 

If you are needing 6 months or a year from being expected to attend a mandatory, just take a discharge. You can still come into TS and play with your unit when you want as a guest. When your schedule opens back up again, you can request to be re-instated back into your unit. Nothing is held against you.

As some of the guys have previously said, each member is entitled to two 30 Leave Of Absence in any 12 month period.  Anything over that is generally a discharge. 

If it's just a week or two that you need, just let your CoC know what's going on and put in the appropriate excusals.  Most CoC are understanding and will work with you.

If it's because you're serving in the military, we do have a special section specifically for that and that carries up to a 6 month period, but it's reserved for Deployed Members.

Remember, even if you have to take a discharge due to real life, you can still come into the TS channels as a guest and just have to message someone to move you to lower channels.  If the TS password gets changed, message your TFO and ask for the new password.

I will be honest, I have had a similar idea to you a few months ago but I realised a Unit like you're prescribing is not needed. I also had the idea of the Staff within this unit would be able to point members in the right direction when it comes to helping the wider organisation, such as joining a Division with Operations or pointing them towards Vanguard and potentially starting a Spinup. Yes, you only get 2 times 30 days Leave per year, this can be extended by the approval of your CC to a max of 60 days if needed.

What I see here is that you're projecting that Discharging from TAW has negative connotations or is seen as a "bad" thing, this is not the case. Real life comes first, if you're going to be away for more than 60 days, request a Discharge as you will not be able to be covered by being on Leave. If you're going to be away for an extended period of time and you have no Leave available due to it being used, request a Discharge. Trust me, no matter the reason, as long as you're in communication with you're CoC they will have no issues. What does get frustrating from our stand point is when people go inactive or AWOL and do not communicate with their CoC. Everyone will always be welcome on TS as a Guest if they're currently Discharged and in Good Standing.

Just dropping my two cents in.

Based on the suggestion I assume you took inspiration from IRL army reserve. While the idea of a floating hangout zone does sound nice, it does not correspond to the actual functions of a reserve.

A reserve army is formed of trained and pre-organized groups who are only used when needed. Basically on-call basis. What this means is that when there's an event and there are empty spots in squad, the commander calls up the reserve to fill up those spots. Reserve does not join in when they feel like it.
I just had to do some correction in that part, assuming you meant real life army reserves.

As it has been pointed out, we pretty much already have a sort of "safety net" for those incapable of performing active participance; Taking a leave, excusing or discharging (regular-honorable). You're still part of TAW though. 

If we were to have an additional unit for the not-as-active people, who will manage it and what changes would be needed, so that this new unit would follow the CoE correctly? TAW is quite unique when it comes to communities, our policies and codes set up some criteria and guidelines for a well-managed system. The basis of our success, based on my analysis, is that organization-wise we are a clan culture, which emphasizes on flexibility and unity among its' members. I would understand the need for this new unit, if we were hierarchial culture.

I think this is something that pops up every once in a while in one form or another, and whilst everything you say makes sense, it goes against one of the fundamental principles that makes TAW different, we’re all active. To change that would change everything. 

I think you underline an important point though, whilst for some they’ve found themselves with more time on their hands, many have found themselves busier than ever. But going to a holding pen isn’t the answer, and if leave isn’t either, then a discharge is. I don’t understand why that is often overlooked - there’s no harm whatsoever in taking a discharge, taking a few months until things settle, then returning when you’re ready. Discharges aren’t negative, they’re part of the normal function of TAW. 

Thanks,

Mav