Resolution 2006-01: Proposal to Change the Training System

Situation
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The number of applicants for this game has been dropping over the past few years. This year alone, we’ve only had less than five applicants and out of that number, only two managed to be sent to the fleet (that too only on probation). The current system, which is holding training missions in the holodeck have problems, a major one being the amount of waiting the player has to endure for a class to start. Recently, it takes a month, even two to get 3 or 4 cadets, needed to start a proper class. And because of this, by the time class starts the cadets who have waited a long time end up losing interest and just do
not participate in the class and this has resulted in a loss of potential players. In the most recent classes, only 1-3 players end up posting during the mission, which doesn’t exactly provide a fulfilling training mission for the remaining participants and
when the graduates from these classes head to the fleet, they undergo a huge jump in pace, as the unit deals with the number of writers greater than 6.

Another measure we have taken was placing the cadets directly in the fleet for their training and this too had some problems. For one, a cadet, especially a complete newcomer with absolutely no previous experience in the game, could end up becoming
overwhelmed as he/she had to worry about adjusting to the game’s environment and at the same time, the unit dynamics be it landing in the middle of a complex mission and getting confused or the catching up he/she would need to do to keep up with the unit’s pace. Another problem is once the cadet was sent to the unit for their training, there were times we had no way of knowing if they passed or failed, unless the CO or ExO informs us or if we keep an eye on the archives to check on their progress.

So, in the light of our current situation, I’m proposing the following changes to the Advanced Command Training Program.

1. The new program will comprise of two phases. The first phase will take place in Starfleet Academy, while the second in the fleet.
   
   1A) PHASE 1: STARFLEET ACADEMY
   
   i)      As soon as the potential player’s application is approved, he/she will immediately begin phase 1 of their training.
   ii)     The cadets will be in this stage for 1 ½- 3 weeks, where they will undergo a scenario (likely set in the holodeck) related to their major. For example, a character with a security background would undergo a wargames simulation. Or a flight major would be placed in a flight simulator where they participate in a combat scenario, a doctor might be placed in a disaster area where they would need to treat patients, a scientist made to solve a puzzle and so on.
   iii)    The cadets will be evaluated for their grasp of the formatting rules, post structure (adhering to the minimum word limit, readability of posts, spelling/grammar). Basically, this phase is just to prepare them to get a feel for the game in a controlled environment and thus instill some confidence in them before they head to the next stage. That way, when they enter the fleet, they don’t have to worry about their format and stuff as they adjust
   to the unit’s dynamics.
   iv)     The cadet will be assigned two ACTis (usually one senior and one junior), who will be evaluating their performance during this phase as well as mentoring them. The senior ACTi will be responsible for setting up the scenario.
   v)      A minimum of 2 or 3 posts will be required until the cadet has successfully mastered the formatting rules.
   
          1B) PHASE 2: FLEET
   
   i)      Upon successful completion of phase 1, the cadet will be granted a probationary pass and promoted to Acting Ensign.
   ii)     The newly promoted Acting Ensign will then be assigned to a unit, preferably where at least one of their phase 1 ACTis are serving for continuity purposes.
   iii)    The player will be evaluated by the CO, ExO and/or another senior player (who could be an ACTi or an experienced writer who can mentor the cadet like providing input to his/her posts.) I suggest using another senior player, just so that the CO and XO will not be too burdened with the additional task.
   iv)     The player will be evaluated for their posting frequency, ability to interact with other characters, write for the mission and their own character.
   v)      The player will only be released from probation, if all evaluating parties are satisfied with his/her performance. However, I recommend the probation to not go beyond six weeks, except during extenuating circumstances (like RL concerns).
   vi)     As much as possible, try assigning the cadet to a unit that is not in the middle of a very complex mission, that is currently in R&R or just before the start of a mission.
   vii)    The unit, where they are training, will not necessarily be their final placement.
   
   
2. The minimum requirement of having 4 cadets to start a class will be abolished. This will ensure the cadet would not have to wait a long time for their training to begin.
   
   
3. The scenario in the first phase should be simple and designed to suit one cadet. A list of possible scenarios for each field could be made, just like the mission outlines in the current system.
   
   
4. If the cadet’s major is Command or Operations and they have a different minor, their scenario will be based on the latter. If both majors and minors are Command or Operations, but have something (from the official list of areas) in their additional training section, the scenario will be based on that and if there is nothing in the additional training section, then they will need to be given a scenario in any field (although both cases are rare at the moment). A player with command as both major and minor could also be given the same scenario as a Counselor (likely scenario, conflict resolution or do a puzzle/problem solving). I’m planning on writing up a separate resolution to address the issues pertaining to majors and minors.
   
   Notes: Regarding the scenarios, I was thinking more like making it similar to a computer game with levels. Like when solving a scientific puzzle, the cadet will need to find different clues, each clue discovered takes him/her to the next level and the scenario ends after having attained their final goal. One post per level, where the success for each will actually be determined by the ACTi, who can either post the success or nrpg the details of the next level. Or the cadet can determine the success of their level on their own, and wait for the ACTi to give them details on the next level. However the end result will be written by the ACTi, which in the end will determine whether the cadet passed or failed this phase. The levels will be determined by the cadet’s progress.
   
   The reason behind the scenario idea is that we want to have the cadets to have fun for 2-3 weeks. If we just left it like how the Academy stage is right now, where all the characters do is eat, drink or go to the gym, it would get boring for them.
   

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Outcome:

This resolution was unanimously supported by
the ACTC and sent to the MC for final approval.

MC Result: Unanimously Approved