Co and XO ways to work together??

[Kingtiger]

Hey... as some of U know im Co of BattleGroup Sweden, we had a fight yesterday against LS, TH and some other guys. that we lost :cry: . but anyway. for the first time me and LEAF56 (my Xo) had oppertunity to play as Co and Xo where he supported me allot...

But then he only reminded me of IE and spotted enemy... :D and that I almost wandered away into a Mine field... :shock:

I remember LS gived me some tip on using Xo for a while, But I want to know more ideas :idea:

/KT

[Lone*star49]

Hey... as some of U know im Co of BattleGroup Sweden, we had a fight yesterday against LS, TH and some other guys. that we lost :cry: . but anyway. for the first time me and LEAF56 (my Xo) had oppertunity to play as Co and Xo where he supported me allot...

But then he only reminded me of IE and spotted enemy... :D and that I almost wandered away into a Mine field... :shock:

I remember LS gived me some tip on using Xo for a while, But I want to know more ideas :idea:

/KT
...

Right..lol, and with less than a week before our battle in The_League series between your VU and mine ~ Battledogs ~

A kind hint from my heart: Tell Xo to "unleash the Dogs of War "


More Hints "after" our battle.. :lol:



LS :wink:

[Kingtiger]

A kind hint from my heart: Tell Xo to "unleash the Dogs of War "


ah, U mean to unleash the swedish tigers???? :twisted:

[Elf`]

Co leads, redirects action during battle. Xo plans battle, makes sure Co orders are carried out,(cuz the Co is getting a massage), and leads an Element into battle.Xo also makes sure Co's orders are carried out in action. Xo does the Work, Co takes the credit..or shame.
Elf

[Lone*star49]

A kind hint from my heart: Tell Xo to "unleash the Dogs of War "


ah, U mean to unleash the swedish tigers???? :twisted:
...

Mmmmmmmmmm... could-be :lol:



LS :shock:

[Kingtiger]

Co leads, redirects action during battle. Xo plans battle

Aint CO planing battles and Xo support planing??

[Elf`]

Negative, Xo supposed to do the work, because he is training to be a co....

[Kingtiger]

Negative, Xo supposed to do the work, because he is training to be a co....
Theres an Idea... But I think I ceep with doing the planing myself... what can de Xo do more (I already have a FO so he dont need to think about that normally)

[Elf`]

XO is in charge of training duties, in garrison. Go train yer guys, rehearse!!!

[Lone*star49]

Co leads, redirects action during battle. Xo plans battle

Aint CO planing battles and Xo support planing??
...

Yep, but the Xo is there to also point out differences (improvements) or possible faults in Co's Battle Plans..


LS :3starSK:

[TankHunter]

Well KT, what I do is have my XO deal with the arty and assist in the planning. But I am still the last stop when it comes to decisions.

[Elf`]

Right, Like LS said, the Xo is both a sounding board and a backstop for the CO

[Kingtiger]

Well KT, what I do is have my XO deal with the arty and assist in the planning. But I am still the last stop when it comes to decisions.

Hm... sounds good ,exept from teh Arty thing to I have a FO player for that

[PS-SCUD]

Do what me and Stumpy do.

We play together, talk together, plan together, sl.....er FMT together.

[Lone*star49]

Do what me and Stumpy do.

We play together, talk together, plan together, sl.....er FMT together.
...

Allright.. time to come out of the closet.. :shock:

Are we dealing with Siameses Twins hooked together at the hip..? :?

LOL :lol: j/k


LS :wink:

[PS-SCUD]

Are we dealing with Siameses Twins hooked together at the hip..?

DARN! You figured us out.

[RENEGADE-623]

My xo is there to make sure I don't "accidently" get involved in the action. He helps run the battle, takes in all the spot reports that comes in so I have the time to control the battle and formulate an alternate plan on the fly since we all know that a plan is all shot once battle begins. Like, me, the XO (much to shermans demise) does not get actively involved in the fighting unless absolutely necesary. I do the planning myself altho I am open to suggestions but I have the final say in what the plan is going to be. Xo also always runs the practice session if I for some reason am not available. And also runs the unit in my absence.

[Grenny]

This discussion reminds me of a fact:

In german army the leader of the 1st platoon used to be the companie "XO"=deputy companie chief(?).

Now we also have a dedicated companie XO(who is no platoon leader).
This summer I'm going to be on that post. So there's my problem:being "raised" with the "old" system...I realy have no clue what an XO is doing(on garrison-duty)?
You don't have a platoon to lead, and if the CO isn't sick or something...what kind of work is left for you(me)?

So any of the vets have some advise for me?

[Elf`]

Xo's should be training the other unit members.......Xo's should be offering up potential alternatives to a battle plan. And Xo's buy the beer.

[Grenny]

Xo's should be training the other unit members.......Xo's should be offering up potential alternatives to a battle plan. And Xo's buy the beer.

From what I know (except the "alternative plan" part) these are CO jobs...If I'll be doing this, what is he doing then? 8)

[NEpi]

on garrison, the CO and XO back each other. they split their work for maximal command presence, which is very important. chemistry between CO and XO and reliance is a must.
in battle, XO takes some of the responsibilities from the CO's mind, such as connecting to HQ (other than bttl. CO and such), taking care of the wounded, attending the platoons and they're status and even controlling part of the company as he can be in a place the CO finds it harder to control (too far away, for example). the CO should keep focused on SA for the fighting forces. the XO helps a lot by channeling the right information to him, and doing things that the CO can't handle while doing all the rest.
whether the CO and XO are fighting or not is a matter of method, but even if they do, they shouldn't be alone there, because the CO will have to do much more than engage one tank at a time.

[RENEGADE-623]

In the army here in the us, the xo also acts as the troop maintanance chief. He directs the maintanence of the unit equipment

[Nikatori]

I don't know what you guys are talking about here but I always prefer my xo to be hennessy and cognac.

ehem

[Hell_Hound]

A Canadian XO (Battle Captain) is the squadron OC's "eyes on the ground" - during an attack the BC directs the firebase and will roll onto the objective during the consolidation.

In Steel Beasts, if your XO has a mind like a steel trap he can keep track of the orders you've given and make sure they're being followed. He can also take care of housekeeping duties like telling units to spread out, so the CO doesn't have to - basically the "quality control" stuff that NCOs would do in real life.

[mapman]

When I was Xoing for 2D my duties during battle were splitt between making sure Ren did not forget he was the CO and go charging into the fray, watching for contact reports and making sure the platoon in the local was aware of the contact and where the enemy was in relation to where they were.

Sometimes this was a quick radio message and sometimes I would talk them through their positioning until they took the unit out...I really enjoyed that..."200 meters to your front just over the rise", or the like.

If a contact was made and I went to the closest unit and it was not manned at the time, I would take the gunners position to get the kill and then hop back to my other duties.

I would also keep the different platoons advised of friendlies in their area and try to coordinate between them if things were getting very busy.

If the COs intent was not being carried out by a certian team member, I would generally be the one to hound them into compliance and let Ren get on with the rest of the battle.

[Kingtiger]

When I was Xoing for 2D my duties during battle were splitt between making sure Ren did not forget he was the CO and go charging into the fray, watching for contact reports and making sure the platoon in the local was aware of the contact and where the enemy was in relation to where they were.

Sometimes this was a quick radio message and sometimes I would talk them through their positioning until they took the unit out...I really enjoyed that..."200 meters to your front just over the rise", or the like.

If a contact was made and I went to the closest unit and it was not manned at the time, I would take the gunners position to get the kill and then hop back to my other duties.

I would also keep the different platoons advised of friendlies in their area and try to coordinate between them if things were getting very busy.

If the COs intent was not being carried out by a certian team member, I would generally be the one to hound them into compliance and let Ren get on with the rest of the battle.

Starting to sounsd better and better... Now I have an Idea of what he is supposed to do..

Thx Guys

[NEpi]

the most important for RL XO is to be there when the CO gets it.
for some reason, too many of them do.

[ShermansWar]

Within a VU itself, the XO is the Liason between the men and the CO.Hope i can do half a good a job as MM in this aspect.
He does what the CO says,that is, he runs the drills, gives the mission breifing, and takes charge in COs absence.

Also, he makes up crew assignments to particular units and assigns the bps to particular players in accordance with the plan. These are largely administrative and internal functions of the unit itself.

During battle, the XO takes the COs general orders and relays them to the units specifically.He also keeps an eye out for emergent threats, reacts to situations not covered by the plan as the game progresses by directing units to particular areas. That is to say, whilst the CO says what he wants done generally and where, the XO plays the role of traffic cop, directing the company and platoon commanders to send specific forces to specific locales.

It is the COs battle to run, but not micromanage. It is the responsibility of the CO for the timing and tempo of the mission, and what areas he wants to take or defend.It is the COs job to decide when to release the reserves, and when to launch the main assault.

It is the job of the XO to tell A company commander, for instance, to send a section to Hill 89, or to pull back platoon 1-1/A if it is over extended, or to send a tank to track down a contact that has got loose in the rear.It is the Company and platoon commanders job, generally, to send the specific unit or tank to the specific BP or grid coordinate. Labor is divided, and noone micromanages.

I also think it should be the XOs job to lead the reserve into action.The CO must be skilled at recognizing the crisis of battle, and committing his reserve at that time, not before, or after.I dont think in SB it is wise to take your 2 best players and keep them in the rear.

[Brun]

The way Lone*star, and Myself share command is once the battle starts, both have equal say on the battle field. If it is the Co or the Xo is to lead reserves in battle, or make a call to advance, it matters not. Only that the right decision was made, and at the right time.

It is the Co's job to micromanage, Battle at the hottest point on the front, make decisions to release reserves and control the tempo, all at the same time. With good Xo doing the same, things go well. I beleive that the Co, and Xo must both must pay attention to every detail, from listening for enemy tanks, to looking for enemy fascam on the map, to battleing at the hottest point, and monitoring teammates progress, and telling them what to do.

The only time when A Co has to step up and do somthing different from the Xo is when both cannot decide on any particular part of the plan, or a vital decision during a battle. Then the Co must decide for both.

Before all this is to happen a Co must first find a good Xo with similer ideas of planning, and mutual respect. Wich is the hardest part of getting a good Co, Xo team.

[ShermansWar]

Basically, that way you are acting as 2 area commanders.In 2D we use the company commanders for that. the Co does not function as a company commander in our unit.Nor does the XO. they do not duplicate each others jobs.they have different responsibilities, not the same responsibilities on different parts of the field. the XO acts as an XO, and makes sure the COs orders are excuted.

i do agree that the CO needs to be on the hottest part of the field, i had 2 paragraphs on that in my ori=ginal post, but deleted them as i thought the message might be confusing, to say the CO should not micromange, and yet get involved in area conflicts.

I think that is something you can do in a unit that has been together for awhile, but not in a new unit with unfamiliar people, as it gets confusing.,that is to say, the CO should fight as Ceasar, going to local crisis area and laying hands on as need be .but in our unit that is done as needed, not normally when the game is going according to plan.

In short, the XO keeps an eye out for changing situations, relays sitrep reports, and directs the unitas in accordance with the COs wishes.In 2D neither the CO or XO has an actual combat command, but i hope that changes, at least to the point the XO leads the reserves.The CO does not share his co0mmand prerogative, as we function now.

[Lone*star49]

Basically, that way you are acting as 2 area commanders. The XO acts as an XO, and makes sure the COs orders are excuted.

i do agree that the CO needs to be on the hottest part of the field.
...

Yes, agreed.. as some believe that the Co/A should remain basically on the map, and not engaging in battle..

Maybe in real life, but in here, you're Co's and Xo's are usually some of the top guns in the sim, and to leave them out of the main action, is like, well, having one or 2 less players..

It really is just a matter of timing and good judgement, in that if one is busy, and the other is inbetween engagements, then that's when one or the other goes to map, and directs whatever is seen, or heard, or just needed, or as mentioned, relays orders that have not been carried out..

Yep, give me an Active Co, or Xo, everytime, along with pre battle discussions (by all) on the final game plan.. like last night.

Makes for commitments that carry thru onto the battlefield..


LS

[ShermansWar]

i myself dont like taking the 2 top guns out of the gunners seat, but thats how we function.

in my IVU we funtioned somewhat differently, and in a pickup game an active XO is hardly used.

In a unit that has been together a long time, and drills frequently, the first structure i mentioned works well for us.
In my IVU, the XO was second in command, commandeda company, , as did the CO.I'm trying to get back in the gunners seat, to an extent, to be quite honest

The structure we use in 2D is based in a centralized command concept, and requires some coordination.when it works it works very well, and there is very little confusion about who goes where, who is supposed to be where,, and what the situation is or who is supposed to be doing what. It is set up for VU vs VU matches, and the structure is not appropriate for a pickup game or an IVU match. you simply dont have the time working together as a team for its full benifits to be realized, but it's probably pretty close to how an actual XO functions.

[wheeldog]

Hey... as some of U know im Co of BattleGroup Sweden, we had a fight yesterday against LS, TH and some other guys. that we lost :cry: . but anyway. for the first time me and LEAF56 (my Xo) had oppertunity to play as Co and Xo where he supported me allot...

But then he only reminded me of IE and spotted enemy... :D and that I almost wandered away into a Mine field... :shock:

I remember LS gived me some tip on using Xo for a while, But I want to know more ideas :idea:

/KT
Du tycker inte att det här är en fråga du i första hand kunde tagit upp inom den sv. VE´n? Tror nog att det finns kunskap om vad en Stf ska göra bland oss.

[Kingtiger]

jo, de har jag redan kollat för någon månad sen eller så, men samtidigt finns här ENORM kunskap och framförallt ERFARENHET som vi saknar som finns gratis att tillgå som du ser. sen är det bara att slå ihop det alla kommer fram till till den bästa lösningen.

[wheeldog]

Kolla dina Pm på den sv. sidan.

[Lone*star49]

[quote=Kingtiger]Hey... as some of U know im Co of BattleGroup Sweden, we had a fight yesterday against LS, TH and some other guys. that we lost :cry: . but anyway. for the first time me and LEAF56 (my Xo) had oppertunity to play as Co and Xo where he supported me allot...

But then he only reminded me of IE and spotted enemy... :D and that I almost wandered away into a Mine field... :shock:

I remember LS gived me some tip on using Xo for a while, But I want to know more ideas :idea:

/KT
...

Ok KT, here's one of my best hints as CO.. I always have every "experienced member" of my team go over map and give me their thoughts on tactics for each map.. After I hear and look at everyones contribution, I either take a vote, or if anyones plans are better than what I planned out, I go with the "better, best" plan.. bar none.


Use your entire teams tactical "knowledge" and take the best from each and run with it.. :wink:


LS :wink: