ES - Brigade?

Mon Mar 26 07:23:13 PST 2001

Wow, that brigade commander sounds like a great guy.  I'd like to meet him.
:)

Obviously, I agree that it would be a good thing to have ongoing war
leaders.  I was glad to hear that the rest of the kingdom is talking about
it now, also.  

Llywelyn

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-elfsea at ansteorra.org [mailto:owner-elfsea at ansteorra.org]On
Behalf Of Mordock von Rugen
Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 12:59 PM
To: elfsea at ansteorra.org; steppes at ansteorra.org;
fray-ansteorra at yahoogroups.com; glaslyn at ansteorra.org
Subject: RE: ES - Brigade?

Hmmm.  Actually, the "test" idea wasn't really all that serious, either.

A brigade commander will not be commanding a bunch of troops he doesn't 
know.  Moreover, a test with 5-7 guys doesn't test much other than his 
ability to command 5-7 guys against a like number.  A brigadier needs to 
know much more, and have an entirely different set of skills.

I would posit that a brigadier needs to know:
1.  something of the history of warfare
2.  something of basic leadership techniques
3.  the strengths and weaknesses of his troops
4.  something of the history of SCA warfare
5.  something of the strengths and weakness of our neighbors

Moreover, his skills are very different from a small unit commander.  He 
should have the following capabilities:
1.  ability to lead (note that this is different from ability to command)
2.  ability to "read the field"
3.  ability to "read the troops", both enemy and friendly
4.  ability to keep the big picture in mind, despite the chaos around 
him/her
5.  strength of character
6.  unstinting honesty, even in the face of embarassment
7.  charisma and the ability to inspire others (note that this is different 
from leadership)

Those are all things that simply can't be tested on a field with 5-7 under 
his command.  Many are things that can only be "tested" over time.  That's 
why I suggest we go with either election by the troops or election by the 
commander.  Alternately, recommendation of a commander for the Crown's 
approval would be a good option, and would help ensure that the interface 
with the Crown was the best we could get.

Well, that's my two cents.

Dux

>From: "Dale, Richard N" <DaleRN at aetna.com>
>Reply-To: elfsea at ansteorra.org
>To: "'elfsea at ansteorra.org'" <elfsea at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: RE: ES - Brigade?
>Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 12:40:16 -0500
>
>This sounds like a wonderful idea and I would be willing to participate.
>
>What about a command test for those interested in the position. Basically
>have a regional fighter practice and have a person command say 5-7
>fighters(they don't know real well) and see how they maneuver under the
>commander.
>
>you could come with basic tests and then mix and match the test so no one
>commander would have the exact same test as another commander. And then I
>would through in something not planned during the test to see how the
>commander reacts to surprises. After all plans for battles are never 100%
>full proof and thinking on your feet is often the difference between 
>victory
>and defeat.
>Richard Fairbourne
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mordock von Rugen [mailto:mordockvonrugen at hotmail.com]
>Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 11:27 AM
>To: elfsea at ansteorra.org; steppes at ansteorra.org; glaslyn at ansteorra.org;
>fray-ansteorra at yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: ES - Brigade?
>
>
>
>Regarding the Brigade question I introduced, Baroness Alessandra of Elfsea
>had some questions:
>
> >1. Would it be a good idea to use the Central Regional Warlord as the
> >brigade "leader", or perhaps someone under him/her?
>
>To start, sure - it would make transition easier.  Or no, depending on what
>the troops would prefer.
>
> >
> >2. What sorts of things would be accomplished with a brigade structure?
> >More uniform commands, a way of identifying who has leadership 
>"authority"?
>
>Yes.  <chuckle>  What I'm hoping to accomplish is three things:
>
>1.  A uniform set of commands with a uniform response to each
>2.  Awareness of the commanders of each unit on the part of every member of
>the brigade
>3.  Training together to get the comfortable feel for each unit and what
>they can do.  Ideally, that awareness should be in everyone's heads, not
>just the commanders'.
>
>Right now, I have some feel for Elfsea's capabilities and preferences, a
>very good feel for the Fray's, and no feel at all for Finn Ruadh.  I want 
>to
>
>reduce the amount of guesswork, and improve communication between the units
>within the Central region.
>
>Training together, partying together, discussing techniques and plans
>together - we'll all get to know what to expect from each other, and be 
>able
>
>to trust one another without having to worry about battlefield surprises.
>
> >
> >3. Who could apply for the position and how would s/he be selected?
> >
>
>Well, that depends on how we work it out.  We're completely free in our
>choices.  Some possibilities:
>
>1.  Election by the troops
>2.  Election by the unit commanders
>3.  Recommendation of choices to the Crown, from which the Crown selects
>4.  Lottery
>5.  "Spin the bottle"
>
>Obviously, the last two are facetious - though they're sort of close to 
>what
>
>we'd get if we use a tourney as our basis for selection.  Being able to win
>a tourney means nothing in terms of ability to lead a brigade in battle.
>
>Any other possibilities?  What do y'all think about these possibilities?
>
>Dux
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