<<Originally posted as a reply to General Jeff Laub's "Union Western Theater Reorganization">> Reposted here for the sake of clarity and visibility.
This message is presented to the members of the ACWGC, the Union Armies, and especially the membership of the AoO and the AoT, now in transition. As you must by now be aware, the Union Army Western Theater is about to see some changes. I accepted command of the AoT to assist in implementing these changes because I came to understand that the club's long and dynamic history, its varied and ever changing membership, and the need to maintain a working structure in a dynamic organization had made such change a necessity. After being in existence for so many years, with people coming and going, and folks' changing expectations about what an e-mail based historical computer gaming club can offer its members, the underlying system can not remain static.
The army reorganization will not happen overnight. It also will not be the work of any one individual. In fact, much was already in the works before I was made aware of the coming reorganization and approached to help in the process. I applaud the ACWGC and Union Army officers who run the club at the cabinet and upper command and staffing levels for their substantial efforts in pursuing this work so far.
The AoT will need a careful reformatting of its command structure. It will need supporting staff and facilities such as a current web page, an efficient mustering process, award systems for acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions of its members, and forums, taverns or other institutions through which its officers can interact, share tactics, and scheme against Johnny Reb. As Generals Lytwak and Sands turn their attentions to other aspects and benefits of club membership, the systems they established for these purposes will be revised or replaced in favor of new ones designed around the current needs of the army. That's a tall order, and one whose success will depend very much on individual members of the Army rolling up their sleeves and pitching in. If you have a penchant being part of the inner workings of the organization, I can't do it alone.
As part of the army's reorg efforts, I will be looking for talented officers with an interest in being a part of the army's internal operations. I have no specific requests or announcements in that regard just yet. I first have to take stock of the current state of affairs with the army, and begin to recognize what we need, and what we already have, before I can be realistic about what opportunities exist.
Regarding what we do already have, the new army has a number of fine officers in command positions of the current AoT and AoO hierarchies. I hope that those of you to whom that description applies are inclined to remain in positions of responsibility as we reshape the army's command structure. I'm sure we'll have room for you, and the need. Aside from Divisional and Corps commanders, the AoT will need staff officers such as an Executive Officer and a Chief of Staff to keep things running efficiently. Some positions may require technical skills such as the ability to maintain and/or author an army web page and/or tavern. I can't be more specific than that until our assessment of current army status and resources is complete.
In terms of both assessing the state of the army, and it's current staff, all AoT and AoO officers should by now have been contacted by my acting Chief of Staff, General Joe Meyers. He is currently distributing letters of inquiry regarding the status of AoT and AoO members expected to be part of the new AoT. If that describes you, and you have not heard from him, it may be because we do not have a current e-mail address on file for you. Please contact Joe at your earliest convenience so we can rectify that oversight (
josephcmeyer@comcast.net).
In closing, the new army will be in flux for a time. That will mean a few unexpected events may crop up, but it will also mean that new opportunities will arise. These may take the form of openings for individual command or staff positions, opportunities to modify standards and practices for routine or exceptional army functions and processes, or a chance to implement something you've always felt your army has lacked. I will be working towards such ends in the coming months, but much of our ultimate success as a unified fighting force will depend on the army's officers stepping up and being a part of the army's future. I look forward to working, and gaming with you.
General Tom Callmeyer
Army of the Tennessee
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