Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)
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The Black Menace - After Six Months
https://www.wargame.ch/board/nwc/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=12206		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Bill Peters [ Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  The Black Menace - After Six Months
Its been about six months since I assumed command of the 1 Res Kav Brigade. For those that may wonder what has been happening while I have been in command:

Monthly emails to my guys. First I found out personal info about them. Shared a bit of my own too. Then I invited them to play in a game with me. Also asked that they send me game files of matches they are in.

Results:

1. Bill Drakert and I are into our second (and last) battle in the Silesian Campaign. Yes, its a Maneuver but we are enjoying the games. For Bill its a bit of a refresher but also a slight learning process as he learns how to set up a defense (he is the Allied player).

2. Mike Fredel and I are in a MP game against Jeff B. and Matt W. We slowed down a bit - Mike had travel, Jeff had work duties and I got tied up with game design. But the game is moving along. I am learning more about Mike as a player and tactician as a result.

3. David Stotsenburgh has been sending me game files. We look them over - I offer him some minor comments and he moves on from there. In many cases it is just to see how his game is doing. In others he has legit. questions that have helped him understand the scenario better.

Conclusion:

This has been a good experience for us. Not only do the guys have a commander that is living, breathing and writes to them but they are great guys and have some interesting viewpoints to share. Bill and I have been playing each other in the Panzer club for some time so this was a very easy transition for him. I enjoy his life stories and his trip messages. He is retired and travels to see family or takes a vacation with his wife during the year. Always shares a picture or two with me (the llama trip is memorable as it was not far from my neck of the woods).

Lesson:

It pays to spend time with the guys in your command. No, you may not find guys that want to do an MP game or a Maneuver with you (speaking to Brigade commanders) but the dialogue really pays off.

Leaders - do not neglect your members. If you assume command of a brigade commit yourself to email your command at least every other month. Try and get a Brigade Challenge going too. Make the scenario of medium to short length to allow for a conclusion. Create a medal or have someone help you out and award it to the guys for participation and make sure that it gets added to their website profile. Or you could create your own brigade webpage. (I am a bit swamped right now for that but its a goal I am heading to)

If you participate in a leadership role try and do it in ONE club and do it WELL!

I rate myself a 6-7 on a scale of 1-10. Some of you guys do webpages and others are well adept at training and so on. Take the challenge and DEVELOP your brigade. If your guys do not want the "hands on" games then just keep the bulletin going out to them but keep it personal. Try not to get into a rut with a "brigade circular" that gets dry to read.

A big thanks to Scott for supporting me in this command. He is "Johnny on the spot" with website updates as the guys get their promotions and medals.
Author:  SLudwig [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
I am pleased with the amount of time & effort Bill has put into his unit and his visual presence as a leader on the forum. His unit has a lot of Esprit de corps. It doesn't take a lot of time to be a hands on leader and at least say "Hi" to your men every now and then. I am guilty of my own schedule a lot of times, so it is good to know that junior officers are well looked after when I am busy. I think once an officer reaches a certain rank they are pretty committed and generally self sustainable, but even then they like interaction.

I know from friends in other armies, each army has their own system of interaction and I applaud every effort made by commanders to keep folks engaged. We all have our own systems of what works for us, they key is to find it and use it well.

Congrats Bill on doing a job well done and having every officer of your unit engaged & involved.... :)

But be careful as I already know Walt is gunning to give you a run for your money..... :D Or at least to lead his unit in his own style.
Author:  Todd Schmidgall [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Greetings!
As someone who is currently engaged in several fights with Oberst Walt Moehle, at the Battles of Karlsburg & Augsburg, I can say that the Oberst should make an excellent Brigade commander, one that will make you very proud, and making tradition a factor in the Brigade structure of the Prussian army.
As for the Black Menace, it appears to be a unit worthy of emulation in all armies.
Author:  SLudwig [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Walt is a great guy. Him & I go back a number of years and I know what he is capable of, so I was pleased to hand select him to lead the unit he does.... :D
Author:  Bill Peters [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Yes, I have it in my mind to get with Herr Moehle and challenge two French brigades for a "brigade vs. brigade" challenge x2. We will see which Prussian brigade gathers in the most Major Victories. :P
Author:  MCJones1810 [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
SLudwig wrote:
I am pleased with the amount of time & effort Bill has put into his unit and his visual presence as a leader on the forum. His unit has a lot of Esprit de corps. It doesn't take a lot of time to be a hands on leader and at least say "Hi" to your men every now and then. I am guilty of my own schedule a lot of times, so it is good to know that junior officers are well looked after when I am busy. I think once an officer reaches a certain rank they are pretty committed and generally self sustainable, but even then they like interaction.

I know from friends in other armies, each army has their own system of interaction and I applaud every effort made by commanders to keep folks engaged. We all have our own systems of what works for us, they key is to find it and use it well.

Congrats Bill on doing a job well done and having every officer of your unit engaged & involved.... :)

But be careful as I already know Walt is gunning to give you a run for your money..... :D Or at least to lead his unit in his own style.


Congratulations, Bill! I wholeheartedly second the fine sentiments expressed by Scott on your behalf pertaining to your active leadership of your brigade. Walt may have some catching up to do, and it is my hope that he will pursue you hard. Active leadership and interaction with one's men is something that I advocate for every Commander in this club. After all, the Commanding officers are called 'Leaders' for a reason. :wink: :wink: :wink:

Great job, Bill! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Author:  clifton seeney [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Mon ami the only way to run a Brig Bravo ! Maybe just maybe the Grand (not so grand) Armee will pick up on this,but a last the real world and it's demands calls many away????? 8) :roll:
Author:  Paladin851 [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Thanks to Scott and Todd for the positive comments...they are much appreciated. I agree with Bills approach to command ,from my perspective there is no point to accepting brigade or corps command unless you are inclined to get involved. That should not be taken as a complaint about how others do things its strictly a mater of preference. As a brigade commander what I can or can not do in regards to activities such as challenges will be governed bye how involved members of my brigade are inclined to be and how much interest I can generate as brigade commander. From a Coalition perspective Scott,Bill and Marks ( and others )efforts are what set the NWC apart from other clubs which tend to function more as an opponent finder/record keeping affair rather then a wargaming club.

Regards
Walt
Author:  clifton seeney [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Monsieur’s, I think that a Brig commander should had a deputy commander and Adm commander the two senior officers in a Brig should be asked if they would want the job. Past mistakes should be pass this is not a job but a club! The deputy commander should be able to have one game with every one in the command and report back to the Adm officer who reports to the Brig commander who reports to the Div commander. If real world responsibly come up then the chain of command tacks over every one in the Brig has a job to do not just answering the muster (am here all is well), All members in a brig should be ready to play one MP game a year.
Author:  MCJones1810 [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Paladin851 wrote:
From a Coalition perspective Scott,Bill and Marks ( and others )efforts are what set the NWC apart from other clubs which tend to function more as an opponent finder/record keeping affair rather then a wargaming club.

Regards
Walt


Wow, Thanks Walt! Guess that $20 I mailed you last week is really paying off. :P :P :P

And Bill, two French Brigades against two Prussian Brigades.......simultaneously! Oh, you are the humorous devil aren't you, sir? It took two entire French Corps to assemble four officers to fight my Hanoverian Brigade. I don't think La Grande Armee is large enough for you to engage two of their brigades at the same time. Further, they do not even have one cohesive brigade anywhere in thier army as far as I can tell. Todd has the closest concept I have seen for LGA in his attempt to form the flying column of Tirailleurs et Dragons, but as far as I know, it only numbers two officers thus far. Two very good officers I might add. They are not yet the deadliest warriors that LGA can field, but they are eager and learning. It is thier spirit and attitude that I so greatly admire. Salute, gentlemen! You sincerely have my respect. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Author:  SLudwig [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Mark,

I do agree with your assesment, I do not believe the French can assemble one whole brigade....let alone two.... :D But hey I can't even get my game files out right now, so who am I to say....
Author:  Aloysius Kling Sr [ Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
You can say that again!!!
Author:  David Guegan [ Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
MCJones1810 wrote:

And Bill, two French Brigades against two Prussian Brigades.......simultaneously! Oh, you are the humorous devil aren't you, sir? It took two entire French Corps to assemble four officers to fight my Hanoverian Brigade. I don't think La Grande Armee is large enough for you to engage two of their brigades at the same time.


hum hum... By the way do you have any news about your lieutenant who ran away after my first move in our MP game? :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Author:  MCJones1810 [ Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Nope, I certainly do not. I have attempted to contact him numerous times with no response, including the use of his reserve email address. I have reported him as AWOL to my commanding officer and confirmed that none of his other opponents are receiving turns either. He has totally, and very suddenly, disappeared. My question to you, sir, is:

What did you do with the body?

Seriously, David, these things bother me. When there is suddenly no response at all from a guy that was so enthusiastic and active, it worries me that something bad may have happened. When you fellows don't hear from me in a week, especially when you send me emails with no response, you can literally bet that I am dead. I would never leave without saying Goodbye and explaining my reasons for doing so if my leaving were voluntary in nature. Yeah, I am honestly worried about Mac, all kidding aside.
Author:  SLudwig [ Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Black Menace - After Six Months
Al Kling wrote:
You can say that again!!!


Sorry Al, most of my posting I am doing on short breaks at work, when I am home I've been too tired or busy with company.... :cry:
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