GMR25's Command Application

[Carver]

BYOND key: GMR25

Discord Username: Realm Code#0760

Character names: 
Frederick Dayton, Bridge Crewman
Larus Tomasson, Chef
Theodore Godwin, Security Officer

And a few others I haven't played since the Aurora, and am considering bringing back (either as command characters, or when I feel a strong urge to play a department).

How long have you been playing on Aurora?: Coming up on 8 years, on and off.

Have you received any administrative actions? And how serious were they?
Unless you count one or two forum warnings for being rather blunt or making a funny review, the only action taken that I can remember over the years were one or two I'd personally asked for when I had wished to take a break (in 2015 and 2016 I believe?). In those cases, I believe I'd contacted either Skull or Soundscopes (or both?). My memory is a bit poor and the years have blurred together.

Please provide well articulated answers to the following questions in a paragraph each.

What do you think the OOC purpose of a Head of Staff is, ingame?:
Ensuring the organization and sanity of a department during a round, while trying your best to ensure it does not fall into some ridiculous pattern under the least extraordinary of circumstances. From there, attempting to direct it toward meaningfully contributing to the round while keeping the crew (and sometimes central command) informed about the happenings of the round. 

If absolutely needed, take the temporary role of a conductor and nudge the direction of your subordinates toward improving round engagement if nothing has happened for some time - whether it's the Captain organizing a ship dinner, or a department-wide training session as a Head when you have the learner slots filled. Your goal is to more or less try to keep the crew reasonably engaged in the round, while trying to reign in subordinates who act exceedingly out of line.

What do you think the OOC responsibilities of Whitelisted players are to other players, and how would you strive to uphold them?:
Similar to above, keep people engaged and in the know. Helping tutor new players in your department who need it, while not being too strict on those same new players if they make mistakes within a round. Effectively, try to set a good example for new members to the server in general. I already tend to try and help people who have questions that I can answer, so I would continue to do this.

Though I will admit, I'm prone to being a bit shitposty at times in the discord general channel and server OOC. But when a discussion is serious I'll generally straighten up, or disengage if I don't feel I have anything to add to it.

Could you give us the gist of what is currently happening in Tau ceti and how it affected your character and their career?
I'll use the first character I designed for Command for this example, Captain Alfred Preston, a Solarian expatriate turned citizen of Biesel. 

The deficit of Phoron had left him in a professional bind, pushed then to meet ever-growing quotas that bordered on impossible. The later invasion of the 35th Battlefleet pressured him toward renouncing his Solarian citizenship, in fear of it causing potential harm toward his future within NanoTrasen, a decision he was not happy with. Yet this decision is perhaps one of the few things that's kept his career afloat during the formation of the Stellar Corporate Conglomerate. Now, with the launch of the SCCV Horizon he's found an opportunity to put his experience toward a proactive position where any truly great discoveries may put him in the spotlight of his superiors (And ideally for him, secure an opportunity for a wealthy retirement).

What roles do you plan on playing after the application is accepted?
Captain, Head of Security and XO, with XO being most likely during a trial so I can build more comfort and confidence in my understanding of Command.

Have you familiarized yourself with the wiki pages for the command roles?
Yes.

Characters you intend to use for command or have created for command. Include the job they will be taking.: 
Alfred Preston, Captain
Emil Lehtinen, Executive Officer
Reed Calom, Head of Security

Do you understand your whitelist is not permanent, and may be stripped following continuous administrative action?
Yes.

Have you linked your byond account to the forums?
Assuming the 'Byond CKey' section in Linked Accounts is that, yes.

Extra notes: I've not been the most active of the last few years due to focusing on my personal life (and the last couple of months due to a dead computer, else I'd have posted this a month and a half ago like I'd planned to), but I told myself I'd return to actively playing for NBT and so far I've been greatly enjoying it. I'll make a prioritized effort toward heightening my activity during any trial period, though I usually tend to play during off-hours for the server. I'll also note, I tend to drink a lot, but I generally make a point not to play when I'm heavily intoxicated.

Ask me more questions as needed, I find theoreticals to be fun.

Edited June 30, 2022 by Carver
I'm screaming internally at the bold not working.

[EJJ]

I've played a handful of rounds with GMR and they're very pleasant to play with. Their characters are interesting and fun to interact with. They all have unique quirks and such that show what they're good at and what they're bad at.
They also have a very good handle on mechanics and general communication. I think they'd make a great command member!
+1

[Shadow]

As a fellow boomer I have the obligation to post my two cents.

GMR has been here forever and has, in the past, entertained more than one of my characters for many rounds, especially Reed.

I have absolutely no doubt regarding your capablities of playing in command.

Fat +1 from my end as well.

[MattAtlas]

On trial until 16JUL2022.

[Connorjg1]

My experiences with Calom in the rounds I've played has been nothing but positive and I'm sure they'll do an excellent job as HOS. 

 

+1 

[Confused rock]

I'm not really sure how this works but had a round with him as my HOS, and I had no clue it was his first time in command (which probably suggests he knows what he's doing?), even if a bit mellow. I did enjoy that, bit, though.

+1

[Oddbomber]

Great HOS, with strong presence and character. Good at leading, is level-headed, and is equally willing to negotiate and to act aggressively. Their RP is fantastic, and I've got nothing but good things to say about 'em.

 

+1 !

[EJJ]

Played a handful of rounds with them. Great HoS. Manages things well, doesn't dawdle and communicates well. Most of the rounds I've been on it's more basic security personnel not communicating or managing one another well rather than the HoS. Character is a lot more mellow and relaxed than most HoSes which I personally dig.

Had some fun interactions with their character as well.  +1

[Carver]

A documentation of personal notes and self-critique from the trial:

1) Despite assuming I would feel most comfortable with XO, I ended up never trying my XO due to a personal concern that it would get minimal feedback due to very little 'departmental interaction', as Service was predominantly empty during the time slot I would play (Post-Midnight, EST), in addition to the rest of Command often being empty during the same period. While I still wish I had tried it, I don't believe it would have offered much viable experience due to the latter factor.

2) Hesitation had me fearful of playing Captain, as I am uncertain in my ability to correctly judge candidates for interim positions. The immense influx of information (both true and false) can also prove overwhelming during intense situations, which I learned during the one round my Head of Security had been voted to the position of Acting Captain. I imagine this eases up with experience, but for the trial I felt more comfortable being subordinate to a Captain than being in their shoes.

3) Playing as Head of Security was enlightening, if as stressful as I could often imagine during some rounds where making the correct decision wasn't readily clear. Through more rounds of it, the sense of being overwhelmed lessened, and my too-many-hours playing Security over the years added a barrier of confidence that made it much easier to adjust to. Curiously, Security was also absolutely stacked during my time slot, so I found it the most likely role to ascertain good feedback.

4) If I observed any particularly recurring habits that may be judged negatively, it was my uncertainty on when exactly to raise to yellow - given Carp have not required armoury distribution in some time (as with either a single radio request or via their own proactivity, Officers typically deal with Carp without heavy need for encouragement), and the only round I experienced a level 7 biohazard as Command we had already raised to Blue due to an active Cult. Faxes were also something I was somewhat uncertain on, as some incidents that seemed too minor for them I found other Command encouraging a small fax for.

Final thoughts: It is likely even if the trial passes, it will be some time before I can gain the confidence to try Captain as a role. I didn't advertise terribly much and, in addition to my preferred time slot being on the lower side of player population, it shows. I now understand why Command characters often carry laptops, after running back and forth to an office to make announcements roughly four times per round.

Overall, Command felt most enjoyable when other members were present whom one could bounce ideas off of and help facilitate better communication between departments.

[Zelmana]

Great self reflection, I remember feeling the same way. You're assuredly going to craft memorable command moments. Mistakes happen and in HoS and Captaincy roles evenmoreso, there is often never a "right" decision but only grey ones. Always drive roleplay and never seek to people please.

[MattAtlas]

Sorry for the delay.

Accepted.