06-08-2018, 12:21 AM
Heya! It’s me, Somy/Aumeltopia/that weird biscuit guy, running for another term as your Minister of Military Affairs! ^-^
First I’d like to take a look at what we accomplished in this past term, and then how we can build on that:
What did we do this past term?
- We took all the warzones in one update with our friends from the EPSA
- We ran multiple large detag runs with the NPA and showed them a different style of detagging
- We took part in many liberations and fascist operations, including one in which every single feeder military participated
- We broke the all-time world tag record with Lily
- Probably the biggest development— we started the SPSF Reserve program from nothing; it has now grown to around 15 members, all of whom are currently supporting the government in Lazarus. The Reserve has also greatly increased SPSF visibility gameside.
- As a result of the formation of the Reserve, the SPSF has grown 163% in size over the course of the term, from 11 members to near 30
- We have spent over a month helping out stabilize Lazarus after its liberation. This is a highly important operation, but it has taken a toll on the SPSF— so rejuvenating ourselves for the summer season is one of my primary goals
- We made a bunch of pretty badges, many involving mermaid meat
How are we going to continue?
- Allies— Continue our work with all of the South Pacific’s allies. Firstly, during this past term I’ve developed a friendship with many of the members of the NPA which has allowed us to carry out many joint operations together and coordinate very well. I’d like this tradition to continue, as befitting one of our best allies. I’d like to do more operations with the EPSA, one of our newer partners, as well, possibly leading a bunch of triggered tag and detag runs together with them.
One of my big plans that didn’t quite pan out last term was to have SPSF lead a larger-scale occupation raid together with some of our feeder allies (Lazarus got in the way for the most part >_>). I would like to accomplish this goal in the upcoming season— it would provide both valuable Regional Officer/offensive operation experience for our updaters and a showcase of the Reserve’s strength.
- Reports— Revive our Gameplay thread as well as our monthly reports and put SPSF on the map. The SPSF has a lot to share with the world and with the rest of the region, and we should do so! In order to engage all areas of the community, reports would be posted as a forum post both on the TSP and NSGP forums, as well as a dispatch and a discord announcement. I’d like to make sure all major operations we do have an accompanying report, no matter how fancy. I’d also encourage all members involved in the SPSF, including and especially those in the Trident Legion, to take part in writing reports.
- Gameside— Be hands-on with the RMB community, encouraging them to become Reservists. With several prominent members on the RMB being in the SPSF (North Prarie, NHC, etc.), the Reserve has become more popular around those parts than the SPSF has been in recent times. I’d continue that trend and post about the Reserve even to the point of ridiculousness! xP
- Updaters— Now that we have a substantial number of pilers, it’s time to focus again on the updater corps of the SPSF. Many of our updaters recently have been drawn away either by RL or by their duties in other regions, so I’d like to work to cultivate a new group of updaters purely from TSP. We’re already seeing the beginnings of this, but there are still a bunch of pieces we need to work out further:
- I’d plan to focus on making sure recruitment and training efforts are completely coordinated so that no one gets lost in the process of joining and disappears.
- I’d continue to encourage the policy of senior members posting in the training channel when they’re about to update to invite trainees, e.g. “hey
, we’re going chasing this update in a couple minutes, want to come join us?”, as well as continue to make unofficial mentorship a “thing”.
- I’d plan to focus on making sure recruitment and training efforts are completely coordinated so that no one gets lost in the process of joining and disappears.
- Autonomousness— I’d plan to have the SPSF begin to run more of our own operations regularly without having to make it a “special occasion”, especially tagging and detagging (which don’t require large numbers to run). Not only does it mean we’re not relying on other militaries, but it also gives us a chance to give our soldiers and officers practice leading! Run more of our own operations
- Reassessment— It’s time for a roster cleanup in the SPSF, and I will make sure to bring that about, checking on who’s active and making sure each member can participate in the way that suits them best. As part of this I plan to sweep out the SPSF forum and make sure everything visible is up to date and being used asintended so there are no misunderstandings. l’d also like to consider the ranks and see how we can restart an incentive to follow a path upwards through them, possibly using the points system as a parallel reward (e.g. if you get this many points, I make you a flag of your choice!)
- Server activity— Keep the SPSF server a fun place to hang around so people are attracted there. One idea would be to do some events like my semi-weekly Classical Music evening program hosted on the SPSF discord instead of the main one.
- Cooperation— Connect with the MoRA in developing the Trident Legion (maybe even incorporating it as a sub-department of the Arts/Journalism sections). I would like to also host a bunch of competitions with SPSF themes like a crazy flag contest, a SPSF propaganda poster designing contest, and a “SPSF Battle Haiku” contest! I’m thinking about running an introductory “what is R/D” explanation session for those of us South Pacificans who are not engaged in military gameplay as well.
- SPSF PRIDE!— We can’t get enough of it! More SPSF themed things/signature graphics/symbols! Revive that unicorn from hell that’s been sitting in the grave since 2016! Overall, make it feel special to be a SPSFer
Why does this all matter?
Because the South Pacific Special Forces is the greatest military on NationStates…and we can be even greater! I hope to see us continue over the summer in leaps and bounds in activity and size, filling into a position where the fun and happiness of our soldiers is far more important than what type of operation we do. ^-^
You’re wondering about me…
- I will be back to extremely active updating certainly by the time elections are finished.
- I was not as much a part of last term’s cabinet problems, but I can foresee no major problems with any of the current candidates. I would be happy to work with any and all of them. I would like to play a greater part in the Cabinet this term than last, now that I am familiar with the scene, helping out in any way possible. ^_^
Here’s to a great, biscuit-filled, fun, and active SPSF summer!
\o/
Somy