TFCO Guidebook

Position Overview

The position of Task Force Commander is integral to Bravo Fleet. A TFCO leads one of several Task Forces, the largest organizational unit in the Fleet. The TFCO is the overall commander of those units, the face of a Task Force, and has responsibility for overseeing members of that unit falling on their shoulders. TFCO is the highest attainable position within a Task Force, and as such, there is a degree of maturity and responsibility that one must have when becoming TFCO.

As overseer of any and all Task Groups within the Task Force, the TFCO ensures that all of its members are active and engaged while the various leaders within the unit are meeting the needs of the members. A Task Force will guide and direct the leaders in their Task Force (Including a Task Force Executive Officer and Task Group Commanders), training and helping those who are new to a position serving the members. Such training is key, as the TFCO is charged with ensuring the long-term success of the Task Force by having members trained to replace their generation. Communication with newer members is vital as well. TFCOs must both welcome the newest members of the unit while ensuring their subordinate staffers are maintaining their own high levels of communication. The TFCO is also the voice of their unit on the Bravo Fleet Admiralty and Bravo Fleet Command, ensuring that information is passed along both ways so that neither party is kept in the dark. The TFCO represents the unit and its members in discussions and votes on important issues within the BFA.

Lastly, the TFCO must still be a source of activity for the Task Force. Whether it be running their own competitions or leading the unit in Task Force events or Fleet Actions involving all of Bravo Fleet, the TFCO must make activity within their TF a priority. Finally, a TFCO will be expected to contribute to the ongoing projects across the fleet, as well as any Task Force level special projects. When all is said and done, everything that one does as TFCO should be for the betterment of their Task Force.

Expectations

Oversee and ensure the cohesive operation of all Task Groups within the Task Force
Work with the BFCO and fleet administrative staff to ensure that there is proper communication, activity and cohesion throughout
Report informally to the rest of Bravo Fleet Command and the Task Force on a regular and consistent basis, and formally to the entire fleet on a monthly basis.
Liaise between the Task Force and the BFA, representing the Task Force on the BFA, and report important and significant Fleet happenings to the Task Force
Promote competitions, both internal and external, in which members may participate
Run Competitions internally; with other Task Forces, and organize competitive events with other units.
Reward and promote members of the Task Force where appropriate
Responsible for training new Task Force Senior Staff
Provides constructive criticism for subordinate leaders
Guide all leaders, including TFXO’s and TGCO’s, in their growth
Welcome new members of the Task Force
Maintain and develop a Task Force “identity” including recording of unit history
Conduct themselves in a mature and professional manner, leading by example both in terms of activity as well as adhering to the rules of conduct set forth by for the fleet
Leading in and being part of various projects either at the BFC level, or Task Force and Task Group levels as well

Difficulties of being a TFCO

The difficulties of a TFCO can vary a great deal depending on the unit itself and the TFCO’s own personality. However, no matter the unit, there will always be difficulties with such a position.

Unit Management

It will be difficult to find a balance between having direct input on the day-to-day activities of a unit and taking the “hands-off” approach. Ensuring that stable and trusted leaders are appointed to positions below the TFCO will alleviate such difficulties. Communication between the TFSS is vital in this, as they should help greatly in helping to run the Task Force.

Realistically, the TFCO will always have some level of hands on interaction with their unit, as the realities of today’s fleet almost dictate that in order to see success. But, subordinates should be empowered to make decisions and work with some level of autonomy once they have been trained to work as such.

Time Management

There will come points when a TFCO becomes overwhelmed with the amount of work and attention that is needed to both run a Task Force as well as complete the various tasks that the job entails. With an active TFXO, sharing certain duties and projects can ease such difficulties. Furthermore, although distasteful to some, having a running checklist of things that need to be done and providing goals (Time-wise) towards achieving those goals can help immensely. This will save countless amounts of work by preventing repetitive information being sent out to different people.

The TFCO’s role on the BFA and within BFC will also take time and energy. It is important that the TFCO understands their limits and that the Task Force comes first in any and all matters. The temptation to be involved in every aspect of the Fleet is great, but a TFCO needs to recognize when they are being pulled too thin and make sure their energy is focused on their primary tasks: overall Task Force development and activity. It can be difficult to manage time between the Task Force and the fleet at large, but it is a skill that a TFCO must dutifully perfect.

Interacting with Task Force Members

A TFCO must have a high degree of patience and be able to deal with all members in a respectful manner. A Task Force consists of a wide variety of personalities and cultures, each with their own ideas and thoughts. Listening and responding to all inquiries and conversations in a calm and rational manner are key to healthy relationships with the members. A TFCO will also be expected to lead from the front, so to speak. The TFCO, although generally not expected by the membership, should be active in the various competitions that are going on. This helps build the feeling that the TFCO is one of the members as opposed to being apart from them, and provides the TFCO with a better foundation to deal with members.

Communication is key to having a healthy interaction with Task Force members. Maintaining a visible and interacting presence on Discord is key for this. Additionally, for a TFCO to really make inroads with their membership, one on one interaction is also of paramount import. This level of interaction mirrors that of a sim CO and their members that once existed as the primary point of interaction in the fleet. Providing personalized communication makes the membership of a unit feel like they are valued by their leadership, and that their contributions or competition entries are being recognized as having worth.

Discipline

There comes a point when a member crosses a line or one a Task Force’s leaders has to be removed. One’s decisions may be unpopular as well as cause a strain on the unit. Such unpopular decisions may involve having to remove friends or long-time veterans. Although seemingly distasteful at the time, such acts are for the benefit of the Fleet. Once again, being calm in such situations is critical. Take sufficient time and try to get as much information as possible, but make a decision.

Effects of the Position

A TFCO influences an entire unit and their actions can impact the entire Fleet as well. A TFCO’s actions or inactions relate directly to how that Task Force is viewed by the Fleet as a whole. For members new to the club, the TFCO should serve as an example of the ideal member, as well as a guide to any questions that the member may have.

A TFCO leads through example, maintaining a high degree of activity both through communications with the Task Force as well as being a driving force in competitions involving their unit. A TFCO’s personal drive should filter down through the unit, pushing the rest of the Task Force onwards.

Within Bravo Fleet Command, a TFCO ideally interacts with other BFC members and brings any concerns or comments to them in a calm and mature manner, fostering a strong bond that carries down to the members of the units. A TFCO can touch almost every facet of the Fleet and help mold it for the better. In fact, due to this, the TFCO brings much to the members of their Task Force and the fleet as a whole.

Position Organization

The TFCO’s position lies on Bravo Fleet Command and as a part of the Bravo Fleet Admiralty, making them the direct link in terms of communication between the fleet and the members. Without this position it would be extremely difficult for the BFCO, BFXO, or various department heads to pass along information to the different units of the fleet, quite possibly extending their work by an order of magnitude. The organization of the Fleet, and how a TFCO interacts with each unit, shows it as such:

BFCO and BFXO

It is the TFCO’s job to keep the leaders of the fleet appraised of the situation with each unit. The BFCO and BFXO must know that the TFCOs are doing their job at all times, and to the best of their abilities.

Bravo Fleet Admiralty

Chief of Staff (CoS) - A TFCO should be in constant contact with the CoS and OCS staff as they deal with all position appointments, medals and promotions. The bulk of all "awards" go through the OCS, and as such, the TFCO is consistently interacting with the CoS
Operations Officer - A TFCO should be in regular contact with the Operations Officer on all “operational” decisions regarding their unit, which include appointing staff, opening or closing task groups, and engaging in task force-level events, to make sure that those decisions don’t adversely impact another unit or overlap with their efforts. The Operations Officer is the first point of contact for general questions about unit management.
Loremaster - A TFCO will interact most with the Loremaster on implementing their task force’s theme, both through the fiction sandboxes and fiction competitions, and making sure that their events are showcasing the best and most interesting parts of lore that relate to their task forces. In addition, a TFCO must work with the Loremaster to make sure that their unit’s BFMS entry is accurate.
Gaming Officer - A TFCO should be interfacing with the Gaming Office to consult on any TF-level gaming competitions. Additionally, all gaming awards/ribbons are recommended by the Gaming Office directly, so keeping lines of communication open will be a benefit to TF members.
Communications - It may not seem like there is a lot for a TFCO to interact with the Communications office for, however, a TFCO should be looking for opportunities to “promote” their Task Force and its members. Perhaps a TFCO comes across a post, competition entry, graphic, etc that can be passed along to the Communications office for use in recruitment ads for the Fleet, or just general recognition on social media. If there’s something newsworthy going on, or something that would be useful to encapsulate the activity of the TF or fleet as a whole, let the Communications office know.

Magistrate - Any issues with members that escalate beyond simple mediation or discussion should be referred by the TFCO to the office of the Magistrate.

Other TFCOs – As it is necessary to foster good relations with the other units, TFCOs interact with one another on a daily basis, using one another as resources for help or as a point of contact should there be any problems with members from each Task Force. The TFCOs should be a team, sharing tips and advice for running their units, giving one another evaluations of potential leadership candidates moving from one Task Force to another, and crafting competitive events involving more than one Task Force that are not Fleet Actions overseen by the fleet as a whole.

Task Force Executive Officer

The TFXO is the TFCO’s “right-hand”, and as such, the lines of communication must be constantly open. The job of a TFXO depends specifically on the TFCO, but no matter their description, they must always be in contact with the TFCO. The TFXO should be conferred with on all decisions concerning the Task Force.

Task Group Commanding Officers

Much like a TFXO, a TFCO should be in contact with their TGCOs at all times. These members are effectively the developmental corps for future fleet leaders. Making sure to get members the experience of leadership duties with there are still the guard rails of their TFCO/TFXO team is of supreme importance. We should not have to throw members into leadership without a safety net, and the position of TGCO also serves to make sure that members can gain that experience without much risk for their unit.

General membership

A TFCO’s interaction with these members is often on a more informal basis, be it in Discord channels or via direct one-on-one discussions. It is imperative that a TFCO maintains close relations with all of their members, no matter their current position. The member’s first point of contact should likely be their TGCO when those positions are filled, just to make sure that concerns being advanced don’t get lost in the shuffle.

Specific Duties

Although most of the duties involved with the position of TFCO will vary due to the dynamic nature of the fleet and its Task Forces, certain duties are common to all. The below list will give a general idea of what to expect on a regular basis:

Welcoming new members to the Task Force. This is simply done by making sure to get outreach to a member started once the OCS sends a notice showing a transfer request either of a returning member from the Reserves or a new ensign being assigned from Starbase Bravo.
Ensure that TGCOs within the Task Force are active and keeping in constant contact with the newest members of the unit. As they are the direct contact point between a member and the club, it is critical for that avenue to be active.
Overseeing promotion and medal requests, both their own and those submitted by the Task Force Senior Staff. Although not required, it may be helpful to keep a chart on which members have received what, as to help pinpoint those members that do activity but are for some reason overlooked, or to spot trends with inactivity and other such helpful information.
Keep track of general over-all activities of the Task Force.
Keep track of all activity done by the TFSS. This is to ensure that they are both doing their jobs and to ensure that they are serving the general membership and caring for their needs. Also offer constructive criticism on how they are doing their jobs
Keep a firm idea of what each TFSS member’s status is towards a promotion and/or medal. Vitally important, there is nothing worse than losing a good TFSS member because a TFCO hasn’t been keeping track of all the work that they’ve been doing. TFSS members are very likely the most active members of a Task Force, so they should be recognized and awarded as such.
Keep track of general status of any Task Group-level competitions. This is to ensure that the TGCOs are taking the opportunity to interact with the competition administration system so they are prepared for advancement.
Run and keep track of all TF-wide competition events. This gives the opportunity for the Task Force members to gain higher level competition award medals, as well as stand out more visibly to the rest of their Task Force.
Keep close track of all Fleet-wide activity and competitions. Keeping track of the status of the membership in regards to activity during major Fleet events (such as Fleet Actions) is very important. Not only will the activity of the members make the determination on how a Task Force finishes in any rankings, it also opens up the opportunity for the membership to earn prestigious medals and traditionally opens doors to promotions as well.
Keep track of general communications between the Task Force members (such as over the fleet Discord or any other fleet affiliated Discord servers). This is a vital task. Keep control of the various methods of communications, as miscommunications are often the leading cause of the vast majority of problems that take place within the fleet.
Make an effort to be available via Discord. This is to make the TFCO more accessible to the general membership, making them feel more comfortable with talking to the fleet’s staff about anything that they wish. It’s a leadership function.
Send out regular Task Force reports to the fleet. These should be focused primarily on Task Force news, on-going projects and pertinent news concerning the rest of the Fleet. It should also highlight the current competitions as well as point to members who have been going above and beyond what is required of them.
Attempt to run at least one major inter-Task Force event per year. This allows for a vast amount of activity, and generally are very spirited affairs. This usually is a serious undertaking, as the preparations for this take a few months to completely work out for all the Task Forces involved. This also helps to develop one's skills in running and helping to manage a large project.
Attempt to run at least one to two major intra-Task Force events per year. This will usually ensure that the members have a major “event” competition series to participate in at least once per quarter on average between these, inter-Task Force events, and any Fleet Actions. Again, this sort of thing usually brings a vast amount of activity in. This should be planned carefully.
Assist the other BFC members with various fleet-wide projects. Bravo Fleet at any given point in time may have various large projects going on that they need assistance with in bringing off. As a member of the fleet command staff, and a representative of the Task Force, it is a TFCO's duty to lend a helping hand, as well as familiarize themselves with other high-level responsibilities and personalities within the Fleet.
Keep in constant contact with the rest of the fleet leadership, commenting and advising on any topics of discussion that are brought up.
Attempt to perform a meaningful project that will benefit the Task Force. This usually comes as a desire to help the unit. TFCOs are expected to bring a higher level of involvement to the Task Force, and anything that they can do to enhance the well-being of the Task Force will increase overall unit health.
Assign special projects to various Task Force staffers/members. This obviously helps the Task Force, but gives a chance for the member that is doing the project to shine in front of a lot of important people, which will be extremely helpful when the time for a promotion or medal recommendation comes along.
Enter in medal and promotion requests for Task Force staffers that are not able to submit on their own. Self-explanatory, this is for those times when the Task Force staffer would like to promote or award medals to a person that is outside of their promotional or awarding authority. It’s up to the TFCO to verify the veracity of these requests, as well as determining the eligibility of the candidate before submitting the request over for processing. This also gives the TFCO the opportunity to add their own recommendation for the candidate.