Battlecry Interview
with the Emperor's Hammer Medical Officer
VA Mike
<VProphet> Hello
<VA_Mike> Hello.
<VProphet> Ok, first question...
* VA_Mike leans back in his seat.
<VProphet> So MO/VA Mike, what is your history in the EH/TC?
<VA_Mike> Well, well.
<VA_Mike> I've joined the EH as an Apprentice in the Dark Brotherhood.
<VProphet> But, you didn't stay?
<VA_Mike> Only some time after I joined, the then COM of the SSD Avenger, Admiral Darth Vader, called for Jedi’s to fly in the TIE Corps.
<VA_Mike> I did.
<VA_Mike> And I joined Stalker Squadron onboard the Avenger.
<VA_Mike> After two months I became the Flight Leader of Flight II and focused
more on my TieCorps life.
<VProphet> Avenger was TC then?
<VA_Mike> I'm not sure I understand your question?
<VA_Mike> As I know, the SSD Avenger is still in the TieCorps.
<VA_Mike> but only Jedis are allowed to enlist there.
<VProphet> Sorry, I though the SSD Avenger is a DB ship now...
<VA_Mike> Ah.
<VProphet> I had believed it was TC for awhile back.
<VA_Mike> Bygones.
<VProphet> After being FL what then...
<VA_Mike> I stayed as Flight Leader.
<VProphet> So, you jumped from FL to VA?
<VA_Mike> I took the Shadow Academy, becoming GRD.
<VA_Mike> If you don't mind, I'd like to continue...
<VA_Mike> I wanted to become the CMDR of Stalker Squad and applied several times.
<VA_Mike> I even denied to become a CMDR of Butcher Squadron when my WC asked me.
<VProphet> You denied a CMDR position!?
<VA_Mike> Yes, that's right.
<VA_Mike> Stalker was and is the best squad.
<VProphet> You are amazingly loyal
<VA_Mike> One of my best traits. :)
<VProphet> I assume you got the position eventually?
<VA_Mike> Unfortunately, no.
<VA_Mike> So, I decided it was time to pack my bags and go.
<VProphet> Where?
<VA_Mike> I transferred to the ISD Relentless, to Shield Squadron.
<VA_Mike> (I guess it's the Rel... don't know exactly...)
<VA_Mike> I became CMDR there and began leading the squad.
<VProphet> What made you change your mind about Stalker?
<VA_Mike> I saw the CMDRs change before my eyes...
<VA_Mike> I applied for two or three times but they always chose someone else.
<VProphet> Ouch.
<VA_Mike> Actually, my mind didn't ever change.
<VA_Mike> If I one day resign my position, I will try to get the CMDR-spot there. :)
<VA_Mike> Venturing on...
<VProphet> Continue.
<VA_Mike> I got promoted to Brigadier General on the Rel.
<VA_Mike> Then the "dark times" came.
<VProphet> Hold on
<VProphet> Isn't BG a Hammer's Fist rank?
<VA_Mike> A long time ago...
<VProphet> Ok, now explain what u mean with the "dark times"
<VA_Mike> The TIECorps carried the ranks "General", "Brigadier General" etc.
<VA_Mike> Well, I've been on a standard recon flight with my TIE.
<VA_Mike> I suddenly encountered a small Rebel armada - one Mon Cal, two Frigates and several fighter wings.
<VA_Mike> They captured me.
<VProphet> Yesh.
<VProphet> How'd you get out?
<VA_Mike> That's what I thought, yes.
<VA_Mike> A long story.
<VA_Mike> It had to do with a nice guard, a traitor and a girl. :) Nothing much to say.
<VA_Mike> Well, just the ending.
<VA_Mike> I made my way back after approx. six months.
<VProphet> Cool, so you became VA when you returned?
<VA_Mike> Almost. :)
<VA_Mike> I wasn’t enlisted as CMDR nor as Jedi.
<VProphet> Still a MAJ, CM, RA?
<VA_Mike> BG.
<VA_Mike> CPT, then.
<VA_Mike> I asked the Grand Admiral if he had need for a "Ship's Jester" or "counselor", since I've been famous for my jokes onboard the Avenger.
<VA_Mike> He said that the MOR-position was occupied but I could take the MO-spot.
<VA_Mike> I said yes and advanced to Imperial Advisor.
<VProphet> Your kidding... right?
<VA_Mike> Nope.
<VA_Mike> It's all true.
<VProphet> So, instead of Jester for the Avenger...
<VProphet> you became the Head Medical Doctor for the EH?
<VA_Mike> Yes.
<VProphet> Remind me never to get a checkup:-)
<VA_Mike> :-)
<VA_Mike> I began to appoint people as ship Doctors and Flight Nurses all over the
TIECorps.
<VProphet> For those EH'ers that don't know what the MedCorps does could you give a brief description.
<VA_Mike> Well...
<VA_Mike> The MedCorps is there for assistance.
<VA_Mike> That's the brief description.
<VProphet> In case I get my head blown off?
<VProphet> Or if I get drunk two hours before my new WC arrives... not that has happened...
<VA_Mike> Yep. :)
<VA_Mike> Sure.
<VA_Mike> If I may add some things?
<VProphet> Go ahead.
<VA_Mike> Well, since it's the MedCorps we should be in charge of Medical thingies.
<VA_Mike> That means, giving out anti-depressive, helping you with your headache etc.
<VA_Mike> Unfortunately there's no use for a doctor in an online-club.
<VProphet> Sorry for this disclaimer, but you guys aren't real doctors correct?
<VA_Mike> Right.
<VA_Mike> Good that you say that.
<VA_Mike> I'd like to point out that no one who is enlisted in the MedCorps is a real doctor.
<VA_Mike> If you have RL-medical problems, consult a really physician, not your FMC-Doc.
<VProphet> Now that the disclaimer is out of the way...
<VA_Mike> So, we're more focusing on aiding people.
<VProphet> Ok, so there is no use for a doctor online, but we have the club. Why?
<VA_Mike> We want to help everybody.
<VA_Mike> The MedCorps is there to make everything run smoother.
<VProphet> Question: So if someone has trouble with his or her superior officer...
<VA_Mike> They go to their doctor.
<VA_Mike> I know, the normal CoC says that they should go to the superior of the superior.
<VProphet> So, instead of spaming the admirals they go to the Doc.
<VA_Mike> Yes, that's right.
<VA_Mike> If I may explain this?
<VProphet> The floor is yours.
<VA_Mike> Thanks.
<VA_Mike> I'm always getting questions like "why are you doing this, isn't that covered in the CoC?"
<VA_Mike> The thing is to make it easier.
<VA_Mike> Sure, your CMDR (to stay in the TieCorps) is qualified to solve your problems.
<VA_Mike> But the doctors do not only help in solving problems.
<VA_Mike> They introduce new members to the club and get the familiar with the "protocol".
<VA_Mike> they also try to uphold and drive on communications
<VA_Mike> To be everyone's best friend.
<VA_Mike> In case of the problems, they work like a buffer.
<VA_Mike> people go to their Doc and tell them their problems.
<VProphet> May I interrupt?
<VA_Mike> Yes?
<VProphet> Since, the cheating issue has come up lately; If someone has a problem with cheating do they go to the doctors?
<VA_Mike> Please specify.
<VA_Mike> You mean if they can't cheat and want to know how to do?
<VProphet> No
<VProphet> If a CMDR suspects cheating do they go to the DOC or to the TAC office?
<VProphet> If there is no proof.
<VA_Mike> He may do both.
<VA_Mike> See, the doctor is there to solve the problems before they evolve into something not controllable
<VA_Mike> The doctor could talk with the person blamed for cheating.
<VA_Mike> He has overall expressions about this person since he's in steady contact with him.
<VA_Mike> The person may say that he cheated this time but that he now regrets it.
<VProphet> So they can admit and stay away from demotion and prosecution.
<VA_Mike> The doctor will then tell the CMDR, along with the suggestion to avoid punishing the pilot.
<VA_Mike> Giving him a second chance.
<VA_Mike> But I want to point out the following:
<VProphet> Ok.
<VA_Mike> do not think that the doctor will protect you always from punishments!
<VA_Mike> He will quickly figure out if you just use him for illegal actions..
<VA_Mike> The doctor is your best friend, which will try to find a solution to your problems, together with you, without activating the whole bureaucracy.
<VA_Mike> Not necessary.
<VA_Mike> After all it's in the hands of the superior officers.
<VA_Mike> But as I said, the CMDR will perhaps only say that he will be excluded from the next competition, for example.
<VProphet> Still, another words don't mess with the Doc.
<VA_Mike> Yeah.
<VA_Mike> He's your best friend, but if you cheat him, he'll be your worst nightmare!
<VProphet> True. Ok, I got us off subject.
<VA_Mike> (finished)
<VA_Mike> Go on with your questions.
<VProphet> Ok, did you form the MedCorps or did you just take it over?
<VA_Mike> Actually I did both.
<VProphet> Both?
<VA_Mike> The MedCorps in it's current existence wasn't present last millennium.
<VA_Mike> But the idea of Doctors and Nurses was already there when Sslither was MO.
<VProphet> So, you basically recreated it?
<VA_Mike> The Fleet Medical Corps - yes.
<VA_Mike> And I am currently forming it.
<VA_Mike> We're not finished, yet. :)
<VA_Mike> I appointed more Doctors and Nurses, made a new rank/positions system, (thanks to Kessler and Plif, btw), and advanced into other subgroups.
<VProphet> What are you your plans for the future?
<VA_Mike> We currently have two aims:
<VA_Mike> 1) Advance into as much subgroups as possible
<VA_Mike> 2) Get MedCorps a valuable help for the Emperor's Hammer
<VA_Mike> That means much work.
<VA_Mike> Especially the second point.
<VProphet> Another words, expand and become the next DB.
<VProphet> Next Question:
<VProphet> I have noticed you have a rumor page. Although it is mostly a message
board for the MedCorps, do you have any good rumors for the BattleCry?
<VA_Mike> Hmm...
<VA_Mike> I can't deny this nor say yes.
<VProphet> come on, let's hear one.
<VA_Mike> Yes: Kessler is wearing no panties.
<VProphet> Thanks for that picture.
<VA_Mike> :)
<VA_Mike> I'm afraid I have to say that there are no real good rumors.
<VProphet> Any others. Firefox, Kawolski, etc...
<VA_Mike> Picture?
<VProphet> I meant rumor, not picture
<VA_Mike> Ok.
<VA_Mike> Oh, yeah.
<VA_Mike> I have one rumor:
<VProphet> What? Tell us.
<VA_Mike> It is rumored that no human being really knows what the Morale Officer's job really is...
<VA_Mike> Hey, I don't know it. Do you?
<VProphet> Yes, pay for our drinks.
<VProphet> :-)
<VA_Mike> LOL
<VProphet> Last question: If someone wants, how can they join the MedCorps?
<VA_Mike> Usually an application to your local PMO (Principal Medical Officer, in charge of a subgroup) or via www.medcorps.de will do it.
<VA_Mike> However, we plan to bring out a small test, just like the IWATS courses to prove that people are qualified for being Doctors.
<VA_Mike> We unfortunately had too much people just joining for ID-line add-ons.
<VProphet> So, we can expect a new IWATS management test?
<VA_Mike> No IWATS, but only MedCorps. It is to avoid promoting people to Doctors who can't solve the problems what to wear each days...
<VA_Mike> On the other hand, if IWATS were interested... it would be an option.
<VProphet> Another words, an SL won't become Ship Doc.
<VA_Mike> Hardly.
<VA_Mike> But we also don't want to have only the COMs beeing the doctors.
<VA_Mike> The average ranks would be LT-CPT (FM-CMDR)
<VProphet> So, the average active pilot.
<VProphet> That is willing to work for it
<VA_Mike> Yes.
<VA_Mike> That's the main problem.
<VProphet> People being active?
<VA_Mike> No.
<VProphet> Huh?
<VA_Mike> If you're working for the FMC, you HAVE to spend time.
<VA_Mike> It's not really much and you'll get known by everyone on your ship.
<VA_Mike> But this also means that you will have less time for subgroup activity.
<VA_Mike> This results in promotions in the FMC, not in your subgroup.
<VA_Mike> We will perhaps change that. We will perhaps give out promotion suggestions.
<VA_Mike> But you have to realize that the FMC, althought not a subgroup, needs time.
<VProphet> Is there anything you would like to add for the BattleCry?
<VA_Mike> Well, respect our doctors.
<VProphet> :-)
<VA_Mike> They're doing good jobs and try to help everybody of you.
<VA_Mike> And if you have any problems, mail me:
<VA_Mike> mo@emperorshammer.org
<VProphet> Thank you for letting me interview you.
* VA_Mike hands Prophet a glass
<VA_Mike> Some Corellian Brandy. Enjoy.
<VProphet> Thanks.