To be an Officer in the
Emperor's Hammer

by CM Trevor Rastyn

     As a member of the Emperor's Hammer, one sees some controversial issues around them. With different subgroups in the largest online Star Wars club, members should be united in their goals, although sometimes this is not so. An Officer of the Emperor's Hammer must know when to take any kind of remark with a grain of salt. On more than one occasion, reports have stated that members from other subgroups make fun of others because of different roles. The idea for an upstanding officer not to let something trivial like comparisons of Sub Groups affect their judgement. The petty squabbling should be set aside, and Emperor's Hammer members should be putting their efforts to better the Emperor's Hammer as a whole. To hear any comments degrading one Group or another is disheartening. To be a member of the common group, and have someone question ones difference in Sub Groups is an unfortunate occurrence. Some Officers may take remarks like that with discouragement. They join a Sub Group, feeling proud of their accomplishment, the uniform they receive, the ID line that follows their emails, and to hear someone mock another Sub Group because they do not follow the same route within the Emperor's Hammer. We all strive for the same goal, we all work hard to expand the Emperor's Hammer, and should not squabble about how that is accomplished. On the other hand, some Officers use it as fuel to keep that drive to succeed alive. Simple arguments about different memberships can turn into Court Marshals because of people getting so over run with rage while defending the honor of their allegiance. Another touchy subject is personal betterment. Officers that argue based on their personal skill that no one can dispute nor commend; no body knows for sure who is better. Officers may fly the same platforms, and become fine aviators, but until it is proven through competition, numbers or experience, no one individual should be able to consider themselves superior strictly on their personal view. A pilot should have something to back their claims as to how well they fly before making bold statements of their skill. A good officer will back the others achievements, not knock their failures. With something like that in mind, an officer should focus on talking with other members, getting different sides to the story and trying to determine what drives members to seek their own personal greatness.

     It is documented on more than one occasion that members feel they are above the system, and that no one can tell them different. These members may be full of knowledge about certain aspects of the Emperor's Hammer inner workings, but as an Emperor's Hammer officer, they are in no position to demean one Sub Group or Auxiliary because they hold a respectable position and rank in a separate Sub Group. They should hold a mutual respect for the common goal they all strive for. Rank and position from one group is just that, and that it does not carry over to another Sub Group. Just as that same individuals second Sub Group position and rank is a different standard to the first Sub Group. Any officer in that position would tell you the same.

     When officers are given positions starting with Wing Commander (depending on the Sub Group), they are allowed to posses a personal craft. They may add to their ID line a specific craft that is strictly their own. Something that would be hard to abuse, although upon losing that position, that privilege is removed. If, for any reason, a Battle Group Commander is removed from position and placed as a Flight Member, they may be a well liked and respected Officer, but now are no different than any other Flight Member. Just because one earns the privilege, not the right, to own a personal craft, does not mean that officer receives preferential treatment. If one loses their promotion, and possession of a ship, they return to the normal status of any other Officer, and a proper officer will understand this, and accept it.

     As Emperor's Hammer members, every single member is bound to obey orders. To follow commands to the letter, and to perform to the best of their abilities. To question the system, and make remarks about how to run the group, is not a subordinate's place. To be a good officer is to know when to listen and when to act. Taking initiative is one of the best attributes an officer can display, but one must know the limit. As one follows their way up the chain of command, one can trace back how every decision is made. About how to proceed, and how to better the future of the Emperor's Hammer. Being arrogant and all knowing makes ones credibility as a good officer questionable. Officers are responsible for making themselves the most effective and useful agent possible of the Emperor's Hammer. As they work up the chain, officers are placed in a position that would best suit them. New members are placed as Flight Members and will expand from there. As an officer grows, their career will grow. The best advice for a new officer would be to stand up for their beliefs with professionalism, to not be afraid to defend why they are in their Sub Group without crossing the lines of conduct unbecoming, and to understand why there will always be indifference. To be the best Emperor's Hammer officer is to be an upstanding delegate for their respective Sub Group, showing the remainder of the online universe that the Emperor's Hammer is the finest online group for a reason.

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