Recruits
From USEC Force
Introduction
Congratulations on joining one of the world's most advanced and popular virtual military organizations.
As a new recruit at Unity Security Force, there is a lot to learn and take note of in your first few weeks and we realize it can be very daunting to new members, especially if they are new to the hobby. Do remember that all members have been there and it just a question of perseverance to become a fully-fledged member and our membership will be there to help you every step of the way. You getting qualified means we get to enjoy our hobby more, just as you do, so it's in our benefit to help you. We don't believe in throwing you out there to figure it out on your own.
Having said that, this hobby isn't for everyone and you should know that we use our games as simulators, which for Flight Simulator means we try to fly by real life rules and for ArmA 2 it means we try to use real life SOPs for combat operations. We also use role-play with a full military-style ranking system and endeavor to uphold a true military ethos where possible. If you progress through the ranks, you can expect an increased workload as we give personnel secondary duties to fulfill such as recruiting, article writing (such as this one) and some members even learn how to use 2D and 3D graphic design software to make our custom add-ons, aircraft, graphics and scenery for both simulators. This means you can actually learn hobbies that are worth something in the real world, so enthusiastic and keen recruits, read on!
We have a state-of-the-art website with some amazing features that you will not have come across elsewhere. That's why this document has been drafted up to give you an introduction to our systems. With the help of this article and the wiki in general (plus the help that our friendly bunch on the forum will give you if you ask for it), you will find yourself navigating through everything in no time at all.
Just so you are aware, most images on this wiki can be clicked on to be enlarged. Certain ones require you to enlarge them to see all the detail we have put on them to help you out. If you find anything out of date or of an unsatisfactory standard in any way, please let staff know on the forum.
Day One
As a new recruit, your primary goal is to complete the recruit exam, which is situated on the training page, once you have logged into the main website. You will utilize the website and the Standing Orders to assist you with the exam. These orders and the exam should have been emailed to you. If not, the latest copy of our Standing Orders can always be found on the forum.
Next, you really need to focus on getting to know everyone in the unit. Teamwork is what USEC is all about. The Training Academy Staff generally post a welcome thread for all new members immediately after their successful registration, so you should find it in the introduction section of the forum and introduce yourself before continuing with this article. If none exists yet, feel free to make it yourself!
Main website overview
Now that you are a member, you will notice an area on the left hand column after logging into USEC, that is blue.
This is where you will find personalized information, such as MyMail, a revolutionary system that allows internal emailing, news article creation and mass-mailings of USEC or individual units. Only Warrant Officers & Officers are authorized to send MyMail to more than one person and the Chain of Command becomes very important.
This is where you receive news, letters and mission tasking from the Chain of Command. MyMail is very important and it is important for you to check it at least once a week.
Just below the blue menu area, you will find Operations. If logged into the website, here you will find the latest tasking along with the latest PIREP and COMREP that have been completed by others. Check here regularly for new flight tasking that you can fly once you've completed the requirements for the Aviator Badge.
Communications
At USEC, we utilize various means of communications. The forum is where most correspondence occurs in the open, with MyMail being used for more official messages.
We also use voice communications using software called TeamSpeak 2, which is a software program that allows you to log in to an online server and using a microphone, speak in real-time (well as good as it gets, we do experience a little lag) with our other members. It has various channels and we use those channels to emulate different frequencies.
TeamSpeak 2 is very important to your role at USEC, so please download it and set it up at your earliest convenience. If you need help, there is a TeamSpeak setup guide available
All missions are done with communications through TeamSpeak 2. For us to function in a manner that is professional but still fun, we do need to lay down some Standard Operating Procedures. Please ensure you have read and understand them before joining our TeamSpeak 2 server. You will not be told off if you do not follow or understand them immediately, our more experienced members will gladly ease you into it in a friendly manner, but you will be expected to listen and learn from other member's examples.
To install TeamSpeak 2, download and run the executable like any other software. Once installed, from the TeamSpeak menu, you can enter details for servers. Our details are held on the main website under your blue, personal links.
The image below shows the TeamSpeak page on our website with our server details and password, but this may be out-of-date. Consult the actual page on the main website for correct details.
Official USEC Naming Conventions
USEC strives to provide a realistic virtual military career experience, and a part of that is creating an environment similar to that used by military organizations around the globe.
To set proper tone, USEC adopted a set of standard naming conventions for use in its various webspaces and software applications. Please see the examples below and then ensure you comply with them.
- Armed Assault
- [USEC] RANK FirstInitial.LastName
- Example - PFC John Doe would become [USEC] PFC J.Doe
- FSHost / VATSIM
- USF USECID#
This convention consists of two components:
- USF - this is our official VATSIM-issued airline code.
- Your USEC ID number.
- Example - PFC John Doe (USEC member 2950) would have an FSHost or VATSIM callsign that reads USF2950
- RANK FirstInitial.LastName
- Your current USEC rank followed by a space, then;
- Your first initial followed by a period, then followed by your surname/last name, or an approved pseudonym if you wish to maintain your anonymity.
- Example, PFC John Doe would have an TeamSpeak username that reads PFC J.Doe
- USEC Forums
- Firstname Lastname
- Example, PFC John Doe would register as John Doe
- Additionally, the forum allows you to use your rank as an image avatar, the User Control Panel has a page to change your avatar, with a built-in gallery of all our ranks. Please select the appropriate one for your rank.
Downloading Addons
USEC takes great pride in providing custom addons for FSX and ArmA 2, but due to the nature of ongoing development, it is easier for us to provide and update a list of items, rather than a whole bunch of different pages.
To that end, our addons page has a list of our ArmA 2 addons for you to download use. Also, we maintain a mirror download page with almost all our files on, for your convenience.
How do I get things done?
So you have everything installed, you've read the manuals and are raring to go, eh?
Well, first of all you must ensure you only do missions and flights you are qualified for. The following should be used as a guide only, ask in the forum if you are unsure about anything.
- As a UFA Trainee Pilot, this means only flying the UFA Aircraft on training flights, which must be returned to the main base at Laughlin AFB by yourself, if you remove them.
- As a UCA Recruit, this means only doing the training missions on the Core Training Map until the Director of UCA has cleared you for more missions.
- As an Operational Pilot, this means only flying missions on aircraft you are qualified for and are permitted to use by the relevant CO.
- As an Operational Soldier, this means only doing missions within your platoons role, unless explicitly authorized otherwise.
So for Pilots, you need to learn how to book and aircraft or accept tasking. Soldier can just log on to the Official USEC server and as long as the Core Training Facility is up as the map, you can carry out your training requirements ensuring you take a screenshot of the pass screen with FRAPS.
Following the flight or mission, you should respectively file a PIREP or COMREP, noting that a COMREP is for missions with over 3 USEC members present, one of whom must be a graduate of the JOPC exam. If it's just you training, you can't file a COMREP.
Forum
You will find a lot of information concerning USEC, it's Operations and the way we do things on the forum. You will not get as much as you can out of USEC if you do not participate in the forum, as it encourages members to discuss topics and enhances camaraderie and teamwork. Additionally, promotional requirements expect you to be active within the forum.
This doesn't mean you need to post daily or spam the forum, but a healthy presence would be to regularly contribute interesting topics and/or ask questions and you'll be expected to login at least once a week. If you do not log in for 3 months, your account gets suspended, but not deleted. If you return, you'll need to contact an administrator to reinstate your forum account.
The forum is linked directly from this wiki at the top of the page, as is the main website.
Closing statement
Another thing to keep in mind is to utilize your chain of command with any questions you have. Our UCOM and Chief of Staff are very busy people, answering anything up to hundreds of emails and MyMails a day. Although they would not hesitate to help you, the Chain of Command is there for a reason and it is more than likely that your next in the chain can help you out just as well. Be sure to read our Chain of Command article.
OK recruit, that is your introduction to USEC. Now the ball is in your court, we encourage proactive membership. In other words, using GOOGLE as your friend to find out information, use the forum to further your knowledge and we also encourage ideas, thoughts and feedback - again in the forum.
Of course, if you are interested, you are also welcome to help us edit, maintain and expand this wiki.
So in closing, please give your best effort and get involved. You are going to love USEC, and as with everything in life, you get out what you put in!
