CT Sideways, 501st Publisher
Thursday, June 27th, 2019

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    LET THE GAMES BEGIN

For two weeks in June, Avalanche Company suspended its regularly scheduled official events and faced off in the Avalanche Company Olympics, an event designed to create healthy competition among the four platoons in Avalanche Company and among their sixteen squads. 

There were three events, the first two of which were platoon-level assessments while the final event pitted one squad against another. The games of 6/8/2019 were the Convoy Escort and the Mortar Run, and the competitive event on 6/15/2019 was the Squad Relay Race. The following is an account of the proceedings as described by one Avalanche Company squad leader.

INTACT AND EN ROUTE

    On opening day, five Republic Bantha IFVs crewed by Mynock detachment sappers rolled out of a 501st vehicle depot for the first event, the Convoy Escort. Their objective: follow the road to the finish line a klick and a half away through hordes of CIS infantry squirming for their next field update, equipped with antitank weaponry and entrenched in prepared positions along a narrow road that wound through the precipitous heights and deep passes of the scenic Altis mountains.

    The results for this event were as follows:

The results of this event determined the order of position for the rest of the festivities:

• 2nd Platoon (tied for 1st with 24 points)
• 4th Platoon (tied for 1st with 24 points)
• 3rd Platoon (3rd with 20 points)
• 1st Platoon (4th with 18 points)

… AND FEAR NOT PAIN OR DEATH

    Immediately following this gauntlet was the aptly named Mortar Run, which saw the 501st’s Mynock representatives turn on their Avalanche company counterparts. All squads from an infantry platoon lined up on the starting line which faced a barren no-man’s-land across which stood a small blue flag on a shell-shocked beach. Flanking the plain rose small hillocks upon which sat Mynock mortar crews. A whistle was sounded, and the mortar crews opened fire on the infantrymen as they attempted to reach the safety of the bombed-out beach.

    The results for this event were as follows:

The order of positions of the Avalanche company platoons was as follows after the event:

• 2nd Platoon (49 points)
• 4th Platoon (48 points)
• 1st Platoon (43 points)
• 3rd Platoon (39 points)
  
  

RAMIREZ!

   
    The final event, the Squad Relay Race, took place the following weekend. The organizers worked tirelessly through the week so that when the sun rose on Saturday morning, a vast obstacle course cast a towering shadow over the salt flats.

    The course was, in fact, two courses, each a mirror of the other. One squad would assume responsibility for the left course, while their opponents would assemble across from them on the right side. The objective of this course was to locate intelligence, which would provide the location of a CAS target.

     One representative from each squad - with the exception of the medical leg and the support leg, both of which required two operatives - would run each leg at a time. The legs tested fundamental infantry skills: Riflery, Sharpshooting, Combat Medical, Tank Hunting, Support Gunnery, Grenadier Marksmanship, CQC and RT Operations. The squad leader ran above the course, yammering advice into the radio and inspiring their comrades with buffs and holy magic. The intelligence was located on the CQC On the final leg, each squad RT would call in an airstrike on their target, confirming the end of the race.

     After the race concluded, penalties were assessed based on VIPs killed and designated targets left alive. These penalties became time values - numbers of seconds - that were added to each squad’s score. The squad with the fastest overall time was recognized. Each squad then totaled their times to get a platoon combined time. The platoons’ times and corresponding scores were then ordered to get the rankings for this event.

The view from the starting line. Note the elevated catwalks on each side.

The results from this event were as follows:

And the aggregate results for each platoon were:

The final standings of the Olympic Games were:

• 1st Platoon (57 points)
• 4th Platoon (57 points)
• 2nd Platoon (56 points)
• 3rd Platoon (47 points)

Yes, you read that right - there was a tie for first place! This will not be allowed to stand, and the brass will have its blood. A tiebreaker will be conducted between 1st and 4th platoons for first place at a later date. In the meantime, the campaign has begun! The 501st news team will be your source of delicious campaign digest in the coming weeks. 

The Olympics were streamed live! You can watch footage of the event at the approved stream here:

https://www.twitch.tv/sorensic_steel/

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Battalion HQ - 

“Verax promoted to BN CS-M Billet, for his hard work and dedicated to the unit. His promotion is a unanimous decision by command staff.” - BC Jay

Avalanche 1 -

Jane (CT to Sr. CT), Doe (CR-C to CT)

“Proud of the way 1st Platoon performed in the Olympics and looking forward to the campaign.” - CS-M Point

Avalanche 3 - 

“Lava is just dirty magma.” - CC Ewik

Acklay - 

“Papers, please. (We’re updating a lot of paperwork.)" - CC Lava

Razor - 

“Glad the campaign is back.” - CX Scuba

Zeta -

"Verax has been stolen. I will never forgive this betrayal." - CP Fancy

News Team -
The News Team is proud to announce the opening of new positions within the News Team. The News Team will be opening a media team, that will be responsible for finding videos, pictures, and creating custom graphics for the News Team to use. New positions will also be opening in the near future so keep a lookout. If any of these new positions interest you, please fill out the News Team application, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW?

Arma 3 is currently on sale thanks to the Steam Summer Sale, pick that up or it's DLC today!

501st Trivia

CS-M Sorensic needs to upload that infection video.

501st Discord

501st Legion

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Rayne and the News team. Extra graphics by: CT Daku and CT Shifty}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editors:CP Sense, CP Hoodoo}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Momentum, CT Stone and CT Ruse}

CT Sideways, 501st Publisher
Sunday, June 16th, 2019

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     To the members of the 501st and its GARC allies,

     A special report.

     Advanced Recon Commandos, the best of the best, or as they are widely known: ARC troopers. Showing outstanding skill and teamwork, 501st ARC troopers are the subject of much awe and reverence. But what does ARC mean to the 501st, how do their soldiers operate, and what’s the stuff that really makes an ARC trooper? These questions and more were answered when I had the chance to sit down with Sergeant Major Crow, Commander of Arc Detachment Alpha “Onyx.”

AS THE CROW FLIES

     Crow joined the 501st Legion in July of 2017. He became a Trooper, but he wasn’t destined to stay in general infantry for long. “I was in a fun op and I was down, and Valmoric came over to me. He was role-playing, telling me I was gonna be alright, all that stuff,” he recalls. Crow also received medical training from Koda himself. “I'm super thankful to the medics.... Koda, Valmoric and Bondoer, for helping me find my personality in the unit.”

    He went on to become an Acklay medic and served in Acklay for sometime before switching over to a team lead position. “I actually Co-team lead with Lava back then. He’s still one of my best friends to this day. I talk with him all the time.”

     As time went on, the Sergeant Major grew to enjoy seeing how the unit worked. His reputation eventually landed him an invitation to try out for Onyx - the 501st’s elite ARC trooper program. “Onyx was just getting back together, and I was invited to try out. I went into it, not necessarily with the mindset of ‘I'm not gonna get in,’ but I'll do my best and see what happens.” It's plain to see how that turned out: crow was slotted into Krayt squad - to the sure satisfaction of the now-Battalion Medic Koda - as a medic.

     As more recruits entered the detachment, Crow stepped up to fill a leadership role and inject new blood into the commando corps. His goal was simple: to produce exceptionally trained troopers worthy of the respect they received in the ARC program. With the help of Sergeant George, Crow feels like he’s succeeded in that goal. “Onyx is a place people call home. People know the ins and outs. People get along. It's a family more than a detachment - the image of what the 501st can accomplish.”

    ARC troopers “know every in and out of every piece of equipment, and they are always testing things out,” even in their free time. Crow “came in once and found them trying to see how many underwater rounds it would take to kill an HSD.” Each trooper has a different preference for their loadouts, much like in the infantry. However, commandos are given more generous leeway with customization.

    Crow prefers the MOD-0, but admits that the Westar is, in his own words, “a machine.” On top of the Westar, Onyx has access to the ARC rangefinder. The rangefinder acts as an NVG, and several types of thermals. This tool allows the ARC troopers to see threats and neutralize them.

ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION

     It takes a lot of training to become qualified for the use of such equipment, and that all starts with the infamous Assessment and Selection (AnS):

     “AnS is the primary testing period for people in the 501st. We asses to see if (Troopers) have the skill set and mind set to begin ARC training. When referencing a skill set and mind set, it's looking at how troopers think on their feet to complete a goal. It's a personality test as much as a skill test.”

     Onyx is most concerned with trooper’s core values, and AnS is there to evaluate disposition as much as field performance. The training program breaks applicants down so the commandos-aspirant can understand their values for themselves. But for those who've gone through and have not made it: do not view it as a failure, but a learning opportunity. “Everything is a learning opportunity, and we love seeing self growth, even from those who don't make it.”

ADVANCED RECON COMMANDOS

     If a trooper is skilled enough to make it into ARC, they become an ARC candidate through two varying selection processes. Through these an ARC candidate may one day become one of two arc types: a  member of a strike team, or a member of a ranger team.

      Strike teams are four man ARC teams who see the bulk of the battle line. They see the worst of it, and give it right back. These teams have your standardized 501st roles. Medics, RTOs, Squad leaders etc. and operate to complete an objective or to assist Avalanche forces.

      The ARC Ranger is a Trooper incredibly talented in long range engagements and reconnaissance. They offer scouting, field intel, and detect QRF forces. There are two ranger ARC’s per team, so nobody goes alone! And of course these troopers are lead by the Alpha ARC’s. “Alpha’s are exceptional NCO’s who are tasked with leading ARC’s in the field.

     Of course, the 501st loves seeing Onyx in fun ops, but what about official joint training? “I have a bunch of ops on the drawing board. If someone wanted to run a training op with us next Tuesday, I could do it,” Crow goes on, “ but I don't know what people want to learn!” The Sergeant Major encourages any element in the 501st to come to him or George with ideas and topics they would like to learn about. Onyx is excited to teach. In fact, their goal is to “get as many troops into teaching roles as soon as possible,” so, Squad leads and Platoon commanders, be sure to drop by and see about getting a joint training done soon!

     Above all else, Onyx is part of the 501st. They’re here, like us, to game and learn with each other. When asked what message he’d like to pass on, Crow had these words:

    “Onyx is not special. We are like everyone else. We treat everyone with respect and common courtesy. We ask that its given in return. Some people don't like us because of our pauldrons or our weapons. But we earned those privileges, and they are privileges. We wanna get to know everyone but we are kinda shy. I encourage people to come to get to know us. Don't be afraid to come to the Team speak channel, We’d love to meet you. Come hang!”  

     Before I leave you, when asked what Crow’s favorite moment in Onyx was, the Sergeant Major didn't hesitate in his response. “When Salvo shot Klein in the face with a grenade launcher. These are the people I have the pleasure of working with.” after some chuckling, he continued. “It was a funny moment that we still laugh about. Yes, we try and have professionalism, but we are human. People make mistakes, and at the end of the day, we are here to have fun.”

     The 501st is lucky to have Sergeant Major Crow. A leader of commandos, a teacher of troopers, and a friend to many he’s met along the way, Crow deserves recognition for the legacy he’s created in Onyx and the unit at large. And don’t forget to stop and chat with an ARC trooper, or if you're feeling extra daring, challenge them to a game of Rainbow Six Siege. I’m told it's quite popular among the ARC troopers, though I can’t imagine why….

Until next time,

CT Momentum Signing off

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Avalanche 1 -

Swanny (CT to Sr. CT)

“We’re excited for the campaign to start up again and can’t wait to get back into it (:”

- CS-M Point

Avalanche 2 -

Bishop (CT to Sr. CT) Gull (CT to Sr. CT)

“Little does Lava know that I am in my Mid-Life” - CS-M Crisis

Avalanche 3 -

“3rd's doing good.” - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

“I will have my gold. No matter how many men it costs.” - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

Grinch (CT to CP)

"Ewik is just a tree hugger" - CC Lava

Onyx -

“No commendations/promotions unfortunately this time. We wish all avalanche platoons the best of luck in the 501st Olympics!” - CS-M Crow

Razor -

Alex (CX-C to CX-X)

“Announcing another Razor candidate cycle on the 16th of this month. Post will be in #razor-open on discord as usual. If anyone wants a head start to the process you can read older pins of the same announcement. Officers and NCOs that have not taken the opportunity to ask questions or observe the process may still do so.” - CX Scuba

RTO -

“CT Sideways is a mage” - CI-O Roadboy

Medical -

Jericho (CM-C to CM)

Zeta -

"Daddy's home." - CS Verax

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DID YOU KNOW?

Drag Key Bind

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Common > Drag/Release Object

Capture Key Bind

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Common > Take Prisoner

Set Underwater & SR Radio to same button

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > TFAR > DD Transmit > Set to Caps Lock

Quick Mount

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Movement > Vehicle Quick Mount

MAKE SURE YOU SET THE PRIORITY SEAT TO PASSENGER.

Magical Door Opener

Configure > Controls > Configure Addons > ACE Common > Open / Close Door

^{-Thanks to CT Pro}

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Hoodoo for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Photographers is a new position that is available. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Komodo and CT Noviix Extra graphics by: CT Daku}

^{Publisher: CT Sideways}

^{Editors: CP Sense, CP Hoodoo}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CT Momentum, CT Stone, CT Ruse, CX-X Shnuffles and CT Lucky}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Monday, June 3rd, 2019

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     To my fellow members of the 501st and its GARC allies, a special report:

     It starts with a rumble in the sky. You know the sound - hostile air. You see Heavy Missile Platforms (HMPs) and Vultures flying over head. You wonder if your assault trooper brought enough AA rockets. Then the ARC-170’s roar overhead and the skies are clear.

     Lightning has been a long-standing presence in the unit and a place for experienced leaders in Razor to shine. Always emphasizing teamwork and fast responses, the pilots of Lightning exemplify the fundamentals of Razor.

     To be a Lightning pilot is to be a leader. After talking to CX Scuba, that became evident.

    “Lightning pilots are a position of earned notability, comparable to an NCO” he said. One has to not only have a good understanding of the situations that can develop on the field, but also nimble awareness.

    Lighting pilots aren’t usually the first ones to respond to a problem in the skies on accident. Combining their aircraft's extreme speed with their pilots’ ability to read and gauge a battlefield, these pilots are able to handle situations at speeds the contemporary Confederacy fighters could only hope to mimic.  

    When asked about the specific aircraft, I was informed that Razor typically uses three aircraft. The ARC-170 fighter, Y-Wing attack Bomber, and the A-Wing Interceptor. Speaking to flight commander CX-X Dylan I was given a thorough education on the airframes:

    “The ARC-170s are what we practice the most. They are the all rounders, able to give support and dog fight. Then we have the Y-wings. Not as good in a dog fight, but carry more fire power and give a bigger punch. Finally there's the V-wings. They are almost to fast, but they rip apart Vultures. Obviously each airframe is built for different tasks but Dylan says its important to know which one you need for the job. With all this fire power, its important to know when to use it.” With the power to level an Area of Operations its no wonder Dylan values restraint.

     Lightning also maintains a lesser-known secondary duty. Not only are they responsible for dealing with red air and CAS missions, they also help send messages across the front line using their aircraft as a mobile long range radio.

     “They fill a role called Midpoint Operator” Scuba told me. “We used to have a LAAT that would be assigned to fly around from place to place, carrying messages across the AO. The venator was pretty far away back then.”

     But with the new aircraft at the Republic's disposal, that task can be handed off to the faster aircraft on the field.

     I had then asked Scuba what he would want the unit at large to know about Lightning, and he said how great an example of a detachment can work. That some people can be tasked with different objectives, but work together and still be part of the team. Lighting pilots are never treated any differently, and are always treated as if they are part of Razor, but don’t be fooled, the pilots of Lightning still have the responsibility of maintaining Razor’s mission. These clone pilots are just as deadly in a LAAT, so feel confident the next time you jump in!

     Dylan notes that combat flying is a priority for the pilots under his command. While stressing that any lighting pilot is capable of piloting a LAAT, their training becomes more combat-oriented as their time in the detachment goes on.

     With all the level of training under Lightnings’ belts, it's no wonder there's so much awe aimed at them. Next time you see a pilot on, be sure to say hello! If you’re interested in joining Razor, be sure to check out their discord channel.

    
      Until next time,

      CT Momentum, signing off.  

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Battalion HQ -
"I told you it would happen. I told you all it would happen. I've been saying it since the 501st, but no one listened" - CC Bondoer

Avalanche HQ -

Olympics kick off this weekend.

Avalanche 1 -

Tom(CT to Sr. CT)

“We’re ready for the campaign to start and kick everyone’s ass in the Olympics” - CS Legia

Avalanche 2 -

“The quote above us is completely and utterly false. Also, the other platoons may find themselves in a "Crisis" during the Olympics.” - CS Pompano

Avalanche 3 -

Sunshine (Cadet to CT)

"Lava hates the JT-12." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -

Snorri (Cadet to CT)

"I've made a mistake. The consequences have yet to appear. But once they do it'll be impossible not to notice. Everyone should live in fear from this point onward." - CS-M Coward

Acklay -

“Crisis isn’t even in his mid-life.” - CC Lava

Razor -

"If you're interested in being a pilot prepare for an announcement Soon " - CX Scuba

Mynock -

“A good soldier obeys without question. A good officers commands without doubt.”- CC Klein

Zeta -

“The beatings shall continue until the morale has improved.” - CP Fancy

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DID YOU KNOW?

Double clicking on map markers allows you to change the colors, text and symbol of already placed markers. Use this to change the mark to black once you know the target has been destroyed.

501st Trivia

LT Euler thinks Big Mouth is a good show and that it is not trying to destroy the moral fabric of society.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CP Sense for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CX-C Lutas, CT Aeon and CT Momentum Extra graphics by: CT Shift and CT Daku}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor: CP Sense}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Daku, CP Hoodoo, CT Momentum, CT Stone and CT Ruse}