This is not. This is an issue that is the GWF's raison d'etre and also its source of individuality. This is one of the most important issues in Fleet Two, and it is completely different from every other WeBB Fleet. This is the AWOL policy.

The problem
From the beginning of our time on the WeBB, Fleet Two will be different from the WeBB norm. Our "netiquette" is different and our main pages look different (these will be addressed in later memos). The biggest difference, however, is in our AWOL policy, which is the very heart of the GWF experience.

Many of you have joined Fleet Two becuase of the one thing it does not share with Fleets Three, Four, and Five: The presence of daily loggers who advance the RPG plots too quickly for you. Very soon after the WeBB debuted, some members of STF Command realized that the uneven logging patterns were a problem. Fleet Two is STF's way of partially correcting the problem.

Our AWOL and maximum-posting policies
Our AWOL ("Absent Without Leave") policy is simple: If you do not log in once within ten (10) days, and have not been granted official leave, you are considered AWOL and your position will be opened for new applicants. COs, XOs, 2Os, and yes -- FComms -- are held to a higher standard; any log drought of four (4) days is considered sufficient for an AWOL.

We have an anti-dailies policy as well. Any member consistently logging on daily will be asked to transfer to another Fleet. This is to ensure that one person does not dominate the RPing action. Note that we use the word "consistently," so don't be afraid to log in within the space of two days every once in a while.

Our LOA policy
Like the other fleets, we have a Approved Leave (LOA, for Leave of Absence) policy as well. Because we all have outside lives, with demands like vacations, semester exams, and other computer interruptions, we can't be here every week. Any member may request LOA status by emailing his CO and stating both the characters that must be placed on LOA and the exact dates between which the LOA should apply. Characters on LOA retain their rank and position, while one of their assistants "fills in" as acting-officer for the period. LOA is suggested for any planned periods of absence less than two months in duration (for anything longer than that, it is suggested that the member resign his position and take an equivalent when he rejoins the club after the absence). It is each CO's responsibility to make sure that all AWOL and LOA officers on his ship are clearly listed on the ship MOTD. This is to ensure that these officers' subordinates and commanders are aware of the change in the chain of command.

Enforcement
The COs and the GMs of Fleet Two have been instructed to follow the RPing activities of their crewmen. Crewmen who consistently post in excess of fleet policy (e.g. more than once per two days) will be asked to leave, and crewmen who don't post often enough (i.e. AWOLs) will be dropped from the active rosters and notified of their termination.

Through this policy, the GWF hopes to provide slow-to-medium-paced RPGs that appeal to the nonfanatical STFer.

Any questions about this or any other policy can be addressed to the Commodore Mike Ballway, FComm-2.

--Cdre. Mike Ballway
"STF2 Fleet Command: From now on, we will service . . . you."
fcomm-2@star-fleet.com

This page is maintained for GWF Fleet Ops by Mike Ballway.