Official
Wildcats Information Page

Patton's Rules
for Wildcats*

No dweebs! This means no ackstars, deathstars, dweebstars, whatever!
Have fun. If you're not having fun, you're wasting your time.
Talk is cheap, so talk a lot. The rest of your squaddies don't know what you're doing if you don't tell'em!
If you're shot down, wait for at least one other member of your flight, then fly out and kick some butt!
Six calls are life savers, call'em and heed'em.
Only a coward leaves his squaddies for the wolves, respond to any call for help that you can reach.
Don't call for help unless you really need it!
Any bomber under attack really needs help.
Targets in order of priority are: ack, radar, ammo, fuel, radio hut, antenna, tower, hangars.
The salute is a time honored greeting between military personnel. It shows pride in the unit. Use it! <salute>

*for squad and group flights only

Patton's Rules
for Wildcats Staff

Before the CO or the men see it, bring it to the XO.
No dweebs! Anytime or anywhere.
Show up at ALL group events, or let the XO know ahead of time.
Get your work done right and on time, or let the XO know ahead of time.
You are the backbone of the group, stand straight and proud.

Patton's Rules
for Wildcats Staff Meetings

Be there on time. If you're not 5 minutes early, you're 5 minutes late.
Cut the chatter until after the meeting. A few comments are fine, but no side bars.
Be brief and limit yourself to 2-3 points.
Hit return after each line of text so those in IRC mode can see what you're doing.
Limit your topics to those which are urgent, need immediate input from other staff, or are likely to create questions that need to be answered immediately.
ALL staff officers will have the floor at some point in the meeting, wait until your turn to bring up new business.
When you're done talking on a topic, let the other officers know it and be available to answer questions.
When you have have the floor and nothing further to add, let the senior officer know so the next officer can begin.
There's no reason a staff meeting needs to last more than an hour. Let's get the job done and do it quickly so we can get into the air.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff assignments are fluid and each requires of the officer that which is necessary to have the group operate most efficiently. However, at present, the positions and assignments are in an extreme state of flux. Anything here is subject to change within minutes. This guide is designed to help the newbie in the group find his way around.

Group members are encouraged to apply for a staff position. It greatly enhances your enjoyment of the group as well as contributes a great deal to the effectiveness of the group.

Group Commanding Officer (CO) O-6: The most senior decision maker. Ultimately responsible for all aspects of the group.
Group Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) O-5: Second in command.
Group Executive Officer (XO) O-5: Coordinates staff. Materiel Readiness and Information Officer.
Operations and Training Officer (S3) O-5: Responsible for planning operations and training as directed by the CO.
Squadron Commanding Officer (Squad CO) O-4: Most senior pilot in his squadron. Carries out directives of Group CO in regard to his squadron. Ultimately responsible for all aspects of his squadron.
Squadron Executive Officer (Squad XO) O-3: Second in command of squadron. Coordinates squadron staff. Materiel Readiness and Information Officer for his squadron.
Adjutant (S1) O-4: Personnel and Morale Officer. Chief record keeper.
Intelligence Officer (S2) O-4: Produces and diseminates combat intelligence. Maintains group maps of arenas.
Logistics Officer (S4) O-4: Responsible for support of hardware and software for group.
Civilian Relations Officer (S5) O-4: Spokesman. Also responsible for recruiting.
Communications Officer (S6) O-4: Maintains communications SOP and coordinates communications.

Pilot Positions

Not all members of the group have the time or the desire to take on a staff position. Even without such a position, a pilot may participate fully in the planning and execution of the group's mission. Even advancement in rank is not diminished by a pilot's inability to undertake a staff position.

Pilots not holding a particular office are designated as follows:

Senior Master Pilot O-5: An experienced who cannot take a staff position, and has met certain requirements regarding length and quality of service to his squadron. This position is reserved for those Master Pilots who have served with distinction.
Master Pilot O-4: An experienced member who cannot take a staff position, and has met certain requirements regarding quality of service to his squadron. This position is reserved for those Senior Pilots who have demonstrated excellence in their ability to pilot an aircraft.
Senior Pilot O-3: An experienced pilot who cannot take a staff position. The average Senior Pilot will serve for about nine months before being promoted to Master Pilot, if all other requirements have been met.
Pilot, First Class O-2: A pilot who has demonstrated the ability to take-off, land, and fly in combat, at least one type of aircraft with great skill and who has attended a specified number and percentage of meetings and squadron flights. The average Pilot, First Class with serve for about three months before being promoted to Senior Pilot.
Pilot O-1: A member who has demonstrated the ability to take-off, land, and fly in combat, at least one type of aircraft and who has attended a specified number and percentage of meetings and squadron flights. The average Pilot will serve for about three months before being promoted to Pilot, First Class.
Flight Officer WO-1: A member who does not qualify as a Pilot because he lacks the specified number or percentage of meeting and squadron flights. The average Flight Officer will serve for about a month before being promoted to Pilot.
Trainee (Cadet): A member who does not otherwise qualify as a Pilot due to lack of flying skill or having never flown with his squadron.

Insignia

Gunner Positions

Rather than require all members to pilot an aircraft, some members may be allowed to join as gunners on board bombers. They may be designated as follows:

Master Gunner (Master Sergeant) E-1: A gunner with at least 10 confirmed kills.
Senior Gunner (Technical Sergeant) E-2: A gunner with at least 5 confirmed kills or 50 assists.
Gunner, First Class (Technician 3rd Grade) E-3: A gunner with at least one confirmed kill or 5 assists.
Gunner (Technician 4th Grade) E-4: A member who does not otherwise qualify as a Gunner, First Class.
Assistant Gunner (Technician 5th Grade) E-5: A gunner with less than 5 missions.

Insignia

Basic Requirements

What is required to join the Wildcats?

Be a WarBirds Pilot
Apply for Squad Membership
Be Approved for Squad Membership

What is required of Wildcats squad members?

Attend 50% of you Squadron Flights
Attend 25% of the Squadron Meetings
During Squadron and Group Flights, Follow Orders Reasonably Well
Have Fun

What is required to get promoted in rank?

Be a Member of the Wildcats, Exclusively*
Apply for Promotion of Rank
Attend 50% of the Squadron Flights
Attend 50% of the Squadron Meetings
During Squadron and Group Flights, Follow Orders Reasonably Well
Show Improvement
Promotions Are Considered the First of Each Month

*Pilots who are also members of other squadrons are welcome, but they will not be promoted at the same rate as pilots who are members of the Wildcats exclusively.

What is required to get a staff position?