You’d be lucky to even see a SgtMaj. personally supporting a Company, much less one as backwater as the Almayer
Regardless in our case assuming a fully staffed Almayer is a Company Sized Element, the First Sergeant is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander, it’ defeats the purpose if you have like 5 of them in a Company all with possibly conflicting interests
The highest rank that should be readily available is Master Sergeant, for whoever is directly under the ASO (QM in this case even though they are detached from the ASO’s duties but whatever)
even GySgt. is kinda debatable for most roles, except that “blah blah lore Almayer is acshually at half crew staffing after Tychon Tackle so each Squad is achsually a platoon sized element”
I think it’s fine as-is. A certain amount of authority seems necessary to do their jobs: the ability to override NCOs when pertinent and enlist the assistance of…well, enlisted personnel. Also, they’re not just responsible for gathering the intel, they’ve got oversight of the entire chain of custody from the field to processing, speaking with civilians, interrogating prisoners. High command exists, but for all practical purposes the (up to three) IOs are the only intelligence operatives in the entire sector the Almayer is in (barring FORECON or the like, but they’re usually all dead). They report to high command, but nominally they’ve gotta be the ones in charge of Intel for the entire region I don’t really see the benefit of changing their rank. Maybe you could bump two of them down and have the SL remain Intel, but I kinda appreciate the amount of autonomy it provides them to work separately or together.
From a lore perspective this makes sense but honest to god most of it doesn’t translate into gameplay. You don’t see IOs interrogating people or reporting to high command.
(I lowkey also want rank prog for IO but they ain’t having 1st LT IOs)
False, you see me (and probably only me) partaking in roleplay as an IO. I do try to converse with the colonists (though most of them are just trying to be xeno fraggers and care not for HRP), get a picture of what happened, any relevant tactical information that can be of use.
One of my favourite things to do is write an in-action report for the on going conflict. I usually do this when I’m able to get back up shipside, and have already processed all the intel. Without my LT rank, I couldn’t reasonably be writing reports to HC, and for that alone I’d like for it to remain.
That’s dope and soul, but you’re the only one doing this. Can’t expect the whole role to hold itself to this standard. Your commission as an officer means nothing when your job does not change.
Literally this. Lowpop still gets low enough regularly that we see DPs/GPs/IOs considered for command. IOs are still regularly popular enough that it makes seeing researcher or doctor aCOs rare which I think is a good thing, because im pretty sure IOs are the last on the priority list with OW training.
Its also nice having equal rank with SOs because man have I gotten some stupid orders from lowpop SOs before which is really nice to just pull rank with. No Urist McObfob, I don’t see the risk reward benefit of retrieving the SG from the hive just because I sometimes hivedive. Yeah, I can probably achieve the same thing from just ignoring outright dangerous orders if I can back it up to the admins, but I’d rather not bother with that shit to begin with.
I think IOs are officers cause of their skills and certain autonomy they’re supposed to have. There’s an argument that’s valid that they should be enlisted, but with so many people being Staff Sergeant+ it seems like a bit of bloat (4 SLs, MPs (only to SSG), MWs, QMs, Synths, and SEAs).
I’d suggest to IOs being Warrent Officers due to them being a bit detached from the main platoon, and extremely specialized job
I don’t see a reason to change this other than looking for something to change. IOs function as officers and need the autonomy and authority 2nd lieutenant gives you because sometimes you need to order two Marines to come with you or tell the SO trying to order you to do something incredibly stupid to, politely, heck off.
I wouldn’t mind it. Makes Intel squad feel a little more squadirrific when you pick up 3 random PFCs to join your ill fated adventures
Also would make it so during siege IOs can’t just be Shouting Buffs Guy on the ground (I’m guilty). If CIC wants actual officer leadership in such a case, they need to deploy an SO or CE.
IOs don’t even lead anybody (except for maybe the random ass rifleman that wants to join Intel Squad but that happens like what.. once every gorillion rounds?)
saying you need your “authority” preserved as IO just kinda looks like
And the only thing IOs specialise in is getting capped early, running into the front and collecting junk they find on the floor.
Groans in CoC.
Technically any random ass marine ignoring IO orders is well within their rights to do so, You’re not in their chain of command. Just cause you’re an officer doesn’t mean anything. Your Position gives you authority. And you just have the authority to pick up trash and grief the Alamo occasionally.
Yes! We should bring back Warrant Officers so no one knows how they figure into CoC, because they don’t understand it already anyway.
IOs perfectly fit the stereotype of nothing being found when you’re looking for them as well, because they’re busy being dead in a corner or in the hive.
