Staff Report
Your BYOND Key chiwi
Date of Incident March 22, 2022
Your Character Name? Joan Fitzsimmons
Their BYOND Key Solidfury7
Approximate time and date of the incident Around 15:00 CT
Which Staff Protocols (//showthrea...-and-Protocols) were broken Preserve the RP and enjoyment of the server
Description of the incident I was playing as CO during an LV round. I decided to wear standard Marine fatigues (rank pins and tactical waiscoat attached) under a standard light armor set and then assign myself to Delta squad in order to better fit in with my subordinate personnel and give a drop of realism to a field CO's equipment, as in real life, officers do NOT wear clothing or equipment that makes them distinguishable from enlisted personnel, as it compromises their security. Additionally, assigning myself to a squad gives CIC the ability to watch my camera directly from both Delta's OW console and the groundside ops console, which I is a big plus for coordination and keeping CIC aware of my position and what zones are of interest at the time.
I must say that I've been doing this for some time as the CO. I find that it fits well within the setting and the actions themselves command respect from enlisted personnel, as you're not wearing the hottest LRP "CO DRIP" (the standard CO armor being part of this designation, along with many other items that I find would be extremely distasteful to deploy with, such as the bomber jacket or Dress uniform pieces).
Regarding my behavior as a field CO and how wearing a standard uniform/assigning myself to Delta affects it and my capabilities: this does not affect me in the slightest, other than negatively (refusing to wear the more protective CO armor). My subordinate personnel still knows who I am (both by knowing my character, IC, and the big blue start next to my head, OOC). The xenos still perfectly know who I am when they hear my sidearm and see me firing the M46C. My abilities (giving orders and callouts, managing the massive influx of intel and comms, making sure CIC and the ship are working effectively and lastly playing the game) are not impacted whatsoever by this set of actions.
So, what happened?
Solid (William 'Jester' Crimson) spawned as a Provost Vice Admiral and boarded the Almayer. I returned pretty much the moment I was made aware that PV. Admiralty personnel was on my ship. When we met, Solid was quite hostile from the start, giving seemingly antagonizing comments, "what in the blue fuck are you wearing", "you are acting like a fucking private", and among others, referring to me as a chimp. I disregarded these comments and acted as seriously and professionally as my character would in such a situation, naturally.
I acknowledged his concerns (aware that he's a member of the CO Council) and, even though I indicated that I was never informed that either of these actions were unacceptable, unbecoming, or against procedure. To cite uniform regulations from the CO code of conduct:
---
Uniform and Clothing
Commanding Officers must remain in reasonable clothing during the operation and wear clothes of USCM or American origin.
Overly flamboyant or impractical wear, especially unprofessional costumes or overly suggestive, revealing, or casual clothing are prohibited.
Visible display of underwear or bare chests is prohibited in public appearance.
Athletic or gym attire is to be worn only during athletic activities.
Exceptions may be granted at the unsolicited discretion of High Command. Do not ask for permission to violate these regulations.
---
The action was not kept at a reprimand- it was escalated to my rank being stripped (O-4 to E-1) "for the rest of the operation". I accepted the punishment gracefully and at no point made any attempts to antagonize him.
To name the issues at hand:
- Provost Admiralty was spawned to reprimand and strip me of my rank instead of a superior officer up my own chain of command.
- I was not only relieved of command, but stripped of my rank for the rest of the operation, however that works.
- My actions at no point breached the CO code of conduct, and I have not been putting myself in unreasonable danger during any of my field CO rounds. I'll admit I sorta sucked at the start, but I keep myself at a support-fire position, keeping myself out of immediate danger and picking my moment to deal huge amounts of damage in well placed, quick bursts.
- The whole affair disrupted the round, particularly by removing me from my role while we could've still had fun for the rest of the round. Instead, Marines were rolled, my absence being a contributing factor.
I find the whole interaction and the actions against me during this particular round (and any further actions from the Council, whether it is against me or any other COs by restricting what the Commanding Officer is allowed to wear in their own AO) an LRP mess, incredibly boring, and an affront to any semblance of roleplay we're trying to promote within the whitelist.
Officers don't wear bomber jackets, dress uniforms, or flashy, gold-plated armor sets while on the field.
Evidence This is as far back as my chat logs will go:
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "And instead, you assign yourself to a fucking squad."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Dressed as a Private First Class."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "The admiralty is furious."
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons says, "I understand."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson asks, "Do you know what they're planning on doing because you're genius idea?"
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons asks, "Official regulations on uniforms for commissioned officers?"
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Yes, with restrictions because your chimp arse wants to be a fuckin' want to be private first class."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "So you know, what Major."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "You get your dream."
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons says, "Hm."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "You're demoted to Private."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Drop your kit."
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons asks, "So I was wrong to assume that due to the lack of regulations on the matter, it'd be acceptable to wear standard USCM fatigues?"
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Major."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "You didnt merely put standard fatiques on."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Do not play fucking dumb with me."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Or I'll have research splice you in to the fucking chimp you are."
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons says, "Right- it's the squad assignment you're referring to, then."
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons says, "I understand your concerns. If you find that behavior unbecoming, I won't argue it."
Maj Joan Fitzsimmons says, "It could've been handled more easily through a fax though wouldn't it."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "This is a repeated behaviour which you are stepping over the line with, day by day."
Joan Fitzsimmons says, "I was never informed it was unacceptable, sir."
Joan Fitzsimmons says, "I apologize for making the assumption, in any case."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "You do not need to be hand held, you were assigned the post because the admirality was under the illusion you were able to handle yourself and the command of the USS Almayer."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Instead you're off galivanting and fighting like an aging mustang nostaligc for the glory days."
Joan Fitzsimmons says, "It's your decision, sir. Up to this point, I wasn't under the impression that this was interfering in my commanding duties whatsoever."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Once the operation is concluded, we will re-examine yourself and, as a result, the policies we have."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Hand over the M46C and head to the CIC for ID alterations."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "The Second Lieutenant will handle your ID."
Joan Fitzsimmons says, "Sure thing."
Joan Fitzsimmons says, "Regardless of the circumstances- thank you for the meeting."
VADM. William 'Jester' Crimson says, "Return to standard duties, Private Fitzsimmons."
What resolution are you seeking? It's not my place to choose.