Commanding Officer Code of Conduct

The following is a list of rulings applied in effect by the CO Council to all whitelisted Commanding Officers. These rulings must be followed and not broken when playing as the CO of the ship. Violation of listed rulings can result in punishment from the Council.

This page will be updated semi-regularly when new rulings are made.

Compiled by Naut and Frans_Feiffer of the CO Council. Updated 07/27/2021.

For Executive Officers

In accordance with a staff ruling, Executive Officers are subject to follow certain parts of this guide relating to commanding procedures. To quote:

Q: As an XO am I bound to CO guidelines?

A: Yes and no, there are certain things you are expected to do if you’re leading the operation as an XO, which are server rule breaks. Examples being: You must build a FOB and can’t leave the primary LZ defenseless, Shitposting command announcements, etc... If your actions are putting marines at a deliberate disadvantage, you’re effectively griefing and shall not do it. If a CO guideline breach is also an obvious server rule break, we suggest you not do it.

Per this, Executive Officers are required to follow the General Command Guidelines section of this page.

Executive Officers who breach command guidelines on this page may be subject to administrative punishment.

Punishments Clarification

Informal/Verbal Warning

A player will receive an informal/verbal warning for a minor guideline breach. Used to serve as a reminder or a notice that a CO is breaking guidelines. Informal warnings are not recorded and do not contribute to future punishment unless an informal warning is escalated to a formal warning.

Warning

A player will receive a basic (formal) WARNING for a breach in guidelines as a CO. Basic warnings will have a duration of THREE months, at which point they cease to become relevant.

Heavy Warning

A player will receive a HEAVY WARNING for a breach in guidelines as a CO if they already have an active warning OR if the incident justifies a heavy warning with no previous actions. Heavy warnings will have a duration of SIX months. Three months into a heavy warning it will deescalate into a normal warning for the remaining months - 3 months of a heavy, 3 months of a normal.

If a CO commits another offense while on heavy warning they may be subject to a suspension or dewhitelist depending on their actions.

A Final Warning is a variation of a Heavy Warning. Any offense committed after a final warning will result in a dewhitelist.

Suspension

A player will receive a SUSPENSION if they already have an active warning/heavy warning OR if the incident is so egregious as to justify a suspension with no prior incidents (extremely unlikely). Suspension times may vary depending on severity, but will always be a week, 2 weeks, or a month. After suspension time is served, it will be treated as a heavy warning for the purposes of punishment escalation.

Removal

A player will have their whitelist REVOKED if, while still serving time from a suspension (in the form of a heavy warning), they’re responsible for a breach in the whitelist guidelines OR if they escalate to a suspension again after already receiving one in the past. Players may appeal their Whitelist removal after 3 months via PMing one of the current Council members with the filled out form found on the forums (Link). If a player has their whitelist removed twice, it will be permanent and unappealable.

Standards

Commanding Officer standards are above that of an average Marine, officer or XO. The rule of thumb is that COs must act and behave like high-ranking military officers. Tomfoolery, immaturity, and incompetence will not be tolerated and may be grounds for punishment.

Uniform Regulations

Grooming

Hair color, as well as style, are to remain in natural colors. Flamboyant or bright hair colors like neon are prohibited, as are hairstyles that are overly unprofessional. White, shades of gray, and red are additionally considered natural colors.

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.

Behavior

Commanding Officers are meant to be role models for the entire server. You are to maintain a high standard of RP and behavior at all times.

• All Captains are high-ranking, college-educated, competent, senior military officers. You should not act like a casual happy-go-lucky Private, an idiot, or otherwise act incompetently.
• All Captains are mentally stable. Mental insanity is a violation of these guidelines and acting insane or mentally unwell is grounds for punishment.

General Command Guidelines

This section applies to Executive Officers as well.

Announcements

• Announcements are to be informative to some extent, or in some way benefit marines. They are not for LRP remarks, or OOC information.
• Announcements are allowed to link to known image capture sites such as Gyazo or imgur. Only still pictures of the tactical map are allowed -- no GIFs and/or pictures of content other than the tactical map.

SOP Modifications

For further details on Standard operating procedure please visit its respective wiki page here.

• Standard-issued equipment to Marines that can be found in their squad preparations and requisitions (such as the standard primary and secondary arms and attachments) cannot be restricted or prohibited in any way. Marines reserve the right to freely carry and use the equipment they are provided with.
• If helmet wearing is enforced, it should only be explicitly made mandatory to Squad Leaders, Specialists, or other vital and specialty roles. It should not be enforced on standard Marines.

LZ and Telecomms

• Your extraction point (LZ) and Telecomms should at the very least have minimal PROPER defenses. You may build a FOB at any area other than the LZ, or you may additionally skip the construction of a well-defended FOB at the LZ; just make sure that the LZ has at least some form of proper protection.
• Do not attempt to circumvent this by building flimsy wooden barricades or other rudimentary defenses and calling it ‘protection’. LZ defense must be able to at least momentarily hold off an enemy assault.

Deployment

The Commanding Officer is allowed to deploy to the field if they feel it is either necessary or if they function as a better leader while on the ground. While deployed you must have an Executive Officer (XO) in the CIC to command in your absence. Several provisions are in place to prevent the CIC from falling out of line due to your actions and preventing the unnecessary death of the CO. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in punitive action. Commanding Officers who deploy automatically surrender tech webs control to the Executive Officer.

Example reasons to deploy:

• The CIC doesn't require your assistance, or the XO can confidently handle the CIC without your presence.
• Morale is low and a leader is needed to boost it.
• A central figure is required to lead a tactical maneuver, such as a flank.
• The CO believes it is best for the operation that he or she deploys on the ground.

You should not deploy simply for the sake of adding more firepower with your rifle or to be an extra JTAC spotter.

Deployment Conditions

Deployment is restricted to the following conditions:

• You may only deploy if you absolutely trust your CIC staff to run the operation in your absence. Do not deploy if you feel your CIC staff would be incapable of running the operation without your personal guidance.
  • Your XO especially must be able to run the CIC without you. Do not deploy if your XO does not wish to take over.
• All actions taken by the CIC in your absence is your responsibility. Any blame can and should be shifted to you should the CIC be incapable of performing its duties.
  • This is for IC issues only (such as mutinies). You won't be held responsible OOCly and your whitelist will not be endangered if your CIC makes a mistake.
• You must have an active XO in the CIC in order to deploy. You and the XO are not allowed to deploy at the same time.
  • If the XO moves into cryo, is incapacitated, arrested, or otherwise is incapable of leading for an extended period of time, you must head back to the CIC if it is safe and are able to do so.
  • The XO must be the proper XO. You cannot deputize an officer to act as an acting XO.
• While deployed your job is still to command and communicate frequently with both the CIC and marine crews groundside, not do combat. You are a leader, not a fighter.
• Do not voluntarily put yourself into positions where your life is in great danger, such as taking point in a chokepoint or moving into an area or position that leaves you vulnerable to enemy attack, unless doing so is a key part of a tactical maneuver.
  • Avoid being reckless. Take point if you have to but avoid needlessly charging into enemy territory headfirst. You put yourself at the risk of being killed, cut off, or captured in the process.

Captains who die or get captured on the frontline will not be subject to punishment unless they have done so recklessly and deliberately upon investigation.

Marine Law

Pardons

Full information on pardons can be seen here.

Pardons should be used sparingly. If a pardoned prisoner commits a crime after being pardoned the CO will be held responsible and charged accordingly.

• When anyone of the rank Captain or above performs a pardon, they must know the crimes committed and roughly when they were committed.
• The person performing the Pardon must make an announcement for the pardon, including:
  • The reason why they are being pardoned,
  • The name of the marine, and
  • The crimes the marine was pardoned from.
• As long as the announcement is made, the Captain does not need to be there for the release itself.
• To finalize a pardon proceed to the brig timer screen holding the prisoner and press the "Pardon" button to release them. A prisoner is not considered pardoned by JAS until this is made.

Pardon restrictions:

• Capital crimes (sedition, murder, etc) CANNOT be pardoned, unless authorized by High Command.
• You cannot pardon the same person twice in a round.

Police Duty

• The Captain may act as an MP in limited capacity provided no other options are available and it is an emergency situation. If you choose to take police duty you must leave someone in charge of the CIC.
• You should avoid taking police duty if either the CIC needs your supervision, or there are MPs available to do so.

Being Arrested

While special provisions are in place to prevent you from being arrested normally, you are not above the law. Significant law violations may leave you susceptible to having your arrest be ordered and authorized by High Command. In this event you will be deposed of all authority while in custody and your acting Executive Officer will assume your position.

• Please note that depending on the circumstances leading up to your arrest, you may be investigated by the CO Council and punished if significant negligence or neglect was found.

Battlefield Executions

A Battlefield Execution is defined as an act of execution performed in the field that results in someone being permanently removed from the round. A BE is not counted if an execution-capable sidearm is used as an execution weapon during a Brig execution following due process.

Information on Battlefield Executions

Battlefield Executions can only be performed by the Commanding Officer or Admirals. Others are mechanically restricted from performing a BE.

• Battlefield Executions do NOT have to be performed with an execution sidearm. Any method that causes immediate death, such as regular firearms, is allowed. Execution sidearms are preferred due to their ability to permanently kill.
  • Cruel and unusual punishment that does not result in the immediate death of the target will need to be cleared with High Command before proceeding.
  • You may NOT perform BEs via orbital bombardments (OBs), mortar, or other kinds of fire support that cause significant amounts of collateral damage..

Example Reasons to Perform a Battlefield Execution

Note: the examples in this list are not exhaustive. Scenarios that fall outside of these may be handled at your discretion.

• The life of you or others around you is in danger. An example of this would be an active shooter firing on Marines, or someone attempting to assassinate you.
• Someone is attempting to deliberately hinder or harass you, personally, whether it is preventing you from leading effectively, harassing you even when told to back off, or attempting to do acts that would cripple, disable or distract you from your duties. Note that you should give someone warnings when doing this before performing a BE.
• Someone is attempting to overthrow, overrule or otherwise undermine your command or the CIC's command. This may be through threats of or acts of mutiny, sedition, desertion, or inciting dissident speech against the CO or CIC, such as encouraging others to mutiny.
• Someone is attempting to destroy, damage, or sabotage the ship, or the operation. Examples of this would be:
  • Someone deliberately destroying barricades or ground side defenses with the intent to sabotage or hinder Marines.
  • Deliberately firing weapons, explosives, or fire support (OBs/railguns/mortar/CAS) on allied personnel.
  • Deliberately firing explosives or other damaging weaponry with the intent to destroy Marine fortifications, such as launching artillery towards the FOB.
  • Planting explosives on or destroying large amounts of the ship to cripple its operations.
  • Destroying key machinery required for shipside operations.
• Someone has committed a capital crime and is fleeing from custody. Acts that warrant execution by default, such as murder, jailbreak, and sedition, are eligible for Battlefield Execution if they are not in MP custody.
• Someone murdered Jones. Avenge him. (Yes, this is a valid reason.)

Performing a Battlefield Execution

1. Wield your execution-capable sidearm (Mateba or Desert Eagle). Make sure high-impact ammunition is loaded -- the Mateba comes loaded with high-impact ammunition in its cylinder by default.
2. Aim for the head. Make sure you are on HARM intent.
3. Fire. If successful this will begin a wind-up with a message ("X aims at Y's head!"). After a few seconds, your sidearm will fire, executing the target.
4. A BE is successful if the message "[target] was EXECUTED!" appears in red in the chat, and (if a medical HUD is equipped) their status indicator immediately switches to the permadeath icon (skull) or heartbroken icon.
5. If an initial BE does not execute someone outright, perform it again by repeating the above steps.
6. If possible, announce the execution via command or shipside announcements.

• If a target is executed and they go heartbroken, they are still executed. This does not mean the execution failed.
• BEs ignore rejuvenation implants, all armor, and stimulants.
• High impact ammunition may be used to stun a target to close the gap between them and you. You may, alternatively, shoot them until they stop moving and execute them after that.
• You may still battlefield execute someone after they are already dead. This makes them unrevivable.
• Properly executed targets are unable to be revived under any normal means (without admin intervention), so use this sparingly.

Ammunition Information

• High-impact ammunition on the Mateba and Desert Eagle will knock down and stun whoever you fire it at for a period of time -- this can be used to close the gap between you and someone you are chasing and will stack -- continually firing at someone will keep them stunned until you run out of ammunition (or they blackout). The stun time can be reduced with stimulants but not removed altogether.
• High-impact ammunition will stun regardless of the target's armor, implants, or if they are on stimulants. They may get up sooner if they are stimulated, however.

Battlefield Execution Restrictions

For further reading on Battlefield Execution (BE) guidelines, see the Marine Law section on BEs here.

Battlefield executions must be used sparingly due to their ability to permanently take someone out of the round. Invalid or unnecessary BEs may subject you to punitive action by the CO Council.

• High-impact ammunition is classified as a LETHAL weapon and should not be used as a stun weapon (in place of a disabler) to take down a suspect unless lethal force is authorized, if you intend to execute them, if you are acting in self-defense without intent to kill, or if nonlethal options are ineffective or unavailable.
  • Do not use high-impact ammunition as an offensive warning shot if you do not intend to kill them.
  • If the suspect you are pursuing is an immediate threat to you or others around you, such as if they have weapons drawn or are trying to open fire on you, you may use high-impact for the sake of takedown. Do note however that if a suspect begins firing at you this is grounds for execution in itself.
  • High impact ammunition may be used in self-defense and may be used against someone for the sake of escaping them or forcing them to back off from you. Bear in mind that, per escalation rules, this will make you eligible for return fire from the target.
• BEs may not be performed if the suspect is currently restrained or in custody. A marine is considered in custody the moment they are in handcuffs.
  • An exception to this is during boarding, Code Red/Delta, or if standard containment or execution procedures are otherwise impossible.
• Execution by Proxy is prohibited; Execution By Proxy / BE by Proxy is defined as asking or ordering others, directly or indirectly, to kill, disable or seriously injure someone else. This includes bounties, manhunts, or other requests that are capable of resulting in someone's death. Any attempts to perform executions must be done either in person by yourself or with standard Execution procedure.

Medals

Medals may be awarded to personnel who go above and beyond their standard expectations and duty.

• Medals should only be given for acts of true, challenging accomplishment and feats, such as for good conduct, leadership ability, or eliminating enemy targets. They cannot and should not be awarded to people for trivial or joke reasons such as participation medals, cooking, or diversity.
• The Commanding Officer is not allowed to grant themselves medals - only flag officers (admiralty) may award them for distinguished actions.

Equipment

• You may give away your captain armor and helmet to any deploying CIC staff at your discretion.
• You are NOT allowed to give away your M46C rifle to anyone, with the exception of hijack/delta alert.
• Your personal sidearm, due to its ability to perform executions, should NOT be given out under any circumstances.
• Your tablet should not be given out to non-command staff. Preferably only either you, the XO or the acting Commander should be in possession of the tablet.