Squad Leader

MARINE
Squad Leader	Difficulty: Hard Supervisors: Commander, XO, Staff Officers (Overwatch) Rank: Not defined Duties: Lead your team. Follow orders from command. Guides: Leadership Unlock Requirements: Not available. Detailed Description: |__________| Not defined |__________|

"All right, sweethearts, what are you waiting for? Breakfast in bed? It's another glorious day in the Corps. A day in the Marine Corps is like a day on the farm: Every meal's a banquet. Every paycheck a fortune! Every formation's a parade! I love the Corps!" - Gunnery Sergeant Apone, Aliens

You are the Squad Leader (SL) of one of the main squads aboard the USS Almayer. You are entrusted with the lives of your soldiers, the men and women you will be fighting with on the frontiers of space, and the battlefields on various stations and colonies. You're the one keeping your squad together, so do it right. Your role is primarily Leadership and only secondarily combat. You're practically the only one with a brain down there, so you should do most of the thinking, and let your marines do most of the shooting. Don't leave your squad leaderless by ramboing into combat and becoming a casualty. It's important to know when to fall back. Ensure that your squad makes it back in one piece.

Gunnery Sergeant Apone. A very model of a USCM Squad Leader (From Aliens)

Should a Squad Leader go AWOL, KIA, MIA or simply not wake up, a member of the squad (usually Specialists or other high-ranking marines) will be chosen by Command to become the Acting Squad Leader (aSL). They almost have the same abilities as a normal Squad Leader, however the acting squad leaders issue orders ability will be weaker.

Duties

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As the Squad Leader, you need a robust and sophisticated knowledge of fighting a war and protecting your squad, as well as fighting. Manage your squad's supply lines and make sure your marines make it back in one piece. No one wants another folded flag being sent home so keep as many of them alive.

Know the Map

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For you to survive, you need to know the ins and outs of the battlefield. There are maps of the Area of Operation (AO) located in your Squad Leader vendor. They can be a useful asset when you’re new to the role. A warning: Only one half of the map is revealed and the rest is unknown territory.

Communicate

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Use ; for your squad channel and :v for the command channel. Please communicate with command to relay any and all information. Your Staff Officer should be able to give you a lot of useful information about your squad's composition and whereabouts, along with what's happening with the other squads or aboard the Almayer. You must follow the chain of command, meaning you follow orders from your superiors, meaning the Commander, Executive Officer, and the SOs all outrank you. You should always follow their orders. This also means that if you're denied supply from the Requisitions Officer, then you're denied. If a lieutenant gives you an order, they expect you to follow it.

Squad Leader Equipment

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The squad leader ranks as a very important soldier on the field. The equipment they are issued includes:

Equipment:	Description:
M240 Incinerators	The ultra-deadly M240 is one of the most fearsome and savage weapons in the arsenal of the Colonial Marines. Firing extra-thick sticky napthal fuel from detachable fuel tanks, the M240 is able to both set hostiles ablaze and to section off an area with a wall of fire. For extended field operations, users of the M240 often find themselves refilling their tanks with whatever flammable material is available, with welding fuel being an effective and popular choice. A big drawback to the M240 is that due to the nature of the tanks, they cannot be refilled unless they are completely empty. The Squad Leader can vend two of these to give out amongst their squad. Ammunition: Incinerator Tank Holds sixty (60) units worth of ultra thick napthal. This will set ablaze any and all targets hit. Attachments: Muzzle Attachments None Rail Attachments Rail Flashlight Magnetic Harness Underbarrel Attachments None Stock Attachments None
Squad Leader Headset	This headset allows the squad lead to communicate with the marines in their squad and the command staff during an active operation. Acting Squad Leaders can use this headset for as long as they're aSLs.
Whistle	A whistle reserved for Squad leaders and the Command Staff, to help coordinate marines. To use the whistle you can click on it while it's in your hand or you can wear it in your mask slot and then click it with an empty hand. Click and drag to take it out of your mask slot.
M11 Helmet	A highly durable helmet reserved for squad leaders in the USCM, has a built in camera like all other standard issue Colonial Marine helmets.
B12 Armour	A highly protected set of armour reserved for squad leaders in the USCM.
M40 HSDP Smoke Grenade	Standard issue USCM smoke grenade, does what it says on the tin. Primarily useful to deal with insurgents in colonies or potential hostile boarders.
Tactical Binoculars	A pair of binoculars, with a laser targeting function. It is used to send a CAS mission or a mortar target to the targeted location. Ctrl + Click to target something.
Squad Supply Beacon	A rugged, glorified laser pointer capable of sending a beam into space. Activate and throw this to call for a supply drop.
Orbital Beacon	A bulky device that fires a beam up to an orbiting vessel to send local coordinates for a fire mission.
Webbing	Sturdy mess of synthcotton belts and buckles, ready to share your burden. Holds 3 normal sized items. Squad Leaders start with one per vendor.
C4 Explosive Charge	C4 is typically issued to Squad Leaders, Specialists (Using the Demolitions Loadout), Engineers and Responders. C4 is primarily used for quickly breaking into secure buildings, but its also the most effective method to destroy alien tunnels. The minimum time that can be set on a charge is 10 seconds and detonates in a 1.5 meter radius. Combat Engineers start with 4 per vendor, Demolition Specialists start with 2 in their crate and Squad Leaders start with 1 per vendor.
Motion Detector	The Motion Detector highlights anything not wearing an ID that is on your screen. For example, if a xenomorph is on the other side of a wall, it will be highlighted and give off a high-pitched pinging sound. How To Use: Hold the motion tracker in your hand, and use it either by clicking on it, hitting z (whilst in hotkey mode), or activating your held item. You can also cycle through two different range modes, Long Range and Short Range by right clicking the motion detector and then clicking on Toggle Range Mode. Long Range: The motion detector will detect movement on your whole screen and more at a slow rate. Short Range: The motion tracker covers a smaller amount of your screen but detects movement at a faster rate.
Large Magazine Pouch	Special issue pouch that can hold up to three magazines. Issued to Squad Leaders. Contains 3 slots.
Large General Pouch	A general purpose pouch used to carry even more small items and also magazines. Contains 3 slots.
Pistol Pouch	A holster to carry pistols, typically a standard issue M4A3 handgun, or 88M4 Pistol.
M4A3 Armour Piercing Magazine	Holds twelve (12) 9mm pistol rounds. Has better armour penetration, but lower overall damage. The Squad lead can vend one mag.
M4A3 Hollow Point	Holds twelve (12) 9mm pistol rounds. Has lower overall penetration but better damage. The Squad lead can vend two mags.
Operation Maps	A map of the operation area so squad leaders can coordinate effectively with the command staff.

Support Equipment

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In any situation, the Squad Leader comes in prepared in the battlefield with 3 supply beacons, a pair of binoculars and only 1 issued orbital bombardment beacon. This a must-have for every Squad Leader. And here are the uses of each equipment available.

Does your squad have enough ammo, has your Specialist run out of rockets/sniper magazines/grenades? Your squad depends on ammunition from the Almayer if they are away from any supply point. This is where your Supply Beacon comes in. Co-ordinate with the Overwatch officer in launching supplies onto the supply beacon. This will take time as requisitions needs to load the crate onto the supply pad and have the Overwatch officer launch it so do keep in touch with your officers to organise supplies.

Sometimes, the enemy breached into your defenses, or maybe your squad want to breach their defenses. But of course, your squad also relies on firepower to destroy those defenses, usually explosives or something bigger. This is where your Orbital Bombardment Beacon and your Tactical Binoculars does it's purpose. It's just like a Supply Beacon, but instead of sending crates containing supplies, the Orbital Bombardment Beacon sends loads of heavy shells that are shot from orbit. Use the Tactical Binoculars to mark a location with a laser, this allows the Pilot Officer to perform a Flyby Fire Mission on the designated target. Of course, while the AUD-25 Dropship does not fire heavy shells, it does have a variety of arsenal, from rockets to the 30mm cannon. The Tactical Binoculars can also send mortar coordinates to the laser, so tell your Squad Engineers the coordinates and get ready to fire.

You must activate the beacons for overwatch to either issue you supplies or fire rounds at the designated location. They must be placed on an organic tile (dirt, foot path, outside) to be active. This will NOT work in the caves as the signal will be too weak to be sent to the ship. They can be offset up to about 5 tiles in any direction, upon request. Be warned, once active, the beacons cannot be de-activated. Once dropped, it’s anchored to the floor with no way of picking back up again. Use them wisely.

Using the Tactical Binoculars is just like placing an Orbital Beacon, you need to lase it at open ground and not on caves or inside of buildings. To designate a target for Fire Mission, you need to stand still and double click the area while using the Binoculars. It takes a few seconds to appear. But remember to stay still while designating a target, otherwise the laser will disappear.

Tactics and Fighting:

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On the frontlines:

Whether it’d be on small skirmishes, large scale offensives or just the random encounters of hostiles in the AO, you and your squad will need to fend off the invaders or if you’re attacking, eliminating the hostile that is present.

• Squad organisation:

You are the man that can lead from the front, when ever you’re going out on patrol or moving to another location, everyone is going to follow the SL since you are the person leading them so where ever you are going, they better follow you.

Your squad consists of the 2 to 4 engineers, 2 to 4 medics, 1 specialist, 1 smart-gunner and an endless swarm of grunts. Where you are the man on the ground giving orders, they will need to follow.

You may want some men to cover the rear or the sides of your squad, preventing the enemy from attacking weak points.

With the ability to assign fire teams, your squad can split up into smaller teams to cover objectives.

For example:

Fire Team 1 will patrol around the F.O.B,

Fire Team 2 will help repair the power plant.

• Situational analysis:

When in the heat of battle, you’ll need to assess the current situation, how many hostiles are in the area, who’s injured and who isn’t and how much control of the battlefield you have.

Certain situations will require quick judgement and others, a more calculated choice. While the marines are fighting for control of the frontlines, you will need to support them in their offensive and make the call on when to push or when to retreat.

Other times will be defending at certain locations, whether it’d be in entrances or at the FOB, you’ll need to devise a plan of action. Will you flank from a different location and fight your way from another angle, possibly forcing the enemy away from the defender’s location? Or will you gather your men to hold your ground until a relief force arrives?

Every decision you make has a cost to it, whether it’s lives or time, you will have casualties.

• Assaulting the enemy:

With the possibility of having your squad, accompanied with other troops, to bring the battle to the enemy’s door step, you will need to fight along side your marines. Although how you will fight is primarily up to you, many squad leaders prefer a more aggressive stance with an active role in combat as to some passive squad leaders, directing the battle behind the frontlines and supporting them with supplies and other essentials.

An Aggressive stance:

What many squad leaders tend to do is join the marines in the fighting at the frontlines, although there’s nothing wrong with it, you’re more likely to die from direct conflict with an enemy. Although your firepower of issuing orbital strikes and inspiring leadership will bolster the marines to act, you are putting yourself in harms way.

You’ll be fighting with the main force of the marines, gunning down enemy contacts as well as directly supporting your squad. Exploit weak points in the enemies defences and advance with your men to push the enemy to eliminate the threat.

A Passive stance:

With your marines on the frontlines, you are behind them or close to them to observer the battle and issue orders when necessary. You will primarily deploy supply beacons to re-supply the marines and mainly your support class marines. Although this means that you’ll need to rely on one of your marines to issue an orbital strike as well as the loss of another gun on the field.

You’ll primarily watch the battle unfold, seeing from a safe distance and calling them back when your marines are either too deep in the hot zone or pointing out gaps in the offensive.

Defending the F.O.B:

If hostile forces defeat your offensive and launches a counter attack against your defences, prepare for the worst. Expect most of the enemies forces to invade, this is the battle that determines the outcome of the next few moments, whether it’d be retreating to the ship or another marine offensive. Expect siege units and other supporting enemies to attack as well as the bulk of the enemies forces.

Depending if your engineers and other squad engineers have fortified the F.O.B or not, it will either hinder or help you defend the area.

How the enemy will fight depends on what siege units they have.

They will either bombard you or directly attack through hit and run means. And you will need to respond to these dangers in an appropriate way.

Abilities: Orders

Orders are a timed active ability that characters trained in leadership can activate. The duration of the ability is related to how high the characters leadership skill is, an example being that the commanders order will last longer then a squad leads. The intensification of the ability is also determined by the leadership skill, the higher it is the more intense the orders effects are on surrounding players. Note that these abilities do not stack and that the abilities cover your visual view range and no further. To choose an order to activate go into the IC tab in the top right then select "Issue Order".

Orders:	Description:
Move!	Increased mobility and chance to dodge projectiles.
Hold!	Increased resistance to pain and combat wounds.
Focus!	Increased gun accuracy and effective range.

Your Skillset

To find out about how the skill system works head over to the skills system page.

Guides

• Regular/Operation squad management thingies by Kesserline
• Leadership phenomenon : Squad Cohesion by Kesserline
• Some Psychology and Management as a SL by Kesserline
• Tactics on the field : some tips by Kesserline

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Good luck, your squad depends on your decisions during the course of the mission.