[Bill]

Per Aspera Ad Astra
Through Hardships to The Stars


Elite Strike Force Manual

Forward

Since their first formal encounter with Federation in 2365, the Borg has become the single greatest threat to all civilized races in the Alpha and Beta quadrants. Their arrival in sector 001, and the subsequent destruction of a Starfleet flotilla at Wolf 359, has sent the Federation into frenzy of developments, all targeted at dealing with this menace.

Miraculously they have endured, but not without the courage and sacrifices of men and women from across the quadrants.

In 2409, in a latest attempt to counter the Borg, Starfleet Command and the Klingon High Council formed Task Force Omega: elite fighting force made up of the very best that these two organizations could muster. Later that same year the United Federation of Planets formed a specific division within that august organization, one that does not officially exist and can take the fight directly to the Borg...

That division is named Elite Strike Force.

Since its inception, the Elite Strike Force's mandate has evolved and grown to include all the enemies of the Federation, be they the Tholians, the Voth, the Undine, The Iconians, the Terran Empire or even BUGS!




Who we are

We are a dedicated group of Star Trek Online players who put a heavy emphasis on end game content, with a particular focus on Special Task Force missions (STFs). We work hard to make sure we're the best of the best, and help others learn so they can join us as well.

We're looking for more members of the UFP to join us and help us continue to meet our mandate of being the best of the best!



Links

Main Discussion Thread: Here

Membership List: Here

Recruitment Thread: Here



Roles and Responsibilities

Elite Strike Force Recruit
Should your application and initial interview prove successful, you will then be offered a place as an ESF Recruit. This recruit stage typically lasts for 30 days from acceptance.

All potential recruits must have the following traits and abilities:

• A respectable knowledge of Star Trek Online.
• The willingness to listen to advice given and learn from it.
• For Ground Gear - A minimum of Mk XIII very rare is required for ALL components (weapons, shields, armor). Reputation and Lobi sets are encouraged
• For Space Gear - A minimum of Mk XIII very rare is required for ALL components (weapons, shields, deflector, warp core and consoles)
• Kits and modules will vary based on profession and runs.
• A good understanding of STF and all end-game mechanics.

During the 30 days you will be encouraged to attend any ESF STF runs when you are available, or, alternatively, join in STF runs with fleet members and show a decent activity level. Additionally, a forum presence and participation is required, in the form of regular After Action Reports. These reports are crucial in allowing the senior staff to monitor and guage participation. Recruits are required to file a minimum of one report per week. There is a set format you will need to use and the template can be found here. You will also need to be active in TeamSpeak and "be seen".

At the end of the 30 days, you will be asked to lead one or more ground and one or more space
STF runs. Ideally, the other four members of the team will be the ESF Officers (1 minimum) and Squad Leaders,
If this is not possible, then ESF Squad Leaders (2 minimum) and Members will be asked to step in as required.

Once these runs have been completed, the ESF Staff Members will hold a brief meeting with you, and any pointers and advice will be given, and in turn you may make any comments on how you perceive your performance went. This evaluation will include the performance on the STF runs, forum, and Teamspeak activity. The Staff will then retire to discuss your performance and decide whether you move onto Full ESF Membership.

If the Staff Members feel you haven’t quite reach the required standard, you will be informed that you have been unsuccessful this time around and you will be invited to re-apply at such a time that the fleet member feels he or she has improved his/her skills and techniques. If you have been successful, then the Staff Members will offer you a place within the ESF as a Provisional Member for the next 60 days. The Provisional Member status will be changed to Full Member status once the person inquestions maintains his or her good standing within ESF. That includes the same level of participation as the recruit phase with additional participation requirements such as leading teams during ESF sponsored events and attending ESF Members Only sessions that held twice weekly.

Elite Strike Force Member
The requirements of a full member, is as previously stated in the Recruit phase, but also:

• Essential you maintain the level of skill shown to become a member, but also improve where they feel necessary.
• Be willing to give general advice to members of the UFP, be it STF related, or any questions regarding the ESF
• Any other duties as described by the ESF Staff Members

Being a Member of the ESF proves that you have the required skills, both team skills and end game content skills and shows you have the drive and commitment to be a member of the UFP’s elite end game content division.

Members are shall be required to run teams in ESF sponsored or supported events.

Full Members will have the opportunity to rise to Squad Leader within the ESF. This does require further testing of the member’s leadership, instructional and level-headedness skills, as Squad Leaders will be expected to not only lead teams during events, but also take on the responsibility of teaching less capable players the best practices of the STFs.

Squad Leader
Squad Leaders are Members that have proven their leadership skills through participating in events where they are asked to lead and through assessment by the ESF Staff Members. Squad Leaders will also be required to train recuits, help in the tutelage of newer ESF Members and also Fleet Members who require assistance in learning the skills needed and best practices used in the successful completion of STF runs.

Officers
Officers are Members that have all the already stated skills and requirements. They will also be required to host and advertise events on behalf of the ESF for participation by the whole fleet, plus host events specifically aimed at participation by the ESF Membership only.

Emeritus Member
Emeritus member status is reserved for past members of the ESF command staff. The ESF CO and XO will elect prior members of the command staff to Emeritus status as they deem appropriate. Emeritus Member status is essential an honorary position and this category is excluded from standard membership requirements.

ESF Member Activity Requirements
All members and officers of ESF are expected to be active with regards to ESF events and forums. Examples of activity include:

- Forum posts on any of the ESF related forums
- STF runs with community members with a post of the run in the forum
- Posts to threads relating to builds or tactics advice
- Participation in STF Wednesday, Friday, Sunday or Intro to Ground
(Though we will not be performing interviews or tests during planned community events)

In addition, a strong presence on Team Speak is highly encouraged and also providing assistance via {UFPlanets} when needed. Please note that the documentation of any one of the preceding over the one month period is adequate to meet the minimal activity requirement. If you are inactive for 2 or more weeks, a pm will be sent to inquire about the circumstances of your absence. If you are absent for a month or more you will be removed from ESF membership. If you wish to return to ESF with less than 3 months total absence you will be asked to retest. More than a 3 month absence and you return as a recruit.

If you are having any issues with your activity or are uncertain about the activity requirements please feel free to contact any ESF officer and we will be more than happy to help.

The ESF is above all a team. We promote teamwork, communication, STF tactics and training, recruitment and leadership. As the ESF we follow the guidelines and regulations of the UFP.

Being a member of the ESF shows that you are serious about what you enjoy doing in the game, and can give you the aura of somebody who is also good at what they do in game within the UFP.

Always be proud at being a member of the ESF, as you will have worked hard to achieve the position, and help promote the ESF throughout your endeavours in the game, be it within the UFPs activities or inter- Fleet activities.

[Bill]

Per Aspera Ad Astra
Through Hardships to The Stars


Elite Strike Force Division Patch

This is for the ESF members for all ESF members to use, just click the link, copy and paste the address and link it in your Avatar areas of the forums.

Image for all members,

[Bill]

Departments

The Elite Strike Force has an enormous mandate: To tackle the entire end game content of Star Trek Online. To aid with this mandate, two departments have been added to the Elite Strike Force division.

Squadron 47
Department Head: Bridger

Squadron 47 takes on the hefty task of providing guidance to UFP members on such matters as ship builds, character skills, and most importantly endgame content, particularly Special Task Force (STF) missions.