VOLCBAT
History
The Volunteer Commando Battalion (also known as VOLCBAT or VCB) is a British-based co-operative squad. Active since 2002, we offer a unique gaming experience. The old cliche about striking a balance between fun and realism is actually true of VOLCBAT.
What sets us apart from other British squads is that we offer an intense and enjoyable experience on operations for all members, playing along side a number of serving and ex-forces personnel, and an all-pervasive level of squaddie humour. We have a fair number of members and co-operative operations (missions) are held at least twice a week. On top of this we occasionally take part in joint operations or force-on-force operations with other squads that suit our style of play.
Armed Assault 2
With its release two years ago, VCB now use Armed Assault 2. Operations have been underway for the length of this period and with a strong stable of UKF's British releases, we're geared up for operations! If you're interested in joining VCB for ArmA 2, post an application on the following forum:
http://www.volcbat.com/forum/index.php
Structure
HQ Section
Consists of the Platoon Comander, the Platoon Sergeant, a platoon medic and a small. HQ's role is to co-ordinate the rifle sections and their support during operations, as well as handling the out-of-mission administration.
1 & 2 Section
Rifle sections (squads) consisting of 8 men and led by a Corporal. They are the backbone of the battalion and handle most infantry-based tasks, their primary mission being to engage the enemy in close combat. They operate as Light Infantry, eschewing heavier support in exchange for high mobility and agression in the battlefield and are equipped with a wide range of weapons to suit all roles, from the L85 individual rifle to the AT4 light anti armour weapon.
3 Section (Manouver and Support)
Half size (4 bods) support section led by a Corporal. The mainstay of fire support within the platoon, offering high rates of fire and big explosions to enable the infantry sections to carry out their role with maximum efficiency. They use a range of specialised weapons suited to the task, from heavy hitting medium machine guns in the form of the GPMG 'gimpy' to the ground pounding 60mm mortar
4 Section (Armour)
Currently mothballed due to strategic spending review
5 Section (Air)
Currently mothballed due to strategic spending review
Patrols (Recon)
Currently mothballed due to strategic spending review
Recruitment
Applicants of any age and nationality are welcome. However, please bear the following points in mind:
- The average age within the squad is around 25, and as such a fair level of (im)maturity is to be expected. - A decent grasp of spoken and written English is required. This also extends to native English-speakers. - Games are usually held around 8pm-11pm GMT on Sundays and Wednesdays, so major time differences may cause problems.
The general rule of thumb regarding non-UK applicants is that pings and time differences are tolerable if you live two hours either side of the GMT timezone. However, if your pings are acceptable and you don't mind playing early/late, there's no problem. We have no demands regarding participation other than that you're present for a mission/operation at least once a month if reasonably possible. If there are temporary circumstances that will limit your free time (connection problems, work, illness, etc.) then there's no problem if you're 'missing' for a few weeks.
Selection
Successful applicants will be asked to attend a Volunteer Commando Training Assessment (or, for short, VCTA). The course is split into three one-hour sessions that can be run when suits the candidates. The course is not a test of skill, it's simply an assessment of your attitude, potential, and willingness to learn. The sessions are as follows:
Phase 1: Basic Infantry Training And Assessment
Recruits are given basic instruction in Map-reading and navigation, voice procedure, section size attacks and the mechanics of an operational patrol. In this period we put emphasis on skills that will maximise your potential as part of a section (to the point of drowning you in knowledge that you'll likely forget half of as soon as it ends), not 'game skills' that by this point we'd expect you to know (firing weapons at targets, getting a weapon out of a crate, driving a van). This will culminate in recruits being taken through a training exercise, putting in recon and seizing a barn held by the dreaded 24th Soviet Blue Target Infantry Division.
If you make it through past this stage and you've made chummy, then you will likely be able to consider yourself a member of our unit and come and destroy the enemy wherever they may be, including full access to our server and proprietary addon package.
Phase 2: Advanced Infantry Skills
Members of the platoon continually advance their skills in game to make the most impact in operations. This is done via periodic training sessions in skills including Advanced Land Navigation, Support Weapon Operation and Advanced Voice Procedure and Radio Operation.
Phase 3: Advanced Crew Training
Advanced continuation training in specialised roles including deep recon of prospective targets for the platoon, crewing the fearsome Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle or piloting the supercar of the military helicopter world in the form of the Lynx AH9
Addons
VCB uses UKF's excellent British addons in its missions. It also draws from many of the excellent OPFOR addons to add variety into every mission. An automated update solution (SVN) is used to make sure you've always got the most up to date mods and addons.