Recently, I've been running combat patrols in the MSO mission. My normal configuration consists of no enemy armor, very little mechanized, 90% motorized, and 90% infantry. Among the various other settings that are accessible are IED behavior and convoy intensity. I find that if I leave these settings at this state, we normally get about two or three hours of good solid gameplay, if not more. Whether or not we complete the mission, we clear towns, neutralize IEDs(Sometimes neutralizing the blufor engineer at the same time <.<), clear checkpoints, combat enemy squad patrols, and confront enemy convoys. All of these occurrences are random by game setting.

Some of our newer players have expressed to that they enjoy these patrols because it gives them the ability to witness different mechanics in the game without having to switch missions each time we want to do something different. Don't get me wrong, it's a combat patrol with no objective(unless the CO requests one from higher up), but the fact that we never know what is around the corner keeps the action and suspense fresh, in my mind. I try to assign veteran members as squad and fireteam leaders so the methods in which we execute our goals are carried out in such a way that those who are new to our game can be lead by example and glean experience in the interim.

Then there is the convoy aspect. As many of you have seen already, I like to fill up the vehicles, both support and offensive, before we move out. This is intended to reduce the amount of times we have to RTB, thus adding idle time, and allows us to endure longer patrols. Whether it's medical, support, or ammo, it can all be found in the vehicles. "Why not just bring a box..." Well, taking the time to organize squads, order them to line up the convoy, fill up their vehicles and designate buddy teams, fire teams etc, allows the players to get to know one another before we roll out. This adds to squad(player) cohesiveness and gives members time to get to know their immediate leaders and peers. Once we are out in the field and come across contact, the convoy will always be there as a place of retreat or a place or regroup after initial assault, whether successful or unsuccessful. It also serves as something to defend, besides just ourselves.


Tonight I am going to try to throw together another combat patrol at around 17:00(CST) if no other games are in progress. Everytime we go out, there is guaranteed action and organization.

These opinions are my own and I understand there are some who do not want to do Combat Patrols. As always, and as anyone who is voted server Admin, the choice is up to the player base. Period. Official events and Admin intervention not withstanding.

Feel free to post opinions about our Combat Patrols here, whether supportive or critical. The more we hear from each other, the more we can adjust to try to please everyone, though that is an unrealistic goal... I will always strive for it.

Thank you

-Dimitrius