The Squad Leader as Drill Instructor

One way to address discipline issues is to provide numerous short objectives and discuss the execution of them as you go along. This provides the SL with an opportunity to teach the squad without them knowing they are being trained, and evaluate members, and address problems before getting deep into enemy territory. It is not a perfect technique, but it helps. Keep in mind that what seems like discipline problems is often a lack of training and a lack of experience in real team-based squads such that we run in TG.

Give a series of move to orders that takes you around the enemy's flank, somewhere reasonably safe but still moving strategically. With each short move-to you can brief you men on following fireteam leaders (if used), explain what is expected/required behaviour, and so on. When dealing with very new-to-TG players, each time a SM is out of position or does the wrong thing correct their behaviour immediately. Let them know that you are watching their every move and expect exacting levels of discipline. MOST players appreciate this as real teamplay simply is not seen in BF2 but is eagerly sought after.

Most people are already socialized to follow leaders and get great satisfaction from knowing they are making a good contribution to the team. This is one of the things I myself was quite surprised to discover -- how important it was for me to execute my SL's orders well, and how much I 'felt' the experience of being rebuke or corrected by a SL or fireteam leader (this is also part of my ethnography of the Tactical Gamer community, the experience of emotions within a virtual environment that lacks the clues that comes with physical co-presence). The immature player, or the poorly socialized individual, simply will not adapt to the demands of mature team work and must be weeded out -- for their own happiness as much as the squad's.

Go easy on them, but be firm. Learning is done through constant repetition, so create the circumstances you need to teach what they need to know.

This method is made much easier if the SL stays to the rear during enemy contacts and firefights. At a safe distant the SL can observe his men and provide just the right amount of feedbeck. There is a fine line between micromanaging and being demanding. Allow for mistakes.

Also, keep in mind that it often takes time for your men to accomplish a task -- the SL's experience of time tends to be compressed. Too often I have seen SLs or fireteam leaders expect things to happen far too quickly. And remember the fog of war. Most players are not used to staying with an asssigned fireteam member, and new players will have great difficulty locating people. Use the move-to marker to help them out and be as patient as you are demanding.

And finally, warn the worst one, then warn him again, then tell him why he is being kicked from the squad and kick him. As the say, kill one to keep the rest in line...