SC3: Do you keep or promote?

[Tessa]

Was thinking about this after I finished my last patrol. My current crew's been with me for 22 patrols so far. I've only kicked 2 officers off the boat (1 I used the promote to allow them to get their own boat feature in SC3, the other I flat out dismissed) and promoted from within my own boat to get their replacements. Currently when looking at my crew in SC3 I get the suggestion that I should let them go so they can pursue their own career. All the officers have RK's, 2 are Oblt's and the other 3 regular Lt's. If I let them go there are plenty of CPO's to promote to replace them, would just mean recruiting a few more sailors if I dip below the minimum.

Question is, would you promote them so they could have their own boat, or would you keep them in order to keep the well oiled machine working? To put this into the perspective that I'm seeing it through, imagine if you were the #1 or #2 officer on Prien, Kretschmer, or Shubert's boat for example. Would you rather pursue your own career, or continue to serve (i.e. voluntarily turning down the promotion) under such an extraordinary Kaluen?

[Sailor Steve]

I'm weird; I roll a die. Literally, I keep a 20-sided die handy (I'm a longtime wargamer) and I roll it after each patrol. He gets one number for each patrol, plus one for each 10,000 tons sunk during the career. I use SH3 Commander's realistic career mode and I try to be realistic about approaches and attacks, so I have fairly low scores. I do this for each officer. because often a junior officer might be switched to another boat for his next promotion.

[Jimbuna]

I enlisted em
I trained em
I got em qualified
I keep em

:p

[Able72]

If they want another command I shoot em for desertion

Seriously, I play with realistic crew transfers, I figure this keeps it fair. I've lost a few officers, but not many. For some reason, I end up with fewer promotion opportunities than my men qualify for based on their experience. If they could all get promoted as soon as they qualified I think it would be a different story. That and when SC3 transfers them out, they always stick me with some random qualification that I don't need on my boat. Like the'll take a torp man and give me a machine man. or take one of my radio men and give me a helmsman.

Like I have nothing better to do than re-train the guy for what I do need.

[Sailor Steve]

That's why it's called 'Realistic'. Very few people in the military ever get what they ask for.

[Frank0001]

Well, in the first place, Germany lacks experienced crewmembers to train the others. In that case, I would certainly dismiss an officer. It ensures more well trained personell out in the seas, and reduces casualties.

On the other hand, you wouldn't want to be stuck up with greenhorns for your entire career! I would keep at least 2 experienced officers handy.

[von Zelda]

In real life, officers and crew were always being taken away from u-boats for various reasons. Thus, I use a lottery number generator (found on the internet) to randomly determine which 4, 5 or 6 officers or crew are removed after each patrol. I then replace them with raw recruits.

[msalama]

Well, what Jim said. But SH3C doesn't agree, so it all sort of evens out in the end

My current crew is an excellent one, BTW. We've sunk over 100k already in a couple of months, and the guys deservedly have their Iron Crosses, as well as their qualifications, now. I'm just dreading to think of the moment when SH3C eventually goes and replaces one of my expert offiziers with a clueless no-good sprog

Yah - you feed them, school them, give them wallops of fresh and healthy sea air and what do you get in return??? Them flying the nest and leaving Pappy all alone

[JScones]

Originally Posted by Able72

If they want another command I shoot em for desertion

Seriously, I play with realistic crew transfers, I figure this keeps it fair. I've lost a few officers, but not many. For some reason, I end up with fewer promotion opportunities than my men qualify for based on their experience. If they could all get promoted as soon as they qualified I think it would be a different story. That and when SC3 transfers them out, they always stick me with some random qualification that I don't need on my boat. Like the'll take a torp man and give me a machine man. or take one of my radio men and give me a helmsman.

Like I have nothing better to do than re-train the guy for what I do need.

Ah yes, the fun of being a leader.

Normally I let my XO look after transfers (ie via the "realistic crew transfer" option), however, from time-to-time I will put in a good word for an exceptional ObLt and let him go to take his own command. I play the game like RL - as much as I hate to lose my best (wo)men, who am I to play God with their careers and personal aspirations, especially if I think they are ready for the higher role?

[Sailor Steve]

You know, normally when we have a realism discussion, someone always says "It's just a game!"

Thought I'd be the one this time. Not that I believe it myself.

[STEED]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I enlisted em
I trained em
I got em qualified
I keep em

:p

Same he.

Great minds think alike.

[Yorktown_Class]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

You know, normally when we have a realism discussion, someone always says "It's just a game!"

Thought I'd be the one this time. Not that I believe it myself.

Game? Who said it was a game,I will punch him in the nose for that remark:rotfl:

[johnm]

I keep them! We all grow old together or die. Usually the latter.

[Tessa]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I enlisted em
I trained em
I got em qualified
I keep em

:p

Couldn't be summed up any better

If I were the XO or another officer or chief I'd rather stick with my captain. If he/she can complete 15-20 patrols they're either very lucky or very skilled at their trade. Given the fatality rate I'd much rather stay an ObLt. under such captain than go to another boat even if it cost me my own command.

[deepboat]

What's that saying,"grow old along with me-the best is yet to be"? I figure that while I have SC3 transfer them out randomly I'll keep what I have. Come the situation in the North Atlantic in 43,44,45. I'll need all the experienced guys I have!