Cadet

For the most current information visit the Academy's Cadet Webpage Cadet Signup

The Cadet Program

What is the purpose?

The point of @Cadet has never been to turn out perfect pilots. The point is to help introduce new players at the game so they aren't quite as overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge required to even start to be useful for a team. The point is to give you the terminology, the background knowledge, so you know what questions to ask.

You can't ask "Should I be using Dis or Gatt when attacking an Ass. Ship?" if you don't know what Dis, Gatt or an Ass Ship are. You can't respond to an order to "Get Nans to Kilv" or "Prep to Galv out the Mid-high OP" unless you know what all that shorthand means. If someone asks you to call drop, first you need to know what drop is before you can ask what the proper timing is for calling it.

We get you started. We get you up to the point where you can contribute, usefully, every single time you play. This is 8 weeks of basic training. You learn the most simplified strategies so when something needs to be done using a given set of tools, you'll know how to jump into the right ship and get the job done. You may or may not actually accomplish it, but at least you'll be able to try. That's more than many players who have been here over a year (but never joined @Cadet - or never paid attention to the reading if they did) can manage.

We get you started so you know where to look when you have questions, so you know what skills to work on in the future, so you know what parts of the game are important to focus on and which you can more-or-less filter out. After that, it doesn't stop. It isn't the end of learning. It isn't even the beginning of the end. It is, at most, the end of the beginning. We've had 5-year vets take @Cadet and come out learning things. If you're realizing there's more there to be learned, you're in good company -- I don't think there's really a single pilot in the game who can legitimately claim to have nothing left they can learn.

Where is it held?

Currently Cadets and Instructors have their own private forum on this website. Each class has its own private forum. You will not be able to access these forums until you are granted access when your session starts. We run two classes simultaneously, with a new one starting every 4 weeks. It is not held at the Allegiance Academy website. The Academy is used by us as an additional source of material for study.

Who teaches it?

Each squadron has an advisor to assist with each session. Plus a small permanent staff of veteran players. You get some of the best material from some of the best players. We are constantly adding and improving the instructor, advisor and staff positions. We even have one of the original MS developers contributing.

What is taught?

You will be given instruction on game basics, intermediate and some advanced concepts. By the time you finish this course you will be able to fly any ship and perform any function that is required in normal game play. We do teach some basics to become a commander. That is NOT our main focus. We have on staff an Instructor from the Allegiance Command School (ACS)

You will have the ability to post ANY question and have rapid answers provided. The opportunity to post “stupid questions” and have an immediate response without ridicule is the one of the biggest assets. Your participation in the discussions will have a direct affect on what you learn. Plus there is not always just one “correct” answer. You will be provided with different viewpoints to choose from.

You may have read the Allegiance Academy website and read a lot of the posts about gameplay. But the Cadet program will show you how to apply it successfully.

When is it held?

There is no structured classroom / timeframe where you must attend a class. It is all based on a self study program that you can do at your own pace. A week is given for each topic. On occasion, some instruction is given online, but is not mandatory.

It does not matter what continent or time zone you are in to be able to join the Cadet program.

What is required?

Nothing other than a willingness to listen, read and learn. How much time a week? About 1-2 hours of reading a week. Figure another 3 hours a week to actually play and apply what you are learning. The course is 8 weeks in length. Each week has a specific topic and theme that rolls into the next week’s lesson.

What other benefits do I get?

The goal of this course is that upon your successful graduation you are looked upon with respect for your knowledge and capabilities. There is an exam administered on a voluntary basis at the end of the course. You can not claim to be a graduate of the program without taking and passing the final exam.

You will likely find yourself being actively scouted by various squads, and likely recruited. All of the squads participating closely watch Cadets in game for skill, attitude, and aptitude, and behavior to see who might work well with them... but it isn't all about them. There's also what you want and where you see yourself. Some Cadet grads don't join squads, and that's cool... but if squadplay is what you're after, then complete the full course, including exam, and the leaders of the program will work with you and the squads to get you where you'd like to be.

How do I apply?

It is very easy. I don’t need an essay or reasons why you want to join. We have had players with 5 years experience sign up for the course. They have all commented on how they learned something new. Because I spend 15-20 hours a week administering this program I only ask one very simple thing. Consider this a test. If you can not follow these instructions, well I don’t think you will learn anything.

Please go to this page and fill out the Cadet Application Form to apply.

Please give us the name variation if the two accounts are different in the message section

We require that your name you use to log into the game be the same or very similar to the name you use to log into the forum. Please note that they are two different accounts. You must have a valid account in our forum and a valid account for the game (ASGS System) to be able to join Cadet.

Please pay attention to the above requirement. Consider this a test to get into Cadet . You have no idea on how much time is spent to administer this program. It is time consuming to check each name sent to us for it's validity in our forums and the ASGS game system. This is all we ask of you to get into the program. Thank you!

You can comply with this requirement by several ways. Create a new game account using the same method you used to create your original name. You are allowed upto three different names in your ASGS game account. Or you can create a new forum account. (If you are a $ supporter of our forums, you have the ability to change your forum name in your control panel.)

You will get an automated reply. You do not need to do anything further if you did the above correctly.

Shortly before each session, a post is made in the general forums listing who is in the next session and when it will start. You will also receive a message via the ASGS system with details when your session is about to start.

Specific questions?

PM Dengaroth on the forums by clicking here

Thank you!

BlackViper@ACE

Cadet Administrator