The Training Team is responsible for training all new applicants to prepare them to be posted to a ship within our fleet. For this interview, we’ve spoken with Commander Avander Promontory to find out a little more about what it’s like serving on a team so vital to running our community.
Harford: The Training Team serves as the gateway into SB 118. Every new simmer has to pass through their Academy week before being placed on a ship. How does the Training Team work together to prepare new writers and to support the SB 118 community as a whole?
Promontory: There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes for every academy class. Starting with the application and class recruitment, our Commandant gets things going. We have a large number of vetted and trained team members who lead the class and provide support as mock cadets. A lot of thought and effort go into the training manuals and the first few rounds of feedback, which all the training team participates in, even if the class CO sends the direct feedback. Classes are a safe, supportive environment where new cadets are introduced to the community and our style, and we’re introduced to them. At the end of a class, the CO and FO write detailed reports which allow our fleet placement officer to best place graduates as new Ensigns.
Tell us what you do on the Training Team. How does it operate and what is the most enjoyable part of serving as a member of this task force?
I regularly volunteer as a class leader or a mock cadet, whatever’s needed. We hold classes almost every week of the year, and most Saturdays, there’s a call for volunteers from the trainers. We rotate, and most of us probably average about one class a month.
My favorite part has to be seeing the enthusiasm of the new cadets and then watching them channel that into improvement and progression from class into the fleet.
Has being a member of the Training Team made you a stronger writer or a more active member of the community? In what ways do you see your work with this task force shaping the way that you engage with SB 118?
Promontory: It absolutely has made me a better writer. When you’re training, you look at everything very deliberately. You’re forced to step back from the writing and look at the thought processes of yourself as well as a variety of other writers.
Engaging with this team has given me a deeper appreciation for all the volunteers who work to make this community a success (including the trainers who had to put up with me back when I was in the Academy! )
Are there any specific challenges that the Training Team faces? Is there anything that the larger community could do to support the mission of this task force?
We always need willing volunteers. It’s a good challenge, but sometimes we just have a lot of new recruits and we are in constant need of experienced members to help!
What led you to join the Training Team? How would an interested member of the Fleet go about joining and are there any requirements for being on the team?
I really enjoyed writing, and the training team is a good way to do a little more of that without creating a second character on another ship! It’s a great way to give back to the community, too. Interested writers should talk to their Captain about joining. Lieutenants and above with good writing chops are always welcome!
Thank you so much for sharing a little bit about your experience with the Training Team!
You can read more about the Training Team and how to join on the wiki, here.
