"Hmm... Modern/SF Unit Activations" Topic

For games where units units/squads are issued orders during activation (overwatch, move, etc) what method do you prefer for when the platoon leader activates multiple squads under his command?

1. An order counter or chit is placed on the tabletop, and any subordinate squad within XX distance from it is issued that order.

2. Same as above, but any subordinate unit within LOS of the order counter is issued that order.

3. Radios/Comms mean that whatever subordinate units the player chooses may carry out the platoon leader's order, even if they are on opposite sides of the table.

I would say it really has to be number 3.

If its broadcast, then any unit with a receiver should be able to act. If you wanted to break the initiative down further with who acts first, on a general order to more than one squad, then proximity from the squads radio operator to the squads officer could be used.

Other than that, visual signals between officers could work better than just distance and los from placed counters.

Radio

For modern actions (-ECMs or EM pulses), I would have to say three as well. Even if they are in a silent (no radio chatter) mode, a 'skwak' setting can be used to issue orders for short periods of time.

Squads and teams in today's warfare often have to operate without direct control by platoon or company leaders.

I think it depends on the unit's quality and equipment.

It should be more difficult for lower quality units to carry out sophisticated maneuvers requiring lots of coordination.

And when it comes to situational awareness and command and control the ability to direct units is a matter of comms, tactical recon, knowledge of local terrain, etc.

In our home rules we abstracted this so that higher quality leaders can coordinate units better and superior 3CI allows him to do it more flexibly (longer range and no LOS requirement). For us superior 3CI can mean anything from fancy battlefield networks to amazing local knowledge.