Decoration for Characters

[pmulcahy11b]

Lets face it, most of our characters would have earned high decorations, many times over.

How do you handle such things?

[kato13]

A while back I thought about modifying this for the Twilight war

http://www.armywriter.com/rackbuilder.htm

Any thoughts as to what Awards would be added?

[Medic]

Some people might argue, giving medals to characters is demeaning towards the soldiers who have actually earned it, but the truth is, it is no more demeaning than portraying decorations for a character in a book or a movie. When a character in any campaign of mine has pulled some great feat, I tend to reward it if possible. I look at the various decorations and the requirements for awarding them, then pick the most suitable.

I'm not the only one doing that. One of my characters in a Vietnam War campaign based on Phoenix Command received Silver Star for his actions leading the team and a number of Montagnards in defense of their base against a whole battalion of VC.

[jester]

When one gets to the point of T2K, medals and other bobbles will be as useful as direct deposit. Will the troops really care or would they be considered meaningless?

[rcaf_777]

I agree, I don't see it adding to skills or anything with game play. I see it adding to character and non player character development.

If you had characters from the same unit, they might resepect that character more?

[Olefin]

You could have the medal tied to an increase in skills or a physical reward to try to make medals almost into level advancements like in D&D - certain medals would give you higher stature with servicemen who know what it takes to get one - which may increase your leadership skills or possibly even your ability to interact with enemy soldiers - a Good Conduct Medal isnt going to impress anyone where a Silver Star or Navy Cross just might

[Askold]

If I would give any mechanical benefits from having medals it would be reputation related social bonuses. People look at Trooper 24232-X and even if they don't know anything about him if they recognize the medal(s) it will have an effect on what they think about him.

Not that every civilian would recognize random medals and particularly in a setting like Twilight there is a chance that he took the medal (and his uniform) off some dead guy who had earned it.


Only war has rules for medals and the medals themselves give relevant benefits based on what you had to do to earn them. Or maybe it is that achieving those things gave the characters bonuses and the medals were just ceremonial.

[Silent Hunter UK]

Originally Posted by jester

When one gets to the point of T2K, medals and other bobbles will be as useful as direct deposit. Will the troops really care or would they be considered meaningless?

It would probably vary between characters... and some medals have serious trading value just on gold content.

[Medic]

If one wants mechanical advantages for medals, then reputation is the answer. On the other hand, it isn't exactly what I'd necessarily give them for - the medals, if awarded, add to immersion and realism. A 25-year service veteran of a combatvarm who has seen a number of battles will probably have at least some kind of a decoration for valor, unless there is something seriously curious going on.

[Draq]

I highly doubt there are alot of medals floating around anyways. Probly would sell the metal medals and switch to strictly patches or something. Maybe the officer in charge would keep a written record of achievements to be acknowledged later? Just some thoughts.

[Bullet Magnet]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Lets face it, most of our characters would have earned high decorations, many times over.

Or been court martialed. (Let's face it, player characters do seem to go fast and loose with mundane things like consideration of the law, human lives, the consequences of their actions, etc.)


Some of this can depend on your players. Some may love this, seeing it as some cool character development. Others may not give a crap, since it gives no tangible (in game) benefit that they can see. (Silver Star? Yeah, I'm sure that'll be a big help when the M60 is low on ammo!)

From a GM's perspective, thing of it like bestowing titles in D&D. It can give a little honor and prestige to the character (maybe a bonus to reaction rolls when meeting an NPC), but they can't use it to buy the goodies they so eagerly crave (and you as the GM, do not want them to get their greedy little hands on). But then, to turn down the honor, can make them look like ingrates (thus leading to a penalty to reaction rolls when dealing with those particular NPCs, who also happen to be above them in the command structure).

Speaking of NPCs, medals can be used to add a bit of detail to them as well. "Yeah, I got this when I was with the 148th in 1997, when we fought in Lublin...(add rest of BS story here)." Then, a character in the party can mention HE was in the 148th in 1997, does not recognize the guy and most importantly, the 148th never got within 400km of Lublin, not in 1997 or any other year.
There's also the "broken pedestal" NPC you can use here. You know, guy with the CMH, comes off all heroic and respectable. Then the PC group finds out he's really the guy behind the white slavery ring, and that may not even be the worst of what he's into these days.

Back to player characters. The medals may bring prestige to them (especially if they do get a tangible thing like reaction bonuses, which might encourage them to wear the medals in public), but it can also bring them undesired attention. The enemy soldier who takes out an opposing grunt may get at best "Good job. Now do it 10 more times.", but the one who takes out the guy on the other side with the trophy rack on his jacket, who boosts the morale of the enemy unit, may get something more...maybe even a medal of his own! (for all that's worth)


Of course, after Kalisz and everything else falling apart, there may not be many people giving out medals anymore.

[Olefin]

I think medals also depend where you are - in Korea and Iran and Kenya the war is still very much a going concern with a real chain of command, military discipline, etc..

On the other hand things in the US depend on how you approach things as to Howling Wildnerness or not and if you are with CivGov or MilGov

[swaghauler]

All of this (as has been mentioned already) falls back to Reputation. As I have stated in the past, I'm not fond of the Reflex System in 2013, but they did several things well. The Reputation rules are another system that you can cleanly "lift" from 2013 and use in the older editions. While not perfect, they are pretty well done.

[Raellus]

In T2K, the game, medals are cool fluff. I think that they do have their place in the T2KU. I doubt that many physical medals would be distributed in the T2KU after the exchanges, but paper "I.O.U."s would likely continue to be handed out.

It's a morale thing. People like to be recognized for their efforts. A PC in a PbP that I play in recently told some new PCs that my PC had earned a Silver Star during a previous episode of the campaign. That was news to me, but I was thrilled to read it. What does it mean in the game world? Not much. There's no paperwork, AFAIK, and my character never received a physical medal of any kind. If the unit gets wiped out tomorrow, no one will ever know about it. But IC, it's a subject of IG conversation, a source of pride for the character, a piece of shared history for the members of the unit. Perhaps, someday, some sort of tangible reward will be attached to it (like a promotion or free drinks at a bar). Even if nothing else comes of it, it was a cool moment and I appreciated a fellow player making mention of it. I imagine that other players would likely feel the same way if their characters were awarded a medal.

[Targan]

Does there have to be a functioning Congress for CMHs to be awarded? As in, would MilGov hand out CMHs despite not recognizing the authority of the CivGov "Congress"? Or does the "Congressional" part not actually mean anything in terms of the way the Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded?

[simonmark6]

I remember the incident that Rae is referring to. In that case it was a highly irregular occurrence. The PC officer in command was a Silver Star winner in his backstory and when the PC in question faced down and beat a Hind in order to save the whole party he not only recommended him for the medal but issued him his own medal.

It was a long time ago in the game and I don't wonder that Rae had forgotten. It was a cool bit of fluff that meant something between the gamers but I don't know how you would make it into a game mechanic as reputation is such a nebulous thing.

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by Bullet Magnet

Back to player characters. The medals may bring prestige to them (especially if they do get a tangible thing like reaction bonuses, which might encourage them to wear the medals in public), but it can also bring them undesired attention. The enemy soldier who takes out an opposing grunt may get at best "Good job. Now do it 10 more times.", but the one who takes out the guy on the other side with the trophy rack on his jacket, who boosts the morale of the enemy unit, may get something more...maybe even a medal of his own! (for all that's worth)

I see where this is going, I'm thinking this should be a roll conducted at the end of each military term or at the end of the character generation like this

Value XX equals -Service Cross Medals
Value XX equals –Authorized Foreign Medals
Value XX equals -Distinguished Service Medals
Value XX equals -Non-Combat Heroism Medals
Value XX equals -Meritorious Service Medals
Value XX equals -Commendation and Achievement Medals
Value XX equals -Unit Awards
Value XX equals -Service Awards

I am also thinking we should look at skills vs qualification badges. I mean Scuba and Parachuting (as an example) are skills that translate to a qualification badge. So how high would a characters skill have to be for to character to have a Master Parachutist Badge? or a master Diver or the Free Fall Badge?

The same should also be asked for marksmanship awards in relation to the rifle and pistol skills?

[Olefin]

Originally Posted by simonmark6

I remember the incident that Rae is referring to. In that case it was a highly irregular occurrence. The PC officer in command was a Silver Star winner in his backstory and when the PC in question faced down and beat a Hind in order to save the whole party he not only recommended him for the medal but issued him his own medal.

It was a long time ago in the game and I don't wonder that Rae had forgotten. It was a cool bit of fluff that meant something between the gamers but I don't know how you would make it into a game mechanic as reputation is such a nebulous thing.

Took out a Hind by himself? Ok this I want to hear - must have been one hell of a session

[rcaf_777]

That happened to a character of mine, he was able to get off two LAW shots one to engine and one to cockpit both shots were at close range from a rock face however I died of my wounds three rounds later lol

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Draq

Maybe the officer in charge would keep a written record of achievements to be acknowledged later? Just some thoughts.

Or do something like a PC in one of my games. On a bridge out of Manhattan, he took the highest rank insignia he could find, sewed them onto his helmet, hat, and collars, along with an infantry symbol, and instantly promoted himself from SGT to MAJ. There weren't enough records to dispute his story, and he even got a promotion to LTC.

[Targan]

My brother's character, US Marine Urana Ratowi, basically intimidated Major Po into granting him a promotion (from Cpl to Sgt I think). It made me LOL.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Olefin

Took out a Hind by himself? Ok this I want to hear - must have been one hell of a session

I just found and reread the pertinent thread. Seems both simonmark6 and I both misremembered a bit. Considering the campaign started in 2008, I think we can both be forgiven. Here's what actually happened.

A Hind attacked our party at a river crossing, as our AFVs (an M113 and an M2) were attempting to complete their fording of the watery obstacle. My PC ran out into the open to attempt to draw the gunship's fire and toss a WP grenade to provide concealment for the vulnerable AFVs (more the latter than the former, really).

The ploy failed on both counts but the gunship fortunately ignored my PC. It also missed the AFVs on its first pass. On its second pass, it was the Hind's unguided rockets vs. the Bradley's 25mm bushmaster. The former failed to score a direct hitter but the latter succeeded, downing the gunship (most of its crew survived).

After the fight, in recognition of my Latvian scout-translator PC's foolhardy but selfless act, simonmark's CO PC gave my PC his grandfather's prized march compass. At some point later on in the game, my PC was also awarded a battlefield promotion, to corporal U.S. Army, I think.

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

he took the highest rank insignia he could find, sewed them onto his helmet, hat, and collars, along with an infantry symbol, and instantly promoted himself from SGT to MAJ

sounds like a great NPC encounter

[CDAT]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

I agree, I don't see it adding to skills or anything with game play. I see it adding to character and non player character development.

If you had characters from the same unit, they might resepect that character more?

On the other hand it could be the the reverse. My first deployment every S-shop NCOIC and OIC along with every 1SG, CO, the CSM and BN XO, and BN CO got a bronze star, most of them never left the wire, those of use who were outside the wire almost every day got AAM or at best two of us got ARCOM's. So most of us who deployed when we see a bronze star that is the first thing that pops in our head that they are a REMF who did not do anything but knows the right person. Now I know that is not the case for all of them but still the first thought that crosses my mind.

[Cdnwolf]

Why do all the characters feel entitled... just drape some tinsel and garland around them and voila... they are a decorated soldier.

[Targan]

Is anyone able to answer my question from earlier in this thread about the Medal of Honor?

[dragoon500ly]

CMH is the popular title, officially it is simply the Medal of Honor. It is awarded in "the name of Congress". It gets confused with the Congressional Gold Medal and the Congressional Freedom Medal, those do require an act of Congress but the CMH is vetted and awarded by the Department of Defense, there is not even a requirement that it must presented by the President.

[Targan]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

CMH is the popular title, officially it is simply the Medal of Honor. It is awarded in "the name of Congress". It gets confused with the Congressional Gold Medal and the Congressional Freedom Medal, those do require an act of Congress but the CMH is vetted and awarded by the Department of Defense, there is not even a requirement that it must presented by the President.

Excellent, good info.

[Sanjuro]

UK forces give out many fewer medals than US- it is very common for career military, who have seen action in several campaigns, to retire without even one.
Mac: I stabbed somebody in the eye that night. How come I don't get a medal?
(Bluestone 42)

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Sanjuro

UK forces give out many fewer medals than US- it is very common for career military, who have seen action in several campaigns, to retire without even one.
Mac: I stabbed somebody in the eye that night. How come I don't get a medal?
(Bluestone 42)

It's like promotions in the US Marines; they are few and far between, with many retiring as a Staff Sergeant with 20 years in. (My stepmonster was an exception; from GySgt on he made rank fast, retiring as a SgtMaj with 27 years in. He must have been a good Marine, even if he was a lousy father.)