Campaign 2009
Sunday, 21 March 2010 16:14
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The 2009 Campaign was different than any other we'd had before. Instead of having a War Game on Friday and intensive training on Saturday, we had a continuous War Game that picked up on Saturday where it left off on Friday.
It started with two teams that gathered in different parts of Manhattan. Each team was given a series of tasks that had the entire team had to complete. When a task was completed, the team was given the location for the next location.
The tasks varied from straight intellect (solving sudoku and crossword puzzles) to problem solving (everyone in the team standing on a single sheet of paper). Whichever team finished all tasks first was given priority in scouting out the location for the actual War Game and starting to formulate a strategy.
The War Game took place near Wollmann Rink in Central Park. Each team had to accumulate money by making nets. The money could then be used to upgrade an individual's status from farmer to merchant, samurai, or ninja, along with the purchase of appropriate weapons for each class. The team that amassed the requirements of personnel (enough upgraded team members) and money would win the support of theoretical other teams, thereby winning the game.
As usual, there was plenty of calm, quiet periods punctuated by moments of intense stress and action. Roving groups were constantly hunting down weaker opponents, who in turn would try to find ways to gain an advantage over better-armed enemies who also outnumbered them.
Adding to the chaos was the continuous rain, from the heavy downpours on Friday to the constant drizzle on Saturday. But when it was all finished, everyone agreed it was the best Campaign ever. On top of that, Michelle Ogman and Eric Wilkinson were promoted to shodan that weekend. An exhausting but memorable Campaign weekend all around!