Nigel Gillson, Mon February 6th 2012 12:21am
Executive Officer of USS Lancelot graduates from Command School
We caught up with our newest Command School Graduate, Lieutenant Commander Adam Cosgrove, Executive Officer of the USS Lancelot NCC-74410, to ask him a few questions about his future now that he has graduated from Command School.
FNN: Adam, for those who do not know you around the fleet, why not tell us your history in the fleet and a little about you as a real person.
AC: My history in the fleet is actually a pretty brief one. The Lancelot is my first Sim with the 6th Fleet, though I think I hardly could have hoped for a better environment and group of people to work with. I started at an Assistant Tactical Officer on the ship and in surprisingly short order found myself in the position of XO. It's been a blast. This isn't my first rodeo by any means though. I'm a long time RPer and actually participated several mIRC based Star Trek simulations under an organization called UIP for a number of years. I'm also a D&D addict, though I'd rather be a DM than a player. Part of the reason why I think I gravitated towards command, heh.
FNN: You are the most recent graduate of Command School, tell our readers first of all, how it felt starting your first lesson and then how it feels now, knowing that you have completed the training to be one of the future Games Managers within Sixth Fleet.
AC: I was a bit nervous to start with, even despite my past experience. But who isn't when confronted with a challenge, eh? Even with things spelled out for me I wasn't quite sure exactly what to expect. But to come out the other side of it all feels great, and I really look forward to bringing all that I have to offer to the Lancelot and, I hope, the 6th Fleet at large. I've a number of ideas and I really hope to make a difference and leave my mark. :)
FNN: Cast your mind back to the lessons during Command School, can you share with us any assignments you found particularly challenging, and how you over came that challenge?
AC: Honestly there was no assignment as challenging as the last one. Running your own mission for the first time. Not that I didn't have plenty of support from my crew, but participating in a Sim and leading one are two completely different beasts. Managing your time, the pacing of the plot, and ensuring everyone has enough to do... it can all be a lot to juggle. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I overcame it with a good amount of perseverance, a greater amount of flexibility, and a healthy portion of delegation to trusted and eager individuals within the crew who were willing to pitch in and help out where needed and take the ball and run with it when it was thrown their way.
FNN: Here’s your chance now to plug the Lancelot, are there any memorable moments you could share with us during your time aboard?
AC: Man. Too many to name so far. There have been some really poignant moments on board. We just finished the mission I ran and, honestly, if there was a showcase for exactly how a crew-wide JP should look, I'd offer up our last post for that mission. It had a little bit of everything. There were big roles and small ones all acted out together, but the whole picture wouldn't have been complete if even a single one of them had been missing. The dramatic and the authentic blended together perfectly. From the concern of a grizzled veteran soldier over an injured friend, to the dedication of an officer trying to prepare for a worst case scenario in a series of frantic moments, to a trio of individuals preparing for the possibility of death together while a fourth helplessly looked on. We have some supremely talented writers on board. I invite everyone to take a look at it. It was powerful.
FNN: The USS Lancelot is one of the oldest and longest serving simulations within Sixth Fleet and our predecessor Tango Fleet and has a very colourful history. How are you, as the Executive Officer, going to make sure the Lancelot’s legacy continues to grow from strength to strength?
AC: The ground work for that is already being laid, actually. ;) I can summarize my plans with only a few words though. Long and persistent plots. I'm looking to establish continuity and a canon for the Lancelot. One of my favorite things about DS9 was always that there was a single plot that arced over the course of the entire series even while the rest of the show went on and they had their miscellaneous adventures in between. That's what I want to strive for. Because I believe it's that kind of level of immersion that helps dedicate players to the story and to their characters. The first mission I ran showed the very tip of the iceberg, and while I don't want to give up too much information on what I have planned, I can promise you... It's going to be good. ;)
FNN: Now a difficult one for you, if you were offered command tomorrow, would you take it and why?
AC: This question is really only a difficult one if it implies, A. That I would leave the Lancelot. Or B. That I would take over the Lancelot. As long as neither of those two things are prerequisites then the answer is actually easier than you might think. A resounding yes. Like I mentioned before, I would always rather be a DM than a player. I really live to create plots and stories for my friends and their characters to become absorbed in. There's nothing more gratifying or rewarding for me than to see players really form a connection with a story and their character and to watch them become excited about it. It's why I do this. :) So yes, as long as I got to keep my character on the Lancelot and wasn't kicking anyone to the curb, I would accept a command of my own tomorrow in a heartbeat.
FNN: Final question, if there are any readers out there who are looking to move up the ranks and enter Command School, what one piece of advice would you give them?
AC: Whew. I'm not sure there is only one piece of advice to give. Make sure you have the time and the dedication. Being in a command position, whether it's XO or CO requires a significantly greater level of dedication than the player whose only responsibility is to post every so often and react to what's happening. My recommendation to those who want to try? First aim for a Chief officer position in a given department that you feel confident in. Chief Tactical, Chief Engineer, etc. Those roles come with a greater level of responsibility and can give you a small taste of what you'd be in for. Spread your wings a bit too, take some initiative in your Sims and missions when the opportunities arise to run with certain plot points. Make them your own a little bit. As long as you don't go to too great an extreme, I'm willing to bet your XO and CO will appreciate it. Communicate with them on your idea too, and again you'll get a small inkling of what it's like to help run a Sim as opposed to just being a participant. It's challenging, but if you're at all like me... there's nothing more rewarding. :)
FNN: Thanks for your time, Adam. We at FNN appreciate what dedication you give to the USS Lancelot and Sixth Fleet. We look forward to all the news from the USS Lancelot in coming times. Happy Simming.
AC: Thank you for the interview. I'm very flattered FNN took the time to seek me out. And please do stay tuned to the Lancelot. There are very exciting times on the horizon.
Interview conducted by Commodore Nigel Gillson, Co-Editor FNN.
FNN: Adam, for those who do not know you around the fleet, why not tell us your history in the fleet and a little about you as a real person.
AC: My history in the fleet is actually a pretty brief one. The Lancelot is my first Sim with the 6th Fleet, though I think I hardly could have hoped for a better environment and group of people to work with. I started at an Assistant Tactical Officer on the ship and in surprisingly short order found myself in the position of XO. It's been a blast. This isn't my first rodeo by any means though. I'm a long time RPer and actually participated several mIRC based Star Trek simulations under an organization called UIP for a number of years. I'm also a D&D addict, though I'd rather be a DM than a player. Part of the reason why I think I gravitated towards command, heh.
FNN: You are the most recent graduate of Command School, tell our readers first of all, how it felt starting your first lesson and then how it feels now, knowing that you have completed the training to be one of the future Games Managers within Sixth Fleet.
AC: I was a bit nervous to start with, even despite my past experience. But who isn't when confronted with a challenge, eh? Even with things spelled out for me I wasn't quite sure exactly what to expect. But to come out the other side of it all feels great, and I really look forward to bringing all that I have to offer to the Lancelot and, I hope, the 6th Fleet at large. I've a number of ideas and I really hope to make a difference and leave my mark. :)
FNN: Cast your mind back to the lessons during Command School, can you share with us any assignments you found particularly challenging, and how you over came that challenge?
AC: Honestly there was no assignment as challenging as the last one. Running your own mission for the first time. Not that I didn't have plenty of support from my crew, but participating in a Sim and leading one are two completely different beasts. Managing your time, the pacing of the plot, and ensuring everyone has enough to do... it can all be a lot to juggle. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I overcame it with a good amount of perseverance, a greater amount of flexibility, and a healthy portion of delegation to trusted and eager individuals within the crew who were willing to pitch in and help out where needed and take the ball and run with it when it was thrown their way.
FNN: Here’s your chance now to plug the Lancelot, are there any memorable moments you could share with us during your time aboard?
AC: Man. Too many to name so far. There have been some really poignant moments on board. We just finished the mission I ran and, honestly, if there was a showcase for exactly how a crew-wide JP should look, I'd offer up our last post for that mission. It had a little bit of everything. There were big roles and small ones all acted out together, but the whole picture wouldn't have been complete if even a single one of them had been missing. The dramatic and the authentic blended together perfectly. From the concern of a grizzled veteran soldier over an injured friend, to the dedication of an officer trying to prepare for a worst case scenario in a series of frantic moments, to a trio of individuals preparing for the possibility of death together while a fourth helplessly looked on. We have some supremely talented writers on board. I invite everyone to take a look at it. It was powerful.
FNN: The USS Lancelot is one of the oldest and longest serving simulations within Sixth Fleet and our predecessor Tango Fleet and has a very colourful history. How are you, as the Executive Officer, going to make sure the Lancelot’s legacy continues to grow from strength to strength?
AC: The ground work for that is already being laid, actually. ;) I can summarize my plans with only a few words though. Long and persistent plots. I'm looking to establish continuity and a canon for the Lancelot. One of my favorite things about DS9 was always that there was a single plot that arced over the course of the entire series even while the rest of the show went on and they had their miscellaneous adventures in between. That's what I want to strive for. Because I believe it's that kind of level of immersion that helps dedicate players to the story and to their characters. The first mission I ran showed the very tip of the iceberg, and while I don't want to give up too much information on what I have planned, I can promise you... It's going to be good. ;)
FNN: Now a difficult one for you, if you were offered command tomorrow, would you take it and why?
AC: This question is really only a difficult one if it implies, A. That I would leave the Lancelot. Or B. That I would take over the Lancelot. As long as neither of those two things are prerequisites then the answer is actually easier than you might think. A resounding yes. Like I mentioned before, I would always rather be a DM than a player. I really live to create plots and stories for my friends and their characters to become absorbed in. There's nothing more gratifying or rewarding for me than to see players really form a connection with a story and their character and to watch them become excited about it. It's why I do this. :) So yes, as long as I got to keep my character on the Lancelot and wasn't kicking anyone to the curb, I would accept a command of my own tomorrow in a heartbeat.
FNN: Final question, if there are any readers out there who are looking to move up the ranks and enter Command School, what one piece of advice would you give them?
AC: Whew. I'm not sure there is only one piece of advice to give. Make sure you have the time and the dedication. Being in a command position, whether it's XO or CO requires a significantly greater level of dedication than the player whose only responsibility is to post every so often and react to what's happening. My recommendation to those who want to try? First aim for a Chief officer position in a given department that you feel confident in. Chief Tactical, Chief Engineer, etc. Those roles come with a greater level of responsibility and can give you a small taste of what you'd be in for. Spread your wings a bit too, take some initiative in your Sims and missions when the opportunities arise to run with certain plot points. Make them your own a little bit. As long as you don't go to too great an extreme, I'm willing to bet your XO and CO will appreciate it. Communicate with them on your idea too, and again you'll get a small inkling of what it's like to help run a Sim as opposed to just being a participant. It's challenging, but if you're at all like me... there's nothing more rewarding. :)
FNN: Thanks for your time, Adam. We at FNN appreciate what dedication you give to the USS Lancelot and Sixth Fleet. We look forward to all the news from the USS Lancelot in coming times. Happy Simming.
AC: Thank you for the interview. I'm very flattered FNN took the time to seek me out. And please do stay tuned to the Lancelot. There are very exciting times on the horizon.
Interview conducted by Commodore Nigel Gillson, Co-Editor FNN.
