Standard Qualification 2: Difference between revisions

For the purposes of the Standard Qualification series of certifications, the only thing you need to know is that EDC generally advises around 60 pounds for a basic riflemen. This knowledge is intended to be used in the event you are not given a march load and are making a kit. The advised poundage for the other roles, such as {{Abbr|AT|Anti-Tank}} or medic, will be discussed in their specific certifications.

In SQ-1, some basic radio communication was discussed. In SQ-2, we are going to get slightly more advanced.

Certain radio frequencies are ''controlled'' or ''uncontrolled''. This is a fancy way of saying that some environments have stricter standards on brevity and use of prowords (or "procedure words"), while others are far more laid back. Generally speaking, short-wave radios designed for communication within a fireteam or squad are ''uncontrolled.'' General chit-chat is expected (to a reasonable degree),  procedural words are entirely unnecessary, and so on. Conversely, radio frequencies with a decent range and which are communicating with a completely different element (e.g full squad to another full squad), and/or a command element, are ''controlled.'' Unnecessary chatter is strongly discouraged, and procedural words are desired if not required.

A common error made in mass media is when characters, when speaking over the radio, end a transmission with "over and out". This is because the terms "over" and "out" are not synonymous. When communicating a message, if the person speaking is expecting a reply, the message is ended with "over". If said person does ''not'' expect a reply, they say "out". Thus, saying "over and out" is an oxymoron, because ''technically'' the character is indicating they both do and do not want a reply. In a controlled radio environment, using this language ''correctly'' is a must. You should expect reprimand and/or teasing if you ever use "over and out" unironically.

The conversation is simple enough, yet it's problematic. At any point one could make a reasonable call a reply isn't needed, yet, the conversation continues. In fact, after Bravo Two told Alpha One they are approaching the objective, it's entirely reasonable that Alpha One not respond at all. As the element leaders keep giving or receiving replies they do not expect, they become distracted. While a certain level of multi-tasking comes with the job, but the distraction in this situation is ''unexpected'' when it ''doesn't need to be.'' This detracts from the leader's ability to concentrate on leading their element, which could spell disaster.

</blockquote>When used properly, it is very clear when a reply is wanted versus when the conversation has come to a close. Every time "out" is used the recipient knows they are being expected to say something back and can be mentally prepared for it. Then, once Alpha One says "out", the leader of Bravo Two knows he does not need to say anything, and can now fully focus his attention on whatever objective his element needs to tackle.

When you are are about to speak in a controlled radio environment, or otherwise know you are trying to reach someone over a long distance, you should first identify who you want to reach, then identify who you are, and then monitor the "net" {{Emdash}} or frequency {{Emdash}} for a reply. In some situations the "net" part of this shorthand means to verbally state the radio frequency you are on. Which one is appropriate is situational; doing 1 over the other is not inherently wrong by EDC's standards. The example conversation in the section [[Standard Qualification 2#Over and out|Over and out]] is a good example