Career in BOM

[Thomas_1945]

Hi, everybody

 

Does anybody know how long it takes to become full class commander in your squadron? I have to admit I am a little bit tired of flying some of the ground attack missions while  others take on intercepting bombers or reconnaissance planes.

 

Thank you

Tom   

 

Major, 3x Hero of the Soviet Union

[RedKestrel]

13 hours ago, Thomas_1945 said:

Hi, everybody

 

Does anybody know how long it takes to become full class commander in your squadron? I have to admit I am a little bit tired of flying some of the ground attack missions while  others take on intercepting bombers or reconnaissance planes.

 

Thank you

Tom   

 

Major, 3x Hero of the Soviet Union

No idea, I'm still a lieutenant. I imagine if you outrank everyone in your squadron, its a matter of the commander and the deputy commander dying off probably.

[dkoor]

As RedKestrel pointed out... also if this career is anything like the one in Rise of Flight, you also might expect to take charge when your commander gets transferred to another unit. It happens in career all the time with regular pilots.

The difference between commander and high ranking officer is RoF was in that you could actually assign yourself (or not) for particular fight.

Didn't notice other practical benefits.

 

For my first BoX career I selected ground attacker role, Iron Man and "never be commander" option?, I suppose then I'll never be in charge no matter how high ranked I am. How cool is that...

[migmadmarine]

There is a never be commander option? Didn't know that. 

 

When you are commander, you are able to assign pilots, aircraft, skin, and modifications to your flights. In my German career in moscow, I was assigned squadron command when I was the rank below major (leutnant?) and our squadron commander died. I don't recall if, but I assume I was, the highest ranking member of the squadron below him at that point. 

[RedKestrel]

I only ever noticed the buttons for commander by appointment or starting as commander options.

Frankly I prefer flying as a regular wingman for now. I've only risen one rank in my campaign so far (though I'm the leading Ace of the Soviet side at this point). Does anyone know how rank is determined in the Career? Is it awarded based on time, player performance, or number of successful sorties? 

[Thad]

2 minutes ago, RedKestrel said:

Is it awarded based on time, player performance, or number of successful sorties? 

Yes. ?

 

I don't think anybody really knows. ?

[RedKestrel]

4 minutes ago, Thad said:

Yes. ?

 

I don't think anybody really knows. ?

I think some air forces had automatic promotions to a higher rank (at the low end of the spectrum) after a certain amount of time in theatre or combat time (8th airforce I think?). Gives you a pay boost but not much more responsibility. I have no idea how the Soviets did it.

My personal theory is that medals and awards are based on individual performance (i.e. kills, targets destroyed), and promotions are based on successful sorties. Squad commander happens when you are the highest rank in your squad. So if you get like 5 kills a mission you'll get a lot of medals and stuff, but you will stay a lowly lieutenant if the missions themselves are failures. Conversely you could participate in a bunch of successful missions, never get any kills, and end up being squad leader despite never shooting anybody down.

But...that's just a theory. Maybe at some point the devs will release some documentation on how the career mode works.

[Yogiflight]

2 hours ago, thenorm said:

when I was the rank below major (leutnant?)

Hauptmann (Captain)

[Thomas_1945]

Hello again,

 

Well, I read all of your comments and have to admit it was my impression as well that career path will be somehow similar to RoF. (Maybe it is is but I do not see it yet). 

At the moment I have the highest rank and an overall kill score and still just a deputy commander.

Yesterday my squadron commander got shot down in the mission that I led, just to be replaced the next day with somebody else also of the lower rank than mine. 

 

Would be nice to know how many more mission I have to complete to start running this show from behind my desk and occasionally jump into action with missions that I truly like.

 

Any ideas ???

  

Edited June 26, 2018 by Thomas_1945

[senseispcc]

It could be fast if you do not chose to cross the boxe that prevent you to become a commander of your squadron… funny is it not if you do you shall never become a squadron commander but still after becoming a Lt you shall be flight leader in many missions...

i am at my 111th mission Major 3 time Hero of the Soviet Union with 174 aerial victories and at the 2/3 of the camapign but because I do not want to become a squadron leader I shall never be one. At the moment thesquadron leader is a Lt. 

[JonRedcorn]

On 6/26/2018 at 4:15 PM, Thomas_1945 said:

Hello again,

 

Well, I read all of your comments and have to admit it was my impression as well that career path will be somehow similar to RoF. (Maybe it is is but I do not see it yet). 

At the moment I have the highest rank and an overall kill score and still just a deputy commander.

Yesterday my squadron commander got shot down in the mission that I led, just to be replaced the next day with somebody else also of the lower rank than mine. 

 

Would be nice to know how many more mission I have to complete to start running this show from behind my desk and occasionally jump into action with missions that I truly like.

 

Any ideas ???

  

It is very possible you have chosen the never be commander roll when starting on accident or otherwise. No way to know for sure.

[dkoor]

 

 

Download this prog as instructed in link and open your career to see what gives... you can edit not only that but many other things too...

I've even learned (trial/mistake) how to actually edit pilot picture so I don't have to click gazillion times when creating new pilot only to get acceptable look?.

[Wolferl_1791]

You can choose to start as a Leader, become one through promotion or never be a commander. You will still be in charge of particular flights from time to time (which I find annoying as I don't like to babysit and be in charge of navigation). Next time I'll start as a leader and always put myself last in the flight.

[sevenless]

In the german career it´s 60 kills to get promoted to captain and then it depends how long the "old" commander survives. Have never been assigned squad cmd before reaching the rank of captain, in one career it took me 90 kills until the old commander was killed and replaced by my alter ego. 

 

Edit: First exception to the statement above is the JABO career SG1 in BoK with Fw 190-A5. The attrition rate is that high, that you get promoted to squad cmd with rank OLt and 40ish kills. FYI

Edited July 10, 2018 by sevenless
FW 190-A5 career

[Thomas_1945]

Hi, everybody

 

I manage to complete BOM and now 'am fighting my next campaign in Stalingrad. Unfortunately, although my rank is major I do not command my present squadron. My kills put me close to Erich Hartmann and every mission is a success. (I fly on expert settings). I went as far as to double check my profile with SQL light editor (as suggested by "dkoor"). Field for not ever become commander is "0". As I remember I picked option to become a squadron leader by appointment. In theory I should have my own squadron by now. My question is ... what is holding me from becoming full class commander ??? Is it number of flight hrs or maybe something else ???

 

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Ohh... I fly in the Red Air Force if that makes any difference.

 

Thank you

T 

[unreasonable]

That is strange: in my last German BOM career I started at the lowest rank and became squadron commander by December.  Is there a higher ranked AI pilot in your squadron? Or possibly another Major who has the position?

[sevenless]

11 minutes ago, Thomas_1945 said:

Hi, everybody

 

I manage to complete BOM and now 'am fighting my next campaign in Stalingrad. Unfortunately, although my rank is major I do not command my present squadron. My kills put me close to Erich Hartmann and every mission is a success. (I fly on expert settings). I went as far as to double check my profile with SQL light editor (as suggested by "dkoor"). Field for not ever become commander is "0". As I remember I picked option to become a squadron leader by appointment. In theory I should have my own squadron by now. My question is ... what is holding me from becoming full class commander ??? Is it number of flight hrs or maybe something else ???

 

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Ohh... I fly in the Red Air Force if that makes any difference.

 

Thank you

T 

 

Sounds like a bug to me. Make a post at the bug section. Not the only bug with careers.

[senseispcc]

14 hours ago, Thomas_1945 said:

Hi, everybody

 

I manage to complete BOM and now 'am fighting my next campaign in Stalingrad. Unfortunately, although my rank is major I do not command my present squadron. My kills put me close to Erich Hartmann and every mission is a success. (I fly on expert settings). I went as far as to double check my profile with SQL light editor (as suggested by "dkoor"). Field for not ever become commander is "0". As I remember I picked option to become a squadron leader by appointment. In theory I should have my own squadron by now. My question is ... what is holding me from becoming full class commander ??? Is it number of flight hrs or maybe something else ???

 

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Ohh... I fly in the Red Air Force if that makes any difference.

 

Thank you

T 

Did you  when creating your pilot chek the box indicating you did 'not' want to ever become the commander of the squadron? 

If Yes that the reason.

Edited August 20, 2018 by senseispcc
correction

[LukeFF]

5 minutes ago, senseispcc said:

Did you  when creating your pilot chek the box indicating you did 'not' want to ever become the commander of the squadron? 

If Yes that the reason.

 

Dude, did you even fully read what he wrote? 

[Thomas_1945]

Morning all,

 

Heading to work now. It is a bizarre to me but unless it is a bug needs some kind of explanation.  I can add attrition in flights that are commanded by myself is relatively high. Pilots die and get captured. I play hard ball with my Luftwaffe opponents and ditched aircraft if necessary. I have tried to ram He-111 when ran out of ammo and "yes" it is possible and will result in crash landing. As I look into the "Pilots" table in SQL my "state" is at "8". I am in Stalingrad now so maybe it will continue to change to reach level "1" similar to my present commander. It is my belief you have to stay with one squadron for the entire campaign ??? Well, this would be horrible. I changed squadron only once when in Moscow after a month of flying. Other than that .... I simply do not know.

 

Cheers

T  

[LukeFF]

1 hour ago, Thomas_1945 said:

It is my belief you have to stay with one squadron for the entire campaign ?

 

No, where did you get that idea from? You can make as many transfers as you want.

[Thomas_1945]

Does anybody look into this or it is an another post for public to read?

Excuse my impatience but what is going to happen next?

 

Cheers

T

[unreasonable]

It seems that your career is bugged for some reason, assuming that you did not tick the "never be a commander" box.  Since no-one else has reported this problem, you have caught some rare bug. You can hardly expect the developers to drop everything while they fix it.

 

So what happens next is that you either go on with your current career and just accept that you will never be promoted because your great-uncle once was friends with someone who once met Trotsky's cleaner's niece, or start a new career.   

 

 

[Thomas_1945]

You have said previously that while flying for Luftwaffe you were given a full command of your JG in Dec 41'. How many flight hrs have you had at that stage of your combat campaign in Moscow. I just noticed that command goes to whoever has over 100 flight hrs. I got around 70 hrs. 

Edited August 21, 2018 by Thomas_1945

[9./JG52Gruber]

Thread necro to report I'm having the same issue as Thomas_1945. My pilot has been with II/KG53 starting as lowest rank with commander by appointment selected. Flying BoM campaign since the beginning it's almost New Years '42 and I'm now Major with Knights Cross and deputy commander of squadron but continue to get past over for command by Oberlt with a few hours flight time. When I am selected for a mission I always lead the flight. Goering is having a good laugh at my expense. ?

[Solmyr]

4 hours ago, 9./JG52Gruber said:

Thread necro to report I'm having the same issue as Thomas_1945. My pilot has been with II/KG53 starting as lowest rank with commander by appointment selected. Flying BoM campaign since the beginning it's almost New Years '42 and I'm now Major with Knights Cross and deputy commander of squadron but continue to get past over for command by Oberlt with a few hours flight time. When I am selected for a mission I always lead the flight. Goering is having a good laugh at my expense. ?

 

Did you ever say that Goering was a big fat guy ?

Or if there are diamonds on your knight cross, you'd had better to offer him to get them back to him, and replaced by low-cost diamonds.

Edited January 15, 2019 by Solmyr

[UFA_Bagel]

Seems I have run into similar problem. Was next by all means (rank, kills, sorties, hours) for the deputy commander but instead a pilot of the same rank but zero experience was transferred to take the position.

Edited July 5, 2020 by elegz

[Feathered_IV]

On 6/27/2018 at 2:41 AM, RedKestrel said:

I think some air forces had automatic promotions to a higher rank (at the low end of the spectrum) after a certain amount of time in theatre or combat time  

NCO Blenheim and Beaufort crewman who flew in the anti-shipping role in 1941 would get automatically commissioned after 10 or 11 sorties.  Newly arrived officer pilots could become Squadron Leaders in a fortnight and Squadron Leaders might find themselves becoming Wing Commanders in a month.  

[sevenless]

On 6/26/2018 at 12:02 AM, Thomas_1945 said:

Hi, everybody

 

Does anybody know how long it takes to become full class commander in your squadron? I have to admit I am a little bit tired of flying some of the ground attack missions while  others take on intercepting bombers or reconnaissance planes.

 

Thank you

Tom   

 

Major, 3x Hero of the Soviet Union

 

Took me almost 60 kills and rank of captain to finally take over the squadron. Depending on your performance that will be between 30 - 60 missions.

[UFA_Bagel]

It seems to me that AI pilots are assigned to the commander position based on the rank and the number of flight hours/sorties or total score of kills + successful sorties (one point for every kill and one point for every successfull sortie or so). Most of my commanders were not top scorers. May be the same for the player.

[PatrickAWlson]

4 hours ago, elegz said:

It seems to me that AI pilots are assigned to the commander position based on the rank and the number of flight hours/sorties or total score of kills + successful sorties (one point for every kill and one point for every successfull sortie or so). Most of my commanders were not top scorers. May be the same for the player.

 

It's pretty challenging because the top scorer was not necessarily made commander or promoted rapidly. I think in Allied services promotions for kills were more of a thing, less so in German units (Hartmann was a captain at wars end).  Sorties should definitely play a big part in promotions.

[UFA_Bagel]

29 minutes ago, PatrickAWlson said:

 

It's pretty challenging because the top scorer was not necessarily made commander or promoted rapidly. I think in Allied services promotions for kills were more of a thing, less so in German units (Hartmann was a captain at wars end).  Sorties should definitely play a big part in promotions.

 

I agree and the career mode likely models this but we don't know the exact formula. I also saw messages about the penalty for the friendly fire. I haven't noticed any negative effect so I assume it reduces some point score not shown in-game and this score is checked against some thresholds defined for each rank. So the player can both accelerate and slow down their promotion but it's just my guess. Interesting to know if there are other reasons for the penalty.

Edited July 6, 2020 by elegz

[I./JG52_Woutwocampe]

Is it normal that the commanding officer is not always the highest ranked guy?

 

I noticed that, when you come back from the hospital after being wounded, you wont be the leading officer for a while in the squadron even if you were prior to the injury and you are still the highest ranked officer in the squadron.

 

In BOM, I have an IL2 career, I became the leader I think in early Dec 1941, I was captain back then. I got promoted to major some days after, then I got injured, when I came back the leading officer was a captain. It took a couple of days before I got the lead of the squadron again.

[UFA_Bagel]

27 minutes ago, I./JG52_Woutwocampe said:

Is it normal that the commanding officer is not always the highest ranked guy?

 

I noticed that, when you come back from the hospital after being wounded, you wont be the leading officer for a while in the squadron even if you were prior to the injury and you are still the highest ranked officer in the squadron.

 

In BOM, I have an IL2 career, I became the leader I think in early Dec 1941, I was captain back then. I got promoted to major some days after, then I got injured, when I came back the leading officer was a captain. It took a couple of days before I got the lead of the squadron again.

 

I guess the only trigger to get promoted is the death, hospitalisation or transfer of the current commander. Taking your position back is just not programmed.

Edited July 6, 2020 by elegz

[I./JG52_Woutwocampe]

40 minutes ago, elegz said:

 

I guess the only trigger to get promoted is the death, hospitalisation or transfer of the current commander. Taking your position back is just not programmed.

 

Heh...so far I have resisted the temptation of shooting down the interim c.o. of my squadron to get back what belongs to me. Hahaha.

 

I have a few questions for the devs concerning rankings and all.

 

-Is there a hidden scoring system to get rewards and promotions? What determines when get promoted or when you'll get the golden swords and leaves? 

 

 

-Does it make a difference if you take your mission to the very end which means landing or going 'flight canceled' when you are on the right side of the frontline? If there's a scoring system behind the curtain I assume accomplishing secondary objectives must pay off?

 

 

-Whats the best of these two outcomes for your career : 

 

A. River crossing cover ACCOMPLISHED. No enemy planes destroyed, no one attacked but the bridge is safe.

 

B. River crossing attack FAILED. You shot down 3 enemy planes that intercepted you from making your ground attack but no enemy ground target has been destroyed.

 

 

 

Edited July 6, 2020 by I./JG52_Woutwocampe
Typos

[PatrickAWlson]

3 hours ago, I./JG52_Woutwocampe said:

Is it normal that the commanding officer is not always the highest ranked guy?

 

I noticed that, when you come back from the hospital after being wounded, you wont be the leading officer for a while in the squadron even if you were prior to the injury and you are still the highest ranked officer in the squadron.

 

In BOM, I have an IL2 career, I became the leader I think in early Dec 1941, I was captain back then. I got promoted to major some days after, then I got injured, when I came back the leading officer was a captain. It took a couple of days before I got the lead of the squadron again.

 

In German units the commanding officer would be the highest rank, but it was not true that the commander would be of a particular rank.  Not sure about Russians, but western allies were more persnickety about slotting somebody of the correct rank into the correct slot.  In German units, if an Oberleutnant was the unit commander there was no great rush to replace him with a Hauptmann or Major.  

 

Specific to your case, I would imagine that you would become commanding officer upon return.  If it took a couple of days - guess the paperwork took awhile  

[UFA_Bagel]

2 hours ago, I./JG52_Woutwocampe said:

 

Heh...so far I have resisted the temptation of shooting down the interim c.o. of my squadron to get back what belongs to me. Hahaha.

 

 

Solution by dkoor above (sql editor) can save your soul.)) Do not take this sin.))

[I./JG52_Woutwocampe]

2 hours ago, elegz said:

 

Solution by dkoor above (sql editor) can save your soul.)) Do not take this sin.))

 

Oh I have already used that, twice.

 

One time to save a broken career, yeah I had the broken Dora career that several people had when 12/31/1944 arrives. And another time to restore a dead pilot after I finished a mission where I died by mistake instead of clicking restart. But thats it. Oh and I wont shoot down a fellow pilot for ranking...

 

The only time I came close to shooting down a wingman is when that stupid AI did nothing for an entire mission except damage ME while I was trying to finish off a damaged enemy plane. In in between you idiot! 

Edited July 7, 2020 by I./JG52_Woutwocampe
Typos

[UFA_Bagel]

Just to extend the statistics we have here, it took 54 missions and a rank of just lieutenant to become the commander as the character was the next in the roster after both commander and deputy got KIA in a single mission and no one new was transferred to take this position.

 

Actually, I am still confused whether the unit we command is really a group/regiment or just a staffel/escadrille in that group/regiment. The roster size is more like the latter but it may be just a simplification. However, the German translation in the game for “commander” is “staffelkapitan”, if my memory serves me well?

Edited July 12, 2020 by elegz

[LukeFF]

2 hours ago, elegz said:

Actually, I am still confused whether the unit we command is really a group/regiment or just a staffel/escadrille in that group/regiment. The roster size is more like the latter but it may be just a simplification. However, the German translation in the game for “commander” is “staffelkapitan”, if my memory serves me well?

 

All of the unit sizes in career mode are to set represent a squadron/staffel/escadrila.