If you’ve gotten this far, you are considering becoming a member of our on-line family. We look forward to being able to say, in voice, “Welcome to the [OBC]!” [OBC] is more than just a gaming clan. Through our love of gaming, true friendships have been made. Seven years ago we started out playing Moh Spearhead and have added Airborne, Counter-Strike Source, BF2, COD and RPG games.

We have grown from a handful of founding members to over 550 active members in 17 countries. All the while attempting to maintain that small clan feel and fun. For any organization to be successful it must have both rules and guidelines so all members know what to expect of others and what is expected of them. It also must have leadership. Without strong leadership, any endeavor will fail or simply fade away.

The [OBC] is structured with a military ranking system. Each game has a Battalion Commander who oversees their Generals, who look after their Platoon Leaders, who run their squads. All of this is run by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 9 longtime members from Europe and North America. In addition, we have members that are MP’s to help admin/police the servers (see MP rules). Why so structured? For Respect and Stability. The Command Staff’s main goal is to protect, nurture and grow a fun, cheat free gaming environment that you can feel free to log-on to any game, at any time and be greeted by a friendly voice, a stable server and join in the fun. A little more on the structure. We expect that if you’re putting in an application your 25 or older; have or on your way out the door to get; a working microphone, speakers/headset, downloaded Ventrilo and Yahoo IM. Ventrilo and Yahoo Messenger are mandatory.

If you are on our servers you will be on Ventrilo. We also expect that you respect yourself and others. This will come in handy as we noted above, we run in a military structure and we respect both the rank and the person. We conduct ourselves in a manner online that reflects well on [OBC] both when on our servers and especially on other clan sites/forums.

You may encounter a higher ranking member suggesting you do or not do something while online (not talking about game play style here). We fully expect that you take that suggestion to heart. If you don’t understand, ask. But it’s not really a good idea around here to “blow off” a senior member.

We love suggestions and we also have been around together over six years and have a pretty good idea how we want things to go down. Lastly, as a new member, you will first be put in Boot Camp and assigned a DI (Drill Instructor). This is for your benefit. It allows you an immediate contact in the clan who will “show you the ropes” instead of just dropping you cold into a new group of people. Your new BC (Boot Camp) rank is temporary until you are assigned a Platoon. It also gives the other members a “heads up” that we have a new member and to make you feel welcome. That being said, now for the rules:

1. HAVE FUN – Let’s face it, that’s why we’re all here. You didn’t pay $50 for that game to be miserable playing it. And we haven’t spent all this time working on this community if we didn’t enjoy the hell out of it and each other. We all have fun when we respect each other and the public. Sure it can get intense in the heat of battle, but when the round ends, it’s nothing but “good game” and “nice shot”. The same goes for text messages the public. Only positive statements. “Hello, NS, GG,” do not bait or insult a public player in text, regardless of what they type. Let it go. Having fun on our servers does not include flame wars in text. If you have a public player that’s getting out of hand, get an Admin, MP or Senior Member. It’s not fun to have the public complaining in our forums about the conduct of one of our own behaving badly. Looks bad for all of us. But back to Rule Numero Ono – HAVE FUN!!!!

2. Donations- This entire clan is member supported. All donations go toward Servers, Websites, Domain Registrations etc. All members of [OBC] are volunteers. No donations pay for any “expenses” of the Command Staff. They all are collected and spent on clan services.While donations are not mandatory, it’s fairly obvious that nothing we do on-line is free. You have to pay for your game, computer and connection. We have to pay to provide you with a place to play, talk and post. Donations are collected through Pay Pal and a monthly statement is sent for review to the Command Staff. We are very cautious with your donations and transparent to the staff with the financials. Besides the good feeling that comes with contributing, we do offer, when the game permits, Private or Reserved Slot Passwords for Donating Members (Patrons). This allows you to enter a full server without having an Admin make room for you. We do track the support each game is generating and server decisions (expansion/contraction) are based on the members support. Those that are granted Admin access or Leadership roles are expected to support our servers. The recommended donation is $10 per month, but all donations are appreciated. Also we do provide for the tracking of multiple month donations. Your Private/Reserved Password will remain valid at the $10/month rate.

3. NO CHEATING – Firstly, we expect that you hate cheaters as much as we do. If you are caught cheating on any of our servers, not only will you be banned but your name and IP/CD Key will be passed around to other clans’ servers. Only approved mods downloaded from our site are allowed. Different games have different rules, so always ask your Platoon Leader first before using a mod. We will randomly demo and screenshot on all servers, both public players and members alike. Best way to not have a lot of “splanning to do Lucy” is to play fair, play clean. If you are flagged or caught in a game that uses Punkbuster, Punksbusted or VAC, expect to be removed from [OBC] immediately until the matter is cleared up. It will solely be the flagged member’s responsibility to clear this matter up. Once Punkbuster ,Punksbusted or VAC has removed the ban, you will be reinstated into [OBC]. Do not ever accuse an [OBC] member of cheating; you may end up being on the wrong side of that plank! If you think this is happening or have proof, contact your Platoon Leader. Command Staff, MP’s and Generals deal with these issues.

4. Keep swearing and complaining to a MINIMUM – Remember, we are an adult clan. Swearing is not uncontrollable. We do have a Junior’s platoon and even though we don’t allow anyone 17 and below in our voice channels, we just don’t feel that a constant barrage of profanity is fun to listen to while playing. If you are typing derogatory remarks, profanity, or generally trashing the public, you may be asked to leave our server by one of our MP’s or Senior Members. Repeated violations may result in your membership being reconsidered. We have made a special channel for those who have trouble holding their tongues. Use the "Drunks and Misfits" room, here you can do all the swearing you like. Rule 5 still applies in this channel and you are still responsible for your behavior. If you don't want to hear the harsh language, don't go there. Likewise, don’t enter this channel looking “catch” another member acting inappropriately. We will not look kindly on this and the action taken may well be the reverse of what you were expecting. This goes for complaining as well. If you want to constantly complain about every little thing that happens to you in game, DON’T press your talk key. Whine and complain all you want to your monitor. When you’ve gotten it out, rejoin the one’s trying to have fun in chat and get back to laughing with the rest of us. Repeated “bag ‘o reds” chat will land you in a channel all by yourself. Free to bark at the moon and relieving the rest of us. The ones having fun while we game. The private channels, Officers Club and General's Only are used for meetings. Please respect that and if you join don't get your feeling hurt if you are asked to leave. Command Staff, MP’s and Generals deal with these issues.

5. NO Racial/Political Slurs - First off, racism will NOT be tolerated here. It's that simple. We don't use the "N" word or any other derogatory phrase towards anyone person or that person’s country when on our servers (voice or text) or forums. You want Freedom of Speech? Write a letter to the editor. On our servers you will respect the members, their spouses and their countries. This goes in ALL channels and forums. We have many women in the clan. Remember this while online. We don’t expect a church social, but it’s not a dockside bar either. The occasional !@#$%^ during game play happens. Not acceptable is the “every other word” over “every situation” during a round. This will get you moved out of channel. If you are having trouble understanding the difference, an MP or Admin will be glad to help. Find yourself all alone in a separate channel? That’s the difference. One final note on having women in the clan. There are words and phrases that you just don’t say around women. Obviously, we won’t list them here. We expect you to already know them and to not use them in chat. This is regardless of the speech the women use or even if they say “they don’t mind”. We will always assume they don’t want to hear this language period. Also, this is a gaming server, not a political arena. Do not assume that everyone shares your finely honed political acumen. We are a worldwide clan with as wide of viewpoints. This becomes especially true during hotly contested campaigns. Leave your opinion at the door.Again, you want “Freedom of Speech”? Write a letter to the editor. Command Staff, MP’s, Generals and Officers deal with these issues.

6. No Degrading of OBC or other clans.- We don't care if we are the best clan on face of this earth (which we are), you are NOT to go around and bash other clans. This includes posting on other clans forums. You might think that “post war” you got into on a non-[OBC] forum is your business. If it ends up spilling over into our laps for one reason or another, we will error on the side of [OBC]’s reputation.Command Staff, MP’s, Generals and Officers deal with these issues.

7. Team Killing- NO Intentional Team killing, especially in retaliation for a public TK. Take it up with an MP or your Platoon leader.
Command Staff, MP’s, Generals and Officers deal with these issues.

8. Character/Loyalty-Members are expected to abide by Rule # 19 regarding OBC being the only Clan in which you are involved. If you are found to be collaborating with another clan against OBC in any way, you and said clan will be perma-banned from all OBC resources immediately and with extreme prejudice. Furthermore, any member found to be working against, talking negatively about, or sharing private forum materials with anyone outside of OBC, shall be deemed unworthy of wearing our tag and shall be immediately and permanently banished from all OBC resources.

9. No Hacking or Trashing - others on our server!! Do not insult the public on our servers. This includes answering in Text or on VIOP. Just let it go. Failure to follow this will not be tolerated. You’re on an [OBC] server. We don’t care what the “norm” for conduct is on other servers; don’t bring your “public” game in here. We screenshot, we have Admins, we have MP’s. Let the ones who can actually help the problem resolve it.

10. Clan Tag [OBC]- Always wear your clan tag. It is a source of pride for us to let you to wear it. If you are not wearing your tag you must tell the other members who you are and why your not wearing it.In some games, you might take a bracket [ off during an “[OBC] vs. all” to even the teams. During holidays we allow a “goofy” name tag as long as you enter your normal name, using the Comments tab in Ventrilo, so everyone can see who you are. Part of the fun is the play on words with a name; i.e. [OBC] Graham was [OBC] Gramma’s Cookies one year, and members kept asking “who are you?”. So tell them if asked. Inappropriate names are not appreciated, keep them in the spirit of the holiday. It’s not a contest to see who can come up with the crudest convolution of their name. You will be issued the [OBC] tag in Boot Camp by your DI. Please do not put the tag on until your DI tells you to. This will help us manage “posers”. If you change your [OBC] name and fail to tell anyone you may be considered a poser and be banned from the server.

11. Missing in Action- Any member who is MIA for a period of ONE month will be removed from their platoon and deposited in the MIA Roster. After another month you will be discharged from the clan. This includes keeping up with the website i.e.…News, Forums and posting at least once a month in your Platoons Forum. If you are going to be away for an extending period of time, tell your Platoon Leader, and post it in the forums. Only approved “In Service” additions will remain longer than 60 days. If you are placed MIA 3 times you will not be eligible to re apply for one year. Command Staff and Generals deal with these issues.

12. Promotions/Transfers- Transfers- Promotions shall be based on a combination of factors and not just time on the roster. How much you play on our servers, how much you post in the forums (not just spam and funny faces but true participation) and active participation in voice. If you do this you will be seen as a dedicated member and will be more likely to be promoted.

Example: you play 2 or 3 times a week you post 3 or 4 times a week and you are always on voice and not just a wall flower. If you don’t do this don’t expect a promotion. If you do this, you will be seen as a dedicated member and will be promoted up in rank. Don’t expect to get a new rank in any less time than 30 days (this does not mean it will happen it could be 60 days) between promotions. The more you do the more you’ll get noticed. As you move up in rank MORE will be expected of you. Example: helping your Platoon Leader with his duties, helping with matches, recruiting new members, helping new members in the forums and in the game. SHOW YOUR PLATOON LEADER HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO BE PROMOTED. This is for all ranks, and the higher you get the more extra work will be added to you. It is hard for you to be a high ranking member of the clan if you do not donate. In special cases you may get promoted from a Sgt to Platoon Leader. This is up to the Generals and Joint Chiefs of Staff. If you jump to a new game you may have to go to a lower rank in the new platoon. We do try to maintain rank structure between games, but the needs of the Company and Platoon will come first. To transfer from one game to another, you must be with us at least 6 months. Exceptions will be made when a new game is launched and new Battalions/Companies/Platoons are formed. Requests to Transfer are made to your Platoon Leader, who forwards it to his Company Commander and Battalion Commander. Then the two Battalion Commanders from both games approve the transfer and you are notified of your new platoon to report to. You will be required to stay with your new platoon for at least 6 months before requesting a new transfer. This is to allow the Platoon Leaders time to work with their squad and know that their roster will remain stable.Command Staff, Generals and Officers deal with these issues.

13. Complaints and Questions- Any complaints and questions should be made to your Platoon Leader first, then Company Commander. If this is an urgent problem, find an officer on line. (They will do their best to resolve the issue). Please do not go directly to Clan Leaders unless it can’t get resolved. Their work load is heavy enough as it is. Besides, they’re listening to all the complaints from the Generals. As much as possible, follow the chain of command. Command Staff, Generals and Officers deal with these issues.

14. Ventrilo- When on an [OBC] server, you must be logged into Ventrilo and use the "Push to Talk" mode. This is mandatory."Please go in the correct room in Ventrilo, don’t chit-chat in the same area that others are trying to play. Move it to another channel. " If your mic is temporarily not working (broken or in a situation that you can’t make noise) you must enter “no mic” in the comment field next to your name. You will be expected to fix a broken mic ASAP. Also considered as a broken mic is one that picks up too much “room noise” when keyed open. Get a headset to reduce the amount of extraneous noise being transmitted. You are expected to only maintain one Ventrilo Account. We will periodically sweep the accounts and delete duplicates and unknown accounts (one’s that don’t match our current roster). You will be assigned a personal login password in Boot Camp. Do not give this to anyone or allow anyone to log-in as you. Members may join the Junior channel of a specific game if they wish. If you are drunk, cursing or just being out of line, you must go to the "Drunks and Misfits" room. If a member asks you to go there, due to you being out of line, then you must do so. While in the “Drunks and Misfits” room, Rule 5 still applies.We expect that the language will be more “colorful” than in our regular Ventrilo channels, but you remain responsible for your behavior. A line exists between spouting expletives over game play and abusive language towards another member violating Rule 5. This is not an “anything goes” channel, this is solely for potty mouths and those that have had “one too many” (these often go together). For anything else we suggest you log off Ventrilo and our server before we do it for you. Due to the limited levels of Admin in Ventrilo, only Generals and above may create or delete channels. Just having the Admin feature to be able to move members from one channel to another ( DI’s, MP’s, PL’s, 2nd’s) or create/delete member accounts does not allow you the authority to create or delete channels. Green room/ Guest room The RPG Battalion Vent Channels, are the only channels in the OBC Ventrillo Server that allow for an Invited Guest to Join. RPG Games do not offer the same in Game Voice Options that FPS games offer, and this is why the The "RPG Battalion" Vent Channels are allowed to have Guests, while FPS Game channels are not. Invited Guests are only allowed to be logged into our Vent server for a 3 hour block, and then they will be automatically disconnected from our Vent server. Guest will need to re log into The RPG Battalion Vent Channels after a couple of hours, to prevent an untimely disconnect. The RPG Battalion Channels, are for all OBC Members to use, but only while playing RPG Games. When inviting a Guest to join The RPG Battalion Vent Channels, the OBC Member making the invite, is required to explain The OBC Rules to their Invited Guest. An Invited Guest is only allowed to be on our Ventrillo Server as long as the Member/Group that invited him/her are, and they are required to remain in the same channel as their Host's. Invited Guest's found in violation of OBC Rules 4, 5, 6, 14 and/or who are sitting alone in an RPG Channel, will be 1st warned and by further Violations Kicked/Banned. Invited Guest will be 18 years of age or older. The only RPG Battalions Channel that is set, so that no Guest are allowed to join it, is the 1 Drunk and Misfits Channel, that the RPG Battalion has. Command Staff, Generals, Officers and MP’s deal with these issues.

15. Yahoo IM- You are required as a member of [OBC] to maintain an active YIM account and to provide [OBC] with that account name. This is an important tool of communication within the clan. In addition, we use the Private Messages on our forums. Please make sure to check those as well.

16. Admins- On the [OBC] servers, the Admins/MP’s are always right. Please follow the instructions of the Admins/Mp’s. Failure to do so will result in the incident moving up the line to the Command Staff where it will be dealt with. Platoon Leaders/Admins/MP’s/DI's are expected to be Patrons of our servers.

17. Screenshots- All members will have screenshots taken randomly while on our servers. Depending on the game, you may be required to send all of them to an Admin for review or the Admin will pull them from the server. Depending on the game, these screenshots/demos are taken as specified by that game. If you are in a game that records demos you will remain in game until the demo is finished. If you leave as soon as the demo starts, you will be considered to be evading the check. A second evasion will be grounds for removal as we consider that our members are always cheat free and have nothing to hide. In Spearhead, you will need to open your PK3 files folder to full screen for the shots. To submit the shots, find them in your manta folder in a folder called screenshots. This process is fully explained in Boot Camp. As new games are supported and new processes are used to screen players, this rule is considered to cover those new processes and will not need to specify exactly the process. The spirit of this rule is to keep [OBC] cheat free and any methods of evading this process will be considered an admission of guilt.

18. Juniors- [OBC] members with children are welcome to have them join our Juniors Platoon. Juniors will remain on the roster only for the duration that their parents remain members in good standing. Only the children of our members can apply for Jr membership. Cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers, sisters if under the age of 25 will not be accepted it must be a members child. The only way an “under 25” public can join [OBC] is to Be sponsored by a member of the JCS. Sponsored members will not be eligible for any command staff positions nor will they be eligible for admin of any kind until the age of 25. Juniors will wear the tag [OBC]name Jr or [OBC]J name. One way or the other, they must be identifiable both in game and in Ventrilo. Juniors 17 and younger are required to join the game specific Junior Ventrilo Channel. No exceptions are to be made to this rule unless you are a member of a non-Junior Platoon (i.e. COD A1) Jr members are not required to be on ventrilo while in game. We welcome members to join the Juniors in their Ventrilo Channel if they want to be on comms with them in the same game. Juniors are permitted to text basic conversations (Hello, GG, NS) on the servers. They are not allowed to interject themselves in Admin issues, Clan inquires or above all, never will an [OBC] Jr initiate or respond to a public taunt. Our Juniors will not “pwn” anyone. Failure of a Junior member to follow any of the above may affect their parents standing as a member (remember it’s a shared IP). We will always attempt to speak to the parent first if we are having any issue with a Junior.

19. Other Clans- By joining the [OBC] we expect that this is your only clan and that you will conduct yourself in a proper, respectful way where ever you might play. While we cannot prevent you from joining another clan, we ask that if you do, know that your actions in that clan may reflect on your status in [OBC]. This has happened in the past, and it was not pretty. Any game we host is considered a conflict of clans and you will have to make a choice or we will make the choice for you. Any [OBC] member starting another clan (whether we host the game or not) will terminate their membership in [OBC], since you will have demonstrated a lack of loyalty to the [OBC]. If you rise in rank to the point you are trusted with some form of server/forum Admin, we will assume you are not a member of another clan. Likewise, being an Admin of another clan will be considered a conflict of clans. We suggest that if you join another clan, do so such that your allegiance to [OBC] is not known. At NO time will [OBC] resources be utilized, in any way, for any other clan...period.

20. Other Games- If you like a game that we don't currently host and you would like to try it out, feel free to get a server up and going. We will create a channel on Ventrilo and list the IP address on our Website. We have had in the past, a NASCAR server, a Spearhead Match Server, CSS Private Server and others that have been single member supported. We will expect to have Admin access and will help in any way we can. If it goes over big and enough members want the game, we will add a clan server to our collection and structure the clan as needed. Remember Spearhead was our roots but expansion is the key to [OBC]'s longevity.

21. Joint Chiefs of Staff- This is where the “buck stops”. All issues and decisions that cannot be handled by the previous 21 rules and remedies will land in the JCS meeting room. The 8 members will make the final decisions regarding all unresolved clan matters there. If you become one of these unresolved matters, you may be invited to join the meeting, or your Platoon Leader will be asked to represent you. No other guarantees of representation or redress are implied here.

All decisions of the JCS are final…that is, until they change their mind.