This page is required reading for those Cadets who have been sponsored to join Clan Diamond Shark, those who are seeking sponsorship to join, and current CDS members wishing to sponsor a Cadet. Below are the procedures that must be followed for a Cadet to join the ranks of CDS.

Recruitment Procedures

Warriors who wish to join the ranks of CDS must first find a current CDS member eligible and willing to sponsor them.  Those who have no contacts from within the CDS ranks may submit a request to the Diamond Keshik, and they will be contacted by a recruiting officer to arrange a meeting time.  CDS Warriors are also encouraged to actively recruit players encountered online, perhaps in game lobbies specifically hosted for recruitment purposes. 

The Sponsor will first engage the new recruit in the simulator to judge if the recruit is a good candidate for the Cadet Program.  Note that the Sponsor should not only judge the piloting skill of the new recruit, but attitude and sportsmanship as well.

If the Sponsor extends an invitation to the recruit to join the Cadet Program, the Sponsor must then verify a valid ISP email address for the recruit through correspondence.  Note that temporary email addresses (i.e. Hotmail) are not valid ISP email addresses, but may be used later for CDS mail bot correspondence.  The recruit should then supply to the Keshik the requested contact information for inclusion in the roster.  The Sponsor may then publicly introduce the new Cadet to the general CDS membership, signaling the beginning of the Cadet's time in the Cadet Program.  Note that Cadets are added to the CDS mail bot distribution list only after passing their Trial of Entrance (ToE).  The Sponsor must forward any important announcements to the Cadet.

The Sponsor will then instruct the Cadet on obtaining access to the CDS web site.  To do so, a Cadet should notify the saKhan of a desired login name and password and await confirmation.  The Cadet will then have access to the files archive which includes all required programs for league play.  The Sponsor will assist the Cadet in downloading, installing, and testing the functionality of all utilities, such as TeamSpeak software.  Note that the above registration and installation process should begin immediately after acceptance into the Cadet Program so that the Cadet can start participating in team events.

A Cadet should use the first two weeks in the Cadet Program to learn about CDS, meet its members, memorize the command hierarchy above him, and train with their Sponsor for the upcoming Trial of Entrance.  The following links are required reading by all Cadets, and the Sponsor should verify the Cadet's retention of this information in order to pass the verbal portion of the Trial of Entrance:

The Sponsor should explain to the Cadet the typical process of a league battle in its entirety: battle announcements, gathering times and places, drop assignments, in-game protocol, and results reporting.  Star-level combat tactics should also be taught and practiced, i.e. the roles typical of various mech chassis and weapon selections appropriate for each. 

After the initial two-week training period, the Cadet may then make an attempt at successfully passing a Trial of Entrance.  The Sponsor is responsible for arranging the ToE when he feels that the Cadet is ready.  

A Cadet that successfully completes the Trial of Entrance will earn the rank of MechWarrior Point 1, 2, or 3, depending on the outcome of the Trial.  The new MechWarrior will be added to the roster and will have all the privileges of an active CDS member.

Note that those in the Cadet Program are allowed to participate in league engagements, provided no active Warriors are available to drop.  Cadets are encouraged to attend battles during their training period to witness pre- and post-battle reporting protocol via mIRC.

A Letter to the Cadet

From the required reading, you will get a real sense of who we are and what we stand for.  Know that Clan Diamond Shark is a group of dedicated Warriors bent on having a lot of fun and enjoying the freedom allowed by being able to role play a bit.  We take our command structure very seriously and it is unadvisable to circumvent it.

Over time, you will become familiar with all of the MechWarriors of CDS, but it is imperative that you get to know about the members of the Diamond Keshik as well.  This is not to say that you must get to know them directly, but rather, learn about their positions, responsibilities, and standing within the Clan.

Learn and know the Honor Code and the sanctions that result from breaching the Code.  Learn how to respect those who are senior to you and you will receive their respect in return.

Where do you learn all that is required of you?  You can get the theory from the pages listed above but it is your Sponsor who will teach you how to put that theory into practice.  Although it is your Sponsor's responsibility to train you, you are encouraged to try your skills on, and ask your questions of, any member of CDS from MechWarrior to Khan in order to expand your knowledge.  You are part of a bigger organization now and each and every CDS member will do whatever it takes to see that you are successful in your bid to become a full member.

Clan Diamond Shark demands a lot of its Cadets, and, when they perform to the level expected of them, they are welcomed into the best Clan on the net.  Much is also expected from the member who has sponsored you.  If, for any reason, you feel that you are not receiving adequate training or assistance from your Sponsor, you are to report it immediately to the Keshik.