How to Give a Campaign Briefing

by Brian Ross

     "Players get a better sense of involvement if
     they all have an individual folder with briefing
     notes about the general strategic situation and
     their individual command."

     When Jeff Williams made that comment in his article in
the last issue of the Gauntlet what he did not do was give
very much in the way of suggestions on how to actually
provide all the information which a player requires in a
campaign.  Well, there is a way to do it and its the same
way in which the military themselves do it.  They make use
of a methodology based around the acronym (the military just
loves acronyms, doesn't it?) SMEAC.   SMEAC stands for:

     Situation
     Mission
     Execution
     Administration & Logistics
     Command & Signals

     Essentially it is a standardised way of conduction a
briefing or providing a set of orders so that the same
information is relayed to all commanders.  I'll outline a
little more fully the information which should be supplied
under each heading.

Situation:     The umpire should supply the "How" and the
"Why" of the campaign.  In other words the scenario.  Set
out for the players how the present situation has developed
and why it is necessary for the operation to take place.
It can be as detailed or as sketchy as the umpire desires.
However it should set the mood and help the players to
understand the mindset of the side they are playing on.  It
is here the umpire can be creative and make use of the
knowledge that he/she should have with regards to the
historical events that is being recreated.  He/she can also
let some of the language of the period/nationality seep in
(in otherwords if they use ritual/rhetorical language, then
use it to add just that little bit extra).
     Items which should also be mentioned at this point are
the identity (if known) of the enemy forces and their
commanders, their morale, their equipment and their
situation.  Also should be described the terrain, the
climate and any special features which should be noted by
the players.  In addition the umpire should also mention any
friendly forces not under the command of the player which
are also operating in the area.  In other words a general
intelligence report.

Mission:  It is at this point that the umpire states clearly
and precisely what the objectives are that the player must
achieve in order to gain a victory.

Execution:     Here the umpire can set out any restrictions
that he/she has placed on how the players are to achieve
their objective or he/she can simply declare instead: "At
the players' discretion."

Admin.& Log.:  At this point the umpire can set out the
forces that the players have under their command.   He/she
can also detail any alterations, additions or subtractions
to the ORBAT (ORder of BATtle) which has been provided to
the player, such as what units are in support, whether or
not the player has air cover and other things like that.
     In addition the umpire should talk about the quality,
quantity, type and location of the logistic support the
units are to rely upon.  This can include the quantities of
ammunition (if restrictions are to be placed on it), the
sources of food for the troops and so on.  The umpire can be
as detailed or as sketchy as he/she desires.

Command & Sigs.:    In this section the umpire should set
out any special methods and types of commands and signals
which the players will make use of.  He/she can also set out
any special command words with special significance that the
player should be aware of which might signal special events.

     If potential campaign umpires follow these simple rules
they cannot, in my opinion, go wrong with regards to what
constitutes an adequate briefing.  No player will lack the
information to make them able to complain (in a plaintive
voice), "but you never told me that!!!!"