Part 3: Philosophy of Participation - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)

FM/G169 - Part 3: Philosophy of Participation

Policy

FM/BP-853 - Principle 10: Flexible, Not Fragile

Policy

Rigid schedules and inflexible commitments are often barriers to participation and sustained engagement in Milsim communities. Therefore, FM/G169 - Part 3: Philosophy of Participation is designed to empower members to participate fully while respecting their real-world obligations.

Purpose: This philosophy articulates UNITAF's commitment to maintaining a highly structured yet flexible environment. It explains why flexibility is essential to UNITAF's ethos, how it benefits members, and how it enhances the overall strength of the unit. It empowers members, maximises engagement and allows us to offer a high-quality experience that is both immersive but also sustainably integrated into the lives of members.

We believe that this approach is a key differentiator for UNITAF, attracting and retaining dedicated members. Flexibility therefore should not be a weakness - it is a core strength and a deliberate choice that should underpin our long-term success.

Policy

FM/BP-854 - Principle 11: Flexible schedule and personal autonomy

Policy

UNITAF operates on a flexible schedule and members choose deployments that fit their individual availability. We believe that participation should be driven by genuine enthusiasm and personal capacity, not by obligations that feel burdensome. This autonomy allows members to integrate UNITAF into their lives on their own terms, maximising their ability to participate consistently and with commitment when they are able. We trust our members to manage their engagement responsibly.

Policy

FM/BP-855 - Principle 12: Minimum engagement with maximum flexibility

Policy

To maintain unit cohesion and activity we have a minimum activity requirement for all active members. This low bar aims to ensure a baseline level of engagement across the unit, while remaining exceptionally flexible and accommodating to varying member schedules. This balance is key, enough structure for unit activity, but abundant flexibility for individual members.

Activity Requirements are codified in: FM/G49 - Activity, Discharge & Participation

Policy

FM/BP-856 - Principle 13: No fixed roles, no fixed teams

Policy

UNITAF deliberately employs a non-fixed ORBAT for all deployments, abstaining from traditional predetermined teams and static roles. Members are empowered to select different roles and teams for each deployment, leading to increased interaction across the unit and building stronger bonds by encouraging mixing with a wide range of individuals. This approach prevents cliques and isolation and the dynamic structure ensures each deployment is a fresh, engaging experience, combating routine and preventing burnout by allowing members to avoid being locked into specific roles. Ultimately, experiencing diverse roles cultivates a broader skill set and a deeper understanding of combined arms warfare among all members.

Policy

FM/BP-884 - Principle 14: Prioritising experienced members

Policy

As part of our approach to participation, UNITAF prioritises the inclusion of experienced members first in key deployment roles to maximise mission success, aligning with FM/BP-856 - Principle 13: No fixed roles, no fixed teams. FM/G177 - Part 6: Philosophy of Training helps us recognise this experience.

Crucially, this prioritisation is balanced with our commitment to fairness and the progression of all members.Therefore we also ensure ample opportunity for less experienced members to learn and grow through training, mentorship and deployment opportunities.

Ultimately, we aim to ensure UNITAF's operational success while also being a supportive community where all members can develop and progress to contribute meaningfully over time.

Policy

FM/BP-857 - Principle 15: Systems supporting structured flexibility

Policy

We design our systems to support this flexibility. We aim to provide a clear, user-friendly process for signing up for deployments, choosing roles, and accessing mission information in advance. This transparency enables members to make informed decisions about their participation in unit deployments and plan accordingly. This approach ensures efficiency and coordination despite the fluid nature of member availability.