HYDRA: Getting Active in the Community

Welcome to HYDRA Command!

My name is We Are Not the NSA, also known as Nohbdy, and I will be your guide to understanding the diverse culture that can be found in HYDRA Command. We are a raider region made up of individuals from all around the world, including players from the United States, Australia, The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany, Japan and many other nationalities. Our region is accepting of all individuals (to a degree) no matter their age, race, gender, nationality or ideology. Due to our highly diverse population our community is a melting pot of individuals, cultures, and ideas. In the following sections I will go into detail on HYDRA's organizational and communications structures.

Hydra is a military organization, and as such we designate our members using a ranking system. These ranks are awarded based upon several variables, including skill, activity, loyalty, longevity and merit. Here is a brief explanation of our ranking system (for a full explanation read this dispatch):

Non-Commission Ranks: These are the ranks that are the easiest to earn. Each member starts off as a Cadet, but upon being accepted into HYDRA's military they are promoted to the rank of Private. From there they are promoted to Private First Class, then Corporal. Promotions during this phase of a member's time in HYDRA are based mostly on activity as they have not yet learned enough for their abilities to be fully tested. The final Non-Commission rank is Sergeant. Sergeants are a class of raiders who are vetted and trained for future leadership positions.

Officer Ranks: HYDRA's officer ranks include Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, Colonels, and Brigadier Generals. They are the best that our region has to offer and serve more advanced roles in HYDRA's operations. Officers are given more independence and are tasked with leading the Non-Commissioned ranks into battle. Some officers hold specialized positions in Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Infiltrations, Occupations and Tagging.

High Command Ranks: HYDRA is governed by the High Command, which is made up of Major Generals, Generals, the Deputy Director and the Director. The positions of Deputy Director and Director are heads of state and are elected into office by the High Command every two months. Tasked with running the region, the High Command makes the strategic decisions that determine where and when the region will deploy its military might.

In this section I would like to discuss HYDRA's societal structure, via a concept of my own design based on the forms of communication that our region utilizes: The Three Rings of Community.

The Outer Ring: The outer ring of HYDRA's society is made up of individuals who communicate with other region members purely onsite. Whether it is on the regional message board, the NationStates forums or via telegram. This ring is primarily home to the class of raider known as the Piler, who moves to an occupied region and endorses the delegate. Pilers are one of the most important parts of HYDRA's military because they serve as our regional army. This ring is the least active in our community, and its members tend to not have as much contact with others as the members of the other rings.

The Middle Ring: This ring is composed of those who use HYDRA's regional forum to communicate with others. Except in exceptional cases, a forum account is required to make any progress within our military, as it is where promotions are awarded. This Ring is populated by both Pilers and the class of raider known as Infiltrators, who infiltrate regions and serve as the delegates in our occupations. This ring is characterized by an increase in the number of relationships a member has.

If you wish to make an account on our forum, it can be found here.

The Inner Ring: This ring is populated by those who participate in HYDRA's Skype chat and Discord Channel. We use Skype's instant messaging system as a chat room. To clarify, we do not use Skype's video messaging system. This ring is made up of pilers, infiltrators and the class of raiders known as Updaters, who are our offensive fighting force. Updaters move to a region directly prior to it updating, and endorse a point nation to make them the new delegate. This practice requires instant communication, which is why Skype is an essential tool in our abilities to raid. The inner ring differs from the other rings, as it is characterized by the formation of informal relationships, and is considered the friendliest area of the community.

If you are interested in joining our Skype chat, you should download Skype or create an account on Browser Skype. There is a list of Skype usernames on our forum, where you should post your username. Get in touch with a member of the High Council (Hint: my username is wearenotthensa), and we will add you after a non-invasive background check.