My Cobra Flow Chart

[Nictus]

OK what started out as a list of "vipers" in my verse turned into a spreadsheet of "whos in charge of what" which lead me to the question...how exactly do all of these soldiers become vipers?

so for the past 2 days i've been reading filecards...every cobra filecard...including multiple versions looking for discrepancies...Using filecards and ONLY filecards as my basis for "fact" i built a flow chart...the purpose would be to have it in a cobra recruiting station so potential recruits could "map" out how to be a strato viper...or a para viper.

some liberties were taken when it came to the hierarchy...but that's only because i didn't agree with what was in the filecard (one example is the "swamp rat" character)

I'm posting this here for feedback...as i have a few other segments of cobra i need to workout (for instance how do you become a crimson guard...a nightstalker etc) but i think this covers nearly every occupation...i say nearly because i refuse to believe that i got every single one on the first try

So if any of you care to see how i believe someone becomes a Star Viper or a Decimator...take a look at the flowchart...offer your feedback and ask questions while i'm amassing funds for my diorama build this is pacifying the creativity in me.

UPDATE:
added Crimson Guard, Crimson Shadow Guard, Crimson Guard Immortal, street viper, nightwatch, and heavy water

UPDATED

added Python Patrol, consolidated Nightwatch, moved shock viper, moved ice viper, added cobra paratrooper.

[citizendan1st]

awesome chart...how much free time DO you have?lolol

[Jatta Pake]

This is way cool! Nice work!

[Nictus]

awesome chart...how much free time DO you have?lolol

it's slow at work :P

This is way cool! Nice work!

Thanks!

[MakWiesel]

I think this is good- what a hell of a work it must have been to put together. Hope I don't hurt your feelings when I tell you the real way Cobra assigns military occupational specialties....


new recruit walks in to ARBCO office in Peru..
"I wish to serve the snake"
ARBCO agent (Cobra Recruiterviper in disguise) looks at him..
"You look like a hard charger. What's your dog's name?"
"Huh? um.. Boxer"
"Good. What year Pinto do you drive?"
"How did you know I.... 1978"
"I see. When was the last time you swam 100 laps?"
"100 laps? I've never swam that far."
"Oh. Well what's your mom's sister's name?"
".......er........ Maria......"
"I see. 10 + 23 + 789+ 20 + 134... You're gonna be a swamp Viper "...

[Nictus]

I think this is good- what a hell of a work it must have been to put together. Hope I don't hurt your feelings when I tell you the real way Cobra assigns military occupational specialties....


new recruit walks in to ARBCO office in Peru..
"I wish to serve the snake"
ARBCO agent (Cobra Recruiterviper in disguise) looks at him..
"You look like a hard charger. What's your dog's name?"
"Huh? um.. Boxer"
"Good. What year Pinto do you drive?"
"How did you know I.... 1978"
"I see. When was the last time you swam 100 laps?"
"100 laps? I've never swam that far."
"Oh. Well what's your mom's sister's name?"
".......er........ Maria......"
"I see. 10 + 23 + 789+ 20 + 134... You're gonna be a swamp Viper "...


haha! that's hilarious...could easily be in a scene from the old cartoon.

and yeah i wish i could say it was a lot of hard work...but it was just a lot of clicking and reading...and then some "creative tweaking" so that it made sense in my head as far as the progression of specialization.

for instance a "cyber viper" does not belong where i put him...however it made more sense to me to have them be a badass televiper.

and to be a shadow viper you must have been both a cyber viper with techno viper training or vice versa (ninja too according to the shadow viper filecard...but that would have been one long ass connecting line)

[alexan2dros]

wow...

[Sgt Humpty]

This is extremely cool!

[Airmax]

Oh man, this is great! Love it. Nicely done.

....

[Ctrl_Z]

That chart is awesome! (.. honestly, never thought I'd say that)

[CV2.0]

I eat paste.

[rosales416]

awsome chart dude!

[MB Ferret]

Nice work - the organizational hirearchy discussion of GI Joe/Cobra is exactly what happens when those of us who watched the 80s cartoon started flowing in managment. I've had several conversations and this chart should be very helpful as a guide... niiiice!

[Nictus]

Nice work - the organizational hirearchy discussion of GI Joe/Cobra is exactly what happens when those of us who watched the 80s cartoon started flowing in managment. I've had several conversations and this chart should be very helpful as a guide... niiiice!

it's 95% based on filecard 5% based on my interpretation of figures/names/requirements i'm going to edit my post while those exceptions are still fresh in my mind

that being said i'm glad this will help in whatever conversations you have regarding the structure of cobra.

[Sailor_Joe]

I like the flow chart... Definitely something this universe needs. But I wouldn't put one as a blue shirt under a Viper. Blue shirt (Troopers) are in a class all their own. Vipers are more like Marines where every Marine is an infantryman. Blue shirts are more of your supportive roles.

[D00MTR0N]

very creative

[foxtrot27]

Its awsome; except you left the Crimson Guards out.

[Jatta Pake]

I wouldn't put one as a blue shirt under a Viper. ... Blue shirts are more of your supportive roles.

This is how they've always been in my Joe-verse. Although I always figured Vipers were simply geared up blue shirts. Cobra wouldn't waste money giving everyone a full combat outfit, only those grunts heading into a firefight.

[The Delta]

great job,but damn you now i want to do one,lol.seriously,great job.

[Nictus]

I like the flow chart... Definitely something this universe needs. But I wouldn't put one as a blue shirt under a Viper. Blue shirt (Troopers) are in a class all their own. Vipers are more like Marines where every Marine is an infantryman. Blue shirts are more of your supportive roles.

i can totally see your point SJ...however according to the filecards blueshirts are basic infantry...and while vipers are "bottom of the rung on the viper ladder" i guess i was confused as if vipers are at the bottom then blue shirts are below them?

so i rationalize it as the term "viper" is a qualification course similar to that of ranger school (me bias? never) Marines can go to Ranger School officers can go and so on...i guess i could never accept the fact that not everyone didn't start as a blueshirt...

"Viper Helmets are Earned not Issued"

[MAJOR BLOOD]

Ha! That's pretty nice. I gotta check this after work.

[Nictus]

Its awsome; except you left the Crimson Guards out.

yeah i'm still trying to figure out at what point someone can "volunteer" or be "volunteered" to be a crimson guard

or if they aren't pulled from the ranks at all and are recruited separately...which would make sense given their story

[Octane]

I commend you on your work. I'll share what I've done. You can take what you will from it.
Presently, I only collect 25th-ME stuff, but I'm pretty familiar with RAH stuff.
I can extrapolate pre-VIPers.

I figure your average guy off the street starts out as a blue shirt.
My 5 man squads have 1 Officer, 1 RPG trooper, 1 SAW Trooper, and 2 rifleman Troopers.
Mainly because my shelves only hold 5 deep, but if parts permitted, one of the rifleman or a 6th man would be a radioman Trooper.

Besides environment, any step up would be new equipment, whether it is weaponry or vehicle.

Your basic blue trooper could opt for:
wheeled vehicle mechanic (Cobra Flint appearance) then Stinger driver then Motor Viper then Techno Viper
Viper Glider pilot then Night Vulture then Air Devil,
H.I.S.S. Gunner, H.I.S.S. Gunner (Target blue H.I.S.S. driver trainee),
volunteer for the Python Patrol Project
or a new proficiency.
or...environmental
blue Officer grade squad leader

Your basic blue officer could opt for:
Stinger Commander
F.A.N.G. pilot then Heli-Viper then Gyro Viper,
H.I.S.S. Gunner (Target blue H.I.S.S. driver trainee), H.I.S.S. driver then Track Viper, then Nitro Viper, then W.O.R.M.s,
volunteer for the Python Patrol Project
or...environmental
or a new proficiency.

All pre-VIPer Officers with proper skills can transfer to environmental Officer.

I have a Nightwatch squad, whose officers are ranked higher than a blue. Nightwatch troopers are higher than a blue.

I have a jungle squad, whose officers are ranked higher than a blue. Jungle troopers are higher than a blue.

I have a desert squad, whose officers are ranked higher than a blue. Desert troopers are higher than a blue.

Desert Officers, Jungle Officers, and Nightwatch Officers are on equal footing. Same for equal special weapons troopers.

Any of those infantry Troopers could get VIPer traing to be a veteran equivalent, or regular VIPer,
and then wiuth more specialized training be promoted to (in alphabetical order):
Alley Viper, Flak Viper, Frag Viper, H.E.A.T. Viper, Incinerator, Range Viper, Rock Viper, SAW Viper, Tele-Viper, or a new proficiency.

Any Jungle trooper can get VIPer training to become a Jungle Viper.
Any Desert trooper can get VIPer training to become a Desert Scorpion.
Any Nightwatch trooper can get VIPer training to become a Night Viper.

I believe Cobra Air Trooper, is a HALO qualified officer, and an A.V.A.C. trainee.
I believe COBRA Trooper (v11) is a precursor to Frag Viper.
I believe COBRA Trooper (v12) is a precursor to Incinerator.
I believe COBRA Trooper (v13) is a precursor to Toxo Viper.
I believe Viper (v18) is a precursor to SAW Viper.

I see it along the lines with Zuludelta, if Cobra recruits veterans, those guys can almost skip to their new assignment. If a guy was a Ranger, Marine, Delta, or something, you're not gonna start him at the absolute bottom, are you?
VIPers being entry level for veterans "earning" their VIPer helmet, in that way.

I see Toxo-Vipers, Sludge Vipers and Swamp Vipers as demerit duty for regular VIPers.

While being a Desert Scorpion is a promotion for a desert trooper with VIPer training, it is also a demit post for VIPers.

Arctic H.I.S.S. drivers must complete HALO & Snow Serpent training.

Water troops, go a whole sideline route.
The average guy off the street, or former blue trooper, starts as a Swamp Viper (Water Moccasin crew, half land/half water training, shallow water boat skills), to Eel, and up.

If a guy was a Navy S.E.A.L. based on experience or clearance, he will start as the basic red diver.

Next step on path 1 goes to Eel, to Lamprey, to Sub Viper, to Aqua Viper Officer.
Next step on path 2 goes to Eel, to Sea Slug, Decimator, to Secto Viper.
Next step on path 3 goes to Eel, to Para-Viper, to Snow Serpent, Snow Serpent Officer, to Ice Viper.

I'll do the air and space force when I have more time.

[Shimaneboy]

That's amazing!

[CVdelgado]

wow.

[SPLINTER CELL]

Can I get a copy of this? What program did you use? I would like to use this to organize my Cobra troops- I am thinking of using a number system for each 'troop' class. I also want to do this to number all of the Cobra vehicles. I will do something similar with the JOES and their vehicles. Nice job on the chart!!

[CrimsonGuard101]

So when does this go into effect and where can you sign up? Sounds like there could be good medical benefits and 401K potential with this company...at a minimum a good investment opportunity to grow ones portfolio

[Nictus]

@Octane

i can agree with most of what you've said...and in my own toyverse some of it applies. Recruited veterans for me have to go through "basic training" and get their blue shirt...they have to learn the "cobra way" which although could be learned along the way...however i think it's better that everyone be standardized so that expectations are made clear early on...in my world viper training is like ranger school...not everyone goes...because not everyone has to.

a cobra officer (grey mask) doesn't have to be viper qualified...so any soldier who becomes viper qualified will then go back to their unit specialized and ready to further advance in training...anyone who is viper qualified and transfers to the vipers would be akin to a ranger who transfers to a ranger battalion.

I'm adding Crimson Guard/Shadow Guard/Immortals and this should make for some interesting talk...as it's based on the filecards the question i am attempting to answer is "are crimson guards chosen from the vipers?"

[Octane]

I deliberately left Crimson Guards out, because I didn't know exactly how to handle them.

Some could come up through the ranks, but more possibly:

I was thinking, maybe chosen from Ivy League ROTC programs?

BTW, I neglected to meantion the H.I.S.S. Commanders and Rip-It.

H.I.S.S. Commanders are in charge of each 3 tank unit and Rip-It is just an individual one with a code name.

[Nictus]

Updating now

[hahoo3]

Nice work!

[Nictus]

updated attachment :)

[Stormgard]

Wow, this is stunnning.

I had envisioned something for myself based partly on the filecards, partly on the comics, and a lot on my own creativity/common sense, but I don't think my version will have all the existing troop types in it.

[sgcaper]

I love this. My Cobra doesn't have this many occupations but if it did I'd pretty much follow this.

[Nictus]

updated:

also are there any other sub teams besides python patrol and night watch?

not the mercenary units like the red ninja and night creepers or the coil for that matter, i don't think there are...but then again i'm also not sure

further help and insight with this project would be awesome

[Quartermaine]

Rather than offend anyone who may have tendencies to feel more comfortable with a charted organizational structure for his or her toys, I will say that I have "toyed" with this for years...

It has been the point of discussion on slow nights in the Navy, between me and my quarterdeck crew.

It has been the example used in workshops I have facilitated to show top-down leadership vs. matrix leadership structures.

Its something I also did when things were slow at work.

I have to agree that Vipers must be the entry point for blue shirts to move into specialties. But any attempt to organize the chaos that is Cobra is futile, but valiant.

Has anyone thought about the structure within the CGs? They have silver front shirts, some have gold masks... I am chalking it up to regional command centers, each having a version of the original uniform. I also organized my CGs by Cadre, not platoon.

[Nictus]

hahahhaa

i've only delved into how one gets to be a CG...as for the variations in uniform...

for me the colors are indicative of either
specialty...or rank...not sure, may find a way of making it "both" so i don't have to decide

immortals are the only actual difference from standard CGs

well that and crimson vipers...i like the idea of them having their own "enlisted" group

i mean since all CGs are at least O1 or greater...they need a group of "elite bitches" so they can feel even more superior.

Yeah i know CGs aren't usually in a "garrison environment" but that's gonna change if i can ever finish my dio...("Hangar Six Whiskey" no i didn't forget...my life just keeps getting in the way)

[ergozoom]

This is really impressive. Great work. Was this done with Excel?

One minor recommendation: Adding a "node" where two lines are connected (instead of jumping over each other) might make a couple points clearer. E.g., I think the line going from Cobra Trooper to Cobra Officer is connected, so I added a little blob where those two lines seem to intersect.

I really like what you've done. Cool stuff.

[Grepdogg]

Pretty cool man, reminds me of the flow charts of squadrons when I was in the service. Great job!

[BL4CK5H33P]

Where would Firefly or Firefly "squads" fit in w/ this & I have a concept Viper custom that I am postin' soon - concept bein' that these are T.A.C. Vipers (Tactical Assault Commando) - I know there are already Commando Vipers, but my verse has these guys attached to 3-4 man Firefly units as a supportive 6 man "fire team"...???

[Nictus]

This is really impressive. Great work. Was this done with Excel?

One minor recommendation: Adding a "node" where two lines are connected (instead of jumping over each other) might make a couple points clearer. E.g., I think the line going from Cobra Trooper to Cobra Officer is connected, so I added a little blob where those two lines seem to intersect.

I really like what you've done. Cool stuff.



thanks this is forever labeled a "work in progress" and this is done using google docs equivalent of visio (i like visio better but this is cloud based so i can edit it from...well everywhere)

[Nictus]

Where would Firefly or Firefly "squads" fit in w/ this & I have a concept Viper custom that I am postin' soon - concept bein' that these are T.A.C. Vipers (Tactical Assault Commando) - I know there are already Commando Vipers, but my verse has these guys attached to 3-4 man Firefly units as a supportive 6 man "fire team"...???



just basing off of what you've said...and only what you've said. I would say that a TAC Viper is more than just a "squad gunner" for a group of "Demo Vipers" (my "working name" for PoC firefly figures)

though being able to fill that roll...would mean they were at least "saw viper" qualified

the word "tactical" evokes the word "planning" (at least to me) which could mean a background from the "tele viper" sect...though in my verse Elite vipers have extensive training in combat tactics...so adopting that interpretation would mean that your TAC vipers could come before or after Elite vipers...

though if they come before then that leaves it open for you to have the option of an "elite TAC Viper...or TAC Viper Elite"

I would say it would be beneficial to really flesh out the roll they play.

in how you've described it, they're providing cover with the "big gun" though as you've typed it i can see that your team would consist of

3 fireflys
3 TAC Vipers

those three being something like

1 medic/support fire
1 squad gunner/indirect fire
1 communications/planning/support fire


Yeah...i just remembered these are toys...little toys made of plastic...the decisions made will have zero impact on anyone's life/health



However looking at it from another way...i would say they're specialized alley vipers, the specialization being they're comfortable in any setting not just urban...but that's a range viper...oh now that's an idea...a range viper transitions to TAC Viper...

wow...thinking while typing leads to long posts, but i do find that idea intriguing...range vipers learn tactics (read the file card...all iterations...they consistently read as badass badasses)

hope all that helps, if you need more research on these fictitious combat classes let me know...i've got all kinds of knowledge in my ass i can pull from...retiring from the military gives you that if nothing else

and thanks to all for the comments and critiques

[BL4CK5H33P]

This helps a lot... after readin' ur reply & given the overall look of my custom T.A.C. Viper - I imagine that they would have X-trainin' as Alley Vipers & Range Vipers w/ some demolitions thrown in the mix...?

Am uploadin' pics 2 botophucket now - will have post on finished customs thread quick like a bunny!