Re: [SG2] APFCs in Stargrunt

<snip>

>> Would yours "turn off" if the "carrier" dies?  If they did, you
wouldn't be
>> able to use them as easily for identification of casualties.  If they
>> didn't, my commandos would be hacking off the heads of your
divisional
>> commander and staff to use as access keys to the mainframe...
>
>Well, I think you might have (as with radio today) alternate 
>frequencies and codes and just transmit a message like 
>"X-Ray Six Six to BattleGroup, Code Golan Three". This might 
>means something like shift to alternate frequency, due to 
>enemy having compromised your current IFF (or suspicion of same).
>
>The system has its benefits, but like most j'eune ecole technologies, 
>it doesn't replace solid operational planning and covering 
>contingencies in SOP like how to deal with these situations. And 
>there will be times you turn it off entirely (the DMC in Rick 
>Shelley's books track their enemy by their IFF blips and active 
>helmet sensors and comms, so you turn them off to sneak around - 
>handicapping you but your enemy moreso). 
>

The tactics of the DMC sprang to mind when I was reading John's post -
but
he was talking about implanted IFFs.  I'm sure we could eventually
figure
out a way to make these turn off, change frequencies, etc - though it
would
be problematic - but wouldn't that defeat the purpose?	The idea, it
seems
to me, is to make the IFF system "soldier-proof" so that your guys don't
get killed by mistake by your systems if they forget to turn it on. 
Also,
your soldiers would want to be able to turn it off, so they can do stuff
they're not supposed to without getting caught - 'tis the nature of
soldiers...  If they could be turned off, they will be - and some fool
will
forget to turn it on, and walk with his patrol into an IFFminefield.  He
dies, which is good for the gene pool 'cus he's stupid, but he kills his
patrol too.

Having said that, I think the idea of an IFF system is smart and makes a
lot of sense.  I'm not sure that I would want it implanted - I much
prefer
the DMC style, or maybe like a Star Trek communicator/transport locator
badge on your uniform.