• Help cadets feel comfortable and become active members in the Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC).
• Guide cadets through the software upgrade process for their Napoleonic PC games.
• Verify cadets have learned how to zip, unzip, and email transfer files.
• Foster cadet comraderie with other club members that continues into the NWC at large.
• Inform and direct cadets to the activities and opportunities in the NWC.
• Offer assistance in improving cadets' basic game play.

 
The Ecole de Mars is organized into 4 brigades, 2 of which are devoted to training Cadets, and 2 of which are devoted to advanced training of NWC French Officers.  At any given time, several of the regiments in any brigade may be inactive.  Inactive brigades are those without an Instructor.  As Instructors become available, they are assigned to commands to fill out the Ecole. 

Blue and Red Brigades (Ecole de Mars) 
These two brigades consist of new cadets.  Each brigade consists of four training depot regiments.  The 1er and 2e Depot Regiments in each brigade are commanded by Permanent Instructors.  The 3e and 4e Depot Regiments in each brigade are commanded by Temporary Instructors. 
 
Gold and Silver Brigades (Ecole Supérieure de Mars) 
These two brigades consist of gradue students who are admitted from the NWC French Officer Corps.  The organization of these brigades is fluid and still in development.  Check back later for further refinements. 
 
 

 
Cadets hold rank of  Sous Lieutenant. (Upon graduation, a cadet is promoted to Lieutenant.)  As a Cadet you may not enter Pierre's tavern nor may you play a game against Allied Coalition opponents.  You may play field maneuver games against other Cadets from different training brigades than your own.  Upon graduation, you will be given the le Order Ecole medal and the password to Pierre's Tavern.  You man then seek out Allied Coalition opponents. 

Cadets are graduated when their Instructor says they are.  Typically this means at the end of a specified training scenario.  However, Instructors may end this game early if the Cadet shows he has all the skills needed to enter the club.  Cadets are awarded le Ordre Ecole medal upon graduation and 5 service points in the club.  The rank of newly graduated NWC officer is Lieutenant. 

 
Training Maneuvers 
Each cadet must play at least one turn of a short 4 to 5 turn duration scenario.  This game is played against the cadet's assigned instructor.  The Cadet always plays the French nationality while the Instructor always plays the applicable Allied Coalition nationality.  Each player, Cadet and Instructor, receive 5 points from this game regardless of victory outcome or duration of game.  Cadets who show extreme ability can be graduated the discretion of their Instructor. 

 
Field Maneuvers 
Each cadet is strongly encouraged, though not required, to play at least one meaty scenario against another cadet while in the Ecole.  Ask your Instructor what a "meaty" scenario is.  These games are scored as field maneuvers and are reported to the NWC like any manuever game against another French Officer.  (These games count on your permanent victory record and are scored as 1/2 club service point per complete turn played.)  This game provides a good way for your Ecole Instructor assist your game play during your time in the Ecole.  This game may extend past your graduation from the Ecole, but you are recommended to continue to ask your Instructor advice about this game until it is finished. 
 
Games versus Allied Coalition Opponents 
Cadets may not play against allied coalition opponents until they have graduated from the Ecole de Mars.

Cadet Participation 
The Mess Hall is an integral part of the Ecole de Mars.  Here, you converse with your fellow Cadets and Instructors.  Each Cadet is expected to place at least a few messages here while he is in training.  This is part of your training too.  You will find it very helpful to know others when in the club, particularly when you are first starting out.  You will meet these people, other cadets, in the Mess Hall.  Overcome your bashfulness and get in there!  Your Instructors will be watching.  Roll Call will be done in the mess hall.  A link to the mess hall is located in the Ecole HQ. 

Instructor Participation 
All Instructors are expected to regularly participate in the Mess Hall, too.  This is an Ecole requirement, not an option for Instructors.  You set an example for the cadets.

 
This award is only available to Cadets. The Honor Sabre is awarded to cadets who show at a minimum 

• High aptitude in Napoleonic gaming demonstrated during their training game.
• High level of involvement in the Ecole including being active in
  the Mess Hall and responding to roll calls .
• Reasonable file turn-around in their games against their Instructors and other Cadets.
• Require little if any coaching by their instructor to play their training game.
• Achieve close to a draw or better against their instructor during their training game.
• Show excellent gamesmanship.

Cadets being awarded this honor will have the image displayed alongside their medals.  An Instructor recommends to the Ecole Commandant that the Honor Sabre to be awarded to a Cadet.  The final say is by the Commadant.  Cadets showing the above traits and behaviors during their training are good candidates for this award.  This award comes with 2 service points in the club. 
   

 
Any questions about cheating or other unethical conduct involving Cadets, or Ecole Staff should be presented in writing by email to the Ecole Commandant.  The Commandant will show utmost confidentiality early in the process for the protection of both parties.  The Ecole Commadant will then move any relevant issues up the NWC ranks as appropriate.  See the NWC rules for more details on what cheating is and the penalties.