Company Executive Officer Interview
- Nordic Milsim
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Name: Levent Palmqvist
Callsign: Sasha
Military background: Macedonian Armed Forces (war vet), Swedish Armed Forces Event: The Segezha Strike
Faction: RUSFOR
Position: Company HQ, RUSFOR/PMC Karpova
Role: Company XO
Nordic Milsim Staff positions "The Segezha Strike"
NATO
CO: JOHAN FORSBERG
XO: TBA
1ST SERGEANT: TBA
1ST PLATOON SERGEANT: TBA
2ND PLATOON SERGEANT: TBA
RUSFOR / PMC KARPOVA
CO: CAMERON STEVENS
XO: LEVENT PALMQVIST
1ST SERGEANT: TBA
1ST PLATOON SERGEANT: TBA
2ND PLATOON SERGEANT: JIMMY BODMAR
Introduction
You will serve as the Company Executive Officer (XO) during The Segezha Strike. As the second-in-command, you are responsible for turning the Company Commander’s intent into executable action, maintaining momentum, and ensuring that platoons, support elements, and cadres are synchronized throughout the operation.
This interview gives players insight into how the company functions behind the scenes, and how you help ensure smooth gameplay without breaking immersion.
Section 1 – About You
1. Callsign & background
What is your callsign, and how would you describe your background in milsim, leadership, or coordination roles?
My callsign is Sasha the Macedonian. I have been active in milsim since 2003, gaining experience across a wide range of events and organizational structures. My leadership role has developed gradually over the years, shaped by both successes and challenges in the field. I have repeatedly been recommended for leadership positions by fellow players, which I see as a strong sign of trust and shared experience rather than personal ambition.
2. Why XO?
What made you take on the role of Company XO at The Segezha Strike?
I was recommended for the role by both event management and experienced players. I accepted because the XO position allows me to contribute where I believe I am most effective supporting leadership, maintaining structure, and ensuring that plans are actually executable under field conditions.
3. Experience as second-in-command
Have you served as an XO or similar role before? What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about it?
The greatest challenge of serving as second-in-command is maintaining a clear view of the entire operational picture while managing constant change and friction. The most rewarding aspect is working alongside highly competent teammates who understand their roles and take initiative at the right moments. When everyone performs professionally, the XO role becomes less about control and more about coordination.
Section 2 – The XO Role in Practice
4. Your view of the XO role
How do you define the XO’s role in a Nordic Milsim company structure?
In a Nordic Milsim company, the Executive Officer acts as the keystone that keeps the unit functional, disciplined, and mission-capable. The XO ensures that intent, orders, logistics, and timing align, allowing the Company Commander to focus on leadership and decision-making rather than administrative friction.
5. Supporting the CO
How do you support the Company Commander without undermining their authority or intent?
My role is to translate the Company Commander’s vision into concrete operational plans and tasking orders. I support the CO by reinforcing their intent, never competing with it, and ensuring that decisions made at command level are realistically achievable on the ground.
6. From plan to execution
How do you help translate orders into clear tasks for platoon leaders and support elements?
I focus on ensuring that platoon leaders and support elements clearly understand not just what they are being asked to do, but why. When leaders understand the commander’s intent, they are better equipped to adapt when conditions change without needing constant direction.
7. Maintaining tempo
How do you keep the company moving when friction, delays, or unexpected developments occur?
Maintaining tempo requires constant reassessment and rapid reprioritization. When plans encounter friction, as they always do, the XO must adjust quickly, shift resources, and keep the company moving forward without allowing confusion or hesitation to take hold.
Section 3 – Coordination & Synchronization
8. Platoon-level coordination
How do you ensure both infantry platoons are aligned and working toward the same operational goal?
I focus on clearly communicating three key elements: what must be achieved, why it matters, and what success looks like. When these points are understood, platoons can operate independently while still contributing to the same overall objective.
9. Logistics and QRF
What is your role in coordinating logistics, resupply, and QRF assets during the event?
My responsibility is to anticipate shortages and support requirements before they become critical problems. Proactive logistics planning ensures that combat elements remain effective and that QRF assets are available when they are truly needed.
10. Recon integration
How do you use recon reports to adjust plans and support the CO’s decision-making?
I build and maintain a real-time mental map of the battlefield, continuously updating it with recon reports, unit status updates, and observed patterns. This allows me to provide the Company Commander with accurate context rather than isolated pieces of information.
Section 4 – Cadres & Player Experience
11. Working with cadres
How do you use the cadre network to maintain situational awareness and player well-being?
The cadre network provides continuous insight into platoon readiness, ammunition and battery consumption, movement tempo, enemy contact patterns, terrain challenges, and internal cohesion. This information allows leadership to address issues early and maintain a positive player experience.
12. Information flow
How do you ensure that critical information reaches the right people at the right time?
I filter and prioritize information before passing anything upward or outward. This prevents overload, ensures clarity, and allows decision-makers to focus on what actually matters.
13. Problem-solving in-game
When issues arise—confusion, fatigue, or breakdowns—how do you address them without disrupting immersion?
Issues are handled discreetly and professionally. I check in privately with affected players, escort them out of the field if necessary, help them reset, and reintegrate them smoothly once they are ready. The goal is always to solve problems quietly while preserving immersion for everyone involved.
Section 5 – Immersion, Realism & Flow
14. Invisible leadership
How do you balance effectiveness with staying invisible to the player experience?
The Company Commander delivers the vision, speeches, and major decisions. My role is to ensure those decisions are executable. By keeping the machinery running smoothly behind the scenes, the spotlight remains where it belongs, and immersion is preserved.
15. Chain of command
What do you expect from platoon leaders and players in terms of discipline and adherence to the command structure?
I expect leaders and players to keep me informed without overwhelming the system. At player level, this means staying with your squad, maintaining spacing, observing noise discipline, following movement orders, and using proper call signs and radio etiquette. Discipline enables freedom of action.
16. Managing consequences
How do you help ensure that in-game consequences feel meaningful rather than frustrating?
Players will accept almost any consequence if they feel respected, informed, empowered, and immersed. Clear communication and fair treatment turn setbacks into learning moments rather than sources of frustration.
Section 6 – Nordic Milsim & The Segezha Strike
17. Why Nordic Milsim works
What makes Nordic Milsim events different from other large-scale milsim games?
Nordic Milsim blends military authenticity with human-centered design, calm leadership, and a deep respect for immersion. It is not just a game, it is a shared narrative crafted with intention, structure, and care.
18. Scale and complexity
What should participants understand about running a company-level operation with up to 250 players?
Running a company of this size is a complex, multi-layered effort involving leadership, logistics, communication, and human factors. Player discipline and cooperation are what make the entire experience possible.
Section 7 – Message to the Company
19. To platoon leaders
What do you expect from your PLs to make the company function effectively?
I expect platoon leaders to understand and uphold the Company Commander’s intent at all times, and to lead with clarity, responsibility, and initiative.
20. To support and recon elements
What is your message to logistics, QRF, and recon players supporting the infantry?
You are the lifeline of the company. Every round fired, every battery drained, and every medic water emptied is made possible by your work. Without you, nothing else functions.
21. Final words
Any final thoughts before deployment at Rödjenäs Gård?
Look after each other. Fatigue, confusion, and frustration will appear, that is normal. Hydrate, check on your buddies, speak up early, and use tactical pauses to reset. A healthy platoon is an effective platoon.
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