I think that John B makes some very good points. IF this forum is to be one only for the use and participation of professional meteorologists, then it would be good to say so up front and avoid the problem. I'd suspect that if that's the case, this will be a relatively small , relatively inactive forum, but that's fine if that is the intent.

If it's to be used by and for average people with an interest in severe weather, it would be useful to NOT run the forum like a military organization and tolerate some deviations from The Rules.

That having been said, Im grateful for the forum and use it often each season.

John