Academy folks that have not been in the game long, hell from the very start of the game, need clear progression points until your in the clear so to speak and have a decent amount of sp and battles under your belt.

Have some basic classes to look at visually and then have the game prompt you to skill towards (For instance a brawler type "Assault" visual image might suggest speccing into damage mods and core shield / armour skills where as an advanced medic type might suggest equipment and hit point extenders like shield extenders and armour plates.
Maybe a testing area for the weapon types and ranges, a firing range would be ideal.

Also academy should be just like the original game modes, yes you can tweak the clone count but dont make it too small.

Some basic voice overs and visual guides would do the trick to inform the new players about things like null cannon objectives, what supply depots and CRU`s do etc...

lame, but if done properly wouldnt "athena" be able to be used for more than just that localized first time speaking


I.E when using google translate, you can have it read short sentences back to you in any language, or how some old computers used to have a text to speech function

edit- I see and you know IWS, it becomes difficult to have conversations or debates with you as a lot of the time you edit your previous post instead of posting a new one