Software changes, which would facilitate as automated infraction and repercussion system as possible, would be the best. Where most of the work is done by forum users (reporting posts) and the software (doing a lot of the "clicking") with moderators just... moderating those user reports and sifting through them, before relaying them to the automated infraction/warning process.
Of course, that probably requires a new forum software. Which should not be something dismissed as unattainable but a true goal.
Another thing - just deleting offtopic posts isn't productive. If post has SOME value, but is merely in the wrong thread - then it should not be deleted but relocated. Again, automated software could help quite a bit there, to a point where a moderator could just click once "move to predetermined military/economy/politics discussion thread", leaving an automated message in the original thread that the post has been moved, with the link involved. Such forum software exists, it's a matter of money and willpower to make the switch. (that does not mean the poster should not get some warning/infraction as well)
Of course, that probably requires a new forum software. Which should not be something dismissed as unattainable but a true goal.
Another thing - just deleting offtopic posts isn't productive. If post has SOME value, but is merely in the wrong thread - then it should not be deleted but relocated. Again, automated software could help quite a bit there, to a point where a moderator could just click once "move to predetermined military/economy/politics discussion thread", leaving an automated message in the original thread that the post has been moved, with the link involved. Such forum software exists, it's a matter of money and willpower to make the switch. (that does not mean the poster should not get some warning/infraction as well)