The Gryphon's Beak
February, 2020Flag Sends
I want to take a moment to thank everyone in the fleet for being part of TRMN. I have said before that the chapter is the driving force of the Fleet, but the individual members are the driving force of the chapter. Each and every one of you matters, and without you, there is no chapter, echelon, fleet, or RMN.
I sat in on a chapter command meeting over Discord towards the end of January, and I was very impressed. In the course of the meeting, a member was discussed (all positive), and that member has some personal struggles The CO made sure others had been ‘read in’ on these things. That kind of care to protect the member’s privacy is impressive.
It’s simple; if the membership, everyone reading this, doesn’t feel comfortable, then we as leaders failed. I found some inspiration in this from the Grammy awards. When Billie Eilish accepted her Best New Artist award, she thanked the fans – saying that without them, there is no music industry, no awards, and no professional musicians.
I want to be sure we all remember that without the members, there is no fleet. We do a good job here in keeping the members first, and for that, I thank you all.
Comings & Goings
Home Office Directive: 002-20
Congratulations to Lady Dame Christina NEITZ, Countess Westmarch KCGL on her appointment to Her Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council of the Star Empire of Manticore!
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BuShips Directive 2001-03
Congratulations to PO1 Noah SPICER on his appointment to the position of Bosun, HMS Merlin. Congratulations also on your brevet to Chief Petty Officer!
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BuShips Directive 2001-05
Congratulations to LCDR Ross PROSSER on his appointment to the position of XO, HMS Imperatrix! Congratulations also on your brevet to Commander!
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BuShips Directive 2001-06
Effective 4 January, 2020, HMS Roland stands down from all present assignments or missions, and is decommissioned. Thank you to all the officers and crew for your service on Roland.
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BuShips Directive 2001-08
Effective 9 January, 2020, Spacer 1st Class Samuel DIETZMAN is appointed Commanding Officer, HMS Demon, and brevetted to the rank of Captain JG. Fleet sends congratulations, and a thank you to departing CO Captain JG Justin Dupras.
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BuShips Directive 2001-10
As of 9 January 2020, HMS Gryphon (SD-153) is hereby designated as the flagship of Second Fleet. Gryphon is further directed to fly RADM Strayer’s pennant upon her hull, which should be embellished with three red stripes as befits the level of your command within the Royal Manticoran Navy.
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BuShips Directive 2001-12
Effective 17 January, 2020, HMS Unicorn stands down from all present assignments or missions, and is decommissioned. Thank you to all the officers and crew for your service on Unicorn.
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Naval Directive 20JA-04
Directive 20JA-04.01: Due to the lack of minimum member vessels, Battle Squadron (BatRon) 1 is deactivated. This squadron number will become available for reactivation should the minimum be met in the future.
Directive 20JA-04.02: The former member vessels of BatRon 1, HMS Valkyrie (SD-355), HMS Invincible (SD-455), and HMS Imperatrix (SD-457), are hereby attached to Task Group 21.1.
Directive 20JA-04.03: CAPTSG Miyake-Jima, you are directed and required to assume the vacant command of Task Group 21.1, reporting to RADM Sir Wayne Bruns, GCE, RMN, The Right Honorable The Baron Grosvenor, commanding Task Force 21. Fail not in this duty at your peril.
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Second Fleet Order 2001-B
Congratulations to Captain JG Paladin MEYER on his appointment as CO, DesRon265, and brevet to Captain SG! Congratulations also to Lt Commander Ziggi THOMPSON on her appointment as DCO, DesRon 265, and brevet to Commander!
Thank you to departing CO Captain SG Danielle ERIKSON for her work in building the DesRon, and training up the COs so they are ready to move up in the Fleet. Fleet wishes you the best of success in the future!
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Second Fleet Order 2001-C
Congratulations to Captain JG Justin DUPRAS on his appointment as Commanding Officer, Task Force 22, and brevet to Commodore!
I want to also thank outgoing CO Commodore Sherman DAY for all his amazing work building the TF from the ground up, and his efforts to build new chapters in the Task Force area. I have said it before, there is no TF22 without CDRE Day. Fleet wishes you the best of success in the future!
February Reports
This is a reminder that your Chapter and MarDet reports are due between February 1st and February 10th. One thing I found amazingly helpful when filling them out was to use an online document (Google Docs, Word Online) to keep things organized as they happened. Then, when the reporting month hit, I could just copy and paste them into the reports form, and be done. No trying to remember what happened two months ago at the last minute!
Marines – you now have a new online form to fill out for Bi-Monthly reports. The link is below. It will send the reports to your command triad, your Ship’s CO and to ComForceCom. Please use this form to send in your report that is due on June 5th.
There is only one stipulation with the form at this time. Please do not use autofill. Autofill does not work properly and that information is deleted in the report. You can copy and paste information into the report but forgo the autofill function.
https://buships.trmnbureaus.info/rmmc/
Fleet Staff Needed
We are going to be reposting this in the new year, and will have a lot more information, and postions.
Stay tuned!
Blood Drive Flyers!
BuComm-Approved blood drive flyers are available!
Each poster is available in 11 x 17 as a form-fillable PDF. Just enter your specific details, and your customized Blood Drive flyer is ready to go!
I want to thank SMAJ Brad Handley, MARDET Ajax, for spearheading the project, coming up with the idea and providing excellent suggestions on changes to the design. There is a ready-to-use version linked below:
Upcoming Events
Wheeling, IL February 13 – 16, 2020
Columbus, OH August 20 – 23, 2020
Minneapolis, MN August 20 – 23, 2020
Lombard, IL November 13 – 15, 2020
Fleet events listed in bold. Admiralty in bold-italic.
Have your ship, echelon, or fleet upcoming events promoted here!
We just need the event name and date sent to co@gryphonfleet.org! We want to promote you!
Posters like this are available (TF-levels are pre-approved!), as are Gryphon & Planet posters, and more! Send over a request and email, and your posters will be emailed (or cloud-drive links will be) straight away!
Marksmanship Update
No awards were issued this month.
January Honors – Awards
Most Distinguished Order Of Merit
FKpt David WESTOVER, IAN HMS Beowulf
Knight Commander, Order of King Roger
CAPTSG Jill MCTAVISH, RMN HMS Valkyrie
Knight Companion, Order of The Golden Lion
RADM Wayne BRUNS, RMN HMS Invincible
Manticore Cross
CDRE Sherman DAY, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTSG Danielle ERIKSON, RMN HMS Javelin
Osterman Cross
SMCPO Megan KRICK, RMN HMS Musashi
Knight, Order of Queen Elizabeth
CDR Richard SAMS, RMN HMS Merlin
Companion, Order of King Roger
CDRE Dora Ann ERIKSON, RMN HMS Javelin
CAPTSG Danielle ERIKSON, RMN HMS Javelin
Saganami Cross
CDRE Dora Ann ERIKSON, RMN HMS Javelin
CAPTSG Jill MCTAVISH, RMN HMS Valkyrie
CDRE Justin GRAYS, GSN HMS Valkyrie
RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon
Distinguished Gallantry Cross
MSGT Jessica GAZDIK, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
Officer, Order of Queen Elizabeth
COL Bryar NELSON, RMMC MARDET Invincible
Order of Gallantry
CAPTJG Justin F. DUPRAS, RMN HMS Demon
Navy Star
CPO Elizabeth ERICKSON, RMN HMS Invincible
Member, Order of King Roger
SMCPO Jacia BRUNS, RMN HMS Imperatrix
Member, Order of the Golden Lion
SAdmin Karen BERGER, CIVIL HMS Valkyrie
Member, Order of Queen Elizabeth
PO1 Patrick GIESE, RMN HMS Invincible
LTSG John CHAMBERS, RMN HMLAC Banturon
Gryphon Star
ConsStaff Dominic DOODY, CIVIL HMS Invincible
Wound Stripe
CPO Christina R DOANE, RMN HMS Beowulf
SGTMAJ Brad HANDLEY, RMMC MARDET Ajax
CDR Jeff Alan SMITH, RMN HMS Samurai
LTCDR Stephen P MILLER, RMN HMS Samurai
Medal, Order of King Roger
LTCDR Thomas ERIKSON, RMN HMS Javelin
Conspicuous Service Medal
CAPTSG Jill MCTAVISH, RMN HMS Valkyrie
Havenite War Campaign Medal
RustyCon 2019
SMCPO Bill LOCHEN, RMN HMS Invincible
Grand Alliance Campaign Medal
CAPT Larry FRENCH Sr, RMMC MARDET Demon
Manticoran Reserve Service Medal
LTSG Z KRICK, RMN HMS Musashi
LTSG Mike BLOCK, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTSG Michael FLANAGAN, RMN HMS Hotspur
Consul Don REISDORPH, CIVIL HMS Valkyrie
Good Conduct Medal
S1C Joel JADER, RMN HMS Juno
PO1 Dustin ENNEN, RMN HMS Juno
PO1 Chris JACKLIN, RMN HMS Demon
S1C Christopher PRUETT, RMN HMS Invincible
S1C Thomas CHEUNG, RMN HMS Demon
PO2 Amanda BERRY, RMN HMS Hexapuma
S1C Julie WOOD, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO1 Scott GRANDT, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PO1 Kristin GRANDT, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PO2 Peder ERICKSON, RMN HMS Juno
S1C Samuel LATURI, RMN HMS Musashi
SSGT Marc BUTCHER, RMMC HMS Leonidas
Recruit Training Ribbon
FKpt Ed HARTWICK, IAN HMS Beowulf
January Honors – Promotions
Congratulations are extended to the following members on the occasion of their promotions as noted.
Board Promotions
Kate Hesser, HMS Hellhound, to Commander
Thomas Erikson, HMS Javelin, to Lieutenant Commander
HMS Beowulf
- Tara L Pulling to the rank of Hauptgefraiter, effective 6 January, 2020
- Bruce William Crews to the rank of Spacer 2nd Class, effective 6 January, 2020
- Jack Oswald-warren Frost to the rank of Spacer 2nd Class, effective 6 January, 2020
HMS Death Claw
- Jeffrey Dale Randall to the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 2 January, 2020
HMS Demon
-
Lisa Wiedemann to the rank of Spacer 2nd Class, effective 2 January, 2020
-
Martin Russian Tizura to the rank of Corporal, effective 2 January, 2020
HMS Galahad
-
Taylor Crane Miller to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 3 January, 2020
HMS Helen
-
Jennifer K Davison to the rank of Spacer 1st Class, effective 15 January, 2020
-
Tracy McClure has been billeted to Operations with rating change to Operations Mate 2nd Class, effective 15 January, 2020
-
Scott Walkotten, RMMC has been billeted as Military Police, effective 15 January, 2020
HMS Invincible
-
Christina Neitz to the rank of Consular Staff, effective 20 January, 2020
HMS Merlin
-
Justin Charles Willard to the rank of Ensign, effective 4 January, 2020
HMS Musashi
-
Amy Theisen to the rank of Ensign, effective 7 January, 2020
-
Leo Rogers to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 9 January, 2020
-
James Wendler to the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 9 January, 2020
HMS Roland
- Sebastian Payne to the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 1 January, 2020
HMLAC Scythe
-
Samantha White to the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class, effective 12 January, 2020
HMS Valkyrie
-
Michael Antony Bernabo to the rank of Staff Sergeant, effective 10 January, 2020
-
Julia Howard to the rank of Staff Sergeant, effective 10 January, 2020
-
Jared Jon Jerzak to the rank of Spacer 1st Class, effective 10 January, 2020
Fleet Command & Staff Information
CO, Gryphon Fleet
co@gryphonfleet.org
Rear Admiral of the Red
Geoffrey Strayer
KDE, KR, SC, CGM, GS
XO, Gryphon Fleet
Bosun, Gryphon Fleet
bosun@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Senior Master Chief Intelligence Mate
Kevin Walsh, NS, QBM
Chief of Staff
cos@gryphonfleet.org
Captain, Senior Grade Zach McCauley
Flag Captain
co@hmsgryphon.trmn.org
Captain, Junior Grade Christina Swanson
JAG Ombudsman
ombudsman@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Captain Larry Dale French Sr
GCE, RMMC
Legalman
legalman@2ndfleet.trmn.org
CPO Christina R Doane
Intelligence Specialist
intel@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Personnel Officer
Captain (SG)
Jamey Salsberg
KDE, MC, OC
Training Officer
bosun@hmsgryphon.trmn.org
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Derek Firehawk Sauls
Range Officer
marksmanship@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Senior Master Chief Intelligence Mate
Kevin Walsh, NS, QBM
RMACS Liaison
ascl@gryphonfleet.org
Captain, Junior Grade Christina Swanson
Gryphon Fleet Order of Battle
Task Force 21
Covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Task Group 21.1
LAC Wing 30
HMLAC Gungnir, Willmar, MN
HMLAC Superior, Duluth, MN
SMLAC Arminius, Minneapolis, MN
Destroyer Squadron 265
HMS Javelin (DD-264), Big Lake, MN
HMS Lodestone (DD-64), Elk River, MN
HMS Merlin (CA-270), St. Cloud, MN
Independent Commands
HMS Imperatrix (SD-457), Minneapolis, MN
HMS Invincible (SD-455), Plymouth, MN
HMS Juno (BC-726), Willmar, MN
HMS Leonidas (BC-584), Grand Forks, ND
HMS Valkyrie (SD-355), Minneapolis, MN
Task Group 21.2
Independent Commands
HMS Borzoi (DD-438), River Falls, WI
HMS Gawain (DD-481), Madison, WI
HMS Musashi (BC-775), Milwaukee, WI
Task Force 22
Covering Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Task Group 22.1
LAC Wing 62
GSNLAC Lilla Björn, Marquette, MI
HMLAC Scythe, Portage, Indiana
Independent Commands
HMS Apollo (CL-80), Lafayette, IN
HMS Demon (CLAC-62), Hammond, IN
HMS Gryphon (SD-153), Indianapolis, IN
HMS Hotspur (DD-02), Rantoul, IL
HMS Samurai (CL-356), Goshen, IN
HMS Wolfhound (DD-437), Mt. Prospect, IL
Task Group 22.2
Cruiser Division 711
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Mount Vernon, IN
HMS Sabrepike (CA-417), Franklin, OH
Independent Commands
Task Group 22.3
Independent Commands
HMS Ajax (BC-545), Windsor, Ontario
HMS Beowulf (BC-739), Lansing, MI
HMS Enterprise (BC-480), Rochester Hills, MI
HMS Helen (BC-570), Fruitport, MI
Echelon Commanders
Task Force 21
RADM Wayne Bruns
Task Group 21.1
CAPTSG Jill McTavish
Destroyer Squadron 265
CAPTSG Paladin Meyer
Task Group 21.2
CAPTJG Timothy Bailey
Task Force 22
CDRE Justin Dupras
Task Group 22.1
CAPTSG Michael Flanagan
Task Group 22.2
CAPTSG Jimmy Nelson
Cruiser Division 711
CAPTJG Kevin Johnson
Task Group 22.3
CAPTSG Jackie Snedden