The Gryphon's Beak
June, 2021Printable PDF
Flag Sends
June 1st marks the second anniversary of the beginning of my term as Fleet CO. It is also the 227th anniversary of the Glorious First of June, the Fourth Battle of Ushant, where British Admiral Lord Howe defeated the French.
It may be becoming a tradition to make Fleet-affecting announcements on this date. I can think of worse days or traditions, so I will roll with it. Two years back, I set out some goals and ideas I wanted to see happen. Then COVID shut a lot of that down. I have been promoting returns to normalcy for some time now, hoping to see us all in a place to once more move the bar forward.
The goal here should be to remain safe, be comfortable in your actions, and not pressure others. We all have our own comfort levels, it’s important to keep that in mind. I strongly encourage everyone who is willing and able to get out and do things this summer. Other people need not be involved – a walk in a park is something, as is a BBQ. We all suffered some mental impact from being forced to not do things last year, and recovery from that is vital. Especially if you don’t feel you suffered an impact.
Let’s be safe out there, but also be out there.
THE TRADITION LIVES!
OAK FOREST
Comings & Goings
BuPlan Directive 2105-01
LTSG John FAIRBAIRN, RMN HMS Javelin
You are hereby directed to report to LCDR John Chambers, Director, where you are to assume the duties of Research Assistant for the Office of TRMN Historical Society.
Fail not in this charge at your peril.
••••
BuPlan Directive 2105-02
LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc
You are hereby directed to report to LCDR John Chambers, Director, where you are to assume the duties of Yeoman for the Office of TRMN Historical Society.
Fail not in this charge at your peril.
••••
I am please to inform the Grand Alliance that the PAMA’s Warfare School, in the Tsingtao College of Naval Specialization, is now officially open for students. I encourage all those interested in this topic to enroll. And if you have completed training at another academy, consider cross training across multiple services for better integration during joint action.
I would also like to provide notice that we will be opening our Special Services School soon with the Medical School to follow.
I encourage all to try the unique educational experience of PAMA and enjoy the beauty of Potsdam.
••••
Gryphon Fleet Directive 2105-A
Effective 1 June 2021, Rear Admiral of the Green Wayne Bruns, Baron Grosvenor, Royal Manticoran Navy, is appointed Deputy Commanding Officer, Second (Gryphon) Fleet. Admiral Bruns, repair aboard the Flag where you will take up the duties required in service of the Queen of Manticore.
HMS Havoc Blood Drive
A year ago, HMS Havoc launched in central Indiana.
I encourage you to come join the crew of HMS Havoc June 1st – June 30th as we celebrate! HMS Havoc will be hosting several events throughout the month. Each week we will watch a Navy related movie in honor of our Naval heritage. We will also be playing World of Warships each week to further our knowledge of Naval Tactics. Because we are all about giving back to our community and the country in general we are hosting a Blood Drive.
Between June 1 and June 30, donate blood and post a photo of you doing so to the HMS Havoc Discord (https://discord.gg/fgCVSTVk5v). Preferably in uniform of some kind. There will be an award for all who donate!
If you can donate COVID plasma, and do, please say so. I will track that separately.
If you cannot donate blood, and can support the mission of your local blood bank in another way, post that too. Thank you, and let’s be about it!
Havoc will also be hosting weekly movie nights featuring…
Down Periscope (June 4th)
Hot Shots! (June 11th)
GalaxyQuest (June 18th)
Stargate (June 25th)
And every Sunday at 7pm Eastern they will be playing World of Warships. Join in and help HMS Havoc celebrate their 1st anniversary!
June Reports
This is a reminder that your Chapter and MarDet reports are due between the 1st and 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!
And a reminder that Marksmanship submissions are due the 20th of the month, so we have time to correlate and get things set for the award issuance.
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 the 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/
Upcoming Events
As conditions improve, in-person conventions are beginning to be scheduled, and hopefully held. We will be monitoring the situation, and providing updates as they are received. If you are planning a presence at a convention, please let us know, and we will review for Fleet Event status.
Join us for TRMN Social Hour every Saturday evening at 7PM Central.
There is a wide range of guests, from our own Space Lords to members of BuNine, authors like Chuck Gannon, Eric Flint, Marko Kloos, and some guy named David Weber. Following the recorded AMA-format with our guests, the floor is open to free-form discussion & hanging out. Links for each Social Hour are posted in the Forums, and on the main Facebook page.
Hope to see you there!
Marksmanship Update
By order of CO 2nd Fleet, the following marksmanship awards are issued effective 1 June, 2021:
RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:
- CAPTJG Ben OVERMYER, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PISTOL SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:
- CIVILIAN Jacob BRUNS, SFC HMS Invincible
- S2C Aaron Michael SCHAFER, RMN HMS Havoc
RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD
- CAPT Larry FRENCH Sr, RMMC MARDET Demon
- CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
- S2C Aaron Michael SCHAFER, RMN HMS Havoc
PISTOL EXPERT AWARD:
- ENS Dylan BRADLEY, RMN HMS Valkyrie
- LTCDR John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Havoc
- LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc
- PO3 Jesse Robert LINN, RMN HMS Havoc
- PO3 Daniel Nathan SPEARS, RMN HMS Havoc
RIFLE EXPERT AWARD:
- LTSG Patrick ANDERSON, RMN HMS Invincible
- LTCDR John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Havoc
- MSGT Jessica GAZDIK, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
- CDR Cate HESSER, RMN HMS Hellhound
- LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc
- PO3 Jesse Robert LINN, RMN HMS Havoc
- PO3 Daniel Nathan SPEARS, RMN HMS Havoc
GSN CHAMPION SHOTS MEDAL:
- CPO Stephanie Kay BERLIEN, GSN HMS Valkyrie
PISTOL HIGH EXPERT MEDAL:
- RADM Wayne BRUNS, RMN HMS Invincible
The Tradition Lives!
For CO 2nd Fleet:
Issued by:
KEVIN WALSH, NS
Senior Chief Petty Officer, RMN
2nd Fleet Range Officer
Gryphon’s Wings Fleet Relief Project
On May 23rd we launched the Gryphon’s Wings Fleet Relief Project. The response has been overwhelming, and I am humbled by the generosity of our members.
We are currently in the midst of a Global pandemic. However, while we are all in the same storm, we are navigating the waters on different ships. Sometimes these waters will be more than we can handle on our own, and we need an extra hand on deck. We want you to know that the 2nd fleet is here for you.
To that end, we are asking for donations to create an emergency relief fund to be used for TRMN 2nd Fleet members. This fund’s target is to provide immediate short term relief of an urgent crisis. For example: Sending someone grocery money for a weeks worth of groceries (as a lot of food banks are running out of food, short on volunteers, and closing), providing gas money for a week so someone can still travel back and forth providing care-giving to a family member, covering the co-pay cost of a doctors visit, and other small emergency expenses. Anything helps. I am asking for a $5 monthly commitment – the cost of a Starbucks coffee – to assist. Please join me, and those who have already donated, in making TRMN more than just a fan group. Click here, or the banner below, to donate. Meet the Test.
At the same time, we know some are being affected by the effort to combat the virus,including job loss, other reduction of income, medical difficulties, etc. This can result in a tough choice between shelter, transportation, food, or medical care. That is an impossible choice no one should be required to face, and we want to help how we can.
To apply for a Visa Gift Card for you or another member, please click here.
Only the 2nd Fleet CO will see who the requester and/or the potential recipient is. This will never be held against you in any way. We don’t ask for or expect repayment. This is not charity, we are simply keeping the RMN tradition of seeing that a Queen’s Navy is well rested, well fed, and healthy before going into battle. And this is a battle where victory will be measured in not just survivors but in the quality of that survival.
To request assistance, please click here.
A Matter Of Honor RMN LARP
A Matter of Honor is a multi-day, live-action role playing event set in David Weber’s expansive literary Honorverse. Held in November 2021, the event will offer players three days of exciting adventures and full immersion within Weber’s colorful science-fiction world. Within the interior of the decommissioned USS Edson in Bay City, Michigan, nearly 200 players will serve as the crew of the HMS Ballista, a heavy cruiser of the Royal Manticoran Navy with a mission of unparalleled importance. Each player will receive a uniquely-written character whose backstory and abilities will shape the actions and relationships of the player moving through the weekend event. Participants will need to work carefully with each other – and sometimes against each other – to fulfill duties and objectives unique to their character and the mission at large.
A Matter of Honor will be held from November 12 to 14th, 2021 and will run non-stop until the conclusion of the event. Unlike other QAG events, A Matter of Honor does not have specific “lights out” times and will run continuously from start to finish. Player sleep times will still mean activity for others, and each character will be assigned a specific schedule of on-duty, off-duty, and rest periods to simulate the rigors of space-bound life in the Manticoran Navy.
A Matter of Honor is an official Honorverse event and – while produced by Quest Adventure Gaming – is being carried out in cooperation with David Weber, the BuNine Team, and The Royal Manticoran Navy. The event will closely follow the canonical universe of the books, with frequent and obvious references to source materials. While participants are not required to be familiar with the Honorverse, a familiarity with the books is strongly recommended and will certainly assist players in their understanding of their characters and the in-game setting.
Most of the Matter of Honor event will be hosted aboard the USS Edson, a decommissioned Forrest Sherman-class destroyer from the Cold War era. Now a national historic landmark at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in Bay City, MI, the vessel’s interior will serve as the HMS Ballista (CA-586). Players will have access to the vast majority of the ship’s sizable inner-workings, with various locales serving as key game locations and player accommodations. Many of the Edson’s actual controls will be temporarily fitted with a networked system of touch-screen panels and computer interfaces, allowing players to collectively navigate the Ascendant through a virtual simulation of deep space.
In addition, specific encounters and plot points will take place at additional sites in the Bay City/Saginaw area to serve as other vessels and planets within the Honorverse. At various points, players may have the opportunity to explore these additional locations, adding a sense of depth and scale to the overall player experience.
For more information or to register, visit https://matterofhonorlarp.com/.
May Honors – Awards
Knight Grand Cross, Order of Queen Elizabeth
RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon
CDRE Justin F. DUPRAS, RMN HMS Demon
Knight Commander, Order of Queen Elizabeth
CAPTSG Jill MCTAVISH, RMN HMS Valkyrie
CDRE Misty Rose WHITE, GSN HMS Galahad
LTSG John FAIRBAIRN, RMN HMS Javelin
CAPTSG Rick MATHENY, RMN HMS Invincible
Knight Companion, Order of Queen Elizabeth
SMCPO Bill LOCHEN, RMN HMS Invincible
LTCDR Patrick Ardan GIESE, RMN HMS Invincible
Knight, Order of Queen Elizabeth
LTCDR Debra FLIGOR, RMN HMS Hotspur
Officer, Order of Queen Elizabeth
CAPTJG Gordon KLEIN-LEBBINK, RMN HMS Ajax
LTCDR John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Havoc
Member, Order of Queen Elizabeth
CAPTJG James Mike MOYER, RMN HMS Death Claw
LCPL Shawn “House” HUISMAN, RMMC HMS Merlin
LTCDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen
Medal, Order of Queen Elizabeth
CDR Julie CHASE, RMN HMS Lodestone
SCPO Jeremy PORT, RMN HMS Musashi
CIVILIAN Elizabeth NEITZ, SFC HMS Invincible
RSM Eric LEE, RMMC MARDET Invincible
CDR Cate HESSER, RMN HMS Hellhound
PO2 Charles J HERO, RMN HMS Musashi
PO2 Richard HERTEL, RMN HMS Invincible
PO2 Danielle E OSTACH, RMN HMS Demon
CPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO3 Dimitri DALLAS, RMN HMS Gryphon
LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc
Navy Achievement Medal
CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
LTCDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen
Manticoran Combat Action Medal
10th Award
CAPT Richard DAVENPORT, GSN HMS Death Claw
3rd Award
CDR Richard James SAMS, RMN HMS Merlin
Space Service Deployment Ribbon
S3C Robert B HALL Sr, RMN HMS Havoc
S3C Thomas Brent HALL, RMN HMS Havoc
Armed Forces Service Medal
S3C Robert B HALL Sr, RMN HMS Havoc
Ranks on awards are listed at the time of award, and may have changed by publication.
May Honors – Promotions
Congratulations are extended to the following members on the occasion of their promotions as noted.
Board Promotions
Timothy Bailey, RMN, HMS Musashi, to Captain, Senior Grade
Richard Davenport, GSN, HMS Death Claw, to Captain
Sherman Day, RMN, HMS Demon, to Rear Admiral of the Red
Rick Matheny, RMN, HMS Invincible, to Captain, Senior Grade
HMS Death Claw
- Laurie Davenport to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 16 May, 2021
HMS Enterprise
- David Whitesell to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 9 May, 2021
HMS Hexapuma
- Brian Stone to Spacer 1st Class, effective 18 May, 2021
- Madi Greg to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 18 May, 2021
HMS Samurai
- Randy Dale Smith to Spacer 1st Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Matthew James Barkow to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Brandon Joshua Berryhill to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- William North Cornelius Jr to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Jericho Salizar Cornelius to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Gabriel Michael Cornelius to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Seth Alan Cornelius to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- John E Gerschoffer to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Richard Scott Krouser to Private First Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Steven Frederick Thomson to Private First Class, effective 26 May, 2021
- Gordon J Snyder to Civilian Two, effective 26 May, 2021
Fleet Command & Staff Information
CO, Gryphon Fleet
co@gryphonfleet.org
Rear Admiral of the Green Geoffrey Strayer, GCE, KR, SC, OG, CGM, GS
Baron Oak Forest
XO, Gryphon Fleet
Rear Admiral of the Green Wayne Bruns, GCE, OM, KCGL, MC, OC, CR, SC, OG, CGM, GS, QBM, CBM, PC
Baron Grosvenor
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
Flag Lieutenant
flaglt@gryphonfleet.org
Captain Junior Grade Kerry Kuhn
Fleet Medical NCOIC
medical@gryphonfleet.org
PO2 Steven Bobula
Intelligence Specialist
intel@2ndfleet.trmn.org
JAG Ombudsman
Vacant
Legalman
legalman@2ndfleet.trmn.org
CPO Christina R Doane
Operations Officer
operations@gryphonfleet.org
Lieutenant Commander Patrick Giese
Personnel Officer
Captain (SG)
Jamey Salsberg
KDE, MC, OC
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
Training Officer
bosun@hmsgryphon.trmn.org
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Derek Firehawk Sauls
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 Hellhound (DD-446), St. Paul, 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), Des Plaines, IL
HMS Gryphon (SD-153), Indianapolis, IN
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Rockford, IL
HMS Hotspur (DD-02), Rantoul, IL
HMS Samurai (CL-356), Goshen, IN
HMS Vixen (DD-174), Chicago, IL
HMS Wolfhound (DD-437), Mt. Prospect, IL
Task Group 22.3
Cruiser Division 711
HMS Sabrepike (CA-417), Franklin, OH
Independent Commands
HMS Beowulf (BC-739), Lansing, MI
HMS Enterprise (BC-480), Rochester Hills, MI
HMS Galahad (DD-478), Columbus, OH
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 22.3
CAPTSG Jackie Snedden
Cruiser Division 711
CAPTJG Kevin Johnson