The Gryphon's Beak

March, 2022

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We have been working hard on getting things lined up for Worldcon in September, and I wanted to share some of that with everyone.

To start with, we are on the list to have the Astor suite as our party room. The Astor is in the East tower, and totals 966 square feet, with 524 of that being the parlor area. We will also be securing a connected room to use as Ops and such.

There have been delays in opening room blocks, and the con chair assures me that it is being worked on, and the room block will open as soon as possible. Accessible rooms should open first, and that will be announced on the Chicon8 website. Until then, please know that we are getting the Berthing Assistant system set up, which should make finding a roommate easier.

And we are still raising funds to cover the suite and supplies for the convention. Take a moment to head over to our Worldcon hub to see where that stands, and to sign up to help out!
Yes, the long-delayed volunteer form is up! Unlike the previous, this is asking for a commitment to attend. If you plan to be there, please fill this out ASAP so we can see who is coming, and where we might need people.

And finally, because nothing beats visuals, I’ve included the layout of the Astor suite, to perhaps help make things just a bit more real for everyone.
We are planning to make the RMN stand out to the world, and would love to have you be a part of making that happen!

The Tradition Lives!

Oak Forest

Comings & Goings

BuShips Directive 2202-01

Lieutenant Senior Grade Anderson:

You are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard HMS Invincible (SD-455), there to take upon yourself the duties and responsibilities of Executive Officer relieving Captain Senior Grade Elisa Randall, MC, RMN, Countess New Cumbria, in service to the Crown. Fail not in this charge at your peril.

Based upon the requirements of the service for your new billet, you are hereby brevetted to the rank of COMMANDER, RMN.

The above directive is effective on this date, 01 February 2022.

The Bureau of Ships wishes to express appreciation and thanks to CAPT(SG) New Cumbria for her service as Executive Officer of Invincible and wish her all success in her future endeavors.

••••

BuShips Directive 2202-05

Ladies and Gentleman of the Grand Alliance,

It is my pleasure to award the Meritorious Unit Citation to the following Chapters.

HMS Vixen is hereby awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for substantial contributions to their local community, as well as several charities over the course of the year of 2021. Vixen has also continued fostering the ‘Gryphon’s Wings’ fund, which provides assistance to individuals and families in need due to the pandemic. The crew’s actions exemplify TRMN, and represent the organization to the greater community.

HMS Interloper is hereby awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for continual community and convention volunteer work, as well as an impressive team effort to donate blood. Especially in these times, the community needs support, and HMS Interloper’s involvement continues to show the general populace who TRMN is and what we stand for.

I would like to congratulate Captain Junior Grade Chambers of HMS Interloper and Commander Weidemann of HMS Vixen for their crew’s accomplishments.

••••

BuShips Directive 2202-06

Ladies and Gentleman of the Grand Alliance,

After careful consideration of submissions, supporting documentation and chapter reports of submitting chapters, the selection committee for the List of Honor has made a decision.

The List of Honor is the most prestigious award that a ship within the Royal Manticoran Navy can achieve. It signifies a concerted team effort towards a goal, of which benefits TRMN as a whole. The committee looks at much more than simply the submission which is sent to us. When a chapter submits a bid for the List of Honor, we take a look at things like chapter reports, forum activity, and if available after-action reports and supporting letters from surrounding leadership.

To date, only four chapters have been selected to be added to the List of Honor. Today, it is my pleasure to announce the addition of a fifth.

Attention to orders:

Captain Senior Grade Sir Samuel Dietzman,

HMS Demon performed her duties in a manner above and beyond the call of duty. The officers and crew of HMS Demon continually sponsored activities for nearby chapters in the region, fostered a sense of camaraderie and morale during the midst of an international pandemic. Additionally they served as mentors, providing the ways and means for other chapters to emulate their success and ceaselessly worked to build up those chapters around them. Finally, the officers and crew of HMS Demon completed countless hours of service to their local community, and volunteered their time at conventions, both locally and in support of their fellow chapters states away. For those reasons, and many more, the officers and crew of HMS Demon exhibit the professionalism, the esprit-de-corps, and the humility, that comes with the honor of being named as a Ship of The List. HMS Demon brings great credit upon herself, Second Fleet, and The Royal Manticoran Navy.

All crew that were part of the chapter in 2021 are allowed to wear the List of Honor ribbon with gold border and scroll.

Additionally, HMS Demon’s ship crest will be given the gold rope border, signifying to any passing vessel the distinction of her enrollment on the List of Honor.

Congratulations HMS Demon, this award was hard earned, and well deserved.

Nominations for HMS Unconquered

To: All Officers and Enlisted of the Royal Manticoran Navy
From: RADM Calabasas, GCE, MC, OC, RMN
Re: Nominations for HMS Unconquered Class of 2021 (BuShips Directive 2109-02)

Greetings ladies and gentlemen of the Grand Alliance,

Pursuant to Admiralty Order 1511-04, the Bureau of Ships is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the HMS Unconquered’s Class of 2021. Nominations will be accepted at buships@trmn.org until 2359 CDT (GMT -0500) on 15 October 2021.

Nominations MUST be sent by a Royal Manticoran Naval Commissioned Officer holding the billet of Commanding Officer of a Light Attack Craft, Hyper-Capable Craft, Echelon, Fleet, Bureau, Navy, or Admiralty House. Nominations form allied navies regarding RMN personnel serving their vessels will also be accepted.

Eligibility requirements for each nominee include:

Nominee must have been a member of The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association for at least one year.

Nominee must be a current or previous member of the Royal Manticoran Naval Branch and have served that branch for at least one full year.

Nominees not meeting the above requirements shall be deemed ineligible and dropped from consideration. Nominees from the Royal Manticoran Marine Corps are handled by the Marshal of the Corps’ Office per AO 1511-04.

Nominees from the Grayson Space Navy are handled by the Office of the High Admiral for the Protector’s Own nomination period, to be announced by the High Admiral.

The ideal nominee has made substantive contributions to the Star Kingdom in the shining example of Edward Saganami, himself. Equivalency in TRMN would be sustained, outstanding contributions with a high quality and service to the Organization as a whole.

The ideal nomination will have detailed information about the nominee and his or her specific contributions between the start of his or her membership up to 30 August 2021 and should include all dates of each action or contribution worthy of nomination. Nominations may also include letters of concurrent recommendation from other ranking officers that bore witness or were directly affected by those contributions.

The Bureau of Ships Committee for HMS Unconquered shall convene beginning 15 October 2021 to consider nominations received thus far. This committee is made up of the senior officers of the Bureau along with the sitting Annual Commanding Officer of Unconquered. The committee will also include representatives from the Bureau of Personnel to advise the committee. Please be advised that this committee shall render decisions based on the strength of the nomination for each nominee; it is therefore important that the nominations be as detailed as possible to provide said nominee with the best possible chance for selection and induction.

Nominations for the billet of Annual Commanding Officer of HMS Unconquered will not be accepted by this Committee. The selection of the Annual Commanding Officer is reserved for the Third Space Lord per Admiralty Order. Any endorsements or recommendations may be sent directly to the Third Space Lord at 3sl@trmn.org.

The Unconquered Class of 2021 and their Annual Commanding Officer shall be announced November 1st, 2021. Certificates shall be mailed to the individuals after announcements have been made.

If you should have any questions or require guidance on nominations, please contact buships@trmn.org, where the senior members of our staff will be happy to provide that information to you.

Nominations for The Protector’s Own

To: All Officers and Enlisted in the Grayson Space Navy, the Royal Manticoran Forces, Imperial Andermani Navy, Republic of Haven Navy and All Other Members of the Grand Alliance
From: High Admiral James Jones, GSN
Re: Protector’s Own Class of 2021 – Call for Nominations

Here Ye and Pray Attend All Grayson Citizens and All Members of the Grand Alliance:

I am pleased and honored to announce that the nomination period for the Protector’s Own is open, and will remain open until 23:59 EST 18 November 2021 (GMT -0500).

Any person, regardless of rank or branch, may submit nominations for the Protector’s Own.

The requirements for nomination:

Any Grayson may be nominated and considered for their contributions to the Grayson Space Navy and to the TRMN organization as a whole.

Those who are not Grayson may be eligible to be nominated for HMS Unconquered for their exemplary contributions to the TRMN organization as a whole, and nominations for them should be submitted to the Bureau of Ships for inclusion in this year’s deliberation. Nominations will be accepted at buships@trmn.org until 2359 CDT (GMT -0500) on 15 October 2021.

However, any TRMN member, of any rank and from any branch of service, may be nominated for the Protector’s Own, provided that they have profoundly benefitted, specifically, the Grayson Space Navy. Their nominations may include their contributions to TRMN, but the contributions to the GSN are the paramount requirement of the nomination and the decisive factor for their inclusion and in any deliberation.

It is preferred that the nominees have had at least 1 year in service to TRMN, but that will not be a bar from entry if the nomination thoroughly demonstrates exemplary contributions.

Please be as detailed as possible regarding the contributions of the nominee and how they have benefitted the GSN. Nominations must include the name and rank of the nominator and the full name of the nominee, including rank if known. It should have detailed information about the nominee’s specific contributions to the GSN and, if Grayson, to the TRMN as a whole. Please include dates and events or contributions, when possible. Any supporting documentation will be appreciated in the process and should be included in the nomination as attached files.

Nominations that are not detailed will be considered, but, will make the deliberation process more difficult and may hinder the nominee’s induction.

Please only submit one person per nomination email. Nominators may nominate as many members as they believe are worthy to receive this honor.
Individuals may not nominate themselves.
Please nominate any who you believe are worthy of this honor.

Protector’s Own Committee will be empaneled from current members of the Protector’s Own and members of the Office of the High Admiral. The Committee will begin deliberations on 19 November 2021.

The Command Triad for the Protector’s Own will be decided from all members of the Protector’s Own, including new inductees, except for those who are currently in the Protector’s Own Command Triad.

The Protector’s Own Class of 2021 and its Command Triad will be announced on 21 December 2021, in honor, and as part, of the Protector’s Birthday Celebrations.

Please send all nominations to ohagsn@gmail.com.

Chapter Reports

This is a reminder that your Chapter and MarDet reports are due between the 1st and 10th of every EVEN numbered month. 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/

Course Challenge

2nd Fleet is proud to sponsor, and the Imperial Andermani Navy (IAN) is happy to coordinate, an organization-wide Course Challenge from February 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022. Individuals can earn points for each participating fleet or can participate individually as part of the “Grand Reserve Fleet”.

The challenge is simple. Registration will open on February 1, 2022. As soon as a member of the fleet registers, a member of our staff will access their MEDUSA record and note down the number of promotion points they have earned for BuTrain coursework as of the date of their registration. They then take BuTrain courses and as they do, their MEDUSA record will capture their growing total of promotion points (as laid out in AO 1707-01). At the end of the challenge, whichever fleet has earned the largest number of points wins. We will also announce the top individual point-earners.

We are also pleased to announce that an anonymous donor has contributed funds to allow us to send each participant who earns 4 points or more a handsome participation patch (under development). In addition, the top 3 point-earning TRMN members will be awarded GameStop gift cards! Let’s get some Gryphons on that list!

Upcoming Events

The Bureau of Planning is excited to announce the launch of ConStack. This cooperative project between BuPlan and BuComm is now a fabulous new tool that puts information about over 2,000 conventions at your fingertips. All members of TRMN and the public can view ConStack at:

https://constack.trmnbureaus.info/

If you see that an event is missing or has incorrect information, contact your Fleet’s BuPlan Intel Agent or Branch Liaison and they will get it updated.

Marksmanship Update

By order of CO 2nd Fleet, the following marksmanship awards are issued effective 1 March, 2022:

PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

CPO Tammy STRAYER, HMS Demon

RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

S1C John KINCAID, HMS Hotspur

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

LTSG Steve GALPIN, HMS Interloper

CPO David PELLETER,HMS Hexapuma

RIFLE HIGH EXPERT AWARD:

CPO Danielle OSTACH, HMS Demon

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.

February Honors – Awards

Queen's Bravery Medal

CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon
RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon

Conspicuous Bravery Medal

CPO Jack FROST, RMN HMS Helen
PO2 Robin Olwen BRAIL, RMN HMS Enterprise
SSGT Scott WALKOTTEN, RMMC HMS Helen
S1C Jason BETTS HMS Vixen
S1C Louisa FEIMSTER, RMN HMS Demon
LCPL Andrea C HAWKINS-KAMPER, RMMC MARDET Demon
S1C Alexis Jeanne TAYLOR, RMN HMS Hexapuma

Meritorious Service Medal

RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon

Navy Commendation Decoration

LCDR Terry LASSALINE, RMN HMS Enterprise
CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen
ENS Tiffany KAMPERSAL, RMN HMS Hexapuma

Navy Achievement Medal

LTSG Brent Lee PETERSON, RMN HMS Intrepid
ENS Dustin ENNEN, RMN HMS Intrepid
SSGT David ISAAK, RMMC HMS Intrepid
ENS Tiffany KAMPERSAL, RMN HMS Hexapuma
S2C Anita V ROTHERAM, RMN HMS Interloper
RCPL Violet Ann LAPINE, SFC HMS Hotspur
CPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma
SMCPO Rick WATERSON, RMN HMS Demon
LTSG Steve GALPIN, RMN HMS Interloper
LCDR Debra FLIGOR, RMN HMS Hotspu

List of Honor Citation

HMS Demon

Royal Meritorious Unit Citation

HMS Interloper
HMS Vixen

Silesian Anti-Piracy Campaign Medal

GrsAdm David WESTOVER, IAN Großadmiral der Flotte
CPO Brendan LONEHAWK, RMN HMS Testudo
HGEFR Bex TIMMINS, IAN SMS Haudegen

Havenite Operational Service Medal

CIVILIAN Karen L BARNES, CIVIL HMS Demon
S1C Jason BETTS HMS Vixen
RADM Sherman DAY, RMN HMS Demon
MCWO Ursula DAY, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon
CDRE Justin F. DUPRAS, RMN HMS Demon
S1C Louisa FEIMSTER, RMN HMS Demon
LCPL Andrea C HAWKINS-KAMPER, RMMC MARDET Demon
ENS Tiffany KAMPERSAL, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CPO Brendan LONEHAWK, RMN HMS Testudo
CIVILIAN N. Frances MORITZ, CIVIL HMS Demon
CPO Danielle E OSTACH, RMN HMS Demon
CAPT Thomas PAUKSTIS Jr, RMMC MARDET Demon
RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon
S1C Alexis Jeanne TAYLOR, RMN HMS Hexapuma
HGEFR Bex TIMMINS, IAN SMS Haudegen
LTCOL Martin TIZURA, RMMC MARDET Vixen
GrsAdm David WESTOVER, IAN Großadmiral der Flotte
CDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen

Manticoran Combat Action Medal

1st Award

CPO Mark Edward LLOYD, RMN HMS Interloper

2nd Award

CPO James Matthew FORGIE, RMN HMS Interloper

Ranks on awards are listed at the time of award, and may have changed by publication.

February Honors – Promotions

Congratulations are extended to the following members on the occasion of their promotions as noted.

HMS Helen

Eric Jonathan Hines to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 10 February, 2022

HMS Hexapuma

Madi Greg to Petty Officer 3rd Class, effective 25 February, 2022

HMS Interloper

Thomas Hall to Petty Officer 3rd Class, effective 2 February, 2022
Tara Suiter to Staff Sergeant, effective 16 February, 2022
Zachary Sandau to Staff Sergeant, effective 16 February, 2022
Richard Scott Krouser to Platoon Sergeant, effective 27 February, 2022

HMS Musashi

Brenda DeMarce to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 5 February, 2022
Eric Clapsaddle to Spacer 1st Class, effective 5 February, 2022
Heidi Solberg Viar to Able Spacer, effective 5 February, 2022

HMS Vixen

Debbie L Fligelman to Corporal, effective 11 February, 2022
John E Cauffman to Private First Class, effective 12 February, 2022

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

Lieutenant Commander David Oliver Kling

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

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 Intrepid (SD-463), 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 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 22.3

Cruiser Division 711

HMS Death Claw (CA-437), Cincinnati, OH
HMS Sabrepike (CA-417), Franklin, OH

Independent Commands

HMS Ajax (BC-545), Windsor, Ontario
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

Task Group 22.4

Independent Commands

HMS Demon (CLAC-62), Des Plaines, IL
HMS Havoc (DD-01), Muncie, IN
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Rockford, IL
HMS Vixen (DD-174), Chicago, IL