The Gryphon's Beak

February, 2023

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February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health.

That is the first sentence on the CDC American Heart Month page. It’s poorly worded, since you can always focus on cardiac health. Had to get that out.

Anyway, Heart Health is vitally important for us all, and I want to encourage everyone to get checked out, especially if, like me, you have comorbidities, a great word meaning ‘other stuff wrong’.

Basically, anything that stresses your heart – high cholesterol, weight, high blood pressure, lack of exercise – all can be a comorbidity. Not to mention other factors that increase risk; factors like family history or race.

So take a moment to get your blood pressure checked; stop for a moment to sit in silence / pray / meditate; check your cholesterol; get an EKG; start an exercise program (if able)…do something to check your heart, and keep it healthy.

In a very real sense taking care of ourselves is the first step to caring for others, and that is something I want to encourage all of us to be part of. We are already connected, let’s use that for good.

The Tradition Lives!

Oak Forest

Comings & Goings

BuShips Directive 2301-02

Appointment of Deputy Space Lord, Bureau of Ships

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Alliance,

After Accepting RADM Gilwell’s Resignation, I am hereby announcing the appointment of the new Deputy Third Space Lord, Bureau of Ships.

Commodore Justin Dupras,

You are hereby appointed to the position of Deputy Third Space Lord, Bureau of Ships.

The above directive is effective on this date, 08 January 2023.

The Bureau of Ships wishes to express appreciation and thanks to Rear Admiral White for his service to the Bureau of Ships, especially his three years as my Deputy. I wish him the best of luck in his position as Chief of Staff for the Grayson Navy.

• • • •

BuShips Directive 2301-03

Appointment of Command Staff, HMS Vixen

Coxswain Second Class Ryan:

You are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard HMS Vixen (DD-174), there to take upon yourself the duties and responsibilities of Bosun, relieving Chief Petty Officer Kate Shankie, RMN, 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 Chief Petty Officer, RMN.

The above directive is effective on this date, 16 January 2023.

The Bureau of Ships wishes to express appreciation and thanks to CPO Shankie for her service as Bosun of the Vixen and wish her all success in her future endeavors.

• • • •

Naval Directive 23JA-01

Assignment of HMS Menelaus (BC-569) to Task Group 22.1, 2nd Fleet

Captain (SG) Flanagan:

As of the date of this Order, by my hand, I hereby assign HMS Menelaus (BC-569) to Task Group 22.1. Captain Flanagan, take your new ship to your duty station in utmost haste to continue your duties.

This order made under my hand will be effective 0001 hours 27-Jan-23.

List of Honor Submission Period Now Open

As of 0001Hrs, January 19, 2022, the submission period is open for the List of Honor.

Chapter CO’s shall submit submissions to buships@trmn.org no later than 2359(CDT) on February 17th, 2023
.
The List of Honor Citation:

The highest honor a ship can receive is to be named to the RMN List of Honor. The Third Space Lord has the privilege and honor to be the issuing authority for this award. This is open to all Manticoran hyper-capable chapters in organization.

This is a highly competitive award (Only ONE ship each year may be named to the List at this point in time). The award eligibility period is from 1 January 2022 through 31 December 2022.

Keep in mind as well that it is entirely possible for a ship to not be named on the List of Honor for each awarding period.

Due to the high caliber of this award, I encourage you to write detailed and clever submissions:

Since a ship action or singular event places a ship on the List of Honor in the books (Such as HMS Fearless on Basilisk Station,) only ship actions taken/performed during the 2022 calendar year are to be considered.

Chapters that have received the award in the past have done well with a chronological review of the year for which they submitted their winning bid, or created a PowerPoint presentation outlining the activities. I encourage you to be creative with your submissions and strive to tell us what really makes your chapter stand out. Take time to add metrics into the narrative, like hours worked, money raised, food collected, and other similar things of that nature. Make sure you focus on what the chapter achieved as a whole, we’re not looking for individual awards or single member achievements.

Again, due to the caliber of the award, the selection committee will be looking over these submissions thoroughly, and at the submitted chapters in MEDUSA and our historical registries. This includes both after action reports and chapter reports filed throughout calendar year 2022.

If your chapter has been placed on the List of Honor in the past, you must have waited at least three years from the time it was awarded before submission for a subsequent award.

Details for the List of Honor may be found on the Wiki.

If you have any questions about the submission process, please contact buships@trmn.org, we will be happy to clarify and respond to any inquiries.

We will accept submissions from ship CO’s ONLY at buships@trmn.org no later than 2359(CDT) on February 17th, 2023. Any submission received from a source other than that chapter or ship’s CO will be rejected.

If any echelon commanders wish to support a chapter submission, they can send a letter of endorsement to be attached to the submission being sent by ship’s CO. Please refrain from sending them separately, as they may be accidentally overlooked or not linked with the Chapter’s Submission.

Any and all submissions received after the deadline of 2359(CDT) on February 17th, 2023 will be rejected.

An announcement for the selection results shall be made no later than 28th of February, 2023.
In Service,

Issued by:

Christopher Thompson, GCE, KDR, MC, OC, SC, NS
Vice Admiral of the Red, RMN
Third Space Lord, Bureau of Ships
Baron Calabasas

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/

MARCON 2023

From one running convention promotion to another! It’s all about the conventions in Second Fleet these days.

MARCON 2023 will be held in Columbus, OH over Memorial Day weekend, and is being run by a member of HMS Vixen. Honestly, this is kind of something I was wanting to explore for several years – a non-TRMN convention run by a TRMN member, so this is great!

What is Marcon? The simplest answer is a weekend of fun. It is where everyone that enjoys movies, books, music, art, science, and everything in between comes together in one place to watch, talk about, dress like, sing, and/or learn from like minded people, be they writers, actors, scientists, artists, professionals of all kinds, or simply fans. MARCON has been running since 1966, and I hope it keeps going.

Of special interest to us is David Weber as GoH. He was last the Guest of Honor 20 years ago, so it is time to return to Columbus for the weekend and show our support!

JUST ANNOUNCED! Register using the code TRMN and the convention will donate $5 towards our party room! Click below to get registered!

Upcoming Events

All members of TRMN and the public can view upcoming conventions and TRMN events in 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.

Additionally, the Bureau of Planning is eager to get your feedback on conventions you attend. Please fill out an After Action Report (AAR) here.

Remember to record your convention and event participation in your Medusa promotion points record, under the Events tab.

Marksmanship Update

By order of CO 2nd Fleet, the following marksmanship awards are issued effective 1 February, 2023:

DISRUPTOR MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

2LT John CAUFFMAN, Westmarch Rifles

PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

CAPTSG Zachary MCCAULEY, RMN HMS Valkyrie

S3C Valerie Marie BALOG, RMN HMS Valkyrie

RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

S1C James FISHER, RMN HMS Interloper

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

PO1 Charles J HERO, RMN HMS Musashi

PISTOL HIGH EXPERT AWARD:

CAPTJG Dean F MCCLURE, RMN HMS Helen

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.

January Honors – Awards

Officer, Order of The Golden Lion

CIVILIAN Eddy ROBERTS, CIVIL HMS Menelaus

Order of Gallantry

RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon

Member, Order of the Golden Lion

SMCPO Megan KRICK, RMN HMS Musashi

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal

S2C JJ BRUTSMAN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
LTSG Steve GALPIN, RMN HMS Interloper
PO1 Charles J HERO, RMN HMS Musashi
PO3 Marcia Kathryn HERO, RMN HMS Musashi
CAPTSG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
SSGT Barry TAYLOR Jr, RMMC MARDET Interloper
CDR Anne Lucy TEXTOR, RMN HMS Sabrepike

Conspicuous Bravery Medal

PVT Geoff R DZIURA, RMMC MARDET Vixen
PVT Daniel RODGERS, RMMC HMS Vixen

Marine Achievement Medal

SGTMAJ Zachary SANDAU, RMMC MARDET Interloper

Conspicuous Service Medal

MAJ Mark Edward LLOYD, RMMC MARDET Vixen

Royal Meritorious Unit Citation

The Gryphon Highlanders Regiment Triad and Staff

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

January Honors – Promotions

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

Flag Authorized Promotions

All effective 30 January, 2023

HMS Apollo

Antonio Remaly to Lieutenant (JG)
Wayne S Sexton to Spacer 2nd Class
Ella Jane Remaly to Senior Cadet Ranger

HMS Beowulf

John Otter McClelland to Spacer 2nd Class
Christopher N Olson to Obergefreiter

HMS Invincible

Ann Randolph to Petty Officer 1st Class
Aaron Amundson to Spacer 2nd Class
Kit A McKay to Spacer 2nd Class
Daniel Reising to Spacer 2nd Class
Joseph Samuel Steinhoff to Spacer 2nd Class
Jacob Bruns to Cadet Ranger Three

HMS Sabrepike

Joseph M Kaukola to Spacer 1st Class
Daniel Johnson to Spacer 2nd Class
Andrew Ernest Kueterman to Spacer 2nd Class
Rebecca Johnson to Senior Cadet Ranger

HMS Samurai

Matthew James Barkow to Spacer 1st Class
Brandon Joshua Berryhill to Spacer 1st Class
William North Cornelius Jr to Spacer 1st Class
Jericho Salizar Cornelius to Spacer 1st Class
Gabriel Michael Cornelius to Spacer 1st Class
Seth Alan Cornelius to Spacer 1st Class
John E Gerschoffer to Spacer 1st Class
Steven Frederick Thomson to Lance Corporal
Gordon J Snyder to Senior Clerk

HMSS North Star

Jessica Corrine Chadwick to Petty Officer 2nd Class
Justin Allen Langel to Spacer 1st Class
Richard A May to Spacer 1st Class
Andrew Duncan to Spacer 2nd Class
Radha Kelly to Cadet Ranger Three
Lazaro Matthew Nemer to Cadet Ranger Two

HMS Demon

Marcia Kathryn Hero to Petty Officer 2nd Class , effective 29 January, 2023

HMS Intrepid

Justin Andrew Crow to Private First Class, effective 14 January, 2022

HMS Vixen

Amanda L Miszynski to Private First Class effective 31 January, 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

VACANT

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 Kerry Kuhn

Flag Captain

co@hmsgryphon.trmn.org

Captain, Junior Grade Christina Swanson

Flag Lieutenant

flaglt@gryphonfleet.org

Captain Senior 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

Vacant

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 Menelaus (BC-569), 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 Helen (BC-570), Fruitport, MI

Task Group 22.4

Independent Commands

HMS Demon (CLAC-62), Milwaukee, WI
HMS Galahad (DD-478), Columbus, OH
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Rockford, IL
HMS Interloper (SD-460), Muncie, IN
HMS Vixen (DD-174), Chicago, IL