Table of Contents

• Flag Sends
• Comings & Goings
• December Reports
• Fleet Staff Needed
• Upcoming Events
• Manual Release
• Black Sphinx Cup Announcement
• Flag Response to BSC Announcement
• Marksmanship Update
• December Honors – Awards
• December Honors – Promotions
• Fleet Contacts
• Order of Battle
• Echelon Command Contacts

Flag Sends

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and our grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty.

-Daniel Burnham, 1910

With the beginning of 2020 upon us, I wanted to talk about what plans I have for the Fleet moving forward. These are, admittedly, ambitious. I believe in what Burnham said, we need to make big plans, and strive to meet them. This way, should we fall short, we still did more than we might otherwise have accomplished.

So, in order of importance, here are the Fleet Objectives for 2020.

Begin A Fundraising Campaign – this will be the core of much that comes later. We have, approximately, 1100 people in the fleet. My goal is that 100 of these people commit to $5.00 a month in donations. That level would produce $6000 by the end of 2020, and place us on a financial footing to do a lot of good things. From donations to Big Cat Rescue, to fully funding fleet coins, to setting up ‘welcome kits’ for new chapters, we would be able to help our members, and be a bigger force for good in the organization and the world as a whole.

For this, I am looking at Patreon as an example. Funding that way is easier than asking people to click a button every month, and Patreon is a secure platform. I have reached out to JAG Parker to hammer out the legal and RMN issues with how we proceed. We may use Patreon itself, or a similar method over PayPal, or something else, it remains to be seen which process is best for our needs.

Design & Stock New Fleet Coins – we are low on the excellent coins we have been using. Sadly, the order of a new coin run is not an inexpensive proposition. A ballpark for 300 coins is $1200. With the above funding plan, we could potentially order these in March…

NASFIC Columbus 2020 – Each year that WorldCon is outside the US, there is a NASFIC convention. In 2020, that convention is in Columbus, OH. Since Columbus is in Second Fleet, we need to be a presence there. I have commitments from HMS Demon’s Bosun to attend, and I plan to be there as well. I hope we can have a fairly large group showing up to represent David and the RMN. It’s not inexpensive, admittedly, but it is something I feel is highly important to do. More on that will be posted all year.

Fleet Growth – I know, this is the one thing that is specifically listed as a duty, and I list it last. I want to keep the eye on this particular ball all year, but we need to do it right. I consider the way we grow to be as important as how much we grow. I want our chapters to be alive, vibrant places where members feel at home, not the kind of place where folks forget they even joined. To that end, let’s be purposeful about growth. I want us to have a core in place – some unifying thing – before a chapter launches. I want to add people to chapters who fit that chapter – if we have a quiet, bookish chapter, adding adventure sports junkies might not be a great fit, and vice versa.

By no means should we turn people away! We are, and must always be, open, accepting, and affirming. Membership is always open to all. My concern is that if we cram people into chapters where they don’t feel at home, we contribute to stagnation. Let’s focus on growing with chapters that share a commonality that would keep them together without TRMN. We can be a framework, but shouldn’t be the glue.

So, that is what I want to accomplish this year. I believe in accountability – if you have a passion for some aspect of this, let CoS McCauley and myself know! I, in this role, have to hold expectations of the command triads, and that is always a two way street. Hold my feet to the fire for the projects you are passionate about!

We only move forward if we all move in the same direction. I hope this beginning of a road map helps provide some insight into what I feel is needed.

2020…it can be a lot of things, let’s make it a great one for Second Fleet!

Comings & Goings

Gryphon Fleet Order 1912-A

Welcome and congratulations to Rear Admiral of the Red Wayne Bruns, Baron Grosvenor as the new CO, Task Force 21. Fleet extends thanks and a deep appreciation to Commodore Dame Ann Erikson for her work in the role, and wishes her well in her future work down in Third Fleet!

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Supply Directive 1911-25

Congratulations to Lieutenant (SG) Aaron Butt on his appointment to the position of RHN Liaison to the Seventh Space Lord of the Admiralty.

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BuShips Directive 1912-02

Petty Officer First Class Antonio Remaly, having completed the requisite coursework, and having stepped up to replenish vacancy in the required officer corps aboard HMS Apollo, CL-80, you are hereby Brevetted to the rank of Ensign, Royal Manticoran Navy.

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Gryphon Fleet Order 1912-D

Welcome to our new chapter, HMLAC Banturon, LAC-034! Corpsman Petty Officer 2/c John Ryan Chambers, RMN, you are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard HMLAC Banturon, there to take upon yourself the duties and responsibilities of Commanding Officer. Fail not in this charge at your peril. You are brevetted to the rank of O-3 LIEUTENANT SENIOR GRADE with the commissioning of this vessel.

The following personnel are assigned to HMLAC Banturon:

LTSG John CHAMBERS, Commanding Officer

MCPO Jeffrey HUGHES, Bosun

S3C Jonathan ATKINS

CR1 Kayleigh Elizabeth HUGHES, SFC

Welcome to Gryphon Fleet, and best wishes to LAC and crew for good hunting!

••••

BuShips Directive 1912-04

Congratulations to Commander Christina Swanson and Lieutenant JG Scott Somerville on their appointment as CO and XO, respectively, of HMS Gryphon! Further congratulations on their promotions to Captain (JG) and Commander! Thank you to outgoing CO Captain Joseph Kaplan, RHN for his service as CO.

••••

ForceCom Order 1912-B & C

Congratulations to the Gryphon Highlanders selected as Regimental Marines of the Year. For outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary professionalism while serving in the Royal Manticoran Marine Corps from January 2019 through December 2019, The following Marines are selected as the Marine of the year for Calendar year 2019. These members are recognized throughout their respective Regiments and Fleet as a team player, who is committed to their duties and the welfare of their Marines.

COL Bryar NELSON, RMMC MARDET Invincible

MSGT Jessica GAZDIK, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie