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The Gryphon's Beak

January, 2023
RADM Flag

Flag Sends

In January 2022 we had 1283 members of Second Fleet. At this writing, we have 1344 members.

I wanted to bring that up because we have managed to continue to grow despite the challenges of the last few years. And that is all your doing! You, the members of Second Fleet have been there, interacting with people, and getting them interested in joining and becoming part of the team.

And thank you for that!

It is your work and showing who we are that helps us grow, and keeps us in front of the public. Our lack of visual properties makes our people being visible more important than it might for others. And we do that!

This is a big year for the RMN – we have a regional convention with David Weber as the Guest of Honor, MARCON over Memorial Day in Columbus, OH; we also have a return of Manticon as a part of Bay Con over the Independence Day holiday in Santa Clara, CA. These are both big deals for us, and I encourage you, if possible, to attend at least one (MARCON is closer…) and join in our celebrations. It’s going to be fun!

 

The Tradition Lives!

Oak Forest

Oak Forest Arms

Comings & Goings

Appointment of new Home Secretary

To: All Officers and Enlisted in the Royal Manticoran Armed Forces, Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Civilian Services of the Star Empire of Manticore, and all Allied Navies
From: Martin A. Lessem, KSK, GCR, GCE, SC, OGL, DSO, Admiral of the Fleet, First Lord of the Admiralty, Grand Duke, Lynx, Duke, New Scania
Re: Appointment of new Home Secretary

As of this date, James Friedlines’ resignation from the position of Home Secretary is accepted. For his service as Home Secretary over the last five years, Sir James will be given an Honor, in the New Years Honors commensurate with this service.

Wayne Bruns is here by appointed to the role and position of Home Secretary, with all the responsibilities associated with that role

In Honour of the Queen!
Martin A. Lessem, KSK, GCR, GCE, SC, OGL, DSO
Admiral of the Fleet, RMN
First Lord of the Admiralty
Grand Duke, Lynx
Duke, New Scania

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/

FLA’s 2022 Holiday Message

Hello to all members of The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc.

2022 has been an interesting year for the organization in more ways than one, and we will see some changes in 2023, but more on that in a little bit. In less than a week, it will be a New Year, and as such, it is time for me to ruminate on what has happened this past year.

With COVID becoming endemic this year, TRMN came out of a global health emergency for the better. During the pandemic, members took to platforms that supported virtual meetings, and we had an incredible run of the TRMN Social Hour; all of which served to bring our members together when we all needed the support. This year, I am very pleased and proud to see TRMN members participating in conventions again. With a lot of conventions taking up the banner of health and safety, it is wonderful to see our members leading by example in employing all possible precautions. We’re taking the initiative in getting vaccines and boosters as recommended by health organizations all over the world. As we live with this new condition, we should continue to remain vigilant when it comes to protecting each other from further exposure.

Of course, not all our events were successful. Prior to the pandemic, we had plans to run a special one-time LARP in conjunction with Quest Productions. Unfortunately, Quest departed the project due to COVID-related concerns, and although we attempted to go it alone, ultimately we were left with the decision to cancel the event entirely. It is my hope that once we’re clear of the fallout leftover from the pandemic, we might see if interest in a LARP would make a future event possible. I am personally disappointed we didn’t get to see this to fruition as I think it could have been a phenomenal experience for our members and our organization.

In a few days, it will be a New Year. 2023. It will be an important year for the Fan Association in many respects. Our updated Corporate ByLaws go into effect on July 1, at BayCon, which is also MantiCon. Within the new Bylaws is corporate governance that will keep us compliant as a non-profit corporation, changing the nature of how our Board of Directors is designated. This change will move the Royal Council to a steering committee for the overall member operations of the club. Now, for the average member, these changes will be seamless, but they will streamline many of the operational issues we currently have and also it will give us much tighter control over our overall finances. More information on these changes will be disclosed in the months leading up to their date of effect. All of the current members of the Royal Council have been briefed on those changes, so I encourage you to discuss it with your branch leaders if you have questions.

This brings us to a discussion of who we are. We are The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc. What does that mean? It means we are fans of Honor Harrington and, by extension, the Honorverse. We are a fan club of an amazing female protagonist who has demonstrated that women can do anything a man can do, sometimes even better. We are a fan club who accepts that a Queen and Empress can be a Person of Color, and that this does not limit or diminish her in any way. We are a fan club which rejects racism, rejects misogyny, rejects bullying, and rejects discrimination of all kinds. We are a fan club which provides a Safe Space to all. We are a fan club which welcomes all, regardless of gender or race. We are a fan club which embraces empathy and compassion toward all our members. We are a fan club that prioritizes openness and friendship. We are a fan club which supports honesty, transparency and support for all of our members. This is who we, The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc are.

Further, as of January 1, 2023, we will be striving to live up to the ideals of who we are as a Fan Association. Within our Membership Handbook is our Code of Conduct, and in the past, we’ve irregularly applied it. Moving forward, we will be holding our members to that code with an even hand approach. To that end, I will be working with the Office of the Judge Advocate General to ensure we have an understandable interpretation of the Code of Conduct and its application toward the membership. This information will be shared so that every member understands what our Code of Conduct means.

This year also marks the half-way point through our current Ten-Year Plan. We are hitting most of our goals, to which I applaud our leadership team, including our branch leaders and space lords. For those goals where we are falling behind, we will be working together to catch up. Amongst those goals not yet reached is the translation of our documentation to include our friends in countries where English is not the primary language. We’re also making some course corrections, as one expects that a goal that looked great on paper in 2017 may no longer be applicable in 2023 and beyond. This obviously includes goals such as recruiting and retention, and the hope to reactivate some members who have fallen off the map. These will require work with many divisions and departments and may cause some changes there as well. I’d like to recognize the Bureau of Ships and the Bureau of Personnel as two of the many groups in our organization who’ve been working hard against global events; we’ll be working with them to adjust those goals in 2023.

Another change coming soon will be the creation of the Second Lord of the Admiralty. This position will act as the Deputy for the First Lord of the Admiralty. Once a person has been put into that role, I will begin training them to step into the role of First Lord of the Admiralty, and after five years, I will be stepping down. At that point, I will have led TRMN for twenty-five years.

A lot of changes are coming next year, and our members have proven that they’re up to the challenges facing our organization. As we move forward together, I hope that everyone will take up the mantle of Honor Harrington and drive to be a better organization and lead by example in the fandom community.

With that in mind and in heart, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, and in the memorable words of our namesake, “Let be about it!”

In Service to the Empress,
Admiral of the Fleet Martin A. Lessem, KSK, GCR, GCE, SC, OGL, DSO
First Lord of the Admiralty
Grand Duke, Lynx
Duke, New Scania

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.

ChiCon8 Take To The Stars
Crossed pulsars

Marksmanship Update

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

PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

  • CAPTSG Thomas HATHAWAY IV, RMN HMS Ajax

RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

  • S1C Terra R. CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Interloper
  • S3C Elijah FISHER, RMN HMS Interloper
  • S3C Michael GAGNON, RMN HMS Ajax
  • CAPTSG Thomas HATHAWAY IV, RMN HMS Ajax
  • S3C Buzz RYAN, RMN HMS Vixen

PISTOL SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

  • CR1 Nathaniel BECKWITH, SFC HMS Interloper
  • S2C David WILLIAMS, RMN HMS Interloper

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

  • CR1 Christine CHAMBERS, SFC HMS Interloper
  • CAPTSG Thomas HATHAWAY IV, RMN HMS Ajax
  • CDR Jim MCCOY, RMN HMS Ajax

PISTOL EXPERT AWARD:

  • CDR Tracy Lynn MCCLURE, RMN HMS Helen

RIFLE EXPERT AWARD:

  • LCDR Nathan A CAMARDA, RMN HMS Interloper
  • CDR Tracy Lynn MCCLURE, RMN HMS Helen
  • CAPTSG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma

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.

Gryphon's Wings

To request assistance, please click here.

2021 and 2022 Reporting Streamers

FORCECOM ORDER 2301-B

The Following Streamers are awarded by Marine Forces Command as recognition of 100% on-time reporting of the bi-monthly MARDET reports or for 100% reporting by sub-echelons for the 2021 and 2022 calendar years.

Streamers are authorized to be affixed to the unit guidon per Corps Directive 04-1308 and 03-1611.

MARDET Vixen

MARDET Interloper

MARDET Vixen

December Honors – Awards

Conspicuous Bravery Medal

WO2 Christina R DOANE, RMN HMS Beowulf
CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon

Navy Commendation Decoration

RADM Sherman DAY, RMN HMS Demon
MCWO Ursula DAY, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTJG Amy Louise THEISEN, RMN HMS Demon

Ribbon Pending

Diplomatic Commendation Decoration

Senior Clerk William KOPKE, CIVIL HMS Hexapuma

Royal Meritorious Unit Citation

HMS Helen

Prisoner of War Medal

PO1 Dimitri DALLAS, RMN HMS Gryphon
S1C Andrew SCHEELER, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTJG Christina SWANSON, RMN HMS Gryphon

Survivor's Cross

CAPTJG John CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Interloper
CAPTJG Christina SWANSON, RMN HMS Gryphon

Havenite Operational Service Medal

S1C Andrew Blair SCHEELER, RMN HMS Demon
PO1 Charles J HERO, RMN HMS Musashi
CAPTSG Timothy BAILEY, RMN HMS Musashi
1LT John CAUFFMAN, RMA Westmarch Rifles
CAPTJG Amy Louise THEISEN, RMN HMS Demon
S2C JJ BRUTSMAN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO3 Marcia Kathryn HERO, RMN HMS Musashi
SMCPO Bill LOCHEN, RMN HMS Invincible

Manticoran Combat Action Medal

9th Award

RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon

11th Award

CAPT Richard DAVENPORT, GSN HMS Death Claw

Manticoran Service Medal

LTSG Connor BLISS, RMN HMS Galahad
CAPTJG Emily HERRON, RMN HMS Invincible
CAPTJG Kevin JOHNSON, RMN HMS Sabrepike
CDR Ann SCHOTTLER, RMN HMS Hexapuma

Manticoran Reserve Service Medal

CAPTSG Patrick HAGEMEIER, RMN HMS Merlin
CAPTJG Dean F MCCLURE, RMN HMS Helen

FK Ed HARTWICK, IAN HMS Beowulf

Good Conduct Medal

S1C Todd Alan ADAMS, RMN HMS Merlin
PO1 John Edward ADKINS, RMN HMS Galahad
PO1 Andy Roy ANDERSON, RMN HMS Merlin
S1C Daniel CHRISTENBERRY, RMN HMS Gryphon
S1C Susanne CHRISTIANSEN, RMN HMS Helen
CPO Ace FUGATE, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Mathias P KAPPES, RMN HMS Intrepid
S1C Paul Joseph KILMER, RMN HMS Helen
S1C Summer MERIGOLD, RMN HMS Intrepid
S1C Michał ORGELBRAND Sr, RMN HMS Invincible
S1C Paige M RUMNEY, RMN HMS Intrepid
PO1 Scott W SCHWANDT, RMN HMS Merlin
S1C Gabriel TREMEWAN, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Lisa Lynn WANDERSEE, RMN HMS Javelin
S1C Dale W WEILAGE, RMN HMS Intrepid
S1C Byron WILLIAMS II, RMN HMS Invincible

LCPL Shawn HUISMAN, RMMC HMS Merlin
LCPL Cameron TAYLOR, RMMC HMS Helen
LCPL Roger Lee WATHEN Sr, RMMC HMS Gryphon

S1C Arie C KOELEWYN, GSN HMS Beowulf
S1C Greg PEDELTY, GSN HMS Helen

HGEFR Keith LANDRY, IAN HMS Beowulf
OB Dan SPARKS-JACKSON, IAN HMS Beowulf
HGEFR Kevin Lee STONER, IAN HMS Beowulf
HGEFR Rebecca Ann STONER, IAN HMS Beowulf

CR3 Edward MENKEN-WHITE, SFC HMS Galahad

SANL Richard CHRISTIANSEN, CIVIL HMS Helen
SCLK Lance D MOORE, CIVIL HMS Beowulf

S4 Leigh H KIMMEL, RMMM HMS Gryphon
S4 Adam K REUTER, RMMM HMS Gryphon
S4 Larry ULREY, RMMM HMS Gryphon

Good Conduct Medal, 2nd Award

S1C Jason BIEBER, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Abigail BREWER, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C David BREWER, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Edd BROADDUS, RMN GSNLAC Lilla Bjorn
S1C Matthew CHARBONEAU, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PO1 Aaron J COX, RMN HMS Galahad
PO1 Erin ENGSTROM, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Jordan ENGSTROM, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Derrick ERICKSON, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Zac EVANS, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Amanda FLUEGEL, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Ian FRANTZ, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Andrew GARLAND, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Seth HUNTER, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Jennifer KATZENBERGER, RMN HMS Invincible
S1C Aaron MARRA, RMN HMS Demon
S1C David NELSON, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Jesse PERKINS, RMN GSNLAC Lilla Bjorn
PO2 Willie SCHOTTLER, RMN HMS Hexapuma
S1C Angela SEXTON, RMN HMS Apollo
CPO Joseph STEVENS, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO1 Liz A STEVENS, RMN HMS Hexapuma

LCPL Stephen KATZENBERGER, RMMC MARDET Invincible

CSTAFF Dominic DOODY, CIVIL HMS Invincible

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

December Honors – Promotions

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

HMS Demon

  • Douglas Edward Drummond to Petty Officer Third Class, effective 7 December, 2022
  • Richard W France to Petty Officer Third Class, effective 7 December, 2022

HMS Hexapuma

  • William Kopke to Senior Clerk effective 8 December, 2022
  • Eric Thompson to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 25 December, 2022
HMS Havoc

HMS Interloper

  • Gerrit Johan Rademeyer to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 13 December, 2022
  • Oksana Forgie to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 19 December, 2022
  • Bobby Lee Russ to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 27 December, 2022
  • Karl H Fike to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 27 December, 2022
  • Kacie Rae Lloyd to Clerk, effective 27 December, 2022​
HMS Vixen

HMS Vixen

  • Terra Bathory to Platoon Sergeant, effective 2 December, 2022
  • Jonathan Fowler to Private First Class, effective 4 January, 2023
  • Buzz Ryan to Coxswain 2/c, effective 4 January, 2023​

Fleet Command & Staff Information

CO, Gryphon Fleet

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

XO, Gryphon Fleet

VACANT

Bosun, 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 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 shoulder patch

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 shoulder patch

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 shoulder patch

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 22.2 shoulder patch

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

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

Echelon Commanders

Task Force 21

Task Force 21

VACANT

Task Group 21.1

Task Group 21.1

CAPTSG Jill McTavish

Destroyer Squadron 265

Destroyer Squadron 265

CAPTSG Paladin Meyer

Task Group 21.2

Task Group 21.2

CAPTJG Timothy Bailey

Task Force 22

Task Force 22

CDRE Justin Dupras

Task Group 22.1

Task Group 22.1

CAPTSG Michael Flanagan

Task Group 22.3

Task Group 22.3

CAPTSG Jackie Snedden

Cruiser Division 711

Cruiser Division 711

CAPTJG Kevin Johnson

Task Group 22.4

Task Group 22.4

CAPTSG Samuel Dietzmann