The Gryphon's Beak

June, 2022

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Cruelty is easy.

It is when you think about it. We, as humans, are hardwired for it. If we weren’t, why would we have so many structures in place to tell us to not be cruel? Laws, religions, customs…all these systems that, at the core, want us to stop being cruel to each other. And even then, it barely works. We keep finding reasons to ‘other’ people, to define them as the outgroup, and that excuses seeing them as lesser beings.

We do this politically, religiously, socially, and even in fandom. Look at how certain groups are viewed – from one group viewed as a sort of pinnacle of organized fandom, to another loose group viewed as the dregs. We rank people by the games they like, the books or movies they champion, and frankly every other thing where there can be more than one option.

It needs to be seen for what it is – unchecked human nature. No more, no less. It is, in a way, the primal condition of humanity. And we all do it, even if we won’t admit it.

But, and this is important, all those systems telling us to be better have a purpose. We are simply better together. Like alloys are stronger than pure metal, we are stronger, better, when we are with those who are different. Even when those people annoy us – perhaps especially when they do.

It is a test, to be sure, and as the Graysons teach us, we are meant to face these tests. Just so that it is said – I am not excluding myself here. There are people I have dealt with, and deal with, that drive me batty. I face my own Test, and I don’t always succeed. Success isn’t required, just doing your best.

And this ties into last month being Mental Health Awareness Month. Our personal Tests are not a series, you only need to do your best daily – what happened yesterday is yesterday. It can’t be changed, and flagellating yourself over it only hurts, well, you. All we are called to do is to be our best today. That means we are called to be kind, be tolerant, to be inclusive, to be…good. And we do the best we can today, and sometimes that is more than yesterday, sometimes less. And that is normal too.

Face the Test, be inclusive, accept others, embrace differences, and be kind to yourself. This is what the Royal Manticoran Navy, and Second Fleet, is all about. This is who we are, and who we are expected to be. So let’s be about it.

Oak Forest

Comings & Goings

BuPlan Directive 2205-01

Appointment of Historical Society Director

LCDR John Fairbairn

You are hereby ordered to report to the Bureau of Planning, Admiralty House, whereby you shall take up the office of Director, TRMN Historical Society.

Commensurate with your position, a brevet promotion to Commander has been authorized.

This order is backdated and effective 15 April 2022.

Fail not in this duty at your peril.

In Service to Her Majesty, the Sovereign Queen of the Star Kingdom of Manticore, Elizabeth III,

Jay Griffin, KDE, SC, QBM
Lieutenant Commander, RMN
Chief of Staff, Bureau of Planning

By Direction:

Cheryl Krause, KSK, GCE, KDR, MC, CGM, GS
Rear Admiral of the Green, RMN
Second Space Lord, Bureau of Planning
Baroness New Hastings

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/

Meet Your New Chief of Staff

Allow me to introduce myself to Second Fleet since very few people outside the Chicago area know me. My name is Kerry Kuhn and besides being the Captain of HMS Hexapuma, I am the new Chief of Staff for Second Fleet.

Part of the job of being CoS is to keep an eye on the pulse of the Fleet. This means that if you have any questions or issues you think need to be addressed, I am probably more available than either the CO or DCO of the Fleet. I am here to listen and help. I am active on Discord in both my ship and the Second Fleet server (https://discord.gg/hp9E6qSeRS). You are more than welcome to DM me on Discord – I am Dame Trouble#0393. If you are not comfortable using Discord, I can be reached at cos@gryphonfleet.org or at my personal email address which is kerrylkuhn@gmail.com.

I am a firm believer in the Code of Conduct of our organization. Especially the one that says critique in private, praise in public. Thus, any complaints you have about anyone or anything will stay private unless you request otherwise. I can be a sounding board for a new idea or a shoulder to cry on for one that didn’t work.

I look forward to meeting as many of the members of Second Fleet as possible, in person or online. Please stop by and introduce yourself and your ship.

Always With Honor,

Kerry Kuhn, GCE, SC, OG, CGM
Captain SG, RMN
Commanding Officer, HMS Hexapuma (CA-412)
Chief of Staff, Second (Gryphon) Fleet

Worldcon YA Ticket Available

Due to a change in circumstances we have a Young Adult (18-24) Worldcon membership available. Firstly, I want to thank the donor, this is amazing.

There has been a suggestion to raffle it off, with half to charity and half to the Worldcon Fund. After a lot of thought, and due to the age restrictions of this ticket, I decided to not.

So! I am opening this up to anyone who will be between 18 & 24 as of September 1. Send me an email at co@gryphonfleet.org, and let me know why you are the best choice! It doesn’t need to be long, just a bit so I can understand who’s who. This will be live in May & June, with a decision announced in the July newsletter.
Thanks to everyone who’s interested, and I look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

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 June, 2022:

PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

WO1 Jon ATKINS, RMN, HMS Interloper

ENS Emi UHILA, RMN, HMS Interloper

Pistol Sharpshooter Award:

LTCOL Brad ZEAK, RMMC, HMS Interloper

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

CPO Danielle OSTACH, RMN, HMS Demon

PISTOL SHARPSHOOTER AWARD

CAPT Thomas PAUKSTIS, RMMC, 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.

June Honors – Awards

Queen's Cross For Bravery

CDR Lucas MATTHYS, RMN HMS Intrepid

Osterman Cross

SMCPO Rick WATERSON, RMN HMS Demon
CPO Danielle E OSTACH, RMN HMS Demon

Mentioned in Dispatches

SMCPO Rick WATERSON, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTSG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen
CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon
SCPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO2 Sharon Lee PATTERSON, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CDR Anne Lucy TEXTOR, RMN HMS Sabrepike
COL Martin Richard TIZURA, RMMC MARDET Vixen

Navy Commendation Decoration

Fleet Manager Peter Gold, RMMM
LTSG Steve GALPIN, RMN HMS Interloper
ENS William Edward NELSON, RMN HMS Interloper
SMCPO Rick WATERSON, RMN HMS Demon
PO3 Anita V ROTHERAM, RMN HMS Interloper
WO2 Jonathan Wayne ATKINS, RMN HMS Interloper

Meritorious Service Medal

S2C Matthew DAVIES, RHN HMS Interloper

Navy Achievement Medal

S2C Nathan A CAMARDA, RMN HMS Interloper

Royal Meritorious Unit Citation

HMS Hexapuma

Manticoran Combat Action Medal

9h Award

CAPTSG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma

2nd Award

SSGT Barry TAYLOR Jr, RMMC MARDET Interloper
SCPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma

1st Award

CPO Stephen BAKER, RMN HMS Galahad
S2C Nathan A CAMARDA, RMN HMS Interloper

Officer Space Warfare Pin

LCDR Debra FLIGOR, RMN HMS Hotspur

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

June Honors – Promotions

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

FLAG BOARD PROMOTIONS

RADM Eddy ROBERTS, RMN HMS Hotspur to Rear Admiral of the Green

Flag Promotions

Ensign Jeremy C Green to Lieutenant (JG)
Ensign Robert B Hall Sr to Lieutenant (JG)
Ensign William Edward Nelson to Lieutenant (JG)

HMS Hexapuma

William Kopke to Civilian Two, effective 9 May, 2022

HMS Interloper

Anita Rotheram to Coxswain Petty Officer 3rd Class, effective 12 May, 2022
Barry Lynn Taylor Jr to Staff Sergeant, effective 13 May, 2022

HMS Musashi

Liz Carpenter to Spacer 1st Class, effective 30 May, 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 Kerry Kuhn

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

WO 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 Hexapuma (CA-412), Rockford, IL
HMS Interloper (SD-460), Muncie, IN
HMS Vixen (DD-174), Chicago, IL