The Gryphon's Beak

May, 2023

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Flag Sends

This is the last Flag Sends I will be writing, and I wanted to reflect on how Second Fleet has changed since I relieved VADM Westmarch on June 1, 2019.

First, the obvious. 10 months after taking the position, we shut down for COVID. The impact that had on the Fleet, and organization, as a whole cannot be understated. In Second Fleet we saw two paths, and took them both. Some chapters made nearly seamless transitions to virtual existence, and kept going almost business as usual. Other chapters struggled, having always been in-person, and not being prepared to discard that experience. Regardless, it was hard on everyone, and that was reflected in our chapters.

Through it all, however, we persevered as a Fleet, and as friend groups. Is it different? Of course. Change is growth after all. But we did grow, finding new ways to do things, new ways to reach people and engage with them, and new ways to be who we are.

And our numbers show it. When I took this position, 2nd Fleet numbered 1011 members. As of May 1st, we number 1351 members. That is some amazing growth, and everyone should be proud of how we have grown. That is one of our greatest successes over the past few years.

We have, additionally, made a name for ourselves in the larger fandom community, with a successful Worldcon, hosting gaming tracks for online conventions, reviving MARCON, and being a presence at local events across the fleet. Our leadership in the larger fandom community is, perhaps, the best thing that has happened during my tenure. By growing our profile, our social capital, we can build a better Fleet, and through this a better Organization.

So, as I hand things off to VADM Thompson, I want to encourage everyone to keep up the good work, and help him be the best Fleet CO he can be, as he leads Second Fleet forward. We have a great group of people here, and I truly believe that there is no limit to what we can accomplish. So, thank you, and let’s be about it!

The Tradition Lives!

Oak Forest

Comings & Goings

FORCEORDER 2304-A

Change of Command, Marine Detachment Vixen

By my hand, and by the authority of the Sovereign, Queen of Manticore Elizabeth III, I hereby authorize the following changes of command effective 19 April 2023.

Thank you, Regimental Sergeant Major Jayme Moore, RMMC for all you have done as the NCOIC/Gunny for Marine Detachment Vixen, you have been relieved.

Staff Sergeant Barry Lynn Taylor Jr, RMMC is assigned as NCOIC/Gunny for Marine Detachment Vixen.

I hereby authorize the following brevets under Corps Directive 02-2204 and Corps Directive 03-2204:

None.

Congratulations!

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 March, 2023:

GRAYSON DISTINGUISHED WEAPONS QUALIFICATION:

PO2 Laurie DAVENPORT, HMS Death Claw

PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

LTJG Kim FURR, HMS Interloper

PO2 Bobby RUSS, HMS Interloper

PISTOL SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

SMCPON Christopher BAYE, HMS Hellhound

LTSG Chuck KELLY, HMS Hellhound

S3C Terrence BUCHHOLZ, HMS Interloper

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

LTSG Chuck KELLY, HMS Hellhound

CR3 Brad ZEAK II, MARDET Interloper

PISTOL HIGH EXPERT AWARD:

CMDR Tracy MCCLURE, HMS Helen

RIFLE HIGH EXPERT AWARD:

CAPTJG Dean F MCCLURE, 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.

April Honors – Awards

Knight Grand Cross, Order of Queen Elizabeth

CAPTSG Zachary MCCAULEY, RMN HMS Valkyrie

Knight Commander, Order of Queen Elizabeth

CAPTJG Matthew LINDQUIST, RMN HMS Intrepid

Grand Alliance Campaign Medal

CDRE Justin F. DUPRAS, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTJG Christina SWANSON, RMN HMS Gryphon
CAPTSG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
COL Larry Dale FRENCH Sr, RMMC MARDET Demon
CDRE Bruce William CREWS, RMN HMS Enterprise
PSGT Shannara BATHORY, RMMC MARDET Vixen
PO2 Gerrit Johan RADEMEYER, RMN HMS Interloper
CAPTJG John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Interloper
SSGT Richard KROUSER, RMMC MARDET Interloper
CPO Stephen BAKER, RMN HMS Galahad
CAPTSG Zachary MCCAULEY, RMN HMS Valkyrie

Manticoran Combat Action Medal

1st Award

CAPT Thomas MATZKE, RMMC MARDET Interloper
CPO Buzz RYAN, RMN HMS Vixen

5th Award

CDRE Bruce William CREWS, RMN HMS Enterprise
CAPT Thorben KOTTENHAHN, RMMC HMS Hexapuma

Manticoran Service Medal

LTJG Mark WILLIAMS, RMN HMSS North Star

CAPT Matthew HELLENDRUNG, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie

Manticoran Reserve Service Medal

CDR Ziggi THOMPSON, RMN HMS Menelaus
CDR Tracy Lynn MCCLURE, RMN HMS Menelaus
CDR Debra FLIGOR, RMN HMS Menelaus
CDR David Oliver KLING, RMN HMS Menelaus

BRGEN Brad ZEAK Sr, RMMC MARDET Interloper

Good Conduct Medal

PO2 Jeffrey Dale RANDALL, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Linden C ROBART, RMN HMS Galahad
S1C Brian Steward KOZLOWSKI, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Marisa Chavez HILDEBRANDT, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Katrina Marie FOLEY, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Timothy J STICKNEY, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Melissa K METIVIER, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Jeffrey Paul LENZ, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Ellie Jean JOHNSON, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Mary STEIN, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Diane Jean-Therese VOTH, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Dickie B. VOTH, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Dan ALLARDYCE, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Eric Benjamin STEIN, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Wesley H.M. ZIEBELL, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C John DELANCY, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Joseph Clarence WOLF, RMN HMS Menelaus
CPO Rose CALLAHAN, RMN HMS Menelaus
S1C Jennifer BUCHANAN, RMN HMS Menelaus

PO2 Amanda Kristen MATHENY, GSN HMS Invincible
CIVILIAN Andrea Lynn SNEDDEN, CIVIL HMS Enterprise
S4 Michael War Paint BOURSAW, RMMM HMS Beowulf

Good Conduct Medal, 2nd Award

S1C Paul MACZKA, RMN HMSS North Star
PO1 Aaron CICHOCKE, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Marie MAHOLLY, RMN HMSS North Star
PO2 Paul NUTTING, RMN HMSS North Star
PO2 Chris WEST, RMN HMSS North Star
PO2 Crissy WEST, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Bruce ALBRECHT, RMN HMSS North Star
PO2 Wesley BARNHART, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Phil COOK, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C David LAW, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Jessica SMALLS, RMN HMSS North Star
S1C Den BOLDA, RMN HMSS North Star

CIVILIAN Justin ENGELKING, CIVIL HMS Valkyrie

Officer Space Warfare Pin

CAPT Thorben KOTTENHAHN, RMMC HMS Hexapuma

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

April Honors – Promotions

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

HMS Demon

Anthony A Barkan to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 9 April, 2023
Stephanie Barkan to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 9 April, 2023

HMS Enterprise

Kayla Audet to Senior Cadet Ranger, effective 1 April, 2023

HMS Helen

Aaron Oakley Myers to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 31 March, 2023
Louis J Bosse to Spacer 1st Class, effective 13 April, 2023

HMS Hexapuma

James Sandford Edwards to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 13 April, 2023

HMS Interloper

Gerrit Johan Rademeyer to Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 10 April, 2023
Spencer Alden Tahsler to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 10 April, 2023

HMS Musashi

Eric Clapsaddle to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 15 April, 2023

HMS Vixen

Paul J Grutzmacher IV to Spacer 1st Class, effective 8 April, 2023
Magpie Lee Kane to Spacer 1st Class, effective 8 April, 2023
Chris T Dundon to Senior Clerk, effective 8 April, 2023

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