The Gryphon's Beak

October, 2021

Flag Sends
LARP Update
Comings & Goings
Nominations for HMS Unconquered
Nominations for The Protector’s Own
Upcoming Events
Marksmanship Update
Gryphon’s Wings Fleet Relief Project
Rating Clarification
August Honors – Awards
August Honors – Promotions
Fleet Contacts
Order of Battle
Echelon Command Contacts

Printable PDF

RADM Flag

Flag Sends

October Is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. That’s a mouthful. I wanted to discuss that briefly.

I’m not going to get into the ‘spoons’ discussion – I suspect we are all aware of that in some fashion. And that is readily available online anyway.

I think it is more important to talk about, well, talking about it. For all that we see social media explaining how it impacts your ability to do things, we never talk about the lack of talking about it.

And that’s an issue. When there is a physical injury, we are quick to accept that the injured needs time to heal. We make accommodations, look for ways to help, and generally aren’t discomforted by them talking about the injury. We accept that it takes time to heal – and we know roughly how long that will take. We can tell someone their broken arm will be in a cast for 6-8 weeks. The surgical incision will heal in X days, and so on. And we, as a society, give them the time to do that healing.

With mental issues, however, there is most often no outward sign. We don’t have bandages or a cast for the brain. Further, we have an instinctual aversion to the idea of not being ‘ok’. Especially at the deeper level of having a chronic state of being not ok. And even more when we can’t see it – and it could be anyone. Humans love to have the other to fear or hate, and the idea that someone is invisibly different causes not insignificant stress.

This is exacerbated by the failure of language. Depressed and depression are different, just as anxious and anxiety are. And we use the words interchangeably, making the conversations harder. While telling someone who is anxious (over an interview, for example) to relax is sometimes ok, it’s never ok for someone with anxiety.

And it’s hard to see the difference sometimes. For me, anxiety is hard to understand – I don’t suffer from that, and the impacts on people around me that do make no sense to me, since it appears they are anxious about something they are exceptionally good at – and know it. For myself, and others like me who can’t quite get it, it is on us to not overlay how we would respond, and act with kindness and understanding of what the other is experiencing.

We do a good job – that’s not in doubt. I believe there is always room to improve. By taking our time, being understanding, and letting the people who deal with depression, anxiety, and the like determine their needs and wants, we are better friends, family, and fellow TRMN members.

We need to talk about this with each other, in part to get the help and support we need, and also to take the stigma away. Until we can discuss mental health with the ease with which we can discuss physical health, there will continue to be needless stigma and discomfort. We’re meant to be better than that.

THE TRADITION LIVES!
OAK FOREST

Matter of Honor LARP Update

Matter Of Honor Postponement Notice:

Dramatically rising Covid-19 cases and trends in the Bay City area have prompted both the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum (USS Edson) and the Bay City Health Department to encourage us to cancel or postpone the Matter of Honor event for November 2021. While QAG staff had already expressed our requirement of player vaccinations, the tight quarters and minimal ventilation aboard the Edson make the event a significant danger given the properties of the Delta variant.

The November 2021 event will not be taking place.
At this time, both the TRMN and Quest staff are working on the most viable solution, which could very likely mean a rescheduling sometime in 2022. At this time, we are disabling all additional payments to player accounts and asking that players please be patient while we sort out our plan of action. Whatever the decision, full refunds will be made available should players request them.

At this time, this is all the information we are ready to convey – we will update everyone as we know more. Thank you for your understanding in the meantime.

Comings & Goings

BuShips Directive 2109-03
Appointment of Command Staff, HMS Galahad (DD-478)

S2C Stephen BAKER, RMN HMS Galahad:

You are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard HMS Galahad (DD-478), there to take upon yourself the duties and responsibilities of Bosun, relieving Chief Petty Officer Ginny Beatty, 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, 18 Sep 2021.

The Bureau of Ships wishes to express appreciation and thanks to Chief Petty Officer Beatty for her service as Bosun of Galahad and wish her all success in her future endeavors.

BuShips Directive 2109-04
Appointment of Command Staff, HMS Helen (BC-570)

PO2 Jack Oswald-Warren FROST, RMN HMS Helen:

You are hereby directed and required to proceed aboard HMS Helen (BC-570), there to take upon yourself the duties and responsibilities of Bosun, relieving Chief Petty Officer Austin Muratori, 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, 23 Sep 2021.

The Bureau of Ships wishes to express appreciation and thanks to Chief Petty Officer Muratori for his
service as Bosun of Helen and wish him all success in his future endeavors.

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.

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 September, 2021:

PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

S3C Anthony GILLIAN, HMS Vixen

CPO James FORGIE, HMS Havoc

PO3 Steve GALPIN, HMS Havoc

CPL Zachary W. SANDAU, MARDET Havoc

RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

S3C Anthony GILLIAN, HMS Vixen

PO3 Steve GALPIN, HMS Havoc

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

LTSG Connor BLISS, HMS Galahad

CPO Stephen BAKER, HMS Galahad

PM1 Aaron COX, HMS Galahad

PISTOL EXPERT AWARD:

CAPTJG Christina SWANSON, HMS Gryphon

RIFLE EXPERT AWWARD:

CAPTJG Christina SWANSON, HMS Gryphon

PO2 Steven BOBULA, HMS Galahad

LCDR Betty J OSTHOFF, HMS Galahad

PISTOL HIGH EXPERT AWARD:

MCPO Rick WATERSON, 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.

September Honors – Awards

Queen's Bravery Medal

LCDR Betty J OSTHOFF, RMN HMS Galahad

Conspicuous Bravery Medal

CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CDR Anne Lucy TEXTOR, RMN HMS Sabrepike

Meritorious Service Medal

CPO Jonathan Wayne ATKINS, RMN HMS Havoc
CPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma CPO Stephanie Kay BERLIEN, GSN HMS Valkyrie
PO2 Sharon Lee PATTERSON, RMN HMS Hexapuma

Navy Commendation Decoration

RADM Wayne BRUNS, RMN HMS Invincible
CAPTSG Elisa L. RANDALL, RMN HMS Invincible LTSG Crystal Eloise BUTT, RHN HMS Vixen
LTSG Z KRICK, RMN HMS Musashi
LTJG Brent Lee PETERSON, RMN HMS Intrepid
LTJG Cris LITTLEWOLF, RMN HMS Intrepid
ENS Dustin ENNEN, RMN HMS Intrepid
ENS Hailey Adaire HAMILTON, RMN HMS Intrepid
SSGT David ISAAK, RMMC HMS Intrepid
CPO Elizabeth ERICKSON, RMN HMS Invincible
CPO James Matthew FORGIE, RMN HMS Havoc
PO1 Matthew Ian LEIFSON Jr, RMN HMS Intrepid
PO3 Steve GALPIN, RMN HMS Havoc
S1C Kristopher John BRUNS, RMN HMS Intrepid
S1C Timothy GRUNDSETH, RMN HMS Intrepid
S1C Matthew ONNEN, RMN HMS Intrepid
S1C Heather SAVOY, RMN HMS Intrepid
LCPL Joshua JIMENEZ, RMMC HMS Intrepid
LCPL Cherish RHINEHART, RMMC HMS Intrepid

Prisoner of War Medal

CAPT Larry FRENCH Sr, RMMC MARDET Demon

Silesian Anti-Piracy Campaign Medal

CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
LCDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen
ENS Tiffany KAMPERSAL, RMN HMS Hexapuma
CPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO2 Sharon Lee PATTERSON, RMN HMS Hexapuma

Manticoran Combat Action Medal

3rd Award

PO1 Danielle E OSTACH, RMN HMS Demon

2nd Award

KdS Charles SHANANAQUET II, IAN HMS Beowulf

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

September Honors – Promotions

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

HMS Havoc

Richard S. Krouser to Lance Corporal, effective 24 September, 2021
Robert B. Hall, Sr to Spacer 1st Class, effective 24 September, 2021

HMS Hexapuma

Tiffany Kampersal to Ensign, effective 4 September, 2021
Madi Greg to Spacer 1st Class, effective 24 September, 2021

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 Zach McCauley

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

CPO 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 Havoc (DD-01), Muncie, IN
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Rockford, IL
HMS Vixen (DD-174), Chicago, IL