The Gryphon's Beak
September, 2019
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Flag Sends
TS Eliot wrote that April was the cruelest month. That may well be, but August is in the running for second.
Not that it’s been exceptionally cruel, exactly, just odd. I looked up, and it was the last week of the month, and this newsletter was mostly blank. Then I blinked, and here I am, writing this on Saturday morning. The 31st. It’s not exactly the last minute, but oh-so-close.
What makes a month seem to vanish – and what makes it seem to drag forever? I blame the same thing.
Activity.
Not having or a lack of…not for me at least…but the perception of activity. So, I didn’t do a whole lot this month. A ship meeting, a minor league ball game / cancer fundraiser, a few hours playing a Risk clone. A lot of Warframe. But that’s it. And somehow it felt like there wasn’t time for anything else, and the month zipped past.
It’s an odd thing, how we perceive time. It passes at the same rate for us all, but for me August was a blink and was gone, and for others it drug on forever.
My thought here is that we have the same time in each day, week, month, as everyone else, it is up to us to make the most of it.
It’s probably a trite Facebook meme, but it is true…no one ever died saying they wished they had spent more time veging on the couch. Get up, get out, find something to do!
Sometimes that willingness to just do something is all it takes to make a blah time better, to find new friends (or grow closer to old ones), or even…and stick with me here…get your RMN chapter active.
That is something everyone at the echelon and above wants for all of the members – an active chapter.
And that activity needn’t be anything anyone else is doing. Book clubs, brewpubs, online gaming, board / card / tabletop gaming, nature hikes, geochacheing / letterboxing, charity projects…or nearly anything you can think of to do as a group. If it makes your chapter closer, then I encourage it!
So, for September, my question to you all is; ‘how can I help strengthen my chapter?’ Think about it – I know there is something all of us can do, and you have my encouragement to do it!
Comings & Goings
TO: FADM Boundary Waters, KSK, KDR, KDE, MC, SC, DSO
FR: RADM Calabasas, GCE, MC, OC, KR, SC, KR
RE: Designation of Flagship, HMS Invincible (SD-455) (Buships Directive 1908-03)
My Lady:
Effective 0001 Hours, 31 August 2019, HMS Invincible (SD-455) is hereby designated as the flagship of your command, Naval Operations (Office of First Space Lord, Admiralty House). Invincible is heretofor authorized to fly your pennant upon her hull, which should be embellished with four red stripes as befits the level of your command within the Royal Manticoran Navy.
Any previous directives or orders regarding CNO’s flagship or with respect to Invincible’s status as a flagship are hereby overridden and/or rescinded.
In Service to Her Majesty, the Sovereign Queen of the Star Kingdom of Manticore, Elizabeth III,
Christopher Thompson, GCE, MC, OC, OR, KR, SC,
Rear Admiral of the Red, RMN
Third Space Lord, Bureau of Ships
The Right Honorable, The Baron Calabasas
October Reports
This is a reminder that your Chapter and MarDet reports are due by October 10th. 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!
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 June 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/
Fleet Staff Needed
With the change in command, the following Fleet positions are open, and in need of filling:
Deputy CO
This is a Commodore (F1) position.
The DCO is there to serve as a backstop for the CO, and take over in the event of the CO’s absence.
In practical matters, the DCO will serve as the filter for the CO – handling issues that may arise, as possible, and keeping the CO informed when issues do arise. This position is, hopefully, a .5 ‘hat’ position, but may rise to be a full ‘hat’, as regards the 2 Hat Rule.
Chief Of Staff
This is a Captain (O6 A/B) position.
Th Chief of Staff is also a layer of problem solver between the CO and the several ships. The CoS is also the leader of the staff officers, and may be considered as their immediate supervisor. Duties include making sure that reports are tracked and in on time, handling issues that arise in the staff, and generally keeping everything straight with the fleet staff.
Flag Lieutenant
This is a Junior Officer (O1 – O3) position.
The role of the Flag Lieutenant is to, in the words of COL Bryar Nelson, to make sure the CO is on time, and eats something. As an aide-de-camp, the Flag Lieutenant should have qualified as Yeoman, and be available to maintain flag records, schedules (mainly at conventions), and generally keeping track of correspondence and helping set up any meetings that need to happen. This is not a full-time position.
Please note that all rank requirements must be tested to in order to receive appointment to the position.
Blood Drive Flyers!
BuComm-Approved blood drive flyers are available!
Each poster is available in 11 x 17 as a form-fillable PDF. Just enter your specific details, and your customized Blood Drive flyer is ready to go!
I want to thank SMAJ Brad Handley, MARDET Ajax, for spearheading the project, coming up with the idea and providing excellent suggestions on changes to the design. There is a ready-to-use version linked below:
Upcoming Events
Have your ship, echelon, or fleet upcoming events promoted here!
We just need the event name and date sent to co@gryphonfleet.org! We want to promote you!
Posters like this are available (TF-levels are pre-approved!), as are Gryphon & Planet posters, and more! Send over a request and email, and your posters will be emailed (or cloud-drive links will be) straight away!
Training Officer’s Post
So August has come, summer is coming closer to an end. Blink and soon it’ll be September. For many school will be starting, and I know that many in Second Fleet are actually teachers, so they too will be back to school. Right now, this time of the year, is perfect to take an exam or two. For one it’s too hot and humid outside, so perfect time to stay inside with the AC on. Two, the exams, for the most part, don’t take that long to take.
So I wanted to talk a bit about my ship, and the other Willmar ship. We are surprisingly active, and I think this is due to having nothing else. We live in the middle of cows and cornfields. But I think it is also because we are motivated to get together and have a good time. We’ve developed a working relationship, one which we help and push each other to do our best. The CO of the other Willmar ship is going back to college, along with his bosun, and the support the crews have shown is amazing. It has become a family, one that motivates it’s members to do their best. And I don’t want that to disappear. Every exam one of the crew does makes sure that we stay together as that family.
Because it’s about looking forward toward the future. If we weren’t part of the TRMN, would we still be a family? More than likely, because we are friends, but with the TRMN it was easier to meet each other. The TRMN is a community, for example we have started to meet every Thursday at the game store, and because of that more people become aware of us. More people join us, and our community grows and becomes stronger. I don’t want that to disappear, I don’t want our chapters/ships to disappear. The TRMN is something that I wished existed when I went to school. Every crewmember who does an exam on our ship is ensuring that future.
When I went to college in Willmar, I helped start an Anime Club, and then I moved on to a different college after getting my Associates. When I came back I found out that it had disappeared. It existed for eight years, which is a good amount of time, but I know I had hoped that it would continue and become a staple of the college. It is very easy for things that we love and belong to, to disappear, and that is why the exams are important. By doing the exams you are physically saying you are ready to be a leader, if needed, it’s not immediate. You are saying that the TRMN will not disappear.
We are stronger united, we are stronger in a group, and every member is important. From those that are extremely active, to those who are not (also it’s our duty to bring those who are not as active back in if we can), because we are a community. I believe that everyone can rise and try to be a leader. We don’t have to be perfect. Being in charge, being a leader, does not mean that person, or you, are infallible. Request and work on at least one exam, present the best of yourself to this community, use your voice to say your ready to step up in you are needed.
Sir Matthew Lindquist, KE, GSN
Captain Grayson Space Navy
HMS Juno BC-726
Marksmanship Update
No Marksmanship information was submitted this month.
August Honors – Awards
Havenite Operational Service Medal
Marcon, 2019
PO3 Steven Bobula, RMN HMS Galahad
LTCDR Betty J Osthoff, RMN HMS Galahad
S1C Rebecca Testerman, RMN HMS Galahad
CDR Anne Lucy Textor, RMN HMS Sabrepike
ADMIN Tasia Russell, CIVIL HMS Galahad
ES Jared Bridge, RMMM HMS Galahad
Mentioned in Dispatches
ENS Ziggi Thompson, RMN HMS Merlin
Navy Commendation Decoration
CPO Kathy Davis, RMN HMS Lodestone
Navy Achievement Medal
S1C Mandy B. Freund, RMN HMS Javelin
CLERK Kathy Kacner, CIVIL HMS Lodestone
Prisoner of War Medal
LTCDR Rex Hood, Jr., RMN HMLAC Scythe
Masadan Occupation Medal
Manticoran Combat Action Medal
2nd Award
LTJG Jim McCoy, RMN HMS Ajax
1st Award
S2C John Ryan Chambers, RMN HMS Gryphon
Recruit Training Ribbon
SCPO Cory Snedden, RMN HMS Enterprise
Aerospace Basic Navigator Wings, Officer
CAPTJG Daniel G Stiglich, RMN HMS Valkyrie
Aerospace Basic Observer Wings, Officer
COL Sonja Wolf, RMMC MARDET Invincible
CAPTJG Daniel G Stiglich, RMN HMS Valkyrie
LTJG Matthew Hellendrung, RMN HMS Valkyrie
1LT Josiah Lilligren, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
Aerospace Basic Observer Wings, Enlisted
PO3 Steven Bobula, RMN HMS Galahad
S1C Steven Poeschl, RMN HMS Valkyrie
LCPL Kayla Curtiss, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
PO1 Heather Sigstad, RMN HMS Valkyrie
CPO Stephanie Kay Berlien, GSN HMS Valkyrie
PO1 Kyle Anderson, RMN HMS Valkyrie
CPO Elizabeth Erickson, RMN HMS Invincible
SADMIN Karen Berger, CIVIL HMS Valkyrie
SADMIN Justin Engelking, CIVIL HMS Valkyrie
LCPL Dan Zimlich, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
LCPL Logan Zimlich, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
SSGT Megan Schroeder, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
S1C Karol Karol Kurtz Kurtz, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PO1 Jane L Dusek, RMN HMS Valkyrie
S1C Jennifer A Jones, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PO3 Amy Kaminski, RMN HMS Valkyrie
PO2 Jeffrey Walstrom, RMN HMS Valkyrie
August Honors – Promotions
Congratulations are extended to the following members on the occasion of their promotions as noted.
HMLAC Gungnir
- Matthew Ian Leifson Jr to Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 1 August, 2019
- Jason L Sperka II to Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 1 August, 2019
HMS Hexapuma
- Bourriquet Fabrice to Spacer 3rd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Sharon Lee Patterson to Petty Officer 3rd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Clifford Russell Holm to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Richard Goranson to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Willie Schottler to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Caleb Nelson to Platoon Sergeant, effective 5 August, 2019
HMS Hotspur
-
Debra Filgor to Lieutenant Commander, effective 4 July, 2019
HMS Javelin
-
Alisia Maria Sandstrom to Spacer 1st Class, effective 5 August, 2019
HMS Juno
-
Siu Chung W Yuen to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 1 August, 2019
HMS Lodestone
- Angus Jameson to Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Anna Jameson to Spacer 1st Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Karin Swenson to Spacer 1st Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Mark E Thompson to Spacer 1st Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Samantha Jo Benesch to Spacer 1st Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Jennifer Brown to Private 1st Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Tim Clark to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Ryan Ellison to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Megan Foster to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Sara M Lilyard to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- David Monroe to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Josh Rehbein to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Jeremy Sawa to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 4 August, 2019
- Kathy Kacner to Clerk, effective 4 August, 2019
HMS Merlin
-
Scott W Schwandt to Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 5 August, 2019
HMS Peregrine
- Melissa Franken to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Carol Leblond to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Dan Allardyce to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Adara Patterson to Obergefraiter, effective 5 August, 2019
- Jeff Schade to Obergefraiter, effective 5 August, 2019
HMLAC Scythe
- Rian D Cartmell to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Feral M Minette to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Phil Richard Herrold to Spacer 1st Class, effective 5 August, 2019
- Samantha White to Spacer 1st Class, effective 5 August, 2019
HMS Valkyrie
- Simon L Gibson to Petty Officer 1st Class, effective 2 August, 2019
Fleet Command & Staff Information
CO, Gryphon Fleet
co@gryphonfleet.org
Geoffrey Strayer
KDE, KR, SC, CGM, GS
XO, Gryphon Fleet
Bosun, Gryphon Fleet
bosun@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Senior Master Chief Intelligence Mate
Kevin Walsh, NS, QBM
Flag Captain
JAG Ombudsman
ombudsman@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Captain Larry Dale French Sr
GCE, RMMC
Legalman
legalman@2ndfleet.trmn.org
CPO Christina R Doane
Intelligence Specialist
intel@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Personnel Officer
co@hmsinvincible.trmn.org
Captain (SG)
Jamey Salsberg
KDE, MC, OC
Training Officer
bosun@hmsgryphon.trmn.org
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Derek Firehawk Sauls
Range Officer
marksmanship@2ndfleet.trmn.org
Senior Master Chief Intelligence Mate
Kevin Walsh, NS, QBM
RMACS Liaison
ascl@gryphonfleet.org
Commander
Christina Swanson
KDE, CBM
Gryphon Fleet Order of Battle
Task Force 21
Covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Task Group 21.1
LAC Wing 30
HMLAC Gungnir, Willmar, MN
HMLAC Superior, Duluth, MN
SMLAC Arminius, Minneapolis, MN
Battle Squadron 1
HMS Imperatrix (SD-457), Minneapolis, MN
HMS Invincible (SD-455), Plymouth, MN
HMS Valkyrie (SD-355), Minneapolis, MN
Destroyer Squadron 265
HMS Javelin (DD-264), Big Lake, MN
HMS Lodestone (DD-64), Elk River, MN
HMS Merlin (CA-270), St. Cloud, MN
HMS Peregrine (DD-1291), Winnipeg, MB
Independent Commands
HMS Hellhound (DD-446), St. Paul, MN
HMS Juno (BC-726), Willmar, MN
HMS Leonidas (BC-584), Grand Forks, ND
HMS Unicorn (CLAC-30), Rochester, 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
HMLAC Faraway Quest, Goshen, IN
HMLAC Scythe, Portage, Indiana
Independent Commands
HMS Demon (CLAC-62), Hammond, IN
HMS Gryphon (SD-153), Indianapolis, IN
HMS Hotspur (DD-02), Rantoul, IL
HMS Wolfhound (DD-437), Mt. Prospect, IL
Task Group 22.2
Cruiser Division 711
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Mount Vernon, IN
HMS Sabrepike (CA-417), Franklin, OH
Independent Commands
Task Group 22.3
Independent Commands
HMS Beowulf (BC-739), Lansing, MI
HMS Enterprise (BC-480), Rochester Hills, MI
HMS Helen (BC-570), Fruitport, MI
HMS Roland (DD-476), Toledo, OH
Echelon Commanders
Task Force 21
CDRE Dora Erikson
Task Group 21.1
VACANT
Battle Squadron 1
CAPTSG Jill McTavish
Destroyer Squadron 265
CAPTSG Danielle Erikson
Task Group 21.2
CAPTJG Timothy Bailey
Task Force 22
CDRE Sherman Day
Task Group 22.1
CAPTSG Michael Flanagan
Task Group 22.2
CAPTSG Jimmy Nelson
Cruiser Division 711
CAPTJG Kevin Johnson
Task Group 22.3
CAPTSG Jackie Snedden