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May 2014 State of the Rebel Squadrons Address
May 4, 2014
State of the Rebel Squadrons
I. Foreword
II. Project Updates
III. Activities and Events
IV. Promotions and Awards
V. Conclusion
I. Foreword
Happy Star Wars Day, everyone! I'm excited to share what we've been working on for the past month, and to recognize some of our awesome members. For my part, as Star Wars is celebrated all across the world, I'm excited for the future of the Rebel Squadrons. We're twenty months from another Star Wars movie and the media is buzzing with coverage about the new Episode VII cast. Going forward, Star Wars is going to be on everyone's mind, and that means we can look forward to new members, new ideas, and new events. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
With all of that said, on to the updates and awards!
II. Project Updates
As I shared in the last State of the Rebel Squadrons address, I have been working with the senior executive staff and the High Command to restructure how the Rebel Squadrons works at the club level. I shared my ideas with the club through a series of Google Documents and invited everyone to give their feedback. Here are these links again:
My staff and I are now looking at how we can revise, clarify, and begin to implement some of these ideas. Obviously, many of the changes and ideas that are proposed in the attached documents will require some extensive design changes to the Roster Database. I have been working with Admirals Licah Fox and Josh Hawkins on creating a roadmap toward this new Rebel Squadrons website. We are in desperate need of graphic and web designers to assist us in this process, so if anyone has these skills and is willing to assist the club, please reach out to Licah at licahfox@gmail.com.
In addition to these changes, I have recently shared a proposal for simplifying the process by which members join and are oriented to the club with both the High Command and the Squadron COs. Those of you who are interested in reviewing this proposal and offering feedback can do so at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xfuuafTFbXuKdV5eieTJezeF5y98cXcDki32Di66vD8/edit?usp=sharing. I welcome everyone's input!
III. Activities and Events
Operation Fast Forward has commenced as of today, with new opportunities in Warframe, X-Wing Miniatures, Star Conflict, Simming, and the legacy gaming platforms. I encourage everyone to get out and play some games with your fellow members. I personally am trying to set aside some time this month to play some X-Wing Miniatures and also to get back into Simming again, as I did once a long time ago. If you see me on IRC and you want to play a game, hit me up and maybe we can play together. I also want to encourage everyone to branch out of the listed platforms as well - get together and have fun, and we'll sort out the reporting later if needed.
IV. Promotions and Awards
Since the last State of the Rebel Squadrons Address, several of our members have earned awards. I'd like to congratulate BlueLeader, who was promoted to LJG on April 13 and to 2LT just earlier today. Jaran "Gunsmoke" Farlance earned a promotion to 1LT on April 16. April 23 brought a promotion to 2LT for ChristoUS82, and Sellikus Ka'Lara was promoted to 2LT on April 28. I believe I have sent my congratulations to each of you individually, but in any case, allow me to again congratulate each of you on your accomplishments. Well done!
Major General Jairo Pantoja, front and center! Ladies and gentlemen, General Pantoja has the unique distinction of having joined the Rebel Squadrons fifteen years ago on this very date - Star Wars Day, May the Fourth. Jairo is on leave at the moment, but it is my pleasure to present him with the 15-Year Service Medal in recognition of his time with the Rebel Squadrons. Congratulations!
Fleet Admiral Michael Raven, front and center! Raven, to quote the nominating officer, "When looking for ways to recognize Raven for his work in both the RS and with the ABG, the most difficult hurdle to get over is always 'well, what medal HASN'T he been awarded'? I mean, short of creating a new medal for him, what do you award to the guy who's been awarded everything?" I can't disagree with that general assessment. As a neophyte Fleet Commander, I've been continuously floored by Raven's hard work, which has included projects such as creating - and then adjusting for inflation - a pay scale for Rebel Squadrons officers and a budget for the fictional Rebel Squadrons universe. It's daunting to know that someone with Raven's dedication and skills is working for you. In recognition of Raven's work to encourage interaction between members and on the recommendation of Admiral Sienn Sconn, I am pleased to award him the Iridium Spire. Congratulations, Raven!
Finally, I have a very special promotion for this Star Wars day. The rank of Fleet Admiral is not like our other ranks. For fifteen years, Fleet Admiral has been the highest rank achievable in the Rebel Squadrons. Unlike promotions to other ranks, the rank of Fleet Admiral has been reserved as a final symbol of a career dedicated to the Rebel Squadrons. Promotion to this last and highest rank is based not just on your recent contributions to the club, but your lifetime efforts to make the Rebel Squadrons a better place. To date, only nine members have earned the rank of Fleet Admiral in the history of the club, and only three are active at this time. Today, it is my great privilege to add a tenth person to that list. Admiral Torin Qel-Droma...er, Danny "David Lee Japan" Qatar...er, oh, hell, Cody, get your butt up here!
Cody has been a member of the Rebel Squadrons since almost the first day the Rebel Squadrons has existed. Through his almost-twenty years of membership, he has held such lofty positions as Wobble Puppy, founder of the Aurora Force, leader of the Zealots, and High Command Alderman, as well as his current job as the Publishing Coordinator. Under his leadership, the Rebel Squadrons has developed a flourishing presence in social media. Cody recently reported that the Rebel Squadrons page on Google+ has exceeded 9 MILLION views, with over 9,000 followers. (Yes, it's over 9,000.) Cody's hard work has created and maintained an exceptional method for us to recruit new members and remain in the public eye.
Cody, you are a fixture in this club, and have continually worked hard to make the Rebel Squadrons a better place. It has been a great pleasure of mine to get to know you over the past few years during my time as a member of High Command, and now as the Fleet Commander. By the authority that is vested in me as the Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander, I am pleased to confer upon you the rank of Fleet Admiral, with all of the rights, privileges, and honors appertaining thereto. Congratulations, Cody! This is very well deserved.
V. Conclusion
With a new session underway and several new projects on the horizon, the club is heading in the right direction. I am honored and humbled to serve as your Fleet Commander, and I'm excited to see lots of activity over the next month. As always, my door is open for feedback, concerns, and questions - please just email me at fc@rebelsquadrons.org. Until then, my congratulations to all our award winners, and may the Force be with you all!
All the best,
Commodore Lamin Zykara
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander
fc@rebelsquadrons.org
State of the Rebel Squadrons
I. Foreword
II. Project Updates
III. Activities and Events
IV. Promotions and Awards
V. Conclusion
I. Foreword
Happy Star Wars Day, everyone! I'm excited to share what we've been working on for the past month, and to recognize some of our awesome members. For my part, as Star Wars is celebrated all across the world, I'm excited for the future of the Rebel Squadrons. We're twenty months from another Star Wars movie and the media is buzzing with coverage about the new Episode VII cast. Going forward, Star Wars is going to be on everyone's mind, and that means we can look forward to new members, new ideas, and new events. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
With all of that said, on to the updates and awards!
II. Project Updates
As I shared in the last State of the Rebel Squadrons address, I have been working with the senior executive staff and the High Command to restructure how the Rebel Squadrons works at the club level. I shared my ideas with the club through a series of Google Documents and invited everyone to give their feedback. Here are these links again:
- https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/194pn5fDaRjGknUy_iy5acDD-SCbJmO7k3Z2HVGSmCwY/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1SbHbm8YljSGjm88GILOa93slFrWj0YxLi81blzyE6jw/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SrVcngHt6SFIqSjaob6HVR80paQ79FHG0zhbWHyk6sA/edit?usp=sharing
My staff and I are now looking at how we can revise, clarify, and begin to implement some of these ideas. Obviously, many of the changes and ideas that are proposed in the attached documents will require some extensive design changes to the Roster Database. I have been working with Admirals Licah Fox and Josh Hawkins on creating a roadmap toward this new Rebel Squadrons website. We are in desperate need of graphic and web designers to assist us in this process, so if anyone has these skills and is willing to assist the club, please reach out to Licah at licahfox@gmail.com.
In addition to these changes, I have recently shared a proposal for simplifying the process by which members join and are oriented to the club with both the High Command and the Squadron COs. Those of you who are interested in reviewing this proposal and offering feedback can do so at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xfuuafTFbXuKdV5eieTJezeF5y98cXcDki32Di66vD8/edit?usp=sharing. I welcome everyone's input!
III. Activities and Events
Operation Fast Forward has commenced as of today, with new opportunities in Warframe, X-Wing Miniatures, Star Conflict, Simming, and the legacy gaming platforms. I encourage everyone to get out and play some games with your fellow members. I personally am trying to set aside some time this month to play some X-Wing Miniatures and also to get back into Simming again, as I did once a long time ago. If you see me on IRC and you want to play a game, hit me up and maybe we can play together. I also want to encourage everyone to branch out of the listed platforms as well - get together and have fun, and we'll sort out the reporting later if needed.
IV. Promotions and Awards
Since the last State of the Rebel Squadrons Address, several of our members have earned awards. I'd like to congratulate BlueLeader, who was promoted to LJG on April 13 and to 2LT just earlier today. Jaran "Gunsmoke" Farlance earned a promotion to 1LT on April 16. April 23 brought a promotion to 2LT for ChristoUS82, and Sellikus Ka'Lara was promoted to 2LT on April 28. I believe I have sent my congratulations to each of you individually, but in any case, allow me to again congratulate each of you on your accomplishments. Well done!
Major General Jairo Pantoja, front and center! Ladies and gentlemen, General Pantoja has the unique distinction of having joined the Rebel Squadrons fifteen years ago on this very date - Star Wars Day, May the Fourth. Jairo is on leave at the moment, but it is my pleasure to present him with the 15-Year Service Medal in recognition of his time with the Rebel Squadrons. Congratulations!
Fleet Admiral Michael Raven, front and center! Raven, to quote the nominating officer, "When looking for ways to recognize Raven for his work in both the RS and with the ABG, the most difficult hurdle to get over is always 'well, what medal HASN'T he been awarded'? I mean, short of creating a new medal for him, what do you award to the guy who's been awarded everything?" I can't disagree with that general assessment. As a neophyte Fleet Commander, I've been continuously floored by Raven's hard work, which has included projects such as creating - and then adjusting for inflation - a pay scale for Rebel Squadrons officers and a budget for the fictional Rebel Squadrons universe. It's daunting to know that someone with Raven's dedication and skills is working for you. In recognition of Raven's work to encourage interaction between members and on the recommendation of Admiral Sienn Sconn, I am pleased to award him the Iridium Spire. Congratulations, Raven!
Finally, I have a very special promotion for this Star Wars day. The rank of Fleet Admiral is not like our other ranks. For fifteen years, Fleet Admiral has been the highest rank achievable in the Rebel Squadrons. Unlike promotions to other ranks, the rank of Fleet Admiral has been reserved as a final symbol of a career dedicated to the Rebel Squadrons. Promotion to this last and highest rank is based not just on your recent contributions to the club, but your lifetime efforts to make the Rebel Squadrons a better place. To date, only nine members have earned the rank of Fleet Admiral in the history of the club, and only three are active at this time. Today, it is my great privilege to add a tenth person to that list. Admiral Torin Qel-Droma...er, Danny "David Lee Japan" Qatar...er, oh, hell, Cody, get your butt up here!
Cody has been a member of the Rebel Squadrons since almost the first day the Rebel Squadrons has existed. Through his almost-twenty years of membership, he has held such lofty positions as Wobble Puppy, founder of the Aurora Force, leader of the Zealots, and High Command Alderman, as well as his current job as the Publishing Coordinator. Under his leadership, the Rebel Squadrons has developed a flourishing presence in social media. Cody recently reported that the Rebel Squadrons page on Google+ has exceeded 9 MILLION views, with over 9,000 followers. (Yes, it's over 9,000.) Cody's hard work has created and maintained an exceptional method for us to recruit new members and remain in the public eye.
Cody, you are a fixture in this club, and have continually worked hard to make the Rebel Squadrons a better place. It has been a great pleasure of mine to get to know you over the past few years during my time as a member of High Command, and now as the Fleet Commander. By the authority that is vested in me as the Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander, I am pleased to confer upon you the rank of Fleet Admiral, with all of the rights, privileges, and honors appertaining thereto. Congratulations, Cody! This is very well deserved.
V. Conclusion
With a new session underway and several new projects on the horizon, the club is heading in the right direction. I am honored and humbled to serve as your Fleet Commander, and I'm excited to see lots of activity over the next month. As always, my door is open for feedback, concerns, and questions - please just email me at fc@rebelsquadrons.org. Until then, my congratulations to all our award winners, and may the Force be with you all!
All the best,
Commodore Lamin Zykara
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander
fc@rebelsquadrons.org