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September 2014 State of the Rebel Squadrons
September 2, 2014
State of the Rebel Squadrons
I. Foreword
II. Personnel and Project Updates
III.Activities and Events
IV. Promotions & Awards
V. Conclusion
I. Foreword
Welcome to the September 2014 State of the Rebel Squadrons! The fall has officially arrived, and with it comes changing weather, falling leaves, and some changes for the club, too. Read on to find out more!
II. Personnel and Project Updates
To start, it is with mixed emotions that I inform the club that our very own Admiral Sienn "The Rot" Sconn has tendered his resignation as the Operations Officer. For those of you who don't know, Sconn and I have a long history stretching back to when I was in high school, when we were pilots together in the Renegade Fleet (among other hijinks). As we all know, is Sconn, which means that he's been a source of inspiration, a partner in crime, and a good friend to me for many years, and it's been a privilege for me to have him as part of my administration as Fleet Commander.
As with the last State of the Rebel Squadrons address, I intend to break with my typical flow to address Sconn's departure with some well-deserved recognition.
Admiral Sconn, front and center! Admiral Sconn, in the past month, two very senior members of the Rebel Squadrons have come to me and requested that you be recognized for your long and decorated service to the club. After consideration, I find their arguments to be deeply compelling, and have decided to award you the final token that this club can present to you.
Our rank of Fleet Admiral is not like our other ranks. For fifteen years, Fleet Admiral has been the highest rank that can be achieved by any Rebel Squadrons member. Unlike our other ranks, promotion to Fleet Admiral has been reserved to denote truly exceptional service to the club, with most officers topping out at the rank of Admiral. Promotion to the rank of Fleet Admiral conveys that the holder has invested years to making this club a better place. To date, only ten members have earned the rank of Fleet Admiral, and of those, only four are active right now. Today, I add another name to that list: Sienn Sconn.
For those of you keeping score at home, Sconn has held just about every job in the Rebel Squadrons, including a tour as Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander, four stints as Rebel Squadrons Executive Officer, Renegade Fleet Commanding Officer, Redemption Fleet Commanding Officer, Allegiance Battle Group Commanding Officer, and most recently, Operations Officer. His numerous accomplishments include a stunning three New Republic Medals of Honor, the Coruscant Star of Valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Excellency of Service, the Tatooine Suns, and the Kessel Cup.
In your most recent role, you have been an invaluable part of my team. Your relentless hard work is both intimidating and inspiring, and has left me feeling overwhelmed on numerous occasions. You have been a driving force behind a majority of our most recent successes in a number of different initiatives, and I find myself lost as to how we can ever fully replace your drive, enthusiasm, and relentless work ethic. There is no rank, medal, or award that I can give you that fully acknowledges how much you have given the club, and indeed, how much I have personally benefited from our long friendship. Nonetheless, I am pleased to at least award you this token of our appreciation.
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. I would normally say congratulations here, but I think I'll just close with the most appropriate of observations instead:
Is Sconn.
I should note here that, in addition to his promotion to Fleet Admiral, I am also presenting Sconn with the Distinguished Service Cross, in recognition of his service as Operations Officer, and the High Command Service Medal, in recognition of his multiple periods of service as a voting member of High Command. Again...is Sconn.
With Fleet Admiral Sconn's departure from the role of Operations Officer, the duties of the office will fall to myself and Commodore Lommax on a provisional basis while the senior staff deliberates on next steps. Stay tuned for more details.
In addition, here are some updates on other on-going projects and initiatives.
Task Force System: On-Going Petitions - As a reminder, if you want to suggest a new game or activity for the club to support, just use this link to submit a new idea. At the moment, no suggestions have reached at least five people who are interested. Some of the ideas that have been suggested are Titanfall, Destiny, War Thunder, No Man's Sky, Unreal Tournament (the original - old school), World of Tanks, and Warbrand: Mount and Blade. If you are interested in these, or any ideas, make sure to submit a form.
Fleet Commander Directives - As mentioned previously, I have undertaken an effort to create clear, written guidance on some of our day-to-day operations. These have been expressed as the new Fleet Commander Directives, which can be found at:
http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/fc/directives/.
As of the first of the month, I have published two new Fleet Commander Directives covering Command Authority and Organizational Structure. These documents discuss things like the Chain of Command and the different roles at the squadron and fleet level. I encourage everyone to review these documents over the next few weeks.
Scoring System Update - As one of his final acts as Operations Officer, Sconn helpfully created a unified page that details the scoring system. Please take and bookmark this link:
http://wiki.rebelsquadrons.org/index.php?title=Scoring_System
This is the page that governs scoring, and it will be kept up to date. As time goes on, we may adjust the way that we are scoring, but either way, that page will be the reference. Anyone with concerns about the scoring system should forward their concerns through the Chain of Command.
III. Activities and Events
Special Events for this Session - The following special events are in effect for this session:
IV. Promotions and Awards
First up, the session awards from Operation Defiant Bulwark. Can I please have Second Lieutenant Osh Darkshatter, front and center? You've earned the Citation of Victory for the X-Wing mission for this month! Well done, Osh!
Next, Second Lieutenant Wayne77177, front and center. Wayne, you've netted the Citations of Victory for both X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter and X-Wing: Alliance. Well done!
I am continually impressed by the hard work and activity levels of our most junior officers. Congratulations to both of you!
Next, on to our Top Guns. First, I'd like to have Fleet Admiral Michael Raven, front and center. Raven beat out stiff competition from Hermus "Eightball" Dogan and Yaihi'l Beskar (better known as Fulliron) to earn this month's Singleplayer Top Gun. Congratulations, Raven!
Next, can I have Admiral Tyrell "Spokes" Borran, front and center? Spokes put on an impressive show this month and edged out (barely) Kimiao Quinal to earn the Multiplayer Top Gun medal. Well done, Spokes! Congratulations!
Finally, onto the Top Squadron. Can I please have the members of Red Dragon Squadron stand? With a back-to-back performance, Red Dragon Squadron is the August Top Squadron! Red Squadron trailed close behind, meaning that the Top Squadron slot is definitely in active contention each month. Congratulations to the Red Dragons!
Finally, I'd like to have Commodore Kirghy Lommax, front and center. Kirghy, it's been a real pleasure having you as my Executive Officer for the last six months. You've done a lot to help me out both personally and as the Fleet Commander, and I appreciate all your hard work. You have a role that is often thankless, being the Executive Officer behind the Fleet Commander, but today I intend to recognize you. It gives me great pleasure to promote you to the rank of Rear Admiral. Congratulations!
V. Conclusion
As always, you all have my thanks for making the Rebel Squadrons a great place to be. Thanks to everyone for your hard work last month, and until next time, fly fast, shoot straight, and may the Force be with you.
All the best,
Commodore Lamin Zykara
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander
fc@rebelsquadrons.org
State of the Rebel Squadrons
I. Foreword
II. Personnel and Project Updates
III.Activities and Events
IV. Promotions & Awards
V. Conclusion
I. Foreword
Welcome to the September 2014 State of the Rebel Squadrons! The fall has officially arrived, and with it comes changing weather, falling leaves, and some changes for the club, too. Read on to find out more!
II. Personnel and Project Updates
To start, it is with mixed emotions that I inform the club that our very own Admiral Sienn "The Rot" Sconn has tendered his resignation as the Operations Officer. For those of you who don't know, Sconn and I have a long history stretching back to when I was in high school, when we were pilots together in the Renegade Fleet (among other hijinks). As we all know, is Sconn, which means that he's been a source of inspiration, a partner in crime, and a good friend to me for many years, and it's been a privilege for me to have him as part of my administration as Fleet Commander.
As with the last State of the Rebel Squadrons address, I intend to break with my typical flow to address Sconn's departure with some well-deserved recognition.
Admiral Sconn, front and center! Admiral Sconn, in the past month, two very senior members of the Rebel Squadrons have come to me and requested that you be recognized for your long and decorated service to the club. After consideration, I find their arguments to be deeply compelling, and have decided to award you the final token that this club can present to you.
Our rank of Fleet Admiral is not like our other ranks. For fifteen years, Fleet Admiral has been the highest rank that can be achieved by any Rebel Squadrons member. Unlike our other ranks, promotion to Fleet Admiral has been reserved to denote truly exceptional service to the club, with most officers topping out at the rank of Admiral. Promotion to the rank of Fleet Admiral conveys that the holder has invested years to making this club a better place. To date, only ten members have earned the rank of Fleet Admiral, and of those, only four are active right now. Today, I add another name to that list: Sienn Sconn.
For those of you keeping score at home, Sconn has held just about every job in the Rebel Squadrons, including a tour as Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander, four stints as Rebel Squadrons Executive Officer, Renegade Fleet Commanding Officer, Redemption Fleet Commanding Officer, Allegiance Battle Group Commanding Officer, and most recently, Operations Officer. His numerous accomplishments include a stunning three New Republic Medals of Honor, the Coruscant Star of Valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Excellency of Service, the Tatooine Suns, and the Kessel Cup.
In your most recent role, you have been an invaluable part of my team. Your relentless hard work is both intimidating and inspiring, and has left me feeling overwhelmed on numerous occasions. You have been a driving force behind a majority of our most recent successes in a number of different initiatives, and I find myself lost as to how we can ever fully replace your drive, enthusiasm, and relentless work ethic. There is no rank, medal, or award that I can give you that fully acknowledges how much you have given the club, and indeed, how much I have personally benefited from our long friendship. Nonetheless, I am pleased to at least award you this token of our appreciation.
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. I would normally say congratulations here, but I think I'll just close with the most appropriate of observations instead:
Is Sconn.
I should note here that, in addition to his promotion to Fleet Admiral, I am also presenting Sconn with the Distinguished Service Cross, in recognition of his service as Operations Officer, and the High Command Service Medal, in recognition of his multiple periods of service as a voting member of High Command. Again...is Sconn.
With Fleet Admiral Sconn's departure from the role of Operations Officer, the duties of the office will fall to myself and Commodore Lommax on a provisional basis while the senior staff deliberates on next steps. Stay tuned for more details.
In addition, here are some updates on other on-going projects and initiatives.
Task Force System: On-Going Petitions - As a reminder, if you want to suggest a new game or activity for the club to support, just use this link to submit a new idea. At the moment, no suggestions have reached at least five people who are interested. Some of the ideas that have been suggested are Titanfall, Destiny, War Thunder, No Man's Sky, Unreal Tournament (the original - old school), World of Tanks, and Warbrand: Mount and Blade. If you are interested in these, or any ideas, make sure to submit a form.
Fleet Commander Directives - As mentioned previously, I have undertaken an effort to create clear, written guidance on some of our day-to-day operations. These have been expressed as the new Fleet Commander Directives, which can be found at:
http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/fc/directives/.
As of the first of the month, I have published two new Fleet Commander Directives covering Command Authority and Organizational Structure. These documents discuss things like the Chain of Command and the different roles at the squadron and fleet level. I encourage everyone to review these documents over the next few weeks.
Scoring System Update - As one of his final acts as Operations Officer, Sconn helpfully created a unified page that details the scoring system. Please take and bookmark this link:
http://wiki.rebelsquadrons.org/index.php?title=Scoring_System
This is the page that governs scoring, and it will be kept up to date. As time goes on, we may adjust the way that we are scoring, but either way, that page will be the reference. Anyone with concerns about the scoring system should forward their concerns through the Chain of Command.
III. Activities and Events
Special Events for this Session - The following special events are in effect for this session:
- Minecraft: Everyone should build a hanger and their favorite Star Wars ship in it (for instance, a B-Wing or an X-Wing). Such ships must be large enough for a member to sit in. Members are encouraged to attach their hangers to their houses, if they've built one. All members who complete a ship will receive ten SP points for the September session. In addition, the Minecraft Task Force Leader will award three bonus points to the best house, two to the second best house, and one to the third best house. To qualify for bonus points, ships must be finished on or before 27 September 2014.
- Trivia: Please note that it has been clarified that the RS Trivia is intended to be done "closed-book", without looking up answers from outside resources. This was not explicitly stated previously, but after discussing it with the Arbitrator, I wanted to make this particular restriction explicit. To be clear, this is not in response to any suspected cheating, but rather, to clarify the rules.
IV. Promotions and Awards
First up, the session awards from Operation Defiant Bulwark. Can I please have Second Lieutenant Osh Darkshatter, front and center? You've earned the Citation of Victory for the X-Wing mission for this month! Well done, Osh!
Next, Second Lieutenant Wayne77177, front and center. Wayne, you've netted the Citations of Victory for both X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter and X-Wing: Alliance. Well done!
I am continually impressed by the hard work and activity levels of our most junior officers. Congratulations to both of you!
Next, on to our Top Guns. First, I'd like to have Fleet Admiral Michael Raven, front and center. Raven beat out stiff competition from Hermus "Eightball" Dogan and Yaihi'l Beskar (better known as Fulliron) to earn this month's Singleplayer Top Gun. Congratulations, Raven!
Next, can I have Admiral Tyrell "Spokes" Borran, front and center? Spokes put on an impressive show this month and edged out (barely) Kimiao Quinal to earn the Multiplayer Top Gun medal. Well done, Spokes! Congratulations!
Finally, onto the Top Squadron. Can I please have the members of Red Dragon Squadron stand? With a back-to-back performance, Red Dragon Squadron is the August Top Squadron! Red Squadron trailed close behind, meaning that the Top Squadron slot is definitely in active contention each month. Congratulations to the Red Dragons!
Finally, I'd like to have Commodore Kirghy Lommax, front and center. Kirghy, it's been a real pleasure having you as my Executive Officer for the last six months. You've done a lot to help me out both personally and as the Fleet Commander, and I appreciate all your hard work. You have a role that is often thankless, being the Executive Officer behind the Fleet Commander, but today I intend to recognize you. It gives me great pleasure to promote you to the rank of Rear Admiral. Congratulations!
V. Conclusion
As always, you all have my thanks for making the Rebel Squadrons a great place to be. Thanks to everyone for your hard work last month, and until next time, fly fast, shoot straight, and may the Force be with you.
All the best,
Commodore Lamin Zykara
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander
fc@rebelsquadrons.org