February 1, 2015
State of the Rebel Squadrons

I. Foreword
II. Promotions & Awards
III. Conclusion

I. Foreword

Good evening, everyone. As you all know, this is my final State of the Rebel Squadrons address Tonight, Admiral Cyrel Vandroth formally assumes the role of Fleet Commander and takes the reins of the club. It has been ten months since I assumed the "Big Chair" as your Fleet Commander. It is with mixed emotions that I now write my last address.

Kirghy and I had a G+ Hangout with the incoming Fleet Commander as part of this transition, and as I struggled to give words to my feelings, Kirghy spoke up with the perfect phrase. He said "It's the hardest job you'll ever love." I have yet to hear better words to describe how it feels when you are the Fleet Commander.

Before being the FC, I had many other RS jobs, and I've had a bit of success in my personal life as well, including some pretty high-level gigs in the past. And yet, I found myself unprepared for being the Fleet Commander, despite everything. It really is a uniquely challenging job. It has been a learning experience and a privilege to lead the club.

Over the last ten months, my life has grown much more complex than it was when I stepped up to serve as FC in March 2014. In that sense, I will welcome the free time that I will now gain in my retirement. At the same time, though, I cannot help but feel that I am leaving before I accomplished everything that I desired. Similarly, I will miss the sense of teamwork and camaraderie that defined the best parts of my time as FC. Ultimately, though I look forward to transferring this burden to a new leader, I will, I think, strangely miss it in my heart.

With all of this said, I wish to close my foreword by thanking each and every one of you for your help, support, and effort during my time as the Fleet Commander. It has been a pleasure and an honor, despite the challenges, to lead the club. Thanks, everyone.

II. Promotions and Awards

Owing to the new Fleet Commander, I am leaving out the normal section where I would cover updates about projects and personnel, and heading directly into my promotions and awards. As an FYI, the plan is that the next session will begin on or around February 13th, to allow for some time to conclude the transition between my administration and the new Fleet Commander.

To start, I'd like to have Captain Yaihi'l Beskar and Fleet Admiral Michael Raven, front and center! As everyone knows, we started using our new scoring system this month. I am pleased to announce that Captain Beskar and Fleet Admiral Raven have tied for the Top Gun slot, each with six points. Congratulations to both of you! It gives me great pleasure to present you with the RS Top Gun SP medal (in lieu of having a unified Top Gun medal, something I am sure the new FC will rectify!). Congratulations again.

Both of you, hang around for a second as I have a few more awards. First up, Raven: allow me to also note that you led the leaderboard on the intelligence quizzes that were sent around. As such, you've earned a Citation of Victory. Congratulations!

Yaihi'l, after reviewing all the narratives submitted for Mission 5, your narrative really stood out from a field of excellent submissions. After some considerations, the RSXO and I have agreed that you deserve extra recognition for your work. As such, please accept this Citation of Victory for your outstanding effort! Congratualtions.

Next, I would like the members of Resurrection Squadron to stand. Resurrection's participation across the various missions this session has them just edging out Red Dragon to earn the Top Squadron award. Congratulations, Resurrection! Well done!

The overall scores are available here for anyone who wishes to review them.

Next, I'd like to have Major Wayne77177, front and center! Wayne, your recon run through the Aurek Sector was excellent work and you ended up with the top score on the leaderboard. I'm very pleased to present you with this Citation of Victory! Congratulations and well done, Wayne!

Next, can I have Lieutenant Junior Grade PigmyGiant, front and center? Pigmy, you've been a member for almost two years and you were very active last session, participating in three of the five missions we had last session. As such, it's my great pleasure to promote you to the rank of Second Lieutenant! Congratulations.

The members of the Executive Staff are tireless workers who make the club a better place. It is no exaggeration to say that I could never have succeeded as the RSFC without the hard work and effort of my Executive Staff team. I'd like to take a moment to recognize some of the Executive Staff that have helped me throughout my time as RSFC.

First, I'd like Brigadier General Nicolai Ginovef, front and center! Nico, you have been working hard as the Operations Officer as well as the Resurrection Squadron CO. You stepped up to fulfill a critical role that had previously been held by an officer with a huge legacy, the one and only Sconn. I am thankful every day that I appointed you as the Operations Officer, and it gives me great pleasure to recognize your hard work and efforts with a promotion to Major General. Congratulations! This is well-deserved.

Fleet Admiral Michael Raven, front and center! Raven, you have served as the Logistics Officer, the RPG Coordinator, and the Arbitrator during my time as the RSFC. As Arbitrator, you have helped me immensely by handling numerous complex situations, freeing me to focus on other issues. Further, no matter who is the Arbitrator in the future, I know that they will look to your example. As such, it is my great pleasure to award you the Distinguished Service Cross for your time as the Arbitrator. Thank you for everything.

Rear Admiral Kirghy Lommax, front and center! Kirghy, I have little that I can add to an already exceptional career, but allow me to offer these tokens of my appreciation. For those who do not know, Kirghy stepped up shortly after I became the RSFC and offered me his services as the RSXO. I would contend that Kirghy has been the best RSXO any FC could have. He has taken initiative with projects when he saw that my plate was full, offered his views and provided me with insight when I was debating different options, and worked to rebuild lines of communication between the club leadership and the squadron commanders.

The Kessel Cup is awarded to members who have, "over a substantial period of time, given outstanding dedication, service and loyalty to the Rebel Squadrons, enough so to stand out from the crowd". I believe we could all stand to learn from Kirghy's example, and no one can doubt his dedication after so many years. Kirghy, it gives me great pleasure to award you the Kessel Cup, in recognition of your long service to the club and in particular your steadfast efforts as RSXO. Congratulations!

This concludes the awards and promotions for this State of the Rebel Squadrons.

III. Conclusion

And so I reach the end of my last email to the club as RSFC. My friends, it has been real, and it has been fun, and it has at times been real fun.

Now, my final action. Cyrel, please join me here for a moment.

Admiral Vandroth, as specified by the Rebel Squadrons Bylaws and in accordance with the will of the Rebel Squadrons High Command and the transition plan I presented as of my resignation earlier in January, I hereby relinquish command of the Rebel Squadrons to you, effective immediately. As is traditional, may God have mercy on your soul, sir! *SALUTE*

Until the next time we meet, friends, as always: fly fast, shoot straight, and may the Force be with you all.


Commodore Lamin Zykara
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander Emeritus
lamin@rebelsquadrons.org