State of the Rebel Squadrons

April 2018

I. Foreword and Announcements
II. Squadron and Academy Updates
III. Awards and Recognition
IV. Mission Briefing
V. Conclusion

I. Foreword and Announcements

From the desk of the Fleet Commander

Greetings RS!

As many of you are aware, several of our members have taken up sharing their gameplay with the world via streaming on Twitch and other services. We think this is a fantastic way for our members to interact and share their escapades with one another. Therefore, at the suggestion of one such member, we are launching a new project: The Rebel Squadrons Streaming Group!

Our immediate goal is to identify and recruit any interested members in joining the Streaming Group.

Our long-term goal is to help a member reach Partner status so that we can create an official RS Twitch Team while fostering a friendly and welcoming community!

For more information on this project, check out the more detailed information below that will become part of a new 'About the Streaming Group' page on the website:

About the Streaming Group

The Rebel Squadrons Streaming Group (RSSG) is an organization of like-minded gamers and content creators that seek to promote a fun and welcoming environment in their streams.

Why join?

Members of the streaming group are encouraged to reference each other (shout out!), host each other’s streams, raid each other’s streams, and in general support one another. As a member, the RS will make highlight videos of your content that showcases your stream’s appeal and positive moments while making certain to credit you and advertise your stream by linking back to your account.

The RS will maintain the RS Youtube channel to showcase your stream’s contents, create and maintain space on the RS’s website (www.rebelsquadrons.org) devoted to advertising the RS Streaming Group, and pursue the creation of a RSSG Twitch Team.

All members will attempt to maintain inviting and friendly atmospheres in their channels so that they grow a welcoming community that will, ultimately, support all of their streams.

Members of the RSSG agree to have their streams advertised on the RS website, agree to have a banner+link to the RS website, join the RS Twitch Team (once available), and agree to allow the RS to create content (such as highlight videos) from their streams and VODs for use on a RS Youtube channel. Racism, bigotry, and intentional broadcasting or sharing of copyrighted material is strictly prohibited.

Interested? Join our Discord at , contact us , or sign up for the RS!.

The Command Staff

The Rebel Squadrons Command Staff consists of all of the members of the RS who have chosen to devote a portion of their time and energy into providing content for the rest of the RS to enjoy. They are the only method in which a member of the RS can earn a Level Two promotion, i.e. to Brigadier General and above.

Command Staff Position filled!

Command Staff Positions Open!

Academy CO The academy squadron is in need of a new commanding officer! The Academy CO is responsible for monitoring new applications for membership into the RS, placing the cadet in the Academy squadron, showing them the ropes in the RS, and encouraging activity.

Operations Officer We are still looking for someone interested in taking on the role of Operations Officer! It’s a critical role for the smooth operation of events in the RS, but we encourage anyone regardless of experience to apply. We’re happy to show you the ropes, all you have to bring to the table is a desire to improve the RS for everyone and a willingness to put in the effort.

Internet Office Do you have any experience with web development, or want to learn? Our website needs YOU! The RS is desperately seeking any volunteers who would be willing to work on our website. The poor thing is showing its age, and needs some TLC to keep it modern if only to incorporate our recent changes to the scoring systems. Contact Cyrel, Licah, or Joshua Hawkins for details.

Task Force Leaders We are always on the lookout for members who have a passion for an activity and want to work towards encouraging that activity in the RS as a whole. If you manage to drum up enough activity, you’ll be invited to create an ITOD Objective for next session! Contact Cyrel or Licah for details.

II. Squadron and Academy Updates

Resurrection Squadron
Resurrection was the top squadron for Hammerfall: Hunting the Hunters! Five of Rza's officers participated in the operation, with FA Joshua Hawkins continuing to monitor the HoloNet, one officer went on Leave, and RA Boid "Gambit" Reaves became the lone RS officer this session to go absent without leave. ADM Lucas "IronMan" Benoit-Stark led the squadron with 23 objective points, and was one of the shining lights of the RS during the entire mission, leading all RSers with 244 overall points.

Red Dagger Squadron:
All ten active officers participated in the operation, with an additional officer on Leave. CPT Gavin Devearoux (Red Dagger CO) was the top-performing officer in the RS for mission objectives, with 30 points.

Diamond Squadron
CMDR Galen McGrath took command of Diamond on March 21, 2018, with the resignation of LCM Yaihi'l Beskar from the position of CO. He also led the squadron with 14 objective points. All four active Diamond officers participated in the operation, with two additional officers on Leave.

Academy
Things have been, unfortunately, pretty quiet on the academy front.

III. Awards and Recognition

Personnel Office - Commendations and Awards

Admiral Lucas Benoit-Stark “@IronMan#4196”: Tatooine Suns. For demonstration over a considerable time and period of the highest standards of leadership and excellence. You are involved in nearly everything that the club does, you drive attendance, participation and foster a welcoming atmosphere. I am happy to award this to you. Congratulations Admiral.

Captain Gavin Devearoux “@Skyhammer#5404”: Dagger of Courage. For your contribution to MP gaming within the club and your hard work to encourage others to participate. You continue to work well, lead your squadron and take the time to be active. Congratulations Captain.

Brigadier General Naesa Draw “@Sena Cat#9772”: Iridium Spire. For your continued support and personally flying MP missions with others members to prevent them being AWOL. You also continue to encourage others to be active within the club including Switfy and Zev which is to be commended. Congratulations Brigadier General.

Yaihi’l Beskar “@Yaihi'l#6792”: Merit Commendation. For your hard work and previous leadership of Diamond squadron. I would like to thank you for your contribution to the RS with a merit commendation award. Congratulations Lieutenant Commander.

Medal Officer’s Challenge!

As the Medal Officer I would also like to ensure that everyone this session gives their best effort towards our repelling the Titan fleet. I will be awarding a medal (to be decided based on level of participation and contribution) to a member of the RS who engages in the most amount of multiplayer games this session.

This must be with other RS’ers.

Note: you can count time in MMO games in 15 minute blocks.

For more details please message me on discord @Juanlopez - Kimz#8493.

FC’s addendum: If at least two player’s total scores exceed 1,000 points on the activity leaderboard before the inclusion of the ITOD bonus column, I will authorize the New Republic Medal of Honor, one of our highest commendations (and a seriously cool addition to one’s uniform), as the award.

Promotions:

Koah “@Knight2100#1114”: Promotion to Major General. You’ve been a figurehead in the ABG and now your contribution to activity within the Minecraft server. You continue to encourage RS involvement and you help support people who are new to the group. Congratulations Major General.

Ralis Solin “@Ralis Solin#5573”: Promotion to Lieutenant Commander. You have been a constant and consistent flyer in the RS since 2013. You also have encouraged others within XWA to get involved. As such you are rightly recognized for your hard work and efforts. Congratulations Lieutenant Commander.

Gavin Devearoux “@Skyhammer#5404”: Promotion to Major. This is long overdue and I have had recommendations from other members of the RS and your squadron who have called for your promotion. Congratulations Major.

Past Session Results: Hammerfall - Hunting the Hunters

http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/activities/overall?start=2018-02-01&end=2018-03-31

RS Top Squadron One of the closest matches we’ve seen in a while! At 56 ITOD Score to 54, Resurrection Squadron secures the RS Top Squadron award for Hammerfall - Hunting the Hunters! Congratulations!

RS ITOD Top Gun While RZA might have earned bragging rights overall, Captain Gavin “Skyhammer” Devearoux earns the RS ITOD Top Gun award! The runners-up to Skyhammer (30) were Cyrel (27) and Ironman (24). Congratulations Captain!

RS Activity Top Gun At 244 points, stealing the victory out from under Cyrel at 238, ADM Lucas “Ironman” Benoit-Stark earns this session’s RS Activity Top Gun commendation. Congratulations, Stark!

IV. Mission Briefing - Hammerfall - Two Minutes To Midnight

Office of the Fleet Commander
Rebel Squadrons Command Complex
Tarsonis

As the hickory scent of whiskey loomed over his desk, Fleet Commander Cyrel Vandroth sifted through several reports of battles throughout the RS and its sectors. Each dour piece of information compelled him to pour another shot of the brown drink into his empty glass and slosh it down in hopes that the burning sensation of the beverage might also scorch away the news. The bottle, now containing a fourth of its contents, rested to the right of him in arms reach, its bitter taste a godsend compared to the current state of affairs.

So inebriated was he, that he forgot that he summoned for the dark-skinned pilot, who had stood before him for about a minute. Unamused and surly as ever, Lucas Benoit-Stark broke the silence. “You gon’ punish [i]me[/i] for that garbage they pulled in the Corona system?” he asked indignantly, his dreadlocks slightly draped over his face. “I gotta clean refreshers again?”

“Actually,” retorted Cyrel, “Ye were called tah be commended.” At the edge of his desk, close to where Stark stood, rested a shiny medal ensconced in a mahogany case with plush, velvety lining. Cyrel absently gestured to the protective case with his glass, threatening but not quite spilling some of the medicinal contents with the motion. “Damn good flyin. We’d do this in public with all tha bells an whistles and what have ye...but... yer still on probation in light o ye bein’ a gigantic arse, so…... cheers.”

The pilot known as IronMan stared at the medal, another in the long acclaimed career of the ace pilot. Surprised, he opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he observed the Fleet Commander readying another glass. “So that’s it? You gon’ drink now because you can’t stand to give me a medal?”

With the drink inches from his lips, Cyrel Vandroth put down the glass and gave Stark his undivided attention throughout bloodshot eyes. Calmly, he spoke, “I’m drinkin because we’re gettin’ our asses kicked.”

“How bad?” Stark asked, his curiosity peaked.

Cyrel smirked. “Aurora, Subterrel, and the Cadrel Expanse.. All our forward outposts, destroyed…. or made suicidal tah defend…. boxed us right back home into Greeop, which wouldnae be so bad, IF Titan hadn’t [i]successfully[/i] cut our bloody bollocks out from under us… Our infrastructure’s shot to hell, we can barely repair what we got let alone think about replenishing our losses, and our allies...” With drink in hand, he rambled on, “Well, look at Lithra. Despite the lengthy campaign there, resources spent, lives lost, diddnae even secure us the approval of the people.”

“You kiddin’!” Stark exclaimed incredulously, thinking back to his last venture in Lithra’s liberation. “Me and Cody crawled through a sewer of---”

“The [i]Redemption[/i] is still crippled from retreatin’ out of [i]Aurora[/i],” the Admiral interrupted, “and now the bloody [i]Prometheus II[/i] needs repairs. Starfighter and personnel losses across the fleet, Phantom Squadron completely wiped out, not tah mention the destroyed supply stations all over the bloody sector.” For as exhausting it was talking about the shabby state of the RS, Admiral Vandroth looked worse for wear, as if carried the bulkload of the exorbitant losses on his shoulders.

For once, Lucas Stark felt a tinge of sympathy. There existed a lauded history in the RS, rich and robust, filled with a slew of accolades. To see defeat so readily available perturbed him. Of course, self-preservation won over all. After careful contemplation, IronMan said, “All of this is bad. But this ain’t my war no more. Cody Qel-Droma got me here because it’s safer than bein’ out there.”

Vandroth’s look turned cold and grim, sobered up by the selfish and erroneous logic of the pilot before him. “Nae yer war? Safe?” Cyrel snorted. “We’re on life support, Stark. Intel and Logistics both agree, we’ve lost our chance tah truly hit [i]Titan[/i] before they come to us. A full-on bloody assault of Greeop is immin… imm… is gonna happen. It is no longer a question of if, but WHEN.”

Hunting the Hunters Results

Writing - RS Defeat: Significant damage in Greeop space occurs, several space stations are DESTROYED, RS will need to sacrifice some of their strike force on the counteroffensive due to those losses, and moral is adversely affected.
XWA - Minor Victory: The ISD Titan's Wrist is toast! However the INT Titan's Clavacal managed to get away and is now lurking out there, available to ambush us again another day.
Minis - Defeat: Titan achieves significant damage on Greeop and annihilates the squadron(??).
BFII - Defeat: RS Infrastructure is reduced by one level in all sectors due to severe damage to installations and supply depots.
Simming : Minor Victory: The ABG manages to push back the new Titan offense and score enough damage to discourage further supply line attacks.
Minecraft : Defeat: Remnant forces push New Republic Engineers out of Eloria.

Hammerfall - Two Minutes To Midnight

In lieu of a fictional introduction to this session that might obfuscate the dire nature of the RS in our ongoing storyline, Logistics Officer Michael Raven has provided the following summary:

“The RS is currently in rough shape. Titan is pressing in on all fronts and in a massive concentrated attack has broken through nearly every RS line and is pushing toward the Greeop sector. Pressing their advantage, Titan has begun their invasion spearheaded by the Titan herself, and High Command has pulled back from all but the most critical locations to concentrate defenses and somehow bring the RS' might to bear against their foe. Titan is overextending, but in the RS' weakened state it may be enough to deliver the killing blow; while providing a very small window of opportunity for the RS to turn things around and fight back.

Pilots, this is our Battle of Endor moment. Over the next several sessions we will be fighting for the continued survival of the RS, and aiming at the destruction of an Executor-class Star Dreadnought. This is an all-or-nothing push for both sides, and the results of the next few sessions will be compounded to determine the campaign's overall win/loss.

Victory will result in the RS being bruised and bloodied, but intact; albeit with new challenges to face going forward.

Defeat will see us broken.”

Hammerfall - Two Minutes to Midnight - Mission Briefing

Note: Objectives are due by 23:59 on May 27 and the session ends at 23:59 on May 31!

Fiction - Rebel Riposte
Overseeing Officer - IronMan
After Titan’s bold attempt to rattle the RS forces on Greeop, Task Force Republic Shield returns the favor and attempt to cripple Titan’s resources


After the crippling of the Victory Star Destroyer, the invading forces on board the Serpent’s Fang are able to obtain Intel that leads to the whereabouts of Titan’s repair yard. With the Fang and other vessels either in need of maintenance or damaged, Task Force Republic Shield has a grand opportunity to lessen their numbers and quite possibly finish the job they started on the Corona system. RS participants are deputed with the task to do as much damage to the shipyard and its resources as possible while taking little to no losses on their end. The goal is deplete their resources as much as possible, as this will better suit the RS with a either a smaller resistance or a tactical advantage against Titan.


Participant Overall Objective: In a fiction based story, RS forces will work together in crippling as much of Titan’s resources as possible through the writing of fiction post. Having been given a glimpse of Titan’s overall might, the objective is for people to work together and write their assault. Writers can either write alone or collaborate with other RS members in joint posts to achieve their go.


Individual Scoring: IronMan will once again GM the story. Scoring will take place based on the number of post per each session. If that requirement is met, THEN the overall words will be factor. Extra points will be given for joint posts or creative/witty actions, and whether or not objectives have been landed. (Joint posts will share the number of words in the posts).


RS Defeat: Titan arrives with their full allotment of forces for the upcoming battle versus the SSD Titan while the RS suffers a percentage of losses during the battle.


Stalemate: Titan arrives with their full allotment of forces versus the RS’ full allotment of forces. Based on the circumstances, Titan will still have an advantage due to their support AND a SSD
Objective: At least 4 unique post will take place for each session of the thread (16 total). Joint post between several individuals will count as multiple post depending on the number in said post.


Minor RS Victory: Titan suffers minor losses, which lessens their resisting forces versus the RS during the final battle against the SSD Titan.
Objective: Stalemate objectives. In addition, at least two (2) joint posts must take place and at least one (2) post must be over 500 words per each session.


Major RS Victory: Titan suffers a significant number of losses that helps the RS for the final battle against the SSD Titan.
Objective: Stalemate objectives. In addition, at least one post between from different squadrons AND one (1) post must be over 1,000 words per each session.

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Simming
Overseeing officer: Koah
Participant Overall Objective: Continue the fight against Titan


Individual Scoring: Current scoring will take place based on the leaderboard in the RS page. Based on the number of points earned by duration, simmers will receive a score of 1-10 based on individual participation lengths earned through simming or GMing a sim. (Highest receives 10, lowest receives 1, rest is divided accordingly). After participating in at least one sim, submit a report to this objective linking their activity profile with evidence they have participated in at least one sim (e.g. http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/test/member.php?pin=1865&date=46 ).

# I like this defeat condition, so I am keeping it.
RS Defeat: Side projects and businesses have their net gains ( not gross ) halved until at least a minor RS victory in Simming is achieved.


rStalemate:Characters cannot upgrade for the first week unless the player posts on the forums or char sims explaining their efforts toward solving the issue.
Objective: At least 60 hours of total sims reported. (( 3 characters + 1 GM count as 4 hours per every hour they participate. ))


Minor RS Victory:((During one week, players can choose a single side project or business that uses a 1d100 and count that roll as a 90. Players can only use this before they choose to roll.))
Objective: 120 Hours of sims reported, 5 hours of character sims reported.


Major RS Victory: (( Players will receive double CP and learning for the first week of the next session. ))
Objective: 250 hours of simming reported. At least 1 member successfully takes their aGM, GM, SGM tests or at least 10 unique players participate in a sim during the session.

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X-Wing Minis/Armada

Overseeing officer: Codyman
Fresh Meat for the Grinder


Titan’s attack on Greeop and other actions across various parts of Republic Shield have depleted our forces and put many ships in drydock for repairs. As new and repaired ships are pressed into battle, ship crews, starfighter pilots, and soldiers are seeing their first tastes of action across RS space.


Participant Overall Objective: Play Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxRbjd2emZNMXFEWTQ/view?usp=sharing) or Star Wars Armada (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1TRGnMMipxRVko2R3U1OTZvLVE/view?usp=sharing) via Vassal (http://www.vassalengine.org/download.php)Take a screenshot of any match end stats AND report via the RS Reporter ( (From the left-hand navigation bar, Reporters -> Generic Reporter, http://rebelsquadrons.org/multiplayer/report_mp.php). Then report any matches played for this session’s X-Wing Minis/Armada gaming activity (http://rebelsquadrons.org/activities/).


Individual Scoring: Based on report results, one (1) point awarded for defeat, two (2) points awarded for victory. Most points at the end of session is the winner. Participants’ final scoring will be ranked on a scale of one (1) to ten (10) for ITOD scoring purposes.


RS Defeat: Ships’ crews fail in pre-combat operations in simulated space trial combat before even making it to actual combat, setting their debut in active roles back months.


Stalemate: Ships and crews pass pre-combat training and are added to the line, participating in minor combat operations during this session.
Objective: At least four (4) RSers play at least eight (8) matches AND report this session. Both X-Wing Minis and Armada are played.


Minor RS Victory: Ships’ crews sail through pre-combat operations and are added to the line, succeeding in reinforcing at least one major combat operation during the session (though not necessarily winning it).
Objective: At least four (4) RSers play at least ten (10) matches AND report this session. Both X-Wing Minis and Armada are played at least (2) times each. In addition, Capital ships are involved in X-Wing Minis at least once.


Major RS Victory: Ships’ crews sail through pre-combat operations and are added to the line, succeeding in turning the tide in at least one major combat operation during the session.
Objective: At least five (5) RSers play at least (10) matches AND report this session. Both X-Wing Minis and Armada are played at least four (4) times each. In addition, Capital ships are involved in X-Wing Minis at least twice.

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X-Wing Alliance
Overseeing officer: CrazyCarl
Fresh Meat for the Grinder

Though many of you pilots barely escaped with your lives from the counter-ambush on the Titan’s Wrist, we must ask you to once again embark on a strike against the Titan’s infrastructure with only minimal intelligence. We’ve located what we believe to be a TIE manufacturing facility for the Titan fleet in the Truance system, but we have unfortunately been unable to determine how well defended it is. As such, we’ll be sending out a squadron of A-wings to investigate. Your orders are to slag any targets of opportunity but no heroics and retreat quickly with intel if you encounter any substantial resistance; this isn’t important enough of a target to squander pilots or ships on. Clear skies, and may the Force be with you, dismissed!

Participant Overall Objective: Download the mission from (http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/itod/mission.php?id=1183”> Link: http://www.rebelsquadrons.org/itod/mission.php?id=1183 ) and rename to 1B1M1G.tie and place it in your Xwing Alliance/MISSIONS folder (first backing up the original 1B1M1G.tie file). Enter the game and in the simulator play Battle 1 Mission 1. This will launch the downloaded mission. Take a screenshot with your individual score at the end and submit the report to the RS XWA activities section.


Individual Scoring: Individual scoring (out of 10) to be based on mission score and on the number of players participating in the objective.


RS Defeat: The shipyards are too well defended and we suffer some pilot losses without inflicting any real damage to the facility
Objective: Less than 3 individual mission reports submitted with mission completed


Stalemate: The RS pilots manage to slag some fighters before being forced to pull out, however the facility remains unmolested.
Objective: At least 3 individual mission reports submitted with mission completed.


Minor RS Victory: The TIE production facility is damaged and will need to undergo significant repair before being able to be brought back online.
Objective: At least 4 individual mission reports submitted with mission completed.


Major RS Victory: The TIE facility and full squadron of TIEs currently in production are completely obliterated!
Objective: At least 6 individual mission reports submitted with mission completed.

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Survival Games (Minecraft)
Overseeing officer: Koah
Participant Overall Objective: Build and survive the horrible planets of the galaxy to bring in more resources for the Republic. Minecraft : Minecraft Build Objectives : Midterm - Build a landing platform which can hold no less than 6 fighters. Final - Build an “Orbital” docking station for at least one 100m capital ship. Optional Build objectives - Build Small capital ships and fighters to protect the planet. PVP Objectives - Each weekend there will be an arena style free for all where players are only allowed to use armor and weapons from a single modpack. The winner will earn extra ITOD points and in game materials.


Individual Scoring: Scoring will be between 1 and 10 based on participation in events and solo/group build projects. Builds will be judged at the end of each month with a “Midterm” and “Final” building objective. As well as events for pvp or pve which will be scheduled according to the game.


RS Defeat: With no new resources, enemy forces quickly take the planet and gain the massive resources within.


Stalemate:In retreat, Titan is forced to BDZ the planet in order to keep it out of the hands of the republic. Neither the RS or Enemy forces gain any ground in the exchange.
Objective: One Midterm build objective completed and at least one group PvP/PvE objective completed with 3 or more players.


Minor RS Victory: The Republic gains a minor advantage from the resources on the planet. Giving them the built fighters ( limit 72 ) and built capital ships ( Totalling 2,000m ) as well as the bases on planet.
Objective: One Midterm build objective and one Final build objective completed and at least two group PvP/PvE objectives completed with 3 or more players.


Major RS Victory: The Republic gains a minor advantage from the resources on the planet. Giving them the built fighters ( limit 144 ) and built capital ships ( Totalling 5,000m ) as well as the bases on planet and a built shipyard ( up tp 1,000m in length )
Objective: At least Three Midterm build objective and two Final build objective completed and at least three group PvP/PvE objectives completed with 5 or more players.

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Executive Officer's Directive
Overseeing officer: Licah Fox
Participant Overall Objective: Build the community!


Play a round of any game whatsoever with another RSer. As long as your in-game name is visible and clearly can be linked to you, even if it isn't your RS name, it will count towards this activity. You can use any other MP reporting for this activity as well, with the exception of simming. The challenge is to involve as many RSers as possible, so find a game you have in common and play it!


Individual Scoring: Scoring will be between 1 and 10 based on how many RSers you participate with. If you appear in reports with 8 other RSers over the course of the session, you will receive 8 points.


RS Defeat: The RS loses several groups of small ships in the conflict with Titan.


Stalemate: The RS loses a few groups of small ships, but so does Titan.
Objective: At least 8 RSers participate in this objective, with at least 1 Twitch streamer.


Minor RS Victory: The RS loses only a few small ships, and takes down several groups of Titan's.
Objective: At least 12 RSers participate in this objective, with at least 2 Twitch streamers.


Major RS Victory: The RS succeeds in destroying a large group of Titan's small ships, with minimal losses sustained.
Objective: At least 15 RSers participate in this objective, with at least 3 Twitch streamers.

V. Conclusion

Regards,

Rebel Squadrons High Command

FA Cyrel Vandroth
Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander
Contact the Fleet Commander

FA Licah Fox
Rebel Squadrons Executive Officer
Contact the XO

FA Michael Raven
Rebel Squadrons Logistics Officer, Arbitrator
Contact the LO

MGN Kimiao Quinal
Rebel Squadrons Personnel Officer
Contact the PO