As most of you already know, but now to formally enter it into the record:
Captain Michael Murphy relieved Captain Jackson Adams as Commanding Officer of the USS Montana on November 1, 2024.
We would like to thank Captain Adams for his 33 outstanding months in command of the Montana. As Captain John Wells, he also commanded the USS Eminence for 8 months. We wish him Godspeed in all his future endeavors! Captain Michael Murphy is no stranger to the Montana, having previously served as the longtime Executive Officer there. We have no doubt that Captain Murphy will continue to build and develop the sim based on the strong foundation that Captain Adams has laid.
Happy 23rd anniversary, Independence Fleet! For anyone new and not aware or simply not wanting to do the math, this club was founded all the way back on July 4, 2001. Continuing a tradition we began a few years ago, here is a message from a special guest:
What else do we have for this year? You might remember the 20th Anniversary Almanac that we published three years ago. Well, we got the cover page signed by none other than Star Trek legend William Shatner:
In case you were wondering, the cover photo at the top is indeed based on the greatest Star Trek selfie ever taken by LeVar Burton. Thank you to Captain Misaki for creating our header image two years in a row.
I almost forgot, we have a second message this year too:
With another year in the books, it is again my great honor and privilege to formally announce the newest members of the Independence Fleet Hall of Fame. As a reminder, induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor this club offers–reserved for those who have demonstrated exemplary service or extraordinary contributions to the fleet, according to the Hall of Fame Charter (pdf). As such, here is your Hall of Fame Class of 2024:
Inducted by Election:
Vice Admiral Krol
of the USS Minerva
A charter member of the fleet, the original and long-time Commanding Officer of the Minerva, and later member of the Admiralty, Krol was an ever-present figure during IDF’s early years. Regardless of the role, he truly immersed himself into his character and the greater Trek universe. Whether in-story or out-of-story, he always fostered an environment of exploration and wonder for others to use.
Lt. Cmdr. T’Vyn
of the USS Victory
The most decorated crewmember of the Victory, T’Vyn was the engine that enabled the sim to be one of the most successful of its era as her seven Most Posts played no small part in the Victory’s 13 posting titles. Boasting 8.5 total awards, she still ranks within the top 20 all-time. Beyond her superior quantity, she was also known to be extremely inventive within the story to empower other writers.
Inducted by the Veterans Committee:
None this year.
Congratulations to each of our 2024 inductees! They continue to provide a timeless example for us still role playing today to follow. The inductees will hereby be remembered forever for their extraordinary service to Independence Fleet. Well done! There are now 43 total members of this most exclusive club.
Beam up to our Discord server this Saturday, July 6th at 7pm Eastern for our 23rd Anniversary Webcast, hosted again by Ken Gillis. Again, that’s July 6th at 7:00 PM ET (-4) / July 7th at 12:00 AM BST (+1). And yes, it will once more include real prizes!
Everyone who won any share of a monthly award from June 2023 through May 2024 had name added to the big wheel below, which we will spin this Saturday for real prizes. All award fractions were rounded up.
Speaking of the big prize wheel, an internal audit of our blog revealed that we never announced the winners from last year’s webcast spin. They were Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell of the USS Sunfire and Captain Shran dh’Klar of the USS Washington. Their prizes were…
What will the prizes be this year? Tune in this Saturday to find out!
Rear Admiral James “Rook” Mirtoh hereby relieves Commodore Heather Meadows as Director of Media
Captain Aurther Winters is hereby promoted to Rear Admiral and relieves Rear Admiral James “Rook” Mirtoh as Director of Personnel
First, I want to offer my sincerest thanks to Commodore Meadows and she has been a tremendous asset to the fleet over the last two years. Her counsel and wisdom have been invaluable in matters far beyond her formal role here. Our partnership will certainly endure as she continues to do great things in both Theta Fleet and the broader community.
Rear Admiral Mirtoh has served admirably as our Director of Personnel for over four years now. His management of the monthly awards, an institution that sets us apart from many other great fleets, has been second to none. I have no doubt that he will bring the same energy and enthusiasm to his new role.
And finally, Rear Admiral Winters is no stranger around these parts as he commanded the USS Chuck Norris for three years, and loyally served on that same sim for many more before assuming command. I have no doubt that he will fit right in with the Admiralty.
Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Cmdr. Samantha Howard & Ens. Kate Kono & Ens. James Phoenix ACOO / XO / CMO / SCP / TO USS Washington
We have a very important video announcement to make today regarding some significant changes to our fleet. Please click one of the links below to view the message.
We have a few personnel and structural changes to announce:
Captain Mira Rodale will relieve Captain Michael Intermeezo as Commanding Officer of the USS Chuck Norris on April 1, 2024. We want to personally thank Captain Intermeezo for the outstanding job he did during his seven months in command, which includes three posting titles so far. His superior commitment to both sim and fleet is very much appreciated! We also look forward to the bright future of this sim as we have no doubt that Captain Rodale will lead the Chuck Norris to even greater heights.
The following three sims will be officially decommissioned, with their final day in the fleet coming on March 31, 2024. We humbly thank their respective Commanding Officers and crews for their loyal service to the fleet. They will always be a part of our history and family.
USS Ganymede, commanded by Captain Dyllon McMahon since her launch in March 2020; the Ganymede won a Star Trek Gameplay award at the 2020 Tournament of Simulations (ToS)
Starbase 80, commanded by Captain Kathleen O’Shea since she joined the fleet in September 2020; Starbase 80 also won a Star Trek Gameplay award at the 2020 ToS
USS Eclipse, commanded by Captain Aven LaCroix since her launch in January 2023
We also would like to wish a happy 93rd birthday to the one and only William Shatner!
Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Capt. Akeno Misaki & Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lt. Rania Bhatti & Lt. JG Patra Rommel XO / CO / CSTO / CMO / Y / CFCO / CC / CES USS Wayfarer
The Chuck Norris’s XO continues to set the pace for the ship, even stepping up as the current CO is due to stand down. She expertly leads the ship both in and out of character and is slated to become the full-time CO next month.
Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla’ren Chief Engineering Officer USS Sunfire
The Gunfire’s CEO made outstanding contributions during the month during the CD mini-mission that not only developed her own character but set up great opportunities for others to use as well.
Rookie of the Month
Lieutenant Commander Kataxes Chief Medical Officer USS Firebird
The Firebird’s new CMO jumped into simming with a radically different and unique character, and is not only pulling it off, but crushing it.
