USS Washington Archives - Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: July 2026

Posted on August 25, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

Best Post (Single Author)

Remal Kajun
Counselor
USS Sunfire

A great post that is very reminiscent of a few TNG episodes where exploration does not always need to happen on the outside. Sometimes it is just as important to look within to see what unexplored regions remain.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Lieutenant Celestine Eisenhorn & Captain Michael Murphy
Chief Medical Officer & Commanding Officer
USS Montana

For “A Muddy Situation”

A solid blend of comedy, mystery, and being able to write an established character.

Funniest Post

Ensign Aidan “A.J.” Reid
Infiltration Specialist
USS Washington

For “Twice more unto the Breach”

A great post that clearly wants the reader to think it’s about to go one way, before taking things into chaotic humours with some great dialogue and solutions to problems.

Genesis

Ens. Gazo Daw & PO1 Kipp Lak & PO1 Fhiri & Ens. Ozai Y’zyr & Ens. Emilynn Dove
PS / Y / CSS / TO / OO
USS Firebird

For “First Time in the Chair”

A great post that speaks to the point that not all the action has to happen on Alpha’s shift, and more or less it can come when you’re least expecting it.

MVP

Lieutenant Zub Enel
Assistant Chief Security & Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

He was a key driver in several monumental joint posts, added an NPC who brings another viewpoint, and provided humor, encouragement, and a willingness to say yes to just about anything.

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 12 posts.

Most Improved

Chief Petty Officer Aaron Geiger
Engineering Officer
USS Washington

It was a great month for the Chief, upping his timely contributions to the story through multiple joint posts.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: June 2026

Posted on July 31, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

After an great 25th Anniversary, it’s back to the monthly grind…

Best Post (Single Author)

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For “Little ‘Red’ Bird – I”

A beautifully written post that delivers unmatched character development, emotional depth, and focus on the craft.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. JG T’Lar & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Remal Kajun
CO / MA / 2O / C / CSS / C
USS Sunfire

For “Reflections in the Dark”

An action-packed, fast-paced post that brilliantly captures a gripping Mirror Universe tactical showdown, expertly balancing combat and dark comedy.

Funniest Post

Lieutenant Kate Kono & Lieutenant JG Benjamin “Ben” Dalton
Intelligence Officer / Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For “Spockluck Dinner”

This is outstanding situational comedy through a hyper-deadpan character with well timed punchlines.

Genesis

Captain Dick Sprague
Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “Do as I say, not as I…”

This post turns a chaotic narrative mess into a structured, highly inclusive sandbox where players have a direct task, but still have complete creative freedom to take their assignments in unexpected directions.

MVP

Commander Elias McEntyre
Mission Advisor
USS Wayfarer

McEntyre used his guest role to completely revitalize the Wayfarer’s community. Through motivation, encouragement, and his own excellent role playing, he made the writers around him better.

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 26 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant JG Jacob Rosen
Chief Operations Officer
USS Sunfire

Rosen upped his game this month by pushing a storyline forward while actively increasing collaboration through multiple joint posts.

Rookie of the Month

Ensign Katherine Hobbes
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Albion

Hobbes immediately jumped into the story with a post upon joining the sim.

Recruitment

Lieutenant JG Dan Murphy
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Liberty

An all-around top contributor during the month in posting and leadership, Murphy also invited someone to take an inside look at the sim.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

A purple-tinted space scene featuring a futuristic starbase and a Starfleet-style starship approaching it, with the text "IDFLEET.COM" in the bottom right corner.

Our Silver Anniversary

Posted on July 4, 2026 | by Charles Star | 6 Comments

One-quarter of a century–a generation by some measures. Yes, it was 25 years ago today that Independence Fleet was founded with three sims and, by our best records, 33 total characters. But for our 108 characters today, we first have a very special message straight from the 24th century (don’t ask how we got it):

While we celebrate our 25th anniversary, the United States (where many members of this fleet hail from) commemorates its 250th. Since our club’s founding shares a date with U.S. Independence Day, our early branding often included American flags. As a piece of trivia, we owe our name to co-founder, three-time Commander-in-Chief, and Hall of Famer James D. West. He happened to glance at either a VHS or DVD copy of the movie Independence Day while we were trying to come up with a name for this soon-to-be-launched fleet. The rest is well, history! The Liberty Bell image was added a couple years later in 2003, again by James D. West, and it has stuck ever since.

To our friends up north, we also acknowledge the recent Canada Day. To our friends elsewhere in the Commonwealth realms, we salute you–your King was here less than three months ago. Finally, to our friends at other locations on the globe, we rotate with you!

Back to today! We have now been around for exactly one-tenth as long as the United States. Moving backward in time 25 years before our 2001 founding would put you right on the July 4, 1976 bicentennial. Who remembers the bicentennial quarters? In that spirit, we have created this one-time challenge coin in honor of our 25 years together as a fleet, which will be provided free of charge to all fleet members.

All current fleet members as of today are also hereby awarded the Anniversary Medal.

We’re not done yet! We have another message for the fleet from a very special guest (this one is from the present!):

We had an entire page in our 20th Anniversary Almanac dedicated to Gott’s Doomsday Scenario. Back then, there was an 80% chance that we would still be here today. Well, here we are! If you remember, the concept is that absent additional information, an observer (i.e., you) has a 50% chance of being in the first half of what they are observing (i.e., IDF) and a 50% chance of being in the second half of what they are observing. Based on that, here are our updated numbers for Anniversary #25:

Date	Probability that IDF is still active
October 4, 2026	99%
October 27, 2027	95%
April 13, 2029	90%
November 2, 2034	75%
July 4, 2051	50%
July 4, 2101	25%
July 4, 2251	10%
July 3, 2501	5%
June 28, 4501	1%

Until next year, or June 28th, 4501, let’s keep simming!

A sleek, futuristic conference room table with grey surfaces and blue glowing lights on the sides. The chairs surrounding the table have a modern design with dark grey fabric and geometric shapes. The walls of the room are simple, with soft purple accents. The environment has a clean, minimalist, and high-tech aesthetic.

25th Anniversary Webcast: Sunday @ 3pm Eastern

Posted on July 2, 2026 | by Charles Star | 2 Comments

Beam up to our Discord Server this Sunday, July 5th at 3:00 pm EDT (-4) / 8:00 pm BST (+1) for our 25th Anniversary Webcast Celebration aboard a virtual starship! The webcast is something we’ve done every year since our 20th anniversary back in 2021. It’s always a lot fun and adds a visual and interactive element beyond the typical simming experience. In addition to spinning the awards big wheel to see who will win real prizes, host Ken Gillis has a few more surprises up his sleeve this round. See you and the rest of the fleet there!

Event Direct Link

For the third year in a row now, we failed to publish a recap following the anniversary webcast with the list of prize drawing winners in 2025. So we are once again announcing them nearly a year later. Congratulations, and we hope you three have been enjoying your prizes! As for everyone else, someone, anyone please remind to announce this year’s winners before 2027!

First place: Elias Ford of the USS Firebird
Declined Award

2nd Place, upgraded to 1st Place:
Deanna Celes of the USS Washington

3rd Place, upgraded to 2nd Place:
Dean House of the USS Sunfire

4th Place, upgraded to 3rd Place:
Emilynn Dove of the USS Firebird

A close-up view of a futuristic starship's bridge seats, featuring a central command chair with an elaborate design. The seat has angular, dark purple and beige components, with additional seats on either side, all positioned in front of a curved control panel. The overall design is modern with sleek, minimalistic features and geometric shapes.

Commandapalooza 2025

Posted on June 13, 2026 | by Charles Star | 2 Comments

We did Awardapalooza. And we did Recordapalooza. So why not Commandapalooza? This post is all about our amazing Commanding Officers and everything they’ve accomplished up through the end of 2025. This is one caveat, however: We only have command records for Jul 2001-Dec 2003, Oct 2010-Aug 2018, Nov 2018, and Jun 2019-present. A few years ago, former Fleet CO Jeremiah Griffith gave us records he had saved that cover January 2004 through September 2010. However, they are incomplete and have not yet been integrated into our official record book. Until that happens, we have had 150 unique Independence Fleet Commanding Officers who have guided 58 different sims. And here they are…

They have led 2,361 ship-months, won 207 posting titles, and commanded through a whopping 64,387 posts!

By Sim:

By Commanding Officer:

*Commanding Officers currently in command are in bold.*

*Only the top 25 and active COs are tagged.*

What a history! What a legacy! What a group put outstanding role players and leaders do we have! There certainly is a lot I can say, but I’m going to let the numbers speak for themselves. But please do feel free to post your own observations, thoughts, and memories in the comments section below!

Monthly Awards: May 2026

Posted on June 12, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For “Inside Out”

What a post! It’s always good to remember that these are characters, and writing them more relatable and realistic can be just as, if not more important than techno-babble or explosions.

Best Post (Joint Post)

S’thenosis Gorgox & Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren & Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali & Lieutenant JG Jacob Rosen & Lieutenant JG Micheal Stevens & Lieutenant JG T’Lar & Lieutenant JG Olivia Voight & Lieutenant JG Rowan Hale & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Lt. Cmdr. Rynn Upland & Lt. Sarah Wilson
Guest / CFCO / CSS / CO / XO / CTO / CEO / CC / COO / CRO / C / MO / CMO / SO / MA / ACEO / ACMO
USS Sunfire

For “Pop, Lock and Drop Em'”

This is a great scene that encompasses a balance between the main characters, the villains, and even the ship herself almost feels like a character as everything comes together to centre the whole story.

Funniest Post

Ensign Ozai Y’zyr & Petty Officer 1st Class Fhiri
Tactical Officer / Computer Systems Specialist
USS Firebird

For “Borrowed Knowledge”

The absurdity of everything happening in this post, as well as the dialogue, harkens back to some serious classic Trek with a few homages here and there that make it delightful and well worth the read.

Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar
Commanding Officer
USS Washington

For “Sins Laid Bare”

A nice start to a story that could go anywhere. Will there be repercussions for the actions of her Captain? What mystery does the Klingon ship hold? Does the crew have the answers or more questions? Hope we get to find out!

MVP

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

She is the Sunfire’s power player: A consistent high poster, with humorous, dramatic, and whimsical writing, plus everything inbetween.

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 26 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant JG James Phoenix
Tactical Officer
USS Washington

He did excellent work with some interesting collaborative posts, putting forth a strong showing from the beginning to the end of the month.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: April 2026

Posted on May 25, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

Best Post (Single Author)

Ensign Helle Leed
Biologist
USS Firebird

For “Starfleet 1st Day: Hands to Yourself”

It’s always hard to start something new, and Starfleet Academy is no exception. This post has everything you want in a character driven arc, from start to end, the situation, the dialogue, and character feel real and grounded.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Cmdr. Dean House & Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren & Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali & Lt. JG Micheal Stevens & Lt. JG Jacob Rosen & Lt. JG Rowan Hale & Lt. JG Olivia Voight & Lt. JG T’Lar & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia’anKahr & S’thenosis Gorgox & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Cmdr. Rosa Coy & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Remal Kajun
2O / CO / CFCO / XO / CEO / CC / CRO / COO / CMO / MO / C / SO / Guest / MA / ACFCO / CSS / C
USS Sunfire

For “Earth Pt2”

The somber beginning of this post, and the sudden gear shift when crisis arrives shows both a creative story and how when you have enough cooks in the kitchen, you can create something great.

Funniest Post

Ensign Aidan “A.J.” Reid & Ensign Kevin Mitchell & Lieutenant JG Benjamin “Ben” Dalton
IS / IS / ACIO
USS Washington

For “Ignorance and Bliss”

A great duality, when you should be professional, and you can be professional, but when you also know people’s internal monologues, it adds both great insight and humor as well.

Genesis

Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Commander Rhiana t’Aegis
Commanding Officer / Chief Security & Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

For “A Chance Encounter”

An interesting atmosphere to start a very interesting mission, with some cloak and dagger.

MVP

Commander Rhiana t’Aegis
Chief Security & Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

The Security and Tactical Officer continues to be a rock for the sim despite personal loss, showing extreme range in creativity and collaboration. She is the backbone of the Firebird.

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 25 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant Imik S’Niohun
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Washington

Another Chief Security/Tactical Officer really showing her range with highly varied contributions, with great plot twists and openings for other players.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

None this month.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: March 2026

Posted on April 14, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

Best Post (Single Author)

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

For “The Awakened Connection”

A very well written, authentic feel to a story that is drawing you into something gingerly–setting a tone for the mystery and where the story may lead.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren & Lt. JG Jacob Rosen & Lt. JG Rowan Hale & Lt. JG Olivia Voight & Lt. JG T’Lar & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Lt. Cmdr. Rynn Upland
CO / MA / CFCO / 2O / CEO / COO / CMO / MO / C / CSS / ACEO
USS Sunfire

For “Vadia Part IV – Doing the Time Warp, Again”

Multiple authors put in alternative perspectives from different locations, yet it still comes together as one showing of great teamwork and cohesion.

Funniest Post

Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Lt. Imik S’Niohun & Ens. Janelle Barett & CPO Aaron Geiger
ACOO / CSTO / SOO / EO
USS Washington

For “Bushwacked”

Just because you’re in the middle of a firefight, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little dry humour.

Genesis

Captain Dick Sprague
Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “How do you do it?”

A classic start from a classic Captain. Let the games, or should I say, let the writing begin with a wide array of directions their mission can go. It’s going to be a good one.

MVP

Lieutenant JG Rowan Hale
Chief Medical Officer
USS Sunfire

Twenty-two posts in just his second month onboard. He has also been a driver of several consequential joint posts.

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 24 posts.

Most Improved

Ensign Janelle Barett
Strategic Operations Officer
USS Washington

The young Strategic Operations Officer had a wonderful month and showed real growth as she tied for for the ship’s lead in posting and was part of two other nominations.

Rookie of the Month

None this month.

Recruitment

Marine Captain Emily Janeway
Marine Commanding Officer
USS Albion

She recruited a new crewmember who is already posting!

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: February 2026

Posted on March 24, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For “Slipping the Hook”

Well written tension that harkens back to some great elements of not just TNG, but DS9 as well. Many different threads, characters, and a hidden plot make this an exciting and thrilling post.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. JG Jek’Lar Son of Koss & Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Lt. Jackson Smith & Lt. Devin Hadenbeer & Lt. JG Hotaru Wymund
ACIO / CO / CIO / IS / IO
USS Firebird

For “Invasion: Intelligence Part 2”

Although this award is going to the second part of a two-parter, I highly recommend reading both! The weight on every character, every action, and the consequences of those actions reverberate throughout the story.

Funniest Post

Lieutenant Betaras K’ner & Captain Mira Rodale Lance
Chief Medical Officer / Commanding Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Meeting”

One of the things that can work well when trying to make comedy out of a serious situation is the absurdity of it all, and this is that to a tee.

Genesis

Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird

For “A Voyage Home”

A great start to a new story by expanding on the previous mission and dealing with its consequences.

MVP

Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For the second month in a row, the Washington’s Intel Chief provided a flurry of creative material, both solo and group, and even managed to not only be the W’s top poster for the month, but involved in every single nomination! That’s an MVP!

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 18 posts.

Most Improved

Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

The Washington’s CMO had multiple contributions that advanced the plot extremely creatively, and at times, comically as well.

Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant JG Rowan Hale
Chief Medical Officer
USS Sunfire

The Sunfure’s new CMO came in with a bang, immediately posting and integrating into the crew.

Recruitment

Commander Dean House
Second Officer
USS Sunfire

Commander House supercharged the Sunfire’s ranks by recruiting an epic three new players!

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: January 2026

Posted on February 28, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

In the midst of all the paloozas, here are your January awards!

Best Post (Single Author)

Cmdr. Rhiana t’Aegis
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

For “Meanwhile, On The Other Side”

A great writer knows how to write for different cultures and perspectives, and this captures it very well, building the tension without being melodramatic.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Lieutenant Kestra Ral & Lieutenant Dezkar Veen
Chief Science Officer / Chief Engineering Officer
USS Montana

For “Phaser Fire”

A great post, having two characters interact, help move the plot along while doing a great job setting up tension without it being thrown directly into the reader’s face.

Funniest Post

Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Dean House
CFCO / CSS / CTO
USS Sunfire

For “The Return of the Mac – and the Dance of Shame”

Starfleet Officers are supposed to be calm, poised, and stoic, and this is the complete opposite of that.

Genesis

Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Commander Rhiana t’Aegis & Ensign Gianna Djokovic
CO / CSTO / TO
USS Firebird

For “Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc”

Well written, and deep with characters and themes. An interesting look at how you can plan for one thing, and maybe take the more difficult path instead.

MVP

Lieutenant JG Kate Kono
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

The Washington’s Intelligence Officer wrote 10 truly outstanding posts, a good mix of joint and solo posts, that took the story in highly creative directions.

Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

For writing 12 posts.

Most Improved

Commander Donald “Don” Key
Flight Control Officer
USS Albion

Commander Key came roaring back with a bang taking the mission in a distinctly comedic direction while also involving the whole crew and fleshing out mission specific NPCs.

Rookie of the Month

Ensign Ozai Y’zyr
Tactical Officer
USS Firebird

The new Trill Tactical Officer was chomping at the bit while the mission concluded. Has jumped in with multiple excellent posts and has integrated well with the diverse crew.

Recruitment

None this month.

There is one more piece of business. It turns out that Admiral Star did miss one award in Awardapalooza a few weeks back. While we did announce Ken Gillis’s 2022 Simming Prize via social media, we never included it in a blog post. Well, that is now corrected! Here is his citation in full straight from The Simming Prize:

“With an illustrious career spanning decades in multiple groups and roles, the breadth of his accomplishments is unrivaled. From both his and simming’s early days as founder of Pi Fleet, Administrator of RolePlayerUSA, and the 11th President of the Simming League to more recently as Executive Officer of Independence Fleet, Chair of FallFest, and serving as a board member at multiple organizations, his selfless efforts to positively impact to the broader community are exactly what we need today.”

A gold medal featuring a portrait of a man, framed by a laurel wreath, hanging from a blue ribbon with four gold stars—symbolizing excellence and recognition within a creative or roleplaying community.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet