Major Awards 2025

It’s high time we recognize some of the truly amazing simming and online role playing that makes this fleet a special place–a place where people join and stick around.

Congratulations to all of our latest award winners below!

The Special Commendation Medal is awarded for achievement above and beyond the call of duty at the crewmember level.

Special Commendation Medal

Awarded to Lieutenant Owen Woodhouse of the USS Firebird for outstanding role playing. A charter member of the Firebird, he has done it all from writing for a variety of characters to introducing meaningful plot twists to setting up other players to take the lead. A master recruiter, he has brought in four players new to simming and has one Recruitment award win.

Awarded to Lieutenant Commander Rhiana t’Aegis of the USS Firebird for outstanding role playing. A member of the Firebird since shortly after its founding, the detail and nuance of her writing is second to none. She has contributed to multiple post awards and has also been a key leader in managing the ship’s website and teaching and training newer players.

Awarded to Commander Dean House of the USS Sunfire for outstanding role playing. One the remaining transfers from the Sunfire-Liberty sim swap, he continues to be an integral part of the crew. An excellent all around writer, he totals 9.61 awards, good for 15th place all-time, which includes 0.92 Best Posts, 3.18 Funniest Posts, 1 MVP, and 1.5 Recruitment awards.

Awarded to Commander Samantha Howard of the USS Washington for outstanding role playing. A superior simmer in all respects, she has won 5.23 Best Posts, 3.7 Funniest Posts, two Most Posts, and two MVPs, which are part of a grand total of 14.93 total awards, good for sixth place all-time. She simultaneously leads while filling in the gaps.

Awarded to Commander Kevin Lance of the USS Chuck Norris for outstanding role playing leadership. Recently stepping up to the Executive Officer role, he has not missed a beat. Mentoring others while leading high quality collaboration, he currently ranks 9th all-time with 13.4 total awards–an impressive stat line that includes 2.2 Best Posts, two Funniest Posts, seven Most Posts, and two MVPs.

Awarded to Commander Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” of the USS Wayfarer for outstanding role playing leadership. As the Wayfarer’s longtime Executive Officer, he expertly guides both experienced and novice players in working together to creatively advance the plot. He has totaled 2.96 monthly awards across his career that has seen the Wayfarer more than make its mark.

Awarded to Commander Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen of the USS Sunfire for outstanding role playing leadership. As the Sunfire’s longtime Executive Officer, he always knows just what is needed–an update to the website, help to a newer player, or a witty plot twist. He currently ranks 13th all-time with 11.54 total awards, which includes five Most Posts and three MVPs.

Awarded to Captain Michael Murphy of the USS Montana for outstanding role playing leadership. Since promoted to Commanding Officer, he was the prototypical Executive Officer during his long tenure in the position. Winning a variety of awards–0.25 Best Posts, 0.5 Funniest Posts, two MVPs, and two Recruitment awards–he did all the big and little things that mattered.

The Command Excellence Medal is awarded for achievement above and beyond the call of duty at the sim Commanding Officer level.

Command Excellence Medal

Awarded to Captain Akeno Misaki for commanding the USS Wayfarer from 2020 through today for a remarkable 52 total months in command thus far. Known for beginning and facilitating wildly imaginative missions, she has taken home 2.24 Genesis awards and 2.81 Best Posts within her 5.17 total awards. She sets the standard for the modern Commanding Officer.

My Favorite Trek: Jonathan Grayson / Savar

Character Name: Jonathan Grayson / Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen

Rank: Commander / Commander

Sim: USS Washington / USS Sunfire

Position: Executive Officer / Executive Officer 

Plus…
Lt. Thomas Haldeman, USS Sunfire, Chief Diplomatic Officer (NPC)
Lt. Jessica Holland, USS Sunfire, Security Officer (NPC)
Crewman John Boy Perriwinlke, USS Sunfire, Media Relations Officer (NPC)
Lt. Wyatt Steele, USS Washington, Chief Strategic Ops Officer (NPC)
Lt.jg. Ben Dalton, USS Washington, Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist
(NPC)
Lt. Seth Travis, USS Washington, Chief Diplomatic Officer (NPC)

Wow, how do you keep up, and how many times have you posted for one character while intending on posting for another?
lol. It can be a challenge at times, but they are all diverse characters so that helps. I have started to post one character for another, but I’ve caught myself before actually sending it. At least I hope I have!

Favorite Star Trek episode? 
The Doomsday Machine (TOS)

Why? 
Great character study with William Windom playing the guilt ridden Commodore Decker who wants to avenge his crew by destroying his Moby Dick.

Favorite Star Trek series? 
The Original Series

Why?
It was new and exciting, a trailblazer for all the other Trek series and movies that followed.

Favorite Star Trek film?
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

Why? 
Great storyline, plus the incomparable Ricardo Montalban returning as Khan.

Favorite Star Trek Captain? 
James T. Kirk, all the way.

What year did you start simming? 
Since dirt came into being. lol.

What sim was it? 
Continuing Voyages

What keeps you simming today? 
The interaction with the other players and writing, seeing, and reading the amazing stories that are created.

Favorite non-simming hobby? 
Building models, reading, writing Trek. 

Favorite non-Trek series? 
Babylon Five

Favorite non-Trek film? 
Planet of the Apes

Favorite book (fiction or non)? 
To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite video game? 
Don’t have one, sorry.

Favorite musician or band? 
The Beatles

Favorite superhero? 
Green Lantern

If you could have any super power, what would it be? 
Whoa, good question. I guess the power to bend or manipulate time.

Favorite sport? 
Baseball

Favorite team? 
New York Yankees

Favorite food? 
Ham

Coke or Pepsi? 
Pepsi

Lennon or McCartney? 
McCartney

Favorite Bond actor? 
Sean Connery, followed by Daniel Craig.

Star Trek or Star Wars? 
Star Trek, no question about it.

Rank the Trek TV shows from best to worst.
TOS
DSN
TNG
SNW
VOY
ENT
DSC
I don’t rank the animated shows.

Rank the Trek movies from best to worst.
Wrath of Khan, Voyage Home, Search for Spock, Undiscovered Country, Star Trek the movie and Final Frontier. Then, the TNG movies. I don’t count the Abrams movies.
TWOK
TVH
TSFS
TUC
TMP
TFF
Then the TNG movies. I don’t count the Abrams movies.

Rear Admiral James “Rook” Mirtoh
Director of Media
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: October 2024

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Kaelen Voss
Damage Control Specialist
USS Firebird

For “Farewell to the Lenox Hill”

A very well written, heartfelt post.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson
ACOO / XO / CC
USS Washington

For “What Now?”

Solid! Much like the mighty Oak tree, solid as solid can be!


Funniest Post

Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. Cmdr. Thriss Kla’ren & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric
CFCO / CSS / XO / CTO / CEO / MA
USS Sunfire

For “Something to Write Home About”

One has said that it’s hard to bring whales back into the foreground since the last time they were brought into Trek, but here we are, breaking new ground yet again.


Genesis

Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Lt. Owen Woodhouse & Lt. Soto Gantt
CO / COO / ACEO
USS Firebird

For “Atmospheric Pressure Light Indicator”

A nice start to what will be a great mystery that the crew no doubt jumps into.


MVP

Lieutenant Kaelen Voss
Damage Control Specialist
USS Firebird

He wrote 6 outstanding posts this month. High quality writing plus participation on different platforms is a quick way to stand out while growing into a position. Well done!


Most Posts

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 24 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla’ren
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Sunfire

The Sunfire’s Chief Engineer returned from a short break to find the Borg onboard and Engineering being invaded. The rest was writing genius.


Rookie of the Month

Ensign Emilynn Dove
Operations Officer
USS Firebird

Brand new to simming, she jumped in with 3 completed joint posts in her first month. She clearly loves Trek and is so eager to learn and participate.


Recruitment

None this month.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: September 2024

Best Post (Single Author)

Lt. Soto Gantt
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Firebird

For “From The Wreckage”

An excellent post of overall story telling.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Malcom Llwyedd & Lt. Cmdr. Rhiana t’Aegis & Lt. Cmdr. Jörgen Leed & Lt. Tor Ezzo & Lt. Ceilidh Parsala & WO Arlan Harlan & Lt. JG T’Kuvo
CO / CSTO / CDO / FCO / TS / ACEO / EO
USS Firebird

For “Getting Underway”

The crew of the Firebird again showing that when you mix in all the talent on a sim, the teamwork really does show and shine, well done.


Funniest Post

Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Jenna Ramthorne & Lt. Cmdr. Aurora Vali & Ens. Aubrie Fox
MA / XO / CFCO / CC / TO
USS Sunfire

For “Day 4 – Nearing Home”

When you’re writing for a mission called Lost in Space, you know there is going to but a good little but of fun.


Genesis

Captain Shran dh’Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson
Commanding Officer / Executive Officer
USS Washington

For “Shadow Games”

with two talented writers contributing to the first post of a mission, you know it’s going to be a ride.


MVP

Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

The Washington’s CMO has a knack for posting just the right thing at just the right time, and for encouraging players outside the game to keep them inspired.


Most Posts

Commander Kevin Lance
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 20 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali
Chief Counselor
USS Sunfire

Kind hearted, consistent, and always showing respect and integrity, the Sunfire’s Counselor is truly a pleasure to have onboard.


Rookie of the Month

Lieutenant Gale Deekros
Science Officer
USS Firebird

A fantastic writer with three new posts in short order, also active and engaged on Discord!


Recruitment

Lieutenant Owen Woodhouse
Chief Operations Officer
USS Firebird

He brought in two new fantastic writers in one month, and one is brand new to simming.


Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Monthly Awards: June 2023

What a great anniversary celebration! Now it’s time to celebrate our latest monthly awardees.

Best Post (Single Author)

Ensign James Phoenix
Tactical Officer
USS Washington

For “Kobayashi Maru Part One”

Ah yes, the tried and true Kobayashi Maru. What a fun read!


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Aven LaCroix & Lt. Cmdr. Aria Winters & Lt. Ikuyo Kita & Lt. JG Hank Solomon & Lt. JG Adrianna Baciami & Lt. JG Karri & Ens. Ethan O’Donnaghue & Ens. Bek’a ir Az
CO / CSO / COO / CEO / CSTO / CMO / CFCO / DCS
USS Eclipse

For “Sharpening the Blade”

I love the good old fashioned episodic format. Well done!


Funniest Post

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For “Snatch and Grab an Intervention”

“Meat bag” reminds me of the HK assassin droid from Knights of the Old Republic. Love it!


Genesis

None this month.


MVP

Commander Donald “Don” Key
Flight Control Officer
USS Albion

Cmdr. Key continued his excellent performance from last month with outstanding contributions to the story and creating opening for other players to get involved this month. His mentorship of newer players has also been invaluable.


Most Posts

Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Executive Officer / Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For writing 5 posts.


Most Improved

Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

Commander Howard wrote some really impressive posts this month, including her character dealing with the death of an NPC.


Rookie of the Month

None this month.


Recruitment

None this month.


Here’s to year 23, IDF!

Monthly Awards: February 2023

With zero days to spare in March, here are your February award winners, finally!

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

For “Impromptu First Date”

What a lovely post! Well written, simple, easy to read and a topic as beautiful as two people falling in love. Well done. And fitting for February.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Cmdr. Deanna Celes & Lt. Ayana Hillis & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Cmdr. Samantha Howard & Lt. Cmdr. Callie Raven-Grayson & Ens. T’Plana-hath
OO / ACSTO / XO / CMO / CC / IO
USS Washington

For “The return”

Lots going on in this post, and the composition makes it easy to read. Nice work!


Funniest Post

Ensign Kitiuas Thenis & Lieutenant Thomas Hadleman
SO / CDO
USS Sunfire

For “Repair Crew – Day 3 – Kit and Tom”

Great banter, I like it!


Genesis

None this month.


MVP

Lieutenant Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

The Lieutenant’s storytelling is excellent, she is very active & engaging, and fun to write with. Her crew looks forward to her post tags every day.


Most Posts

Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen
Executive Officer / Executive Officer
USS Washington / USS Sunfire

For writing 3 posts.


Most Improved

Cmdr. Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

Despite real life getting in the way, her writing, insight, and leadership were invaluable to keeping the sim moving.


Rookie of the Month

None this month.


Recruitment

None this month.


Look on the bright side: We’re already really close to next month’s awards!

The Record Book Has Been Rewritten

With 2022 in the books, it’s high time we checked in with the latest version of the IDF Record Book over on our About page. As it turns out, we have a new all-time leader in monthly awards. Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell of the USS Sunfire now has a grand total of 29.83 awards, passing the previous leader, Jenna Ramthorne (of a prior version of the Sunfire), who has 24.83. What’s even more incredible, is that both characters are played by the same person!

Best PostFunniest PostGenesisMVPMost PostsMost ImprovedRecruitmentTotal
Durnell5.055.78414129.83
Ramthorne4.83415124.83

Prolific across multiple award categories, the two stat lines seem to mirror each other. However, the difference is clearly Durnell’s five plus Funniest Post awards to Ramthorne’s zero. See what adding humor to your game can do! Congratulations to Lieutenant Durnell on this incredible accomplishment!

As it turns out, we have quite a few current or recent members who have moved up leader board since we brought the Awards back for March 2020:

Active Member — received an award within the last year or confirmed to currently be on a sim
Hall of Famer

All characters with five or more total monthly awards

In addition to all those who’ve won awards, I also want to thank each of our sim Commanding Officers for submitting nominations month-in and month-out and to Rear Admiral James “Rook” Mirtoh for running the program and selecting winners. Without their tireless efforts, the awards simply wouldn’t be possible.

I’ve long been of the opinion that the monthly awards are one of the absolute best features of this fleet, and they’re a key bonus that really distinguishes us from other groups out there. The numbers speak for themselves: Through the end of 2022, we have 969 total documented awards presented to 506 different individuals through 1,226 different award records. Each one is permanently part of our continuing history, starting all the way back with the five original awards presented for our very first month of July 2001 going up through today and beyond.

Now it’s time to add your legacy to the story…

Monthly Awards: December 2022

Welcome to 2023, folks! However, it’s time to honor the best of the end of 2022…

Best Post (Single Author)

Commander Samantha Howard
Chief Medical Officer
USS Washington

For “Introspection”

Wonderfully written reflection post.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Lt. Thriss Kla’ren & Ens. Kitiuas Thenis & Lt. Thomas Hadleman & SCPO Ronson Mitchell
CSS / CEO / SO / CDO / Y
USS Sunfire

For “Jump Start”

One word: Raptors.


Funniest Post

Crewman Patin & Commander Dean House
Guest / Second Officer
USS Sunfire

For “Uber ride”

Two words: Great banter.


Genesis

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Sidney Harper & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Avery Coyle & Lt. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lt. Mark Johnson & Lt. JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
CO / XO / MA / Y / CFCO / CSTO / COO / CMO / FCO
USS Wayfarer

For “Something’s Afoot (Part 1)”

Three words: Now that’s how you start a mission! Wait, I suppose that’s more than three words.


MVP

Ensign T’Plana-hath
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

After winning Most Improved last month, the Washington’s Intelligence Officer takes home the MVP this time. Although newer to simming, she has expertly integrated herself into the veteran crew, frequently pushing through and collaborating with others on excellent posts.


Most Posts

Lt. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen
Computer Systems Specialist / Executive Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 9 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Raelyn Mckenzie
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Wayfarer

Lt. Mckenzie really stepped up her game in December, pushing forward some great ideas while showing both her writing ability and how to work well with the rest of the crew.


Rookie of the Month

None this month.


Recruitment

None this month.


I hope everyone’s year is off to a great start. Keep up the great posting.

Monthly Awards: November 2022

As 2022 winds down, it’s time to honor the best of last month:

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For “Night One.”

Who’d have ever thought one could feel lonely on a Starship?


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Lt. Sarah Wilson & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. JG Blake Leone & Lt. JG Aurora Vali & Lt. Alison Haldeman & CPO Remal Kajun
CO / MO / XO / 2O / C / CC / ACOO / CA
USS Sunfire

For “Camp pt 1”

Star Trek and Dinosaurs! I love it.


Funniest Post

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Cmdr. Mashiro Munetani “Shiro” & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Avery Coyle & Lt. Rosaleen O’Donnell & Lt. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Mark Johnson & Lt. JG Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
CO / XO / Y / CFCO / COO / CSTO / CMO / FCO
USS Wayfarer

For “Day One – Beach Games! (Part 2)”

Starfleet officer knocked out cold by a volleyball. That’s funny.


Genesis

Captain Akeno Misaki
Commanding Officer
USS Wayfarer

For “Dinner Date”

Not the prototypical Genesis post, but it does a great job setting things up.


MVP

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

The Washington’s XO put forth another strong month both in and out of character, which is typical for him. However, this time he purposefully added surprises that continually popped up during the mission, adding another layer to the sim.


Most Posts

Lieutenant Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell
Computer Systems Specialist
USS Sunfire

For writing 16 posts.


Most Improved

Ensign T’Plana-hath
Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

The Ensign finished second on the sim with posting, but also advanced the plot quite nicely a couple times while also further developing the character.


Rookie of the Month

None this month.


Recruitment

Lieutenant Avery Coyle
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Wayfarer

For recruiting this newest member of the sim, Lieutenant Sidney Harper.


Thanks for another great year in IDF. Expect to see 2022’s final monthly awards post in early January.

Happy holidays and a happy new year to all!

Monthly Awards: April 2022

It’s time to announce our April award winners:

Best Post (Single Author)

Lieutenant Ashlesha 4827/A
Chief Operations Officer
USS Sunfire

For “Cooling Her Heels”

A wonderfully crafted post inside the mind of the character.


Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Akeno Misaki & Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Miller & Lt. Ileah & Lt. Torvin Anor & Lt. Raelyn Mckenzie & Lt. Rania Bhatti & Lt. Mark Johnson & Ens. Magnum Rhodes
CO / XO / Yeoman / CEO / CSTO / CC / CMO / FCO
USS Wayfarer

For “Going ‘down'”

I love this post! It’s very well integrated and an exciting atmospheric entry and landing.


Funniest Post

Lt. Ayana Hillis & Lt. Deanna Celes & Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Cmdr. Samantha Howard & Lt. Aiko Kato & Lt. Shoniara T’ghann-Travis & PO1 Class Amethyst Reece
TO / OO / XO / CMO / FCO / ACMO / CA
USS Washington

For “Medical Mystery”

I dunno why but sleepy Starfleet officers are funny.


Genesis

None this month


MVP

Lieutenant Commander Michael Murphy
Executive Officer
USS Montana

What a great officer and role player! With the Captain away, he steps right up and leads the sim without missing a beat. First class in all respects.


Most Posts

Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson & Cmdr. Savar cha’Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen
Executive Officer / Executive Officer
USS Washington & USS Sunfire

For writing 9 posts.


Most Improved

Lieutenant Commander Dean House
Second Officer
USS Sunfire

Stepping up for both the CO and XO, he flawlessly ran the sim, and as always, continues to be a great sounding board for the rest of the crew.


Rookie of the Month

None this month


Recruitment

None this month


I think we can call this the XO month! Happy role playing, IDF!