A futuristic campus scene featuring people conversing on a balcony overlooking a lush courtyard with trees, pathways, and landscaped gardens. In the distance, domed buildings and a flag bearing the emblem of the United Federation of Planets are visible near the waterfront. The Golden Gate Bridge spans the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Major Awards Have Returned

It’s been almost four months since I assumed command of Independence Fleet back in February. It’s high time that we recognized some of the people who have made our resurgence possible. I hereby issue the following six citations:

The Excellence in Service Medal is hereby renamed the Command Excellence Medal. It is to be awarded for achievement above and beyond the call of duty at the sim Commanding Officer level.

Command Excellence Medal

Awarded to Captain Shane Youngblood for commanding the USS Chuck Norris from 2014 to 2020. Captain Youngblood kept IDF alive when its website went offline by having the Chuck Norris continue simming over email. For that action, IDF will be forever grateful.

Awarded to Colonel Steven MayTa Death for commanding the USS Sanctuary from 2012 to 2020. At the time of his transfer to fellow simming club UCIP, he was first all time in IDF with 89 command months. His tenure included 1,631 total posts and 17 posting titles.

Awarded to Captain Shran dh’Klar for commanding the USS Washington. As previously announced, Captain dh’Klar is now our Commanding Officer elder statesman with the all time lead in command months (90) and posting titles (26). He continues to be guiding light and example for his sim.

The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for achievement above and beyond the call of duty at the Admiralty level.

Distinguished Service Medal

Awarded to Rear Admiral Sadie Stanton for her service as Director of Art. Creating an entirely new graphical design and feel for the IDF website, her creative vision has been invaluable in our second renaissance.

Awarded to Vice Admiral Ken Gillis for his service as Director of Technology. He built the entire new IDF website in record time and continues to manage a first-rate, fast, and error-free IT system.

Awarded to Admiral Charles Star for his service as Chief of Fleet Operations. The glue who puts it all together, he assembled the greatest staff this fleet has ever seen and continues to lead both here and in the community at large.

Just like the Monthly Awards, the Major Awards are now back too. If there’s a theme here, it’s the three Captains who bridged the gap from the old website and leadership to the new and the three Admirals who made what we have now possible. Thanks to all and I hope you continue to serve the fleet for many years to come.

Banner for the USS Washington NCC-81533-E, featuring a sleek futuristic starship with a glowing deflector dish flying through space with a purple nebula in the background.

A Milestone of Milestones

A recent review of our records revealed something very interesting: Captain Shran dh’Klar of the USS Washington is currently in his 90th month of command in Independence Fleet. This breaks the previous tie of 89 months with Steven MayTa Death for the fleet’s all-time lead. You read that right–Captain dh’Klar is now the longest serving sim Commanding Officer in the history of Independence Fleet. A quick recap of his command career:

  • December 2010 – May 2012: USS Washington (18 months)
  • December 2012 – August 2013: USS Archimedes (9)
  • April 2015 – current: USS Washington (63)

Let’s put the 90 months into perspective: That’s 7.5 years of command! Wow! As of June 1st, that includes 1,320 total posts and a tie with Rhenora Kaylen for first place all-time with 26 monthly posting titles.*

I still remember when Captain dh’Klar first took command of the Washington. I had just returned to IDF as Chief of Fleet Operations and we were re-launching several historical sims. I really wanted him to be one of our Captains and offered him whichever command he wanted. I was very happy when he selected the Washington, which at the time was already one of our most storied games. Captain dh’Klar has since taken the Washington to even greater heights, creating a nearly unparalleled legacy.

Captain, thanks again for your service and we’re looking forward to the next 90 months!

* IDF does not have sim records from January 2004 to September 2010 and is missing posting totals for September – October 2018 and December 2018 to May 2019.

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: April 2020

Rook Mirtoh, your friendly neighborhood Director of Personnel here… What, I used the line last month? Then let’s just skip straight to the awards:

Best Post

Lt. Cmdr. Jhettao zh’Vrini
Chief Intelligence Officer
Starbase Mikia

For “Personal Log – 2410-05-09”
It’s not often that a personal log wins best post, but this one does it with the right mix of cheer & gloom!


Funniest Post

Cmdr. Aurther Winters
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Make it… more real!”
Very tongue in cheek, a serious officer dealing with an un-serious scenario. Winters is one of the best!


Genesis

Captain Grover vonMcCormick
Commanding Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “From the Sidelines”
Funny, yet clear objectives that should get the crew going on a new mission. Well done!


MVP

Cmdr. Aurther Winters
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

Winters does it again; leads the ship in total posts, helps integrate new crewmembers, mentors others, and keeps the storing going.


Most Posts

Cmdr. Aurther Winters
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 8 posts.


Most Improved

Lt. Cmdr. Estella Stratton
Chief Counselor
USS Washington

The Counselor has delved deep into both character development and mission advancement this month, showing her versatility.


Rookie of the Month

Lt. Cassia Cavendish
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Washington

She jumped in head first with an excellent introductory post and followed it up with several joint posts.


Recruitment

Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

Recruited the Washington’s stellar rookie and continues to work on recruiting for the ship.


Congratulations to all of our winners. Good luck to everyone for May and keep simming! That’s what I said last month too? I’m must be getting too old for this.

A futuristic, three-tiered podium with black and red bases, each displaying the Independence Fleet logo in large white letters. The top tier features the fleet's logo, a stylized star with a purple hue, surrounded by a laurel wreath. The podiums sit on a checkerboard floor, giving the scene a modern, sleek look.

Monthly Awards: March 2020

Rook Mirtoh, your friendly neighborhood Director of Personnel here. It’s been a number of years since I was last in the IDF Admiralty. So many that I’ve lost count! Regardless, I’m back and so is IDF. March was a great month with many great posts and performances. Alas, we don’t have enough awards to honor everyone who is doing excellent things with us today. However, we can honor these outstanding members of the fleet.

Best Post

Cmdr. Jonathan Grayson (XO)
& Lt. Cmdr. N’Sachzny P’Glosho (CSTO)
USS Washington

For “Meeting old friends?”
Beautifully written, an in depth look at the characters, history, and politics. Well done!


Funniest Post

Lt. Cmdr. V’Setħ Borġ
Chief Science Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For “Reporting at Starfleet for duty”
An officer with a last name Borg would invite all kinds of raised eyebrows!


Genesis

Capt. Dyllon McMahon
Commanding Officer
USS Ganymede

For “It’s Quiet Uptown”
A compelling scene of heroism and action to get the creative juices flowing for a new mission. Makes me want to write!


MVP

Cmdr. Aurther Winters
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For jumping right in on the new website in his old role as XO and posting a fleet-high of 6 posts, all helping set the tone for what’s coming. Already stepping up as a leader and getting new crew integrated.


Most Posts

Cmdr. Aurther Winters
Executive Officer
USS Chuck Norris

For writing 6 posts.


Most Improved

Lt. Cmdr. N’Sachzny P’Glosho
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Washington

For excellent writing, inclusiveness, and her spirit of adventure.


Rookie of the Month

Lt. Mackenzie Graham
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ganymede

For the most activity and passion of the new crew. She has written several posts and spearheaded multiple joint posts.


Recruitment

Marine Capt Be’Lana Sok’Mat
Executive Officer
USS Sanctuary

For recruiting one new crewmember to the USS Sanctuary.


Congratulations to all of our winners. Good luck to everyone for April and keep simming!

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.

USS Washington Stays in IDF

After discussing the matter with his crew, Captain Shran dh’Klar has elected for the USS Washington (NCC-81533-E) to stay in Independence Fleet. The Washington had been released last month to explore opportunities outside of the fleet. However, we’re more than pleased to have Captain dh’Klar and his crew remain a part of the IDF family.

The Washington’s tradition dates back to IDF’s founding on July 4, 2001, when we launched with three active sims. The Washington’s crew has won numerous awards and set many records over the years. We look forward to watching their role play adventure continue here for many more to come.