=/\= Opening =/\=

  Hello and welcome everyone to this exciting issue of the IDF newsletter.  There's a lot of information packed in here so read up! 

=/\= News Tidbit's =/\=

--Fleet Get Together--

     IDF's Fourth Anniversary get-together was a success!  For those of you who couldn't attend, look for pictures and articles in next month's newsletter.

--Special Commendation from the Fleet--

Captain Alayne Tolbin is hereby awarded under the authority of the Independence Fleet Senior Admiralty, the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor for extraordinary leadership and dedication to her ship and this fleet.  The Christopher Pike Medal of Valor is the most distinguished medal issued to any Starfleet Officer, and is presently issued to a total of 11 individuals throughout Starfleet, this being its first issuance within IDF. 

Cmdr Ingoldo, XO USS Excalibur is also being presented with the Citation of Valor and Commendation Service Ribbon for continued excellence in service, and dedication to ship and crew!

In addition each member of Captain Tolbin's crew at this point is being presented with the Starfleet Commendation Service Ribbon, marking their distinguished service to this fleet! Congratulations to Captain Tolbin and the crew of the Excalibur!

--USS Independence--

The Independence NX-05 (better known to her crew as the Indy) is the fifth NX-class ship to be launched.  Set in 2158 she is assigned to explore the vast uncharted regions of the Alpha Quadrant, past the small agricultural colony of Prairie.  Under the command of Captain Aki Ryan, who has the priviledge of being the youngest CO on an NX-class ship to date. 

Open positions aboard the Indy include: Chief Communications Officer, Chief Engineering Officer, Chief Helm Officer. 

--New Simms--

The IDF Admiralty would like to announce the addition of two new simms to our family.  The USS Night Runner, commanded by Captain James Bellin, will be joining the Elite Force Omega.  And the USS Cassini, commanded by Captain David Harrell, will join Elite Force Excelsior.  We would like to extend the warmest welcome to the crew of both ships.  If you are interested in joining or learning more about these simms please contact Admiral Griffith at admiralgriffith@independencefleet.com

- - Milestones- -

-The Independence NX-05 posted its first post on 6/12 by Captain Aki Ryan.

-The Lacuna made its 300th post on 6/17 by Rear Admiral Loerzel. 

-The USS Excalibur made its 4900th post on 6/2 by Captain Tolbin.

-The USS Excalibur made its 5000th post on 6/22 by Captain Alayne Tolbin.

-The USS Sunfire made its 700th post on 5/29 by Commander George Ruiken.

-The USS Sunfire made its 800th post on 6/24 by Lt (jg) Timion.

--The USS Dread made its 100th post on 5/24 by Lt (jg) Tyler.

=/\= Promotions =/\=

-GWB: Lt (jg) Sol Janus is promoted to Lieutenant (sg).

-Excalibur: Ensign Arizhal and Ensign Irahny are promoted to Lieutenants Junior Grade.

-Dread: Lieutenant (jg) Tyler and Lieutenant (jg) Camp are promoted to Lieutenant (sg).

=/\= Retirements =/\=

-Sunfire: Lt Commander Joseph Locke, Ambassador Sylk

=/\= Message from the DFPR =/\= Admiral Jeremiah A. Griffith

     WOW! 4 long years! We have made it as a fleet, a family, a group of friends- for FOUR long and ever changing years!  We as a fleet have seen many changes, many new faces, and many new ships... but through it all we have pressed on and survived as a fleet, and as a family. It has been my greatest honor and pleasure to serve this fleet for the majority of that four years, and it has been my privilege to have become friends with so many of you!  I cannot tell you elated i am to be a part of this great fleet, or this enormous milestone! I simply cannot wait to see Year Five pass us by. Lets aim for 50,000 posts fleet wide by year 5! I think we can do it, infact i know we can! Remember to always have fun and enjoy those around you in this game we so adore.

My doors are always open for you to IM, email or write. I look forward to meeting those of you i havent, and to strengthening the bonds between those i have!

Good luck and happy simming my friends!

Admiral Jeremiah A. Griffith

Director of Fleet Personnel and Relations

=/\= Message from the Commandant of the Star Fleet Marine Corp =/\= General William E. Detani

Greetings! It is an honor to be charged with this position, and i would like to introduce myself to each of you! I have been appointed by Admiral Griffith as the Commandant of SFMC. (Starfleet Marine Corp) here in IDF! My name is General William E. Detani. You can find a copy of my biography on the IDF Home page, in the Directors section.  Also joining me will be the Deputy Commandant of SFMC, Colonel Victor Garrett who can be reached at SFMC Deputy Commandant

ATTN ALL MARINES! Please contact me via email at SFMC Email at your earliest convenience. I will try to respond within 12 hours, but sometimes due to work load and email glitches it

may take more than 24h. I look forward to getting in touch with each of you, in your email please include your Real First Name, Characters full name and rank, and Ship/Position. This will help me get to know you, and you get to know me!

Semper Fidelis Marines!

General William E. Detani

Commandant- Starfleet Marine Corp

&

Colonel Victor Garrett

Deputy Commandant- Starfleet Marine Corp

=/\= Fleet Memories =/\=

This month, the message from the DD's will be replaced by an article by Captain Joseph Carroll, celebrating the occasion of IDF's Fourth Anniversary. 

     It seems like so long ago now that I was but a mere ensign aboard the USS Washington. At the birth of this fleet, I served aboard the Washington under Admiral Seldon as Asst. Science Officer. I quickly made my way through the ranks and jumped to different positions as needed and soon found myself as the XO of another ship, the USS Chesapeake (which became the Goliad). My time aboard both of those ships was absolutely fantastic, and I learned much about posting and working not simply as an individual looking for personal gain, but how to post and work to be an individual that happens to be part of a crew, and that crew must work well together to keep things moving along smoothly.

After a short break from everything, i returned to IDF to serve on the Liberty. I enjoyed my time on the Liberty as much as I have enjoyed any other ship. I learned how to cope with strange situations and how to have responsibility thrust upon me quickly. Serving as both a CO and Division Director during this period gave me a new insight into the fleet that was not present beforehand. To anyone who thinks they want to jump into the big chairs quickly, consider it greatly. Even the most seasoned vet can attest how easily sitting in that big chair can eat you up so quickly. Take your time an enjoy the ride up the ranks, it will serve you well and teach you what you really need to command.

My latest assignment has brought me to the USS Avalon, which I must say has been a cherry assignment thus far. The ship runs smoothly, which in my view is both due to a great CO and a great crew. I think that IDF has brought together a great deal of different people and thoughts and managed to overall keep things running smoothly, and if nothing else, that is a great achievement. IDF has been an outlet for myself and many others to explore our creative sides and enjoy a love we all have, Star Trek. I look forward to many more years of posting, and hope to see many more interesting developments come to this thing that I love so much.

Capt. Joseph "Stealth" Carroll