We've had some major changes happen, and I'm sure you're all interested in the very fine details of it all.

A new category of medals have been developed. The following are what we are calling "Writing Medals". Due to our primary activity being writing, these writing medals have been created to reward the efforts of those that put in the time needed to produce quality works:

Cross of Zahn [CoZ]
At various times, there will be a few fine members of the Corps whose posts simply shine above the average, whose quality of writing is a joy to read and something for others to aspire to. These members lead the way in the hobby we share and deserve to be recognized for it, hence this award, given by the Corps to one of its own in gratitude for the skill and dedication they show. This medal may be awarded by Platoon Commanders and above.

Heart of the Champion [HotC]
Every story relies on the participation if its members. There is no story without posts being submitted and troopers taking part. However, some members do rise above their peers in, not only writing when they need to, but looking for posts they might write. These are the people who always manage to find something to offer up for their fellow troopers and always manage to give that little bit more of their time and effort in keeping the story or campaign alive and moving. This medal may be awarded by Platoon Commanders and above.

Crescent of Kadann [KAD]
The members make up the community, but their characters make up the core of the Vast Empire. Without them, there is no connection between the writers and the story they are writing for. Some writers, however, do manage to take this further: they manage to create vibrant, excellent characters that bring extra life to the groups they are a part of. This award recognizes those people who manage, through skill and dedication, to imagine and write up the complex, deep, interesting characters that form the basis of our connection with the Vast Empire. This medal may be awarded by Platoon Commanders and above.

Crystal Ring of the Soldier [CRoS]
Essentially the heart of any campaign and story is the plot - it encapsulates the environment which the characters are a part of. This story often starts with the commander of the unit, but rarely remains their sole province; instead, like plans for a battle, they are soon franchised out to the members in the story and often changed near beyond recognition by that process. This is rarely a bad thing, and sometimes can even be a great thing. This award recognises those members that achieve this greatness: the people who not only participate in the plot, but add to it in such a way that it becomes greater still. This medal may be awarded by Platoon Commanders and above.

Shield of Realism [SoR]
A wise man once described drama as the distillation of human interaction. It is born from conflict, but much more than simple fighting, and it is at the heart of any interesting story. It is often overdone and occasionally overblown, but it is always needed to keep any story engaging and interesting. This award recognises those that have managed to blend the best in moderation and storyteller's inspiration to create situations of real drama that their fellow troopers can look forward to reading. This medal may be awarded by Platoon Commanders and above.


Elite Squad Competition 2009

Once again, congratulations to all of you. I applaud your great efforts and activity in the Elite Squad Competition. As revealed in the meeting, BlackJack is our new elite squad in the Corps! Raiders put up an incredible fight throughout this entire competition, and were close on the heels of BlackJack near the end. We checked and calculated the final numbers so many times over because the numbers were so close. In the end, BlackJack came out on top, and now proudly wears the Red-Blood Armor of the Elite.

Now, enough of my blabbing. I know what you all want, so here they are.


Elite Squad Competition ID Line Tags

About 8 years ago, we held a competition called the Imperial Omega Campaign. In brief, this was an Army vs. Navy competition, and all recipients added [IOC] to their ID Lines to show that they participated in that competition. We're doing something similar this year for the Elite Squad Competition, and I'm actually going to add a tag for the first Elite Squad Competition.

For those that participated in the first Elite Squad Competition, add [ESC01] to your ID Line.

For those that participated in this last Elite Squad Competition, add [ESC09] to your ID Line.


Elite Squad Competition Ribbons

There are two ribbons being awarded for this Elite Squad Competition: Aegis of Tadath [AoT] and Bastion of Tadath [BoT]. The [AoT] is higher than the [BoT].


Aegis of Tadath [AoT] Recipients

AlanRJ
Corvin
Garryll Gates
Grahim
Havock
Joamer
Kanderin Draken
Luckystar
Rogueboy
Tanus Solvona
Zeshaun


Bastion of Tadath [BoT] Recipients

Anival Velasquez
Bacredi
Jager
Jamasis
Jegora
Kairo
Karash
Leon
MadClaw
Madman
Mai
Orobos
Sandwich Sam
Saphira Striker
StarFruit
TX-47
Warbird
Wrex


Promotions & Awards

http://stc-manual.stormtroopercorps.com/medals.html

Angel
Promoted to: Major
Medals Received: Crescent of Heroism [CoH], Pride of Coruscant [PoC], Steel Cross of Palpatine [SCP]

Rizzit
Medals Received: Cross of the Empire [CotE], Pride of Coruscant [PoC]

Corvin
Promoted to: Lance Corporal
Medals Received: Iron Heart [IH]
Writing Medal: Heart of the Champion [HotC]

Garryll Gates
Promoted to: Platoon Sergeant
Medals Received: Ring of Tranquility [RoT]
Writing Medal: Crystal Ring of the Soldier [CRoS]
Commendations: 3 Resolute Commendation's {RESx3}

Grahim
Promoted to: Lance Corporal
Medals Received: Cross of Distinguished Service [CDS]

Havock - ESC "MVP"
Promoted to: Sergeant
Medals Received: Ring of Tranquility [RoT], Ring of Merit [RoM]
Writing Medal: Crescent of Kadann [KAD]
Commendations: Resolute Commendation {RES}

Jager
Promoted to: Gunnery Sergeant
Writing Medal: Cross of Zahn [CoZ]

Jamasis
Promoted to: Private First Class

Joamer
Promoted to: Sergeant First Class
Medals Received: Ring of Tranquility [RoT]
Writing Medal: Crescent of Kadann [KAD]
Commendations: Resolute Commendation {RES}

Kanderin Draken
Promoted to: Sergeant Major
Medals Received: Cross of Distinguished Service [CDS]

Karash
Promoted to: Corporal
Medals Received: Emperor's Will 2nd Class [EW2]

Luckystar
Promoted to: Sergeant Major
Medals Received: Cross of Distinguished Service [CDS]

MadClaw
Promoted to: Private First Class
Medals Received: Emperor's Will 1st Class [EW1]

Madman
Promoted to: Lance Corporal

Rogueboy - ESC "Gamer"
Promoted to: First Sergeant
Medals Received: Cross of Distinguished Service [CDS], Gold Shield [GS]

Saphira Striker
Promoted to: Platoon Sergeant

Tanus Solvona
Promoted to: Sergeant First Class
Medals Received: Iron Heart [IH]
Writing Medals: Crystal Ring of the Soldier [CRoS]

Warbird
Promoted to: Private First Class

Wrex
Promoted to: Sergeant

Zeshaun
Promoted to: Senior Sergeant
Medals Received: Emperor's Will 1st Class [EW1]


Congratulations!


What does it mean to be Elite?

It's exactly what it means: you are Elite. You have proven to both yourself and your superiors that you've got what it takes to bear the title of the most efficient, devastating, and active squad in the entire Vast Empire Army. As the elite squad, you have certain historical privileges:

- New recruits will still be placed in the Elite Squad, but the Elite Squad Leader (ESL) has the option of denying the acceptance of a recruit into their numbers. Similarly, the ESL may look at the recruits in the Academy and have priority on a recruit. (AHC has final say, of course, and if it looks like another squad could use that recruit, then that decision is ultimately up to the Army High Command)

- Elite Squad Members have bragging rights - they can be proud to say "I am in the Elite Squad of the Vast Empire Army."

- Historically, the Elite Squad has priority when it comes to new recruits. The Elite Squad is typically always full of active recruits, and they have priority on keeping their numbers replenished. Again, however, the ultimate decision on where recruits will go will be up to the Army High Command.

There's an interesting "catch" with having the title of Elite, however. Other squads may challenge your title. This has never been done before, so the AHC will have to sit down to figure out exactly what that entails. Details on that will be posted as soon as it is determined.


Roster Update

Those that attended the last meeting know that Storm has been closed. The reason for this is that we have six squads that average about 3-4 active members each. Mind you, these squads have 9 member slots. We've decided to regroup and merge Storm platoon into WildCard platoon - this gave us four squads with an average of about 8 people instead of 3-4 active people (and the slots for the squads were increased to 12 as opposed to 9 to accommodate for the larger number).

With BlackJack winning the Elite Squad Competition, that squad as a whole has been transferred to WildCard platoon. All of BlackJack is the same except for their equipment - which will be upgraded to Elite Squad equipment.

The transition took its toll, as you may know. Several people lost their positions of power. As unfortunate as that was (and we did have those people in mind when making this decision), it was the price we had to pay in order for the Corps to remain an efficient powerhouse. We had the decision of either letting the Army run its course and continue down a road of dwindling numbers, or we could make a couple sacrifices for the good of the whole and make ourselves a little stronger. This is the best idea in the long run concerning the future of the Corps. Storm will not be closed forever, and as soon as we have the numbers, we'll re-open that platoon once again.

I'm confident that our activity will begin to soar once we get settled, so I'm very much looking forward to what's to come!


Once again, congratulations to everyone that have participated in this last Elite Squad Competition! Congratulations to BlackJack for earning their Elite title - drinks are on the house.