Spotlight on Command - Tobias Masters

As we near the end of our "Spotlight on Command" feature series, we're moving on to interview those officers who work under our Commanding Officers, dishing out the work to the Department Heads and organizing the day-to-day running of each of our SIMMs: the First Officers.

In this interview, we're chatting with USS Gibson First Officer, Lieutenant Commander Tobias Masters, as he talks about his reasons for joining, why he likes Shadow Fleet so much and how being a First Officer in this fleet differs to others out there.

Tell us how you found Shadow Fleet.

I actually found Shadow Fleet while looking around on Startrek.com. Admiral Kawolsky messaged me with an invite.

Have you enjoyed your time in the fleet so far?

Definitely. I am and have been in several fleets now, and by far I enjoy this the most.

What would you say has been you most memorable moment?

Jumping the rail on the USS Gibson and slamming the Captain through the navigation controls. We had talked about it prior to happening, but it was still epic. We won't talk about what she did in response!

You rose through the ranks pretty quickly. Do you enjoy being a Command Level Officer or would you have preferred a little more time getting used to the lower ranks?

Well, when I joined the fleet I kind of got thrusted right into the thick of things. Reece [Thompson] was the Churchill's Security Chief but at the time was Acting First Officer so I got to play a green department head for a short time. I like the challenges it brings and enjoy the position.

How do you feel being a Command Level Officer in Shadow Fleet compares to other Star Trek RPGs out there?

It is definitely more challenging than in other fleets that I have been in, but challenging in a good way. Here once a person reaches command level it really feels earned and that I have a level of responsibility. In other fleets you just get a ship by asking for one and it really isn't earned.

If you were to take command of your own SIMM here in the fleet, would you do anything differently to the other SIMMs?

I don't rightly know how to answer this question. Each of us have our strong suites and weaknesses. I would hope to have an XO that complements my strengths and weaknesses so that we can mesh and have the best ship on the site.

Finally, if you could pick just one word to sum up your time in Shadow Fleet, what would it be?

Epic.

As always, we'd like to thank Commander Masters for taking the time out to answer our questions. Keep you eyes locked on the news board for our next "Spotlight on Command", when we'll be talking with Gettysburg First Officer, Commander Connor Price.

Commissioned Officer Recruiting Period 01/13

We are pleased to announce the launch of 2013's first Commissioned Officer Recruiting Period, or CORP for short.

The CORP is the opportunity for all eligible crewmen to apply for a place on a Commissioned Officer Training Course (OTC) at Shadow Fleet Academy.

During period 01/13, we are looking to recruit into the following fields:

• Flight Control
• Security/Tactical
• Science/Medical
• Engineering/Operations
• Counseling

If you are an enlisted player holding the rate of Petty Officer Third Class or above and wish to apply for the Officer Training Course in any of the above fields, send a request to your Commanding Officer via private message explaining the field in which you are applying and why you wish to become a commissioned officer in Shadow Fleet.

The deadline for all applications is February 25th, 2013.

Good luck!

Note: Not all applicants will be successful. If you are not accepted onto an Officer Training Course, there will be another opportunity through CORP 02/13 to be announced later in the year. Successful graduates may be required to transfer ship to satisfy officer personnel requirements across the fleet. Maximum graduating rank in this CORP is Ensign.

Wanted: Twitter Account Manager

We are currently on the look-out for a resourceful player to join the Media & Recruitment Team as the official Twitter Account Manager.

This exciting position is open to any enthusiastic person with an interest in marketing through the medium of social media. The successful candidate will have an interest and enthusiasm for social media, with excellent writing skills and an ability to take instructions from the Head of the Media & Recruitment Team.

Responsibilities include:

• Posting daily updates on the fleet Twitter account 
• Tweeting/re-tweeting messages to/from celebrities in an attempt to boost the fleet's profile
• Taking instructions from the Head of Media & Recruitment
• Liaising with other members of the Media & Recruitment Team
• Writing excellent marketing copy to promote the fleet
• Working under pressure during times of high recruitment

If you think you would be a good person for this role, send a personal message to Rear Admiral (Lower Half) John Kawolsky, explaining why you should be chosen, any skills and experience you may have, and what you would bring to the position.

The deadline for all applications is February 22nd, 2013.

Selection of New Member Orientation Officer

After receiving several applications for the position of New Member Orientation Officer, we are delighted to announce the person selected to join the fleet's support staff in this new role as well as those players who will be supporting him.

Though the position was advertised as a stand alone role, reporting to the Head of Media & Recruitment, the fleet admiralty have decided to expand this to include the appointment of two other representatives working directly below the New Member Orientation Officer, one from the United Kingdom and the other from the United States.

Heading up this new "mini-team", we are delighted to announce, will be Crewman Jon Tulley. Though Mr. Tulley has not been with the fleet long, he has already gone a long way in establishing himself as a dedicated player who always welcomes new members, providing help & support when needed. This, combined with his real-world experience of working in the recruitment field, makes him an excellent candidate for the role. We feel his new position is only an extension of what he is already doing within the fleet.

Supporting Crewman Tulley will be Petty Officer Third Class John Harriman (for the United States) and Senior Crewman Rennan Protheus (for the United Kingdom). Both players have been members of the fleet for some time now and are no stranger to its policies and procedures. Placed in different timezones, they are well served to offer help and advice to players from around the world.

Together, these three players will provide a complete "welcome" service to new players joining the fleet, advising on matters from how to complete their application to technical issues like changing their rank insignia. The New Member Orientation Officer will oversee the progress of new players in the fleet right up until they complete their one week probation period and are settled into their ship.

Please congratulate these players on their new secondary appointments.

Spotlight on Command - Riley T. Munro

In the latest episode of our newest feature "Spotlight on Command", we're talking with USS Gibson Commanding Officer Riley T. Munro about her most memorable moments in the fleet, life as a Command Level Officer, and what makes the Gibson stand out against other SIMMs.

How long have you been a member of Shadow Fleet now?

My very first character that I created on Shadow Fleet was in January of 2008. Her name was Damiana, and since then I have really grown to love the fleet. I don't know where I'd be without it.

What has been your most memorable moment so far?

The most memorable moment for me on the fleet... wow, how do I answer that? That's rough. Personally, I could never explain how much I enjoy writing with Captain Scott Bradley, but a moment that I knew I had picked the right person to do character development was when he gave Munro her nickname, "Ro". Ever since then I have cherished every time we get to write anything together.

Which SIMM have you enjoyed role-playing on the most?

I both love and hate this question. How do you pick? The first ship I served on was the USS Discovery, and I loved it. But to be honest, I wouldn't give up the Gibson for the world, I've had other commands, but I am just proud of the Gibson and more so her crew. She is mighty little ship and the personnel teach me more than I could ever hope to teach them.

How did you feel when you were given command of the Gibson?

I was ecstatic. I went on for weeks about it. I spent months prior to her opening thinking of all the little things that would make us different. And she hasn't disappointed. Worth every moment I gave in thought... the crew brings her to life in a way not even my imagination could see.

What would you say separates the Gibson from the other SIMMs in the fleet?

Lots of things, I have a faith in my crew that they are capable of using their imagination, they are the heart and soul of the ship, so why not let them take up the reigns sometimes and be free to grow. I know that in the future, the fleet will have more ships, some of which will be commanded by people that are currently on the Gibson. I see the Gibson more like the original series of Star Trek than any other, due to the nature of the missions, and that they have life lessons in them.

In your opinion, what is the most difficult aspect of running a SIMM?
Once I became a commander, I found that sometimes my posting in mission lacks, sometimes because there just is too much to do outside of mission in admin work, but sometimes because I want to see the crew move things along, I don't want to always override their ideas. I think it comes off as being an absent leader, and I see that, but I hope they know they are my number one priority here on the fleet. Multitasking has never been one of my strong suits... so I could stand to learn and improve it.

Finally, if you could pick just one word to sum up your time in Shadow Fleet, what would it be?

Is "Life-changing" a word? If it isn't, I just made it one. When the fleet took me in, I was in a very rough patch in my life. They gave me that outlet that I needed to pour my issues into. I made friends I would have never gotten to meet and they have changed me for the better. I am the one who is honored to be here... Thank you to everyone, you make my ever so changing, chaotic life - bearable.

Thank you to Commander Riley T. Munro for what was, once again, another interesting installment of our "Spotlight on Command" series. Next time, we'll be focusing our attention on the First Officers of our fleet so keep checking back if you don't want to miss out!

Spotlight On Command: Scott Bradley

In the third installment of our latest feature "Spotlight on Command", we're talking with one of Shadow Fleet's founding members, Captain Scott Bradley, as he reveals his motivations for joining us all those years ago, his most memorable moments since, and his future prospects in the fleet.

You've been a member of the fleet from the very beginning. Can you tell us what drew you here all those years ago?

Well I'm getting on a bit now, so my memory isn't what it used to be! Though I do remember being a member of another Star Trek RPG site called Expansion Fleet. It was there that I originally met John Kawolsky, and through roleplaying on that site I seem to remember being emailed and getting an invitation to join Shadow Fleet. At the time I was just looking to RP as much as possible, so I took the chance and joined the site. And the rest is history.

Do you think Shadow Fleet has changed much since then?

Oh yes! But that's a good thing! Obviously we have more members now and more ships, but it's just the little things that you notice when you've been. From forum layout to the way things are done now, it's been a gradual process but I guess that's what makes Shadow Fleet last!

What has been your most memorable moment?

I am really struggling here! There have been literally dozens of moments in my time here! From becoming the XO of the Discovery, to helping plan season-long story arcs and all of the crew-mates that I've posted with! If I had to put it down to one moment, I would have to say the initial idea of creating minisodes with Admiral Kawolsky. It's no secret we are both massive Battlestar Galactica fans, and it was a couple of years ago we thought that we could adapt that format to Shadow Fleet, letting us get some more character stuff in between missions.

It's years later and the format is still going strong, and has spread to other ships! So they seem to be popular, and obviously I feel a great sense of achievement in having helped create them.

Now that we have four ships in the fleet, do you feel more pressure to make the Discovery stand-out above them?

Absolutely. Competition is healthy and I'm looking forward to us all pushing each other to be the best we can be. Obviously things haven't been ideal lately, and that's partly due to work commitments on my part. But I know that the Discovery can kick on and keep leading the way it has been for the past few years!

Surely you'll be due for promotion soon. Would you take it if it meant leaving the Discovery?

You'd have to get all of the medical crewmen in the fleet to put me in a straight jacket, drug me up and wheel me away before I would leave that ship! But seriously, I would be honored by it, but I can't see myself in any other role. I've got a lot planned for the Discovery, and I couldn't imagine not being there for it!

Finally, if you could pick just one word to sum up your time in Shadow Fleet, what would it be?

I don't know if that's possible. I'll try two; Frackin' awesome!

As always, a big thank you to Captain Bradley for taking the time out to answer these few questions. We're sure you'll agree it has been interesting to read about his experiences throughout Shadow Fleet's six year history.

In our next "Spotlight on Command" feature we'll be chatting with Commander Riley T. Munro about her time in the fleet and what she has planned for the crew of the Gibson. Keep checking back if you don't want to miss out!

New Member Orientation Officer

An exciting new opportunity has opened up for a player wishing to become involved in the retention of new players who may join the fleet.

We are looking to recruit a New Member Orientation Officer, responsible for welcoming new players, assisting them with their application and answering any questions they may have.

Full responsibilities of the role include:

• Welcoming each and every new player who joins the fleet by PM and/or profile comment
• Providing assistance in completing the new player application form
• Acting as a single point-of-contact for new players who may have questions about the fleet
• Imparting knowledge & experience onto new players to prepare them for their time in the fleet
• Introducing new players to the different aspects of the forum and its features (articles, blog, general discussion etc)

Candidates applying should be extremely organized, trustworthy, online often and hold the minimum enlisted rate of Petty Officer Third Class. Additionally, all candidates should have an in-depth knowledge of the Shadow Fleet Rules and procedures, hold no other secondary administrative position and have at least six months experience of posting within the fleet.

If you think you meet this criteria and wish to apply for the role, please send a PM to Rear Admiral John Kawolsky explaining why you think you would be a good choice along with any relevant experience you may have.

The deadline for applications is February 12th, 2013 however this may be sooner if the right candidate is found.