Avatar of Gunther

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Recent Statuses

22 days ago
Current Summer break begins today!
1 like
3 mos ago
I will continue to be one of the oldest members of this community in August.
12 likes
5 mos ago
If you are a fan of Warhammer 40,000 or Age of Sigmar, let me know. Maybe we can put together an RP. I play Ironjawz & Kruleboyz in AOS and Salamanders & Drukhari in 40K.
1 like
2 yrs ago
Happy holidays, everyone!
6 likes
2 yrs ago
Summer break is almost over. Back to work/school and all that non-fun stuff.
5 likes

Bio

I am a veteran of the United States Army and the US Army National Guard. I spent three years on Active Duty serving in the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Ft. Carson, CO, and the 3rd Armor Division at Kirch Göns, West Germany. I spent 18 years in the Army National Guard with the 26th Infantry Division "Yankee" and 29th Infantry Division (Light), "The Blue and the Gray". I was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina with the 29th ID (L) in 2001 - 2002. I have also been reading military history articles and books since I was 10 years old. I do prefer Military Role Plays over all other genres, primarily because I have a vast knowledge of the subject including personal experiences. At the very least, my characters are always veterans.

I have been writing for pleasure for at least 35+ years but only got into forum-based Role Playing about eighteen years ago. I do enjoy Nation Role Plays and get into minute detail when designing my military. The only reason I enjoy excruciating detail in my militaries is because for me, it is fun. My education and experience on this subject afford me the insight to see the depth of the structure. It is not just a General and a large pile of soldiers. If someone wants assistance in designing an army, navy, or air force, please send me a PM. I will help. Please specify what level (echelon) or depth you would like me to go. When I say echelon, I mean Army, Corps, Division, Brigade/Regiment, Battalion/Squadron, Company/Troop/Battery, Platoon, and Squad/Section.

When I was a student in High School, I used to play Dungeons & Dragons. Recently, I have been DMing a 5e campaign of my creation for my son and his friends. 5e is so much less cumbersome than earlier editions of D&D. I do have an interest in Tolkien-esque fantasy-styled Role Plays as well. Time travel has always been a fun genre for me, but to do it well, one must have a firm grasp of historical facts.

There are only a few fanfictions I will participate in; Star Wars and Star Trek are two of them. I want to do an exclusively Klingon RP one of these days. I also avoid Canon characters.

I have real-world martial arts experience. I would love to write an RP about hand-to-hand combat, no fantasy magic chit, just hands elbows, knees, and feet. Maybe the occasional head butt thrown in to mix things up. I trained in Krav Maga for six and a half years. I earned a first-degree black belt in Krav Maga on 3 June 2017.

Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art form that employs practical self-defense techniques drawing forms & techniques from Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Taekwando. It is very brutal, demanding, and aggressive. During the seven years I trained, I have bruised two ribs, sustained several muscle pulls, and various lacerations and bruises over my body. I have received a sprained ankle and a fractured wrist. Before the first black belt test, I received a bone bruise to my right shin; where my roundhouse kicks impact. Yet, I am stupid enough to continue training. [Regardless of the physical pain, it is more fun than any other physical activity I have engaged in. Fortunately, the bone bruise healed up prior to the third and final test. EDIT: I did leave the sport over five years ago. :(]

Over two years ago I completed my first novel, a science fiction set in the 24th century. It focuses on a Private Military Corporation solely employed by the earth government. I started a second book in November 2022 and hope to work on that this summer when I have more time.

Send me a PM for a Role Play or if you would like to see what sort of an army I could build for you.

--Gunther (AKA: Old School)



Gunthers Cast of Hooligans

Most Recent Posts

@SleepingSilence I can appreciate your dilemma. This is a rough one, simply because we attach sentimental value to things all too often. It helps to make a connection.

I started using Gunther in the summer of 2003 when playing PlanetSide. I envisioned myself a "German" mercenary and wanted a Germanic sounding name. I've used it often since then. In 2002, while playing EverQuest, I created a character named, "Landain", short for "Land Ain't fer Sale." It was my intention to create a surname for that name at Level 20 like, "T'fersal". But I lost the character and could not retrieve it, but I still use the name. Whenever Gunther is taken, I use Landain. I even have been known to use the name, "GuntherLandain" from time to time.
Every once in awhile we pull out LotR or the Hobbit Movies and watch those all back to back. It is a good time. I always love it when Bilbo states at the end of the first Hobbit movie, "Well the worst is behind us now."


Happy birthday, Chuck Yeager! (February 13, 1923) He is 97 years old as of yesterday. First man to intentionally fly an aircraft faster than the speed of sound, without diving. Also, one of the few USAAF pilots to be credited with the title of "Ace in a Day" from shooting down five enemy aircraft in one day.



I didn't get into this hobby until it was forum based as it is now. I do recall folks use to engage in collaborative works of fiction in a notebook. The leader would start the In Character content in the note book and then give it to the next person and keep passing it along until it came back to the leader. I have often considered trying this with friends. It might be just a tad cumbersome.
The marines of one seven stowed their gear in their rooms and cargo bays on deck eleven. An arms room was constructed in cargo bay ten. The Company’s two Argo Buggies and two TT4s were beamed aboard the ship into the newly acquired cargo bay. The marines enjoyed the access to the four holosuites on their deck, but knew the commander and first sergeant would probably use those for training purposes only.

Evening before
“Yes, none of the lower enlisted are authorized in Eleven Forward tonight,” Major Kurt Watkins reminded his Executive Officer, Captain Tak as they sipped their drinks. The officers and NCOs enjoyed the spirits in the only drinking establishment either of them were permitted to enter aboard ship. The NCOs often called the club, “Bulldog”, while the officers used the more formal name, “Eleven Forward”, but they acknowledged the colloquialism.

Tak sipped his mug of boiling worm wine as he looked around the room. “Yes, sir. I understand. You let the enlisted in here and they will lose control. Hopefully these junior NCOs won’t embarrass themselves.”

“If they do, First Sergeant Cue and Gunnery Sergeant Washington have my orders to escort them back to their quarters. The Platoon Sergeants will be held responsible for their junior NCOs.” Major Watkins was content that no problem would occur. “Besides, I want you to take the company through a squad level infantry battle course followed by a pugil stick competition in the morning after first formation. If anyone is hungover, they can be reminded their purpose here is not to simply get drunk. Understood?”

Tak smiled, “yes sir! You can be mischievous, but I do appreciate your intent.” The large Klingon allowed a belly laugh to resound from his mouth, garnering the attention of only a few in the room.




“Stand at, ease!” First Sergeant Cue commanded A Company, First Battalion 7th Starfleet Marine Infantry Regiment. The company was arrayed in formation inside the cargo bay with headquarters section on the right, then first platoon, second platoon, third platoon and the engineer platoon, which everyone had taken to calling fourth platoon. As soon as the fist sergeant bellowed his command, every marine in the bay moved from the position of attention to parade rest with all head and eyes focused on the company first sergeant.

“Good morning, Alpha Company!” the first sergeant yelled to the marines.

In unison they all responded quite loudly, “good morning, first sergeant!”

“As of two hours ago, the USS Vigilance along with other ships of the 12th fleet have crossed the neutral zone. We are now in Romulan space.” No one reacted. They retained a placid appearance listening to the first sergeant. One person reacted. The company’s fire support officer (FSO), First Lieutenant (1LT) Jateel N'Plentar, originally from the planet Romulus. Jateel had not been to Romulus in about twelve years and hoped he might be able to gain some liberty to see his family.

“The Company Commander will tell you more about our mission in Romulan Space. This morning, Captain Tak will lead the squads of our platoon through the infantry battle course (IBC) in holosuite eight. He has created a routine with a hostile Klingon outpost for the squad to negotiate and eliminate if possible. He tells me each squad is only permitted to suffer no more than two casualties to receive a passing grade. Pay attention to your leaders and keep your heads on a swivel. Immediately following the IBC will have a battalion pugil stick competition in holosuite six.”

When the first sergeant was finished with his briefing for the company he came to the position of attention. “Company, Attention!” He commanded the company to the position of attention and then executed an about face. Major Watkins then marched out from where he had been standing near the door to the cargo bay. Major Watkins took a position in front of the first sergeant, facing the man and the company. The first sergeant rendered present arms, the company commander returned the hand salute and then both men dropped the salute. The first sergeant executed an about face and marched around the formation by moving to his left, the formation’s right by headquarters section and took up a position at the centered on the rear of the formation. As the first sergeant marched to the rear, the platoon commanders and company XO each performed the same action with their platoon sergeants and the operations sergeant. Now the Senior NCOs were all posted at the rear of the formations and the platoon commanders stood at the front of the formations. The CO put the company at parade rest and gave his presentation.

“As the first sergeant stated, we are now in Romulan Space. Does anyone know why we are in Romulan Space?” No one raised a hand. 1LT N'Plentar, naively listened from the headquarters section not knowing what would be said next. The Marines of A Company 1-7 were unaware of much outside the ship. They only heard what their officers told them and sometimes it was only the company commander’s reports that got to their ears.

“Well, there is no easy way to say this, so I’ll just put it out there. The Romulan homeworld of Romulus has been destroyed. The planet was the victim of a star that went supernova. A few ships were able to leave the planet before the planet was destroyed, and the Federation is tasked with a peacekeeping operation to help restore order in the sector and provide whatever comfort or aid they may need.”

Lieutenant N’Plentar was struck with grief. He was angry, hurt and confused. ‘No! This can’t be,’ the Fire Support Officer thought to himself. He felt like he needed to leave the cargo bay. To return to his quarters. He raised a hand.

Major Watkins spotted the lieutenant. He knew this information would bother the Romulan more than anyone else. “Lieutenant N’Plentar?”

“Sir, may I return to my quarters, please?” The FSO asked the company commander.

“No, Lieutenant. I want to speak with you immediately following this formation.”

Emotion was something the Vulcans learned to stifle. The Romulans did not. Lieutenant N’Plentar was angry the commander denied his request. He resolved to remain quiet for the rest of formation and try to calm his emotions.

“Operation Vanguard will be the largest peacekeeping mission the galaxy has ever seen and we will be right in the middle of it. The eyes of trillions of people are on us. Billions of souls are looking to us to help them, to enable them the opportunity to survive this holocaust. I expect every marine in this company to be model Starfleet servicemembers, and to act in accordance with the Starfleet Creed. We represent the Federation.”

“While in a peacekeeping role, our rules of engagement (ROE) for this operation are as follows. You will be authorized to use deadly force if you observe a threat to your loss of life or serious bodily injury or perceive a threat to someone else’s loss of life or serious bodily injury. This means you can defend yourself and your fellow marines as well as the civilians we are being entrusted to defend. Not everyone we meet will be willing to play by the rules. Be careful about what you do. Be prepared to justify your actions even if you consider the decision to be trivial.”

“I know Captain Tak has some serious training planned for this afternoon. I will turn the formation back over to the first sergeant and get on with the training day. I want to see all the officers in holosuite five immediately following this formation. First Sergeant!”

The first sergeant marched forward and the other NCOs resumed their position at the front of their respective formations. All the officers marched out of the cargo bay.

“Do we need any equipment, sir?” Lieutenant Cham, the Bajoran second platoon leader asked.

“No, just yourselves.” Major Watkins wanted to speak with his officers alone. As they walked to holosuite five he spoke to his XO, “Tak, you only need remain for the beginning of the brief about the mission. I am conducting Physical fitness training with the lieutenants.”

“Roger that, sir.”

As the lieutenants and company commander conducted training in weightlifting and running in the holosuites, the rest of the company ran through squad level battle drills and situational training exercises (STX). Eventually, the entire company regrouped inside holosuite six.

Major Watkins pulled Lieutenant N’Plentar aside during the officer’s Physical Fitness Training (PT). He placed his left hand on the young Romulan’s shoulder and looked him in the eye. “I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I know this is difficult for you. I’m not even going to suggest that your family is still alive. The number of survivors from Romulus compared to the planet’s population at the time of its destruction was extremely miniscule. Most likely only dignitaries in the Romulan government made it out alive. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. If you would like to speak to a health professional, to get some counselling, I can arrange that.” He looked warmly and compassionately at the Romulan lieutenant. “Now, I expect you to perform your duties as this unit’s Fire Support Officer without failing. Do you understand, Jateel?”

“Yes sir,” the lieutenant was forlorn, depressed. “Thank you sir.”

“Will you be able to lead fire support training for your section at 1300 hours in holosuite seven?”

“Yes sir. I know what I am doing. Chief Bowman knows the drill. He is a great asset. You can count on me, sir.” Lieutenant N’Plentar was serious about his work but couldn’t help thinking about his family. He would dwell on this issue for a long time to come.




“Excuse me, sir,” Gunnery Sergeant Washington addressed the unit commander. “I’ve installed a physical fitness routine into Holosuite five and a gunner range routine in suite six. I’ve been working on a training schedule for level one skills starting immediately. I’ll need you to look it over. If you have any input on collective training ideas for you and your lieutenants, please share with me and I will get them set up in one of the holosuites.”

“Thanks, Gunny,” Major Watkins responded to his operations sergeant. “Do you happen to have the first sergeant’s personnel report?”

“Yes sir,” Gunny Washington, an African NCO from the American city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said as he handed his datapad to his commander.

Major Watkins looked it over mumbling to himself, “authorized 219, 209 on hand. Shortages, nine carabiners and one rifleman.” He stopped when he saw the next line, then looked up at Gunny Washington, staring him eye to eye. “Five cases of Andorian clap?! Seriously!?”

“Ah, yes sir. Apparently, some of the men went out for a night on the town before we left San Diego and bumped into some loose Andorian women and a little more fun than they expected.”

“Wonderful, I assume they have reported to sick bay?”

“Yes sir,” Gunnery Sergeant Washington responded with a smile. “The Andorians are acting up over Platoon Sergeant Skulvik.”

“Not this again!?” Major Watkins was annoyed at the racist contempt the Andorians displayed toward their one and only Vulcan in the company. “I know Platoon Sergeant Skulvik can take care of himself, but I’m going to ask the first sergeant to take care of this.”

“I need to head to the bridge. I’m sure the Captain will have something for us to do soon. I want to give him an update and tell him our training plan. Keep up the good work. Ask Captain Tak for his hand to hand combat routine. I want the officers and senior NCOs to begin training in the Klingon style of combat as soon as possible.”

“Aye aye, sir.”

“That means you too, Gunny!”

“No problem, sir. I look forward to it.”

Major Watkins turned away and headed for the turbolift and the bridge.

He exited the lift to see the Bridge crew performing their duties. The Executive Officer, Commander Udrus, a Bajoran about the same age as himself sat in the Commander’s seat. Meanwhile, Major Watkins approached the Tactical Station and Lieutenant Commander Vuvius, the male Trill who was just a tad shorter than himself. He knew nothing about the position or the station the tactics officer stood in front of, but commanding the naval infantry contingent aboard ship, it seemed like a logical place for him to await the ship’s captain and his orders.
For me, winter seems to be an archaic season; one existing only in my memory. I recall mountains of snow to my left and right. Snow always underfoot. A blanket of white in a 360 degree panoramic view. Today, it is wind and rain mixed with cool temperatures that barely get below freezing. The warming has begun. But did it evolve slowly since my childhood or did it start much earlier and any attempt to turn back the warming of the earth would be an act of futility? The damage is done.
@Starboard Watch I didn't follow your example completely from Major Gwala. I retained a few of the items I originally created for KT Watkins. I have him entering the academy on August 28, 2370 instead of September 6 and then graduating in mid May rather than early June. I also included the Infantry Officer Basic Course, which all infantry officers attend prior to being assigned to a line unit. Then I sent him to 1-1 Starfleet Marines and he followed the course Major Gwala did including time spent in the Dominion War. I continued with your timeline, being a training Company Commander in San Diego. Eventually, it is the 1st Battalion 7th Starfleet Marines (1-7) he deploys with aboard the Vigilance, not 1-1 SM. Based on the changes you suggest, Watkins is now 34 instead of his original 32 or Gwala's 35. I've met several majors who were 34. That is a normal age for that rank.

I separated the senior NCOs, XO and Platoon Leaders. I can prepare Character sheets for them too if you like. Maybe just brief sketches; vital details and psychological profiles as well as some back ground. Based on th




Important Starfleet Marines:
CPT Tak Poggok, Klingon, 29, Company XO
1LT Ikolaor Th'rhaolrik, Andorian, 27, 1st Platoon Commander
1LT Jeeska Cham, Bajoran, 28, 2nd Platoon Commander
1LT Ren Yimu, Human, 30, 3rd Platoon Commander
1LT Jordan West, Human, 26, 4th Platoon Commander
1LT Jateel, Romulan, 30, Fire Support Officer
1SG Raymond Cue, Human, 38, 1st Sergeant
PSG Jerome Washington, Human, 33, Operations Sergeant
PSG Skulvik, Vulcan, 32, 1st Platoon
PSG Ushu Xape, Bajoran, 30, 2nd Platoon
PSG Leon Winthrop, Human, 31, 3rd Platoon
PSG Lou Harrison, Human, 34, 4th Platoon
HM1 Vijay Mahanta, Human, 28, Medical Team Chief
I have stepped unknowingly on a Lego brick...and survived.
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