I would like to know who out there considers themselves Marines.

So please let me know if you want to be a marine. We have a different ranking structure, but you keep the same Navy equivalent.

I am planning on some marines only events during the year, but I need to know how many there are, and who you are, so I can notify you.
So please send your details to me
Qapla'

~/\ Marine Major DehGems vestai-Chuckhor /\
|| Field-Marshall IMSF KAG Australia ||
|| CO IKAV Dragon's Claw ||
\||/ Sundragon Fleet \||/
\/ KAG AUASTRALIA \/
|| dehgems@yahoo.com ||
<> www.kagmarines.tsx.org <>

In 1995 I had moved back to my native USA after spending 17 barefoot, long-haired, love-beaded years in the wilds of the Canadian bush. I got a job and settled down to mundane routine. As a hobby I studied the Klingon language, alone and utterly oblivious to the existence of the complex subculture of fandom. I was under the impression that my life's wildest moments were in my unconventional past. Little did I know.…

One day a friend and I were checking out a local 'StarTrek' store and I discovered a Klingon head-in-a-box. I took it out, put it on, and
was dancing around the store making an idiot of myself..."Oh this is SO COOL! Hey lookit ME!! I'm a KLINGON!! Ha ha ha!!". The nice lady behind the counter said "If you're that into Klingons, you should check out the local Klingon club" and she handed me a card.

I called the number and talked with a very friendly and interesting young man (Joel "Twisty" Nye) who answered all my questions and invited me to the next meeting of the local chapter. The date was almost a month away, and I could hardly contain myself. I was so excited....and kind of nervous.....in spite of my conversation with Twisty, I didn't really know what to expect. I guess I sort of pictured a bunch of burly, overly-serious biker-types all in Klingon garb, and wondered if they'd kick my ass to see if I was tough enough to be among them. But my long-time fascination with Klingons drew me like a moth to the flame, in spite of my misgivings. What I found was a lively bunch of people who welcomed me with friendly acceptance and a lot of laughter. I dived into fandom headlong. A whole new world opened up before my astonished eyes.
I was a proud member of the engineering department of the IKV BortaS for several years, before becoming the XO of the first Demon Fleet ship, Dragons' Heart, under Cap'n Jack (aka Kuuriis). A year later, CO and a promo to Cmdr. Another year found me even more deeply involved...Leader of the Demon Fleet, a member of the IMSF (KAG Marines) and a promo to Colonel, moderator of the kagcounsel listserve, and on the editorial staff of two club publications (MindScanner and DemonicPress).

A river of people now flow through my life. I've made about a zillion new friends. I fell in love and got married...to Joel "Twisty"
Nye! I've discovered new strengths, and rediscovered old ones. I found out that appearance is everything, and nothing. I've found out that with duck-tape and determination, I can make just about anything. It's been an exhilarating five years, and I wouldn't trade a moment!

Kerla

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of chatting with Kerla via the internet, let me just tell you of all the support, friendship and information this Klingon Warrior has provided to us over the last couple of years! Kerla was, until just recently, even on the Australian mail list, so she could remain in closer contact with our Fleet!

Kerla is a boundless supplier of information, tips and helpful ideas!