Nick: Gaia
Age: 23
Location: Virginia

--Dear Dsylexci,

So, before I write anything else, I want to preface this by saying that I applied to Shacktac about a year ago, and did not receive a response. At the behest of Cypher and Cranesong, I have decided to submit a second application.

To reiterate from my last email, I am a 3 year+ Arma veteran who has played in multiple groups. I served with Folk ARPS for ~2 years, 1 Tac for a few months, and I am currently playing with Bourbon Warfare.

All of these groups fit into the same mold that Shacktac does, namely an Arma group focused more on "Tactical Fun" than over-the-top realism. I am used to working in groups where you are expected to know basic military tactics; either through experience or through training missions, and use these tactics to complete objectives in an organized manner. In Folk ARPS, we used teamspeak channels with channel commander to split our squad comms, while in 1Tac and Bourbon Warfare we use the more conventional ACRE plugins.

Over the past 6 months, I have become proficient with ACE, ACRE, and with the F3 mission framework.

Arma for me has always been first and formost about the community. If you find a good arma community, then a 2 hour logistics simulator mission can be fun. I have found of my best friends through arma, and even though I no longer play in the same group as many of them I still stay in contact.

Outside of Arma I am a programmer working for FEMA doing the standard 9-5. I go out with buddies on fridays to the Alamo to see movies and down a few beers. I am open both wednesdays and saturdays, and I am almost always open to hangout or talk with buddies online. I run a DnD game on thursdays, and even to this day I still try to get Cypher to rejoin the party every session. On a personal level, I tend to avoid getting involved in office/community drama, preferring to simply get my job done.

In terms of other games I like to play; I mostly play Paradox Interactive games; ala EUIV, CKII, Stellaris, HOI, etc. I also keep finding myself gravitating back to the Witcher and Dark Souls, probably because I am a gluton for punishment.

To acknowledge the elephant in the room, and to explain why I want to change groups so badly, I have recently come out as transgender. While Bourbon Warfare has been incredibly accepting, and I have had no issues with anyone in the group, I have found myself becoming a bit of an outcast in the group. I think Shacktac would be a wonderful group to join without the baggage of having been Gaius. And I think Shacktac would also be a wonderful group to transition with.

I think I would be a perfect match for Shacktac. Not only can I bring an experienced gun to the party, I can also bring a unique perspective to the community. I look forward to hearing back from you Dsylexci, and even if you don't end up accepting me, I'd love to get you a beer if you are ever in the DC area.

I don't know if this would be helpful, but if you want references from players from groups I used to play with, I have a few recommendations:
(These will all be discord usernames, for ease of communication)
Folk ARPS Hosts:
Mabbot#0795
Netkev#7312
Ferrard#0368
Fer[-scobar]#3412

1Tac References:
Snippers#8596
Feanix#9756

I will not give any references from Bourbon Warfare, because of their dual clanning rules. I am afraid that interviews with BW Admins would cause drama that I don't need right now.

I also know two people in Shacktac that could give me a favorable recommendation:
Cranesong#0158
Cypher#3458

--Sincerely,
Rachel Stafford