The Libertarian – March 2021

Cover by chiari.cord

No.ArticleSectionAuthor
0Team Leader IntroductionSpecialkrizzycatt
1The Best Place You’ve BeenInterviewTyler_Vivian
2My WonderlandPoemkrizzycatt
3Saint Patrick’s DayHistorical ReviewYodar
4All Over the WorldInterviewchiari.cord
5The Funny Truth About EnglandCreative SatireK1e24
6Beef RendangReceipehakateach
7Advancements: A Recap!ExclusiveDeconfilction
8A Bit About South KoreaSpecialkarihyun
9Choosing the Right PathExclusiveAneha
10JDT ExclusiveSpecialhakateach
11Fashion Around the WorldInformativekoleq

Team Leader Introduction

By krizzycatt

Cover by koleq

Hello all! Welcome to The Libertarian: March Edition. This issue’s theme is: All Around the World!

It is honestly very sad that we are unable to proceed with our travels due to the new COVID-19 pandemic, which has gotten more severe in certain countries. However, OPA has something in store for you!

Unfortunately we cannot sponsor your plane tickets to see the Northern Lights, or fly you in our private jet for a relaxing vacation in Bali. What we can do, however, is bring you all around the world through the power of words! We will be talking about traditions in countries, food, places and so much more! Buckle up, for this is going to be a fun ride! 

On behalf of the entire Libertarian team, thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy the read.


The Best Place You’ve Been

By Tyler_Vivian

Cover by idolayainerz

With this issue’s theme of being ‘Around the World’, I have interviewed a few individuals within USDF to share some of their thoughts on travelling! It is quite interesting to see the different perspectives of members as USDF is so diverse with many different cultures and backgrounds. Here is what they had to say;

What is the best place you have been to, and why was it so special?

‘Maybe it’s basic to say but Paris haha. I went to Paris every year at Christmas with my family and it just became a tradition for us when I was growing up. I still try to make it a tradition each year but Miss Rona has had other plans last year.’

~ OC4 ardnaxela

‘I have two; So my first one was Disneyland, Paris- because I always dreamt of going when I was growing up and when I was a teenager. My brother and sister took me for the first time and it was amazing. I couldn’t believe where I was, such a magical place. My second trip when I was also a teenager was to Houston, Texas, because my aunt and uncle live over there and going for the first time was absolutely overwhelming and very exciting.’

~ CW4 :Logzy:

‘I went to a private island off of the Dominican Republic. I was on vacation and we decided to do this excursion and the water was so clear and so blue when we went. Everything felt perfect, and when you looked out from the shore it looked like a postcard. I was also there with a really good friend of mine and we did some snorkeling and saw different colored fish.’

~ CPL dahelper

‘I’d definitely say that it’s Bali. It was a 24 hour flight and my first one ever, but we were going to throw my grandfather’s ashes out in the sea because he loved that country very much. I was very young (9 at the time) and Bali was very different from where I come from. It was interesting seeing how they live and experiencing cultural traditions.’

~ CWO5 Merilon

‘Italy, I skied for the first time in Italy and it was such an amazing experience.’

~ LT FiveHours

Where have you never been, but would like to go and why?

‘Oh my gosh I’m going to say two haha. The Czech Republic and Germany! I want to go to Prague so badly, it was a plan of mine last year to go for my birthday and it’s still somewhere I’d like to visit because it’s both rich in culture and a nightlife hotspot! And I want to visit Germany at Christmas because, well, I’m learning German as a part of my degree and I really want to visit an actual German Christmas Market.’

~ OC4 ardnaxela

‘I have a few places I want to visit but I think mainly I would love to visit Australia just because I think it would be an experience.’

~ CW4 :Logzy:

‘I have never been to Europe. I want to go so badly (because it’s Europe obviously) and see a lot of things and maybe meet new people.’

~ CPL dahelper

‘If I could go anywhere… Mexico or Italy. The main reason is because they have good food, but I would also be interested in learning more about their culture then just food. Maybe also find a lover. Switzerland also would be nice, It seems so cool over there.’

~ CWO5 Merilon

‘Japan, partly because I’m such an anime fan but also, their culture is very unique in my opinion. The people are very polite and well mannered.’

~ LT FiveHours

If you had the choice to move to another country for a year, where would you go?

‘Canada! It’s where I want to move to anyway, either Canada or the United States, I don’t know why, just a change from the UK.’

~ OC4 ardnaxela

‘There are many places I would love to move to for a year but I think, if I could, then I would love to go to New York City and visit the Statue of Liberty.’

~ CW4 :Logzy:

‘I would move to Australia or New Zealand as I want to see how it feels to live in the opposite hemisphere and have different weather. I’d also like to see kangaroos and experience the lifestyle.’

~ CPL dahelper

‘United Kingdom, it’s not too far away and I don’t really know any other languages and I never really speak English so it would be great to practice. I was supposed to go to the UK for a short vacation. However, Corona showed up so it got cancelled.’

~ CWO5 Merilon

‘Japan as well, I would love to live in a quiet neighbourhood in Japan, whilst enjoying the festivities in the city and the food is also very appealing. Huge fan of Sushi and seafood in general.’

~ LT FiveHours

What is your favourite part of travelling?

‘Discovering different cultures and languages. I love learning languages and try to learn as much as I can before I go to visit. But also finding out different things about different places. Oh my gosh and the food! Like finding new things that I can learn how to cook!’

~ OC4 ardnaxela

‘My favorite thing about travelling is getting onto the plane and being relaxed and chilled out knowing you’re going to have heaps of fun.’

~ CW4 :Logzy:

‘My favorite part of travelling is the airplane (sometimes) and then exploring different sites, feeling a new culture, going to beaches, meeting new people, partying etc.’

~ CPL dahelper

‘The plane ride, and as I said earlier about food and wanting to learn about how they live. Finding out is like exploring a bit.’

~ CWO5 Merilon

‘I love to explore new dishes even though they don’t look appealing to me but I love to eat so yes. Also the drinks and nightlife.’

~ LT FiveHours

What is something you cannot go without when traveling?

‘A camera! Haha, I have ALBUMS AND ALBUMS of photos that I have taken whilst travelling out and about.’

~ OC4 ardnaxela

‘I would say a nice book to read around the pool when you want to chill and relax in the sun.’

~ CW4 :Logzy:

‘When travelling, I cannot go without my phone. Well I know that sounds cliché but I use it for photos and knowing where to go/ different sites/ directions.’

~ CPL dahelper

‘My pyjamas!’

~ CWO5 Merilon

‘My phone and a charger.’

~ LT FiveHours


My Wonderland

By krizzycatt

Cover by idolayainerz

A place where the sun shines and the moon forever glows,
Where the crows never fail to crow.
A place comfortably cold,
A wonder to behold.

Like a carefree bird flying in the sky,
Watching your friends from way up high,
You can feel the happiness,
Brimming through the roof.

In my Wonderland surrounded by nature,
Your heart, it will capture.
Banquets unending, there will be,
What you need will be aplenty.

In my Wonderland you will be free,
Anytime you can drink coffee with glee.
No more blindly running around,
To schedules, you will no longer be bound.

Wouldn’t it be nice to go somewhere like my Wonderland,
Somewhere without work,
Somewhere without stress,
Somewhere without worldly cares.

Tis’ a place without war, a place without violence,
But instead a place with love, peace and prosperity.
No child shall cry of hunger,
But instead rejoice in their number.

A place without judgement this will be,
No need to please, no one to envy.
Connect to each other as one,
Each a fair share of fortune.

Exams and tests are no more,
Each focusing on their own health.
Join me in my Wonderland,
Where each has their own wealth.


Saint Patrick’s Day

By Yodar

Cover by krizzycatt

Saint Patrick, was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century, around 390 AD. When he was 16 years old, he was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders that attacked his family’s estate.  He was taken to Ireland and spent 6 years in captivity, where he worked as a shepherd in isolation without any contact from people.  Since then, he has turned to his religion for comfort and became a devout Christian.

After 6 years as a prisoner, he escaped from captivity because he believed he had been sent a sign in his dreams telling him to leave Ireland. He walked nearly 200 miles from the County Mayo to the Irish coast. After his escape, he decided to become a priest and began his training for over 15 years. After he was ordained in 433 AD, he returned to Ireland as a missionary and began to work as a priest being a significant influencer in the spread of Christianity throughout Ireland.

He died on March 17, 461 AD., when people in Ireland had been observing the Roman Catholic Feast annually to celebrate him. In America, on March 17, 1601, St. Patrick’s Day parade made its first appearance in St. Augustine, Florida. Another parade was held in New York City on March 17th, 1772 to honor the Irish patron saint. Since then, it spread throughout other American cities and across the world.

In 1903, St. Patrick’s Day became an official holiday. Many different cities have developed their traditions, such as in Chicago in 1962, where they dyed the Chicago River using 40 pounds of green vegetable dye turning the river green for several hours.

Many people bake Irish food to celebrate the patron saint, such as Irish Soda Bread, corned beef & cabbage. These foods are based off Irish American traditions which originated back in the day when they were unable to afford certain meals. On St. Patrick’s Day, they had enough money to buy beef and cabbage which became a staple for the holiday. Another well known dish is champ- creamy mashed potatoes with scallions and lots of butter. 

In the United States, people often wear green to celebrate the holiday as is the same with many other places around the world.  In Rolla, Missouri, the streets are painted green for the day.

FUN FACTS:

~ A shamrock is associated with St. Patrick’s day because according to the legend, St. Patrick used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity in his teachings.

~ Since many Catholics are Irish-American, some may be required to fast from drinking during Lent. However, they are allowed to break this fast during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This is one cause for the day’s association with drinking heavily.

~ It was named the “Friendliest Day of the Year” by the Guinness Book of World Records.

~ Wearing green has become a staple of St. Patrick’s Day, but the holiday was originally associated with the color blue. It’s thought that the shift to green happened because of Ireland’s nickname, “The Emerald Isle,” the green in the Irish flag and the shamrock, or clover. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn as early as the 17th century. During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, an uprising against British rule in Ireland, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on March 17 to make a political statement. Legend has it that wearing green makes a person invisible to leprechauns that will pinch someone if they see them.


All Over the World

By chiari.cord

Cover by koleq

USDF is a diverse community made up of people from all around the world who come together to be a part of our military. This means that a large portion of our personnel, including myself, do not have English as their first language. For this article, we are going to go over some different topics, basing them all on the fact that everyone who participated in this interview is a non-native English speaker. I had the chance to speak with four USDF members from different ranks and parts of the World to ask them some questions about their different experiences.

Where are you from? What is your first language?

“I’m from Brazil, my first language is Portuguese.”

~ SMSgt Bechete

“I am from Lebanon, my first language is Arabic.”

~ CW5 ik-knowhoiam

“I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina and my first language is Spanish.”

~ OC4 .diplodocus.

“I prefer not to tell my origins, but my first language is Mandarin.

~ LT KeiKano

How is it being in USDF as a non-native English speaker?

“To be honest, at times it can be difficult. Although I have studied English for years now, USDF has high language standards, such as when writing EOIs or applications. On the other hand, we have many people willing to help you out with writing those and making sure everything is understandable and correctly written.”

~ SMSgt Bechete

“I love being in USDF, even if English is not my first language. Some 1.5 years ago my English was not that good to be honest, but staying here improved my understanding of English and I now have a better grasp of it. To be a part of USDF, you do need to have some good English, but everyone can improve, learn and be better if they want.”

~ CW5 ik-knowhoiam

“Honestly, I’m quite lucky because I’ve had extensive training in English for several years now. My English is as good as my Spanish, so I’ve never had an issue of language barriers or miscommunication. So the USDF experience has not been inherently harder for me due to being an ESL (English Second Language) personnel.”

~ OC4 .diplodocus.

“At first it was terrible, I personally used to dislike English for a reason and joining USDF literally pushed me out of my comfort zone. However, as I slowly progressed, I witnessed significant improvement in my English so being a non-native English speaker did not stop me from advancing in USDF. USDF has helped me a lot in my English proficiency, even till today.”

~ LT keikano

Have you found any difficulties thanks to English not being your first language? What did you do to overcome them?

“Yes, as I mentioned before, there are huge barriers if you don’t really reach out to someone. Also, grammar is different in other languages so English sentence structure works in your language but it may not work in another. I tried reaching out to some of my co-workers so they could review my EOI and help me make the needed adjustments. Habbo is a very good exercise for writing, as it doesn’t have voice chats (which becomes a whole other discussion) so it helps develop your skills. Having this diversity of culture and experiences is very good for an organization like USDF, we all have different views of the world which we can share with each other. We can learn about new culture and beliefs and with that, improving your conception and perspective of the world!”

~ SMSgt Bechete

“Yes I absolutely did! English not being my first language, was one of my greatest obstacles when writing EOIs, but I wasn’t giving up and I just did my best to learn. I used every resource that was available to help me improve on my English language. Now I don’t face any difficulties thanks to English anymore, as I really improved a lot from when I enlisted in USDF till now.”

~ CW5 ik-knowhoiam

“No not at all! Like I said, I’m lucky that I’ve had the language training that I’ve had to be able to speak 2 languages fluently at the same level. This has definitely eased any probable difficulties I could have had, but I’m fortunate to not have been at a disadvantage for being ESL.”

~ OC4 .diplodocus.

“Well, English has a very different structure compared to Mandarin. I was having a hard time adapting to the sentence structure of English and constantly messing it up with Mandarin (sometimes directly translating it because I gave up), this caused a major effect on my EOI as I have no idea how to write a proper essay, let alone an EOI. However, I did reach out to my friends to proofread my EOI while learning sentence structure and new vocabulary with it. With the help of my friends (shout out to krizzycatt, Appartment, srirachax, LMAOZeDonny, WarmClimate, and people I might have forgotten), I have successfully overcome most of the weaknesses I had from the start and managed to advance from NCO ranks to Officer ranks, thanks guys!”

~ LT keikano

Judging by the answers, no one has exactly the same experiences. Some can be more similar compared to others, but there’s always something that makes it unique. For example, as I’ve said before, I also don’t have English as my first language. Personally, I can see myself relating a lot to OC4 .diplodocus.’s answers. Not only do we come from the same place, thereby having the same first language, but I’ve also been learning and surrounding myself with English, not only at school but also on social media and the internet, which I believe really helped to improve my level. However, I did find it difficult at first when getting used to all the phrases or words that people use on a daily basis, because those weren’t part of what I had been learning, but after some time, I got around to understanding and even using them myself. 

After doing this interview, and reading all of the amazing answers I got, one thing I wanted to point out is how in many occasions members mentioned to be helped by others in the community. Despite their language differences, they were able to achieve what they wanted with the help and support of others. I think it speaks positively and highly about how much we care about each other, and even though we may not all come from the same places, we all aim to make USDF a better place for everyone.


The Funny Truth About England

BY K1e24

Cover by chiari.cord

If you’re thinking of travelling this year, I suggest coming to see wonderful England! Well, apart from the fact COVID exists, let’s start in London, the English capital!

To enjoy this city you would likely want to visit the houses of parliament, though I don’t suggest this as you will possibly see the MP’s who make up the parliament. Who would want to do that, plus it’s not actually that old a building, it’s actually not even as old as the U.S. Capitol building due to a fire burning it down.

Next your probably thinking of seeing Big Ben. Well, first of all, that’s actually only the name of the tower and to get a similar feeling, just simply look at the nearest clock, although you’re more than welcome to come to see ours!

Anyway, you probably want to know how the weather will be, and what clothes you’ll need. I suggest a mixture of 1 set of wellies and 1 set of walking shoes. You’ll mostly wear the wellies as it rains about as often as someone drinking a cup of tea here, so about every 30 seconds. Along with this, I suggest at least 3 sets of waterproofs, although this may spoil your look, it will also save you the terror of the rain, which most foreign people take lightly as they see English folk walking around without waterproofs daily. This is simply because we’ve gone so far as to not care about the English weather. Plus the reason you need 3 sets is so that you can use a set per day and have the other two drying.

Next up… Travel! We drive on the left so if you drive on the right remember this, please be safe and don’t have an accident. When you visit places, make sure you know how to say their names, a large portion of the UK, particularly the smaller towns such as “Frome” (pronounced froome) or “Quernmore” (pronounced Kwor-mer), can be difficult to say. It will make you look like an idiot when you miss pronounce and simply put, the locals of England will sit and laugh. They’ll probably make fun of you no matter what you do whilst they drink their tea or eat fish and chips. Actually, these are the two very best things to do on a Friday, and definitely something you should try! It is the single most unifying thing in Britain.

Let’s move on to some other attractions. Stonehenge, well it’s a pile of rocks, yes there’s some “spooky nature” about how they were set up, but simply put, it was probably using a similar technique to how the pyramids were built. If you want to see a pile of rocks, simply go find the nearest one to your house, it’ll be just as interesting.

Now you’re moving further North, possibly to the lovely lake district. Here I suggest getting that old fashioned thing called a “Paper Map”. I know, how crazy is it for a young person NOT to be recommending Satnav or google maps. Well, this is because even now they aren’t to be trusted, do you want to spend hours going down back roads or breaking your clutch driving? Satnavs aren’t worth it in the lake district and navigating by local knowledge or a paper map will simply save you trouble.

Now, your next barrier will be the dialect. Simply put each county has its own accent, hell I can’t understand half of the British population and I’m born there. This part isn’t actually satire, each town at times can have its own slang and accent so it will likely be difficult for you to understand people at times. But then again, I expect a lot of what their trying to say is probably just swearing at you for doing something wrong.

Finally, if you plan to do any mountain walking on that “scafell pike” or that “striding edge”… DON’T. Unless you know what you’re doing, you’ll probably call out mountain rescue who are sick and tired of people coming out ill prepared.

Oh, one LAST thing… You remember that rain I told you about? It’s likely now in flood conditions, so have fun getting to an airport and flying home!


Beef Rendang

By hakateach

Cover by idolayainerz

A traditional cultural recipe from Indonesia: Beef Rendang.
Inspired by 2LT cagliore.

Ingredients:

Spice Paste:

  • 12 dried chilies, rehydrated in boiling water or 12 large fresh chilies
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped 
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 lemongrass stalks, white part only, sliced 
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh galangal, finely chopped 
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 2 tbsp oil (vegetable, canola or peanut oil)

Curry:

  • 2 lb/1 kg chuck steak, or other slow cooking beef, cut into 4cm/1.6″ cubes 
  • 1 tbsp oil (vegetable, peanut, canola)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/4 tsp clove powder
  • 3 star anise
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 lemongrass stick, bottom half of the stick only and smashed 
  • 400ml/14 oz coconut milk (1 standard can)
  • 2 tsp tamarind puree/paste, or tamarind pulp soaked in 1 tbsp of hot water, seeds removed
  • 4 large kaffir lime leaves (or 6 small), very finely sliced
  • 1/3 cup desiccated coconut (finely shredded coconut)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or grated palm sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Place Spice Paste ingredients in a small food processor and whizz until fine.
    NOTE: If using dried chilli and you know your food processor is not that powerful, chop the chilli first.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large heavy based pot over high heat. Add half the beef and brown, then move onto a plate. Repeat with remaining beef.
  3. On lower heat to medium low, add Spice Paste and cook for 2 – 3 minutes until the wetness has reduced and the spice paste darkens (don’t breathe in too much, the chilli will make you cough!).
  4. Add remaining Curry ingredients and beef. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring to simmer, then immediately turn down the heat to low or medium low so the sauce is bubbling very gently.
  6. Put the lid on the pot and leave it to simmer for 1 hr 15 minutes.
  7. Remove lid and check the beef to see how tender it is. You don’t want it to be “fall apart at a touch” at this stage, but it should be quite tender. If it is falling apart already, remove the beef from the pot before proceeding.
  8. Turn up heat to medium and reduce sauce for 30 – 40 minutes, stirring every now and then at first, then frequently towards the end until the beef browns and the sauce reduces to a paste that coats the beef. 
  9. The beef should now be very tender, fall apart at a touch. If not, add a splash of water and keep cooking.
  10. Remove from heat and serve with plain rice.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Notes: For those who don’t enjoy plain rice, you can serve your Beef Rendang with the following:

  • Pineapple Salad
  • Hard Boiled Eggs (halved)
  • Coconut rice
  • Salad
  • Raw sliced cucumber

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Pineapple Salad Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 300g of chopped pineapples
  • 2 tsp of mild chili flakes
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • Juice of 1 lime

Directions:

One simple step… Mix everything together in a bowl and leave to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving.


Advancements: A Recap!

By Deconfilction

Cover by koleq

Last month was USDF’s 6th Anniversary Parade, where many people attended on client and virtually through Mr. Watch4Me’s stream to celebrate their own and their friends’ achievements throughout a difficult year! The parade was very successful, so I have taken some time to interview some personnel from all rank groups to see how they thought their achievements were recognised and what they thought of the parade. 

How were your achievements recognised and how did the promotions and medals make you feel?

“Since I am a W5 for quite some time now I didn’t receive any promotion but I am grateful for the medals I was given, one for my previous office (OJSIG) and one for my work in Army Council and Army Council Leadership, before I was appointed as SEAC. I’m feeling great that Senior Command has appreciated my work for both.”

~ CW5 AppleLogic, SEAC.

“Well, I must say that the 6th Anniversary Parade very pleasantly surprised me. I reinstated two weeks before the actual ceremony, so I did not expect any recognition. To my big surprise, I was appointed at the parade to the Office of Strategies, Plans, & Capabilities (OSP&C), on the position of XO SP&C. I felt amazing! To an even greater extent, I got recognised by OJFD for the most training done for the recent week, and we received an MUC for our honourable services to the USDF development and training. I am thankful to everyone who supported me to apply and boosted my morale whilst getting back on the track at USDF. I believe that my time spent among the best leaders gave me experience and goals to achieve during my growth. There are no words to describe my satisfaction that my hard work is starting to pay off right after my come-back.”

~ CWO5 .Melioo., A/XO SP&C

“I’m extremely happy about my promotion to W2 because I have worked extremely hard for it along with the struggles I had in FEAT {W}. I’m much more pleased about my promotion than I am with my medals because I know that I’ve worked harder for my promotion. Out of my medals, I am best pleased with my MUC because to me I felt like my work was noticed and how I can work in a team with the rest of OPA.”

~ CWO2 pekka893, PAO.

“I received the Legion of Merit, and oh my did I feel good about it. It was something I didn’t expect. I somewhat expected the MSM or even ESM, but not the LoM! When I found out, I instantly thanked my peers and leadership team as they’ve supported me my whole journey so far.”

~ 2d Lt Underterminated, CO AFPC.

“I was awarded a couple of medals and was promoted as recognition of my achievements. I felt appreciated and grateful at the same time as I was not really expecting anything. Getting some form of recognition made me feel seen for my office work and contributions. It also definitely made me feel more accomplished in my USDF journey and has given me more reason to persevere in this community despite the recent changes surrounding Habbo 2020 and a bit of demotivation.”

~ CPT srirachax, A/OCS AO.

“My achievements were recognised through the Commendation Medal that was awarded to me, although I did not receive a promotion during the parade, the medal itself was enough for me to feel appreciated for my efforts and hard work in HQ, it definitely improved my morale as well.”

~ SMSgt karihyun, FS.

“The anniversary parade was held shortly after my reinstatement, I was given both a promotion and a medal so overall I was stoked, it was nice to see that I was being noticed and so were my efforts since returning and I found it helped motivate me to keep the same work ethic and continue working hard.”

~ CSM Tyler_Vivian, PAS.

If you had to pick one medal you’d like to achieve at the next parade, what is it and how are you planning on achieving it?

“Honestly, I would just go for the next medal on the list which would be the ESM. For contributions towards the 4 branches, OSEAC, Job Fair etc.”

~ CW5 AppleLogic, SEAC.

“In my opinion, medals do not express who you are. They are just an accomplishment of your effort. But if I should choose a goal medal to strive for, it would probably be AOS or DSM. I have a deep respect for everyone earning such prestigious awards, and I wish to show everyone I would like to be in the elites. Now to my grand plan… Well… I will give free rubber ducks to everyone! Hooray! I mean, I count USDF as my second family and place I can pop on and enjoy chit-chat with my friends. I want to give USDF what it gave me. Joy, Dedication, Satisfaction. I wish to continue my stellar work from my previous service and overcome my flaws. I am honoured that USDF accepts me for who I am and I will give the best I can for everyone who shares this same passion with me. When it comes to speaking about medals, achievements or positions, people always pursue them with “I will do my best” and “Nothing can stop me”. But that alone is often not enough. You must show more to the leaders. Something unique, something that brightens you for them, something that shows who you are. That is what I aim for the most.”

~ CWO5 .Melioo., A/XO SP&C

“If I had to pick one medal I would like to achieve at the next parade, it would be the Exemplary Service Medal. I’m planning on achieving it by being even more active in HQ and grinding with my SoW which would put me on the leader board, thus making me noticed for my outstanding efforts in HQ.”

~ SMSgt karihyun, FS.

“For now I think I would go for the Commendation Medal (CM), by keeping up the work, trying to get some extra SoW and maybe even working harder to progress within my office.”

~ CMSgt melisi142, BrJ.

“Obviously I would like to achieve the highest medal possible, but given my current medals I would like to aim for a Meritorious Service Medal, I believe this is achievable for myself and I plan on continuing to work to the best of my abilities in hopes to achieve this. Overall, I’m happy to be given any medals for my efforts.”

~ CSM Tyler_Vivian, PAS.

“Naturally I’m a competitive person, so I’m always pushing myself and trying to one-up myself, so I’d love to receive the DSM. As a new officer, I’ve put together some goals that I would like to achieve over the next few months. To list some, I would like offices (starting with my own) and branches to work more closely together, to ensure our peers and subordinates are getting the best help possible. Another one of my goals are to join and contribute to as many programs as possible, such as the EOI RC and OSP. Hopefully… Just hopefully, I can achieve the DSM.”

~ 2d Lt Underterminated, CO AFPC.

“I would definitely like to work toward achieving an LOM. I plan on achieving it by striving to do my best for my office and USDF. I also hope that I can make bigger contributions to USDF. Of course, I wish to do so on my own accord, but achieving an LOM as recognition would be nice.”

~ CPT srirachax, A/OCS AO.

What was your favourite thing about the 6th Anniversary Parade?

“So my favourite thing about the 6th Anniversary Parade was that many people got promoted, especially those who I watched growing up in USDF. People gained new medals and there were even appointments! If the Parade wasn’t postponed, I may have been appointed then as well as SEAC!”

~ CW5 AppleLogic, SEAC.

“I watched the stream from the parade on Twitch.tv. The trust and faith presented by the USDF enthused me the most. The speech of our current SecDef, Ms Zena blew my mind and filled me with a dedication to continue supporting the community. Coincidentally, my appointment to the XO SP&C significantly helped me to pursue my goal. Within OSP&C, my service to the innovation of the whole USDF could kickstart in an immense strength. The community will always drive USDF forward, and the 6th Anniversary Ceremony clearly showed we are one big family who wants to get over any hurdle!”

~ CWO5 .Melioo., A/XO SP&C

“My favourite thing about the parade was definitely how it brought together everyone in USDF. Although we have come from four different branches and different offices, the parade gave the opportunity for us to all come together as one USDF family, and I think it was very wholesome and something I will look forward to for future parades.”

~ SMSgt karihyun, FS.

“Probably just being at such a significant event for USDF, I first enlisted five years ago and have never been to any anniversary parades, so it was nice to be able to attend this one. Was also nice to see people be recognised for their hard work with promotions and medals.”

~ CSM Tyler_Vivian, PAS.


A Bit About South Korea

By karihyun

Cover by KeiKano

South Korea, or formally known as Republic of Korea, is a nation located in East Asia at the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. With the rise of South Korea’s influence, such as the home to Korean Pop (K-POP) and major electronic companies such as Samsung and LG, it is no wonder that many people are in awe of South Korea. As a result, South Korea’s tourism industry has been booming over the years. Today, I’ll be sharing some of the tourist sites and attractions in South Korea!

Starting off with the capital city of South Korea, Myeongdong Underground Shopping Mall is a must-visit destination for all the K-POP stans out there! The mall boasts a variety of stores which sells K-POP items at unbelievably cheap prices. It is no wonder that many fans would often shop for their idols’ merchandise here when travelling to South Korea. Not to mention, there are various food options in Myeongdong, you could easily get the classic Korean dishes such as Yangnyeom Tongdak and Hweori Gamja there.

Another attraction found in Seoul would be the ever-famous Lotte World Tower. Standing at 555.7 metres tall, it is easily the tallest building in South Korea and the fifth tallest in the world. Tourists would often flock to the tower to visit the observation deck where they could glimpse upon a scenic view of Seoul’s picturesque skyline. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

Moving on, there are a couple of other tourist attractions that South Korea boasts as well. One such example would be the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which borders North Korea. North Korea is known as the hermit kingdom due to its unwillingness to open up to foreign countries and remains as one of the hardest countries for tourists to visit. Thus, it should come as no shock that many tourists would instead opt to get a glance of North Korea from South Korea. Panmunjom, which is located in the DMZ itself, often known as the site of the blue houses, is where most tourists would go. It is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for tourists to get a close view of North Korea.

In the city of Busan, the Gamcheon Culture Village is probably one of the best-known tourist sites in South Korea. Consisting of colorful houses that are painted with decorative murals, tourists often go to the village to take pictures and post it on their social media. Not to mention, there are many Korean shows that featured the village in some of their scenes, and tourists would often flock to these places so they could get a feeling of how it was like on set.

All in all, South Korea is a country that has many unique attractions that are suited for tourists from all around the world. It is definitely a must-visit destination and I can’t wait for everyone to be able to experience the true Korean culture as compared to what they have seen on the media.


Choosing The Right Path

By Aneha

Cover by Nichilismo

One of the best kept secrets of all time… THERE IS NO RIGHT CAREER PATH!

Ok, now that I’ve said it, we can focus on how you can work towards a career path that is right for you. But hold on… Didn’t I just say there is no right career path? 

Let me explain. There is no right path that will put you on the road to success. There are no shortcuts or detours or special yellow brick roads that will take you to where you need to go. Everything that you do in your career is essential to your growth, development and expanding on your experience. Some career choices and opportunities may provide you with more unique experiences than others, but every career has its purpose. 

So what do I mean by, choosing a career path that is right for you? 

Depending on where you are currently, some career choices will be more beneficial than others. You may want to focus on creativity or fun, or you may want to try something more challenging and disciplinary involved. What you are thinking about and leaning towards will have peaked your interests. When you are interested in something, you are far more likely to enjoy it. If by some change, your interests change, then so does the career path that is right for you. There is no point staying somewhere that you are no longer enjoying, as you get no fulfilment or personal achievements out of it.

Word of Advice: Follow your instincts, if you aren’t sure then explore!

Don’t limit yourself or stay somewhere that’s comfortable if you feel the itch to try something new or branch out. Sometimes you’ll be ready for something and other times you won’t be. One of the biggest demotivators is when people get knocked back for not being ready for their first Command position. So how can you gain experience if you can’t get into a Command position?

This is one of the biggest questions I get asked. My answer has always been the same, gain new experience. If you are struggling to progress where you are, switch it up. Try something new in the office or try a new office. If you don’t like it, no harm no foul, switch back. People get so caught up on ‘what if this and what if that…’ Just try it.

So after all this, you’re probably wondering… HOW do I know what is right for me? 

Well that is the kicker… We can give you advice based on the information you provide for example; previous experiences, knowledge, skills, interests, abilities or level of commitment. But in the end, only you will know if you like something by actually trying and experiencing it. Sometimes you will enjoy things more based on the people you surround yourself with, or sometimes it’s just because the role matches your personality. In the end, you are the only who will know whether it is right for you. We can only help direct you to different career choices.

Here are a few tips and tricks: 

  • Know your strengths and your weaknesses. 
  • Learn from your experiences small or big- there is always something to be learned.
  • Undergo independent and continuous learning about everything.
  • Develop your knowledge and skills.
  • Take initiative. 
  • Work with others in a team setting. 
  • Be independent in your own work. 
  • Complete work to expectations or above! 
  • Be accountable for your responsibilities and duties. 
  • Communicate with your team, with your office, with personnel in general. 
  • Identify your goals and that of your offices – work towards them.
  • Challenge yourself. 
  • Be observant and ask questions.
  • Develop leadership qualities. 
  • Discover your leadership style. 
  • Help, support, motivate and encourage others.

Prioritize your happiness within your career rather than a career you put a lot of value into. You are more likely to perform better and be more fulfilled when you do something that makes you happy.


JDT Exclusive

By hakateach

Cover by partyicon

With the Habbo 2020 release, significant changes have come with it. These changes have impacted some of our major offices and the execution of their duties, including our very own Joint Drill Team (JDT). The Joint Drill Team is considered as a secondary office, which means that you must have a primary office to be a part of JDT. I had the opportunity to chat with some JDT members about what they do, how they work, and how they’re adapting to the new changes! Let’s take a look to see what they had to say:

What is JDT?

“JDT is a team of people who come together to practice drilling for synchronized performances we do quite frequently! When Habbo2020 didn’t exist, at least. We have 3 teams, based on time zones – HDT (mainly for EST time zones), WDT (mainly for European timezones) and VDT (mainly for EST+13 timezones). Of course, these are not strict and are based heavily on your availability so you may have people from all different timezones on the same team. If you are in EST timezone, but are available during VDT timings why not? (True case!)”

– CW5 krizzycatt

“JDT is a sub-office that is passionate about producing quality drill performances at parades and events. We are split into 3 teams according to time zones and each team practices a few times per week to perfect their footwork. We are also responsible for hosting FEAT {I} for W2+ personnel to ensure quality drill knowledge within USDF.”

– CAPT srirachax

“In JDT our main focus is drilling, where we can also create and learn scripts to perform for people to enjoy that go along with our performances!”

– CWO5 XxBAMItsMadixX

“So in JDT the majority of it is practice and nailing that iconic synchronisation ready to perform. When you finally get that sync it is very satisfying and is worth every ounce of effort. You also get the chance to contribute to the making of the script of the next performance which is one of my favourite parts.”

– CWO4 Neon.Viper

“JDT is about teamwork, new friends and new experiences.” 

– CWO2 NooraMaria

“JDT is an office made up of three drill teams (Honor, Warrior and Valor). Personnel showcase drills which can be taught in FEATs {H}. These combination drills are showcased in different performances after hours of practices on a frequent basis, which requires personnel to have high levels of interest, commitment, discipline and dedication. Performances are done on client, where past performances are recorded and can be seen mostly on YouTube.”

– Gen CheesyRyan, CMC.

How does it work?

“How it works is you fill out the application form, if you get accepted, someone will reach out for a 1-1 evaluation to test your knowledge. If you pass through that you are then sent an acceptance letter and most likely are accepted into the team. Some of our expectations are: You must be able to work in a team, must be able to uphold OPSEC information, must be disciplined, determined and flexible, must be able to dedicate 5 hours a week to JDT and you must be able to make most if not all practices.”

– CWO5 XxBAMItsMadixX

“In the drill team we have our own set practices we need to attend. There are multiple teams for different availabilities and everyone is so nice and helpful.” 

– CWO4 Neon.Viper

“We have a script we are repeating over and over again. As a team we need to learn the timing of others. We have certain practice times and we can also be in touch with our other group members to host unofficial practices.” 

– CWO2 NooraMaria

“Personnel would be sorted into one of the teams based on their availability to attend practices on client. After passing the evaluation, personnel would undergo training which will teach personnel new terms and moves which would help them during the practices.”

– Gen CheesyRyan, CMC.

How are you adapting to the Habbo 2020 changes?

“Habbo2020 has definitely not been easy on my team and me. There were a few problems. The sudden change in graphics, zoom, increased lag — all of these added to the demotivation of drillers who can no longer bear to drill in Habbo2020. I am lucky to have team members who are very dedicated and work around the problems to find a good solution. This is exceptionally important, as VDT is sometimes dubbed as the “Lag Drill Team”. Here are some solutions!”

  • Use Microsoft Edge or other web browsers (courtesy of Merilon c;)
  • Use an emulator

– CW5 krizzycatt

“Habbo 2020 has affected JDT quite a bit, it came with several obstacles. Some examples would be the inability to click on and face other characters and the lag we experience in game. Despite this, we always aim to overcome challenges and are always thinking of ways to adapt to the changes by adjusting drill material accordingly.”

– CAPT srirachax

“It’s been difficult, but we’re adapting fairly well. It’s been an amazing help since Habbo brought back the white highlight around the tiles. We’re just working around the obstacles and coming up with things to improve our drilling.”

– CWO5 XxBAMItsMadixX

“With habbo2020 it was tricky to get used to the timing and it was HARD without the white tile. Luckily we got the white tile back now and we are slowly getting used to timing.”

– CWO4 Neon.Viper

“With the Habbo2020 changes we have managed pretty well. There are two things coming to my mind about that. Since we can not turn anymore by clicking someone, there have been small changes to the script. Nothing major though. Second thing is the screen movement. That is something I can’t stand. It is pretty hard trying to click on a certain tile when your screen is moving.”

– CWO2 NooraMaria

“The changes in Habbo 2020 has resulted in an increased lag which affects the sync in practices. There is also a change in the click timing where veteran drillers would have to get used to. It is definitely manageable as Habbo 2020 updates their performance more and more, and it is definitely worth joining still.”

– Gen CheesyRyan, CMC.

Is there anything else you want personnel to know about JDT?

“Personally, as the squad leader of VDT, I try to encourage interactions during my training sessions to ensure my training sessions are engaging and not just plain boring drills which most people might imagine it to be. If you are considering joining JDT, don’t hesitate and join! Even though Habbo2020 might seem bad, if lag drill team can do it, so can you c; #JoinVDT.”

– CW5 krizzycatt

“Something I have to say that I love about JDT is everyone coming together and having a laugh with the same goal in mind… To perform… or… to get the white belt.”

– CWO4 Neon.Viper

“Join JDT and stay awesome, okay?”

– CWO2 NooraMaria

“If you are interested in the office of JDT, do head to the Recruitment and Careers and join us today, earning you that sweet white belt and making new friends.”

– Gen CheesyRyan, CMC.


Fashion Around the World

By koleq

Cover by chiari.cord

The clothes that we wear aren’t only there to cover our bare skin and protect us, but it also defines our traditions and culture. For many centuries, countries all over the world have used clothing to represent their uniqueness and individualism. Each type of traditional clothing has a history behind it highlighting its significance. Today, we will be diving deeper into a few traditional clothing items you may recognise from all around the world, along with their history.

HANBOK

The hanbok is a traditional two-piece garment worn in Korea. It is worn on formal and semi-formal occasions. In modern day, the hanbok refers specifically to the clothing worn by aristocrats and high officials during the Joseon Dynasty. Commoners only wore a type of clothing that was distinct from that of the upper classes. It is composed of a front top and a long high-waisted skirt. Hanboks are usually worn in vibrant colors. In Korea, there is a ‘hanbok day’ that has been established where citizens are encouraged to wear hanboks.

SARI

A sari (or sometimes spelled ‘saree’) is a traditional garment worn in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It is usually worn by women, but it is actually a unisex fit! A sari can be passed down through generations as an heirloom, or just as an everyday worn garment. 

The sari is considered a symbol of independence. It dates to a thousand years ago when the sari was created during the beginnings of the Indus Valley Civilization. The word ‘sari’ evolved from ‘śāṭikā’ mentioned in earliest Hindu literature as women’s attire. There are three main parts to a sari: a field, borders, and an end piece known as the pallu. Sometimes topped off with a veil. There are more than 80 recorded ways to wear a sari.

KIMONO

The kimono is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. It is characterized as a long T shaped dress with a wrap around garment. It is commonly worn with accessories. Kimonos are worn during formal events such as festivals, funerals, and weddings. They can also be worn as casual everyday clothing in the present day. The first instances of kimono-like garments were traditional Chinese clothing introduced to Japan via Chinese envoys during the Kofun period. Immigration between the two countries lead to the Chinese styles of dress, appearance and culture being extremely popular to the Japanese society. 

KEBAYA

A kebaya is composed of a blouse and a dress. It is traditionally worn by women in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. It can be defined by the material it is created from such as silk, thin cotton, or semi-transparent nylon or polyester. Most kebayas have floral patterns embroidered on them. The kebaya is officially recognized as the national costume of Indonesia. 

KILT

A kilt is a knee-length short dress with pleats at the back, originating as the traditional dress of Gaelic men and boys in the Scottish Highlands. The kilt is often worn at formal occasions, but it has also been adapted as an informal fit. The first kilt appeared as the great kilt, the breacan or the belted plaid, during the 16th century, and is Gaelic in origin. 

AGBADA

An agbada is a long-flowing robe that is worn by men in West Africa. It is usually decorated with embroidery, and is worn in formal occasions, such as festivals, weddings, and attending the Mosque for prayer. Agbadas can be passed down as heirlooms from generation to generation. Its origin lies with the clothing style of trans-Saharan and Sahelian groups who used the robe as a practical means of protection from the scorching sun and the freezing temperatures at night while travelling the Sahara desert.

It’s quite unique how different cultures have signature clothing items that represent numerous aspects of their tradition or for some, their religion. Traditional clothing almost always has an interesting background and origin that help you to understand their culture in a more personal perspective.


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Credits

EditorsAneha
WritersAneha
chiari.cord
Deconfilction
hakateach
K1e24
karihyun
koleq
krizzycatt
Tyler_Vivian
Yodar
Designerschiari.cord (Cover)
Aneha (Layout)
Artistschiari.cord
idolayainerz
KeiKano
koleq
krizzycatt
Nichilismo
partyicon

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