Cover graphic by LeaNoir
Banner graphic by BoomyJR
We’re excited to introduce this month’s leadership team! MAJ BatandBall has recently joined us as our DDMO, bringing fresh energy to the office and this month’s Sherlock edition. 2d Lt Kimkim25 is serving as this month’s Team Lead, supported by the ever-dedicated CWO3 q-Thunder-q as Assistant Team Lead. This newsletter has been such a fun project to put together, inspired by the spirit of back-to-school season and the magic that March brings. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it!
Banner graphic by S1LAS
Article written by WahankeTheGreat
Isn’t it just magical! It is your first time here, isn’t it, at USDF School of Warcraft and Wizardry? If it is, you should take a look at our four houses as well as take our House Quiz to see where you will be sorted!
Seems like we have a crowded house in USDF!
Stats done by Cloudiii
Gryffindor
Gryffindor’s are the few, the proud, the bold and the courageous around HQ. You will see them volunteering for things without a second of hesitation and jumping into whatever situation needs them. Gryffindor’s are also known to be hot headed at times, and they are not afraid to make their honest thoughts known to everybody around them. They are often in offices like OJFD or OISA, and maybe even ICSD. If you fit this profile, maybe you’re a Gryffindor!
Slytherin
Slytherins are known for being cunning and sharp individuals. They are career-oriented individuals who are known for wanting to go far. You will often find a Slytherin at the top of SoW as high-achievers and Soldiers of the month. They are often working at sentry and DDO, correcting people’s uniforms and following HQ procedure strictly. They wind up in offices like OJSIG or OJAG. You will also see them around USDF taking on tough jobs or to do complicated but thankless tasks. If this sounds like you, you may be a Slytherin!
Ravenclaw
Ravenclaws are the studious types who have an attention to detail and know the more obscure parts of USDF’s procedures and policies. They are also known for enjoying their special interests and unique hobbies. Despite their best efforts to stay into the books, A Ravenclaw may fall asleep on the front row because of all the hours they’ve spent preparing for exams! You will likely find these individuals in OOT&E and OSP&C, handling a lot of information and teaching others along the way what to do with that information. Is this you? Then you might be a Ravenclaw!
Hufflepuff
Hufflepuffs are known for their hospitality and being social butterflies! You can find them chatting up a storm on the front row and they attend just about every single event they can go to. If you are looking for a loyal friend and someone to listen to you when you need a kind ear while cooking you a delicious meal, a Hufflepuff will always have your back. You will find Hufflepuff’s congregating in offices like OPA or CET where they can be creative and social. Are you like this in HQ? If so, you may just be a Hufflepuff!
Graphic by Aqualuvsyou
Article written by Lottie2411
As summer days sizzle to a close, the ticktock of a clock grows louder and the school bells buzz calling us back. IT IS TIME TO HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL! Join me as I go on an action packed journey of interviewing some of USDF’s finest personnel including the CCO CheesyRyan himself! Take a plunge into their perspectives on everything from uniforms to personal goals, uncovering the strategies they’ve crafted to master the delicate art between school and daily life. Along the way, they’ll share what’s fueling their ambition and the adventures they can’t wait to experience in the academic year ahead. This year isn’t just about books, it’s about bold dreams, new challenges, and the thrill of what’s to come!
Interview with: Mr. CCO CheesyRyan
If you had a choice between a school with school uniform or non-uniform, which would you choose and why?
I prefer uniform since I don’t have to think of what to wear every morning. Also I find it easier to have a set of attire ready.
What are your goals for the upcoming school year that you would like to achieve?
I would like to finish whatever modules or courses that comes at me. Being able to accomplish these would be a good enough goal to have.
What are some tips or strategies you use to balance school with daily life?
Sad to say but ChatGPT really helps with school works regardless what many says. You can use it as a template for a project or give you idea generation. It actually save you alot of time resulting in more being done in which result you have more of a social life.
Is there a subject/ course/ paper you are looking forward to? Why?
No, I hate school
Interview with: CWO2 Ghello
If you had a choice between a school with school uniform or non-uniform, which would you choose and why?
I’ve actually experienced both thanks to some time abroad, and in all honesty I don’t mind either! I quite liked when I had to wear a uniform, because it takes away needing to decide what to wear to school for that day! So for me it was an easy and comfortable thing to do. I totally get some might prefer to style their own clothing though!
What are your goals for the upcoming school year that you would like to achieve?
I’m actually close to halfway through the year already. This should be (fingers crossed) my last year of my bachelor, so graduating is definitely the number 1 goal! As part of that I also hope to achieve a high grade on my bachelor thesis. However, I also want to make sure I reserve plenty of time to do fun stuff like Habbo :D.
What are some tips or strategies you use to balance school with daily life?
Planning, planning, planning! Planning can take many forms and shapes and one form might not be as effective for one person as for another. However, having it clear what needs to be done and for when, is a great first step. Rather than overwhelming yourself by doing everything at once, try to spread it out throughout your week. It also helps to reward yourself after having done so. E.g. I have finished what I wanted to do, so I will now watch an episode of my favourite show.
Is there a subject/ course/ paper you are looking forward to? Why?
My bachelor thesis is definitely one of the things I am looking forward to working more on, because it allows me to work on a topic of my choice (I’ll be writing about US-Israeli relations during the Carter and Reagan presidencies). The thing that interests me most is the geopolitical relations between states in the region and outside of that, so discussing these relations which happened in a tumultuous time filled with war, another one of my major interests, is hugely exciting to me.
Interview with: CWO3 q-Thunder-q
If you had a choice between a school with school uniform or non-uniform, which would you choose and why?
school uniform, because then all pupils are the ”same” and the buyling on clothes mabye are less
What are your goals for the upcoming school year that you would like to achieve?
one of my goals for this upcoming school year is, to try to not be absent as much (due to being to overwhelmed to go)
What are some tips or strategies you use to balance school with daily life?
i dont have any
Is there a subject or course you are looking forward to? Why?
nope, all the subjects i have/get i already got the whole school year
Interview with: Major FaceTheMusic.
If you had a choice between a school with school uniform or non-uniform, which would you choose and why?
I grew up going to a non-uniform school. I think it’s just nice being able to express yourself with what you can wear.
What are your goals for the upcoming school year that you would like to achieve?
Actually get my classes finished. I’ve been struggling a lot so some of my classes have been dropped, so I am hoping to complete all of them so I am closer to my degree.
What are some tips or strategies you use to balance school with daily life?
Set yourself up with times! Give yourself an hour or two with a 10-15 minute break in the middle. That way you have something to look forward too.
Is there a subject or course you are looking forward to? Why?
I’m just looking forward to it! I am over half way now and just ready for my degree
A little back to crossword for you!
Puzzle Created by Vitani202rules!
Graphic by StephenVallera
Article Written by IvyCharleston
A leprechaun originates in Irish folklore. Said to be a fairy in the form of a tiny old man often with a tilted hat and dressed in green head to toe. Described as being solitary by nature, he is said to live in remote places and to make shoes and brogues. He possesses a hidden pot of gold, which is said to be found at the end of a rainbow. So because of this, we decided to see what USDF personnel would do with their own pots of gold if they are so lucky to find one!
Assuming this pot of gold was at the end of the rainbow, I think I’d say hi to the Leprechaun. I reckon they’d have some good stories to tell, and probably a joke or two. If I got to keep the gold, I am not sure what I would do with it. Maybe I could use it to fund myself going to theatre school
~ Captain, Charlfred
Hm. I’d take a few of them and toss them into a fountain for some silly good luck & use the rest to escape into the mountains where I can drink coffee and chill, and where no one bothers me
~ First Lieutenant, -,rom4n
Gosh, most people would say to take the gold and run, but I have a suspicion it’d be very bad luck to do that so I’d leave it be, no one wants to anger a magical leprechaun and his pot of gold.
~ Master Sergeant, ElfieNyx
To be honest, there are a lot of things I want to do with the pot of gold. Because I know it is valued as a huge amount of money. But in this case, I will use it for the good and advantage. Such as helping my parents pay their loans, help their needs, such as surgery, and payments, and business to gain profit for it. And most probably, give the rest to the poor.
~ Chief Warrant Officer 5, MayoCashews
Casper: It truly depends on the amount of gold – but my first instinct would be to settle my debts and buy a house for myself. I would then share the rest of the gold with my friends and family, paying off their debts and mortgages. I would make sure that myself and my friends and family were set up comfortably for the rest of our lives. If there was still more, I’d start a fund for my future child or my nephew to support them through their life.
~Lieutenant Colonel, Wierzbowski
Graphic by buckyyyyy
Graphic by StephenVallera