In this article, we are interviewing LCDR Neil Langdon, the new DCO of District 2. After Stepping over to the new headquarters offices, we stepped immediately into a very lush and beautifully manicured gardens, framing the new, sleek, modern building decorated with smoothly curved furniture, a beautiful break room, with a charming meeting room. The office that houses the LCDR is upstairs where we go and take a seat to start the interview:
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
So how do you like your area so far? I see you’re 500 meters in the air, why is that?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
It is amazing!
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
lol, Nice! I’m glad that you like it.
LCDR Neil Langdon:
HQ is not an SLCG sim. Decimo Airbase is my land, and I provisionally created the HQ hear to don’t interfere with the management of the other COs, but as I was saying.. this place I build to give some privacy to COs and crews.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Privacy for what? I mean, all the others are on the mainland.
LCDR Neil Langdon:
This place has seven levels: a pier, modern airfield, WW2 airfield, HQ building, a shooting range, an experimental field, and a combat zone for RP. Lol. indeed
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Wow! I did not see that one coming, a shooting range? Nice, you’re the only one I know that has a shooting range, why is that?
LCDR: Neil Langdon:
Privacy in the term, I don’t want to interfere with their management styles, they are learning!
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Are you part of the Munro experience?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
yes, I am not the only flight instructor for munro.. in fact, we have 3, myself, Ansaja, and Mike Rejan.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Very Nice. So, seven levels of fun? That’s neat.
LCDR Neil Langdon:
So, I have a sentimental link with this region D2.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Why is that?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
That’s why I was so happy when I was allowed the opportunity to be D2 DCO. I love combat RPs. I started in SL in WW2 sims and RP also in other combat groups. I felt home here as this is a vice area. I know all the folks from all navy groups around.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
So you are telling me that Munro is District 2?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Originally or was it moved to District 2? for now, yes, but shortly they will move it back to other CoC. At least this was what I agreed with Capt Sharkfin.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Lol, as an SR on patrol through the area, I found a Naval Commander’s warship parked in someone’s yard blocking the water canal to the next sim.
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Next time call me, and I will sink it.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Lol, okay, I will do that then. So Munro was not original to D2?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
No. It was not an intention for it to be; it was just to start. But I am here to help in whatever Munro needs, as they are part of our CG family. Ok, you didn’t ask, but I will shoot. Why am I so excited about D2?
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
‘Laughs’ Well, that wasn’t my next question, but okay go ahead.
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Well, D2 is the missing district..lol.. always annoyed D1, D3, D4..lol. Now the districts feel complete with the addition of D2. D2 came to fill not just an open space in the district’s sequence but also to create a growth and development opportunity for our group.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Well yes, it was a curiosity as to where there was not a D2. But I had heard there used to be a D2, and then it had been temporarily retired. So, you are like the revival of D2?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Thousands of residents are from here to Promethium, and it is an incredible opportunity to interact with residents and share our values and experiences. Regarding your question, You need to talk with Adm Blackwell; she is the visionary. The Admiral is the person that saw this as “THE OPPORTUNITY” to our group. I am genuinely pleased and honored to since being appointed for this task, and I hope that I will give back to all group what it gave to me.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
What direction are you going to take your people, are you going to stick with the traditional or are you going to pioneer a new way of thinking for the SLCG?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Starting something from scratch is difficult, have you heard the expressions greenfield and brownfield?
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Yes, but think of it in this manner. It’s your piece of clay to mold into what you believe will work outside of the “norm.”
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Yes, but you always need to keep in mind our vision/purpose and values when you think strategically about this and leadership skills; that’s my game.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Can you explain what you mean by that?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
So, I like to get the seed, nurture it, made it grow, and flourish. We started with one station (Sarcee) and one substation (Jingi) and Station Promethium. Now, we are considering substations in our new sectors 6 and 7 I am also in contact with Belissaria folks to engage our group in their events. My friends in other groups hope to foster a healthy experience for our beach patrols and participate in activities like Belissaria anniversary, and many others they are interested in joining.
We can use multiple places to foster our group members’ interactions when we do not use our uniform, horse rides, bike, and motorbike. I am doing my job planning and planning.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Are you going to start monthly or weekly activities with the rest of the SLCG here in Promethium?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
We have two spots available, and we are planning to fill them with weekly events Sunday 9 AM and Thursday 2 PM SLT. These two-time slots are going used for a group dive and SARs activity officially. I will include this information in my next meeting that I will be having with both COs. The beauty of the area, there are hundreds of rez zones idea to use this opportunity to interact and inspire residents to join our group. Among ourselves, have fun, keep your eye out for the notices.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Listening to that bit of information it brings me to my next question. What do you hope to bring to the around you here in the Bel?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Asa, as I said in the beginning, the best thing that we can offer to residents here is liked to our values, HONOR, RESPECT, and Commitment. We provide this example for those around us, exhibiting the practice of the SLCG Motto. In our group, we have interdependence. We know how to play as one, and I am confident that we can also bring some opportunities to foster connections among residents here. The values, Honor, respect, and Commitment, this is what SLCG is all about.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Smiles, “I’m glad to hear that you are going to involve your neighboring residence.”
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Although this avi has only around five years, I am in SL last 14 years, and I am one of the dinosaurs that were here when this started. Behind you, above the vase, is my very first picture here in CG. when I was PO I still look for that it is import to keep the spirit of this “young” coasty” alive Rl I do the same too
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Do you look at your SR picture in real life?
LCDR Neil Langdon:
I have a picture of my first day in the office when I started my career. There is no difference between Neil in CG and Neil’s life Asa; I am here because Mr. Langdon here share the same values of Neil in RL (my name is Neil in both worlds). These values are the same that CG has for me honor respect commitment is everything is the base of my values pyramid.
PO1 Asa Darkbyrd:
Thank you so much, Sir, for allowing me to interview you, and it has been a real joy and pleasure getting to know you and the leadership qualities that you strive to carry through your life in SL and RL.
LCDR Neil Langdon:
Indeed, you take care, Asa.
And there you have it, the interview of the DCO of District 2, I do wish you much luck in your new journey Sir, may it be hugely successful, we shall keep our eyes out for the announcement of events in D2 and the growth that is going to be coming to your district.
This is Asa Darkbyrd signing off, and I hope that you all have a wonderful day/evening and may all your adventures in real life and sl be successful.
Written and Edited by
Asa Darkbyrd
Assistant Editor of the SLCG Magazine