After a long run, it’s my time.  I’ve decided to retire from the ACPTR.  This move probably doesn’t shock you guys too much, because I’ve been around longer than most people and you’ve all asked me “Are you retiring?” since I took-up the 3rd in Command spot.  Here’s why I’m retiring:

• Like I just said, I’m the 3ic of the ACP now.  I have to focus all my attention on improving the ACP as a whole, and not just the ACPTR.
• I just feel like I’m holding you guys back.  You guys are ready, and I can see that.  You don’t need me here telling you what to do.  I’ve watched most of this staff grow from newcomers to professionals, and I KNOW that you’re ready.  No point in keeping you from the throne, when I’m just wearing it out.

So, no, nobody here MADE me retire, and I’m not retiring because anybody made me mad or something like that.  I’m retiring because I know in my heart that it’s best for this place.  And leaders don’t work for themselves, they work for what they lead.  So if stepping down helps propel this place forward, then stepping down is what I’ll do.

I don’t want to spend to much time talking about whose going to replace me, so I’ll just tell you now and get it over with: THERE WILL BE AN ELECTION BETWEEN THE STAFF MEMBERS.  STAFF MEMBERS AND CADETS CAN VOTE.  DON’T ASK FOR VOTES.  THE PERSON WITH THE MOST VOTES IS LEADER.  THE TWO WITH THE SECOND MOST ARE THE CO-LEADERS.  THE TWO WITH THE THIRD MOST ARE THE PRACTICE BATTLE TEAM LEADERS.  AND EVERYONE ELSE IS A DRILL TEAM LEADER.  I WILL OVERSEE EVERYTHING.  Got it?  Good.  Back to the point of this post…

Now, here’s my history.  I’m sure nobody really knows the exact story (except packer, whose retired, and Hawkboy), but here’s what happened:

Not including the day I spent thinking that I should join the ACP Boot Camp (the ACPTR’s former name) when I was just joining the ACP, the first time I really got involved with this place was when Jedimaster and Clintos got it active again, and made a bunch of changes (like changes its name to the ACPTR).  Now, my memory is fuzzy, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t join because I’m a saint and wanted to “help cadets grow into true soldiers”.  I probably joined because I knew it was a good way to get a promotion.  But hey, we’re all human.

Anyway, I wasn’t really active when I joined (you wouldn’t be either if you were the ACP History teacher…), and soon the whole place got inactive.  That’s when we entered what was probably the worst depression this place has ever thing.  Absolutely NOTHING got done.

The leader at the time was Manjenson.  He randomly left for a while, just to take a break, and left me in charge.  This is when I decided to get active, and save this place.  But it’s kind of hard to save a place when you’re not an administrator on the site…

Well, I did all I could.  I tried to find Jedimaster so she could admin me on the site and help me out.  I tried to schedule things.  But it just wasn’t working.  That’s when I met Clintos, who had been leader of the ACPTR with Jedi, like I mentioned earlier.

He made me an admin, and I was ready to go.  But then Manjenson came back, and said that he was closing down the ACPTR until further notice.  I wouldn’t let that happen!

I kept going.  Things were turning around.  I was working hard (the only active staff member besides me. was Ktman, and he kept waiting for me to tell him what to do, which I admittedly didn’t do well).  And I had thought of a system that would actually work, which if you want to see it, you can go looking through the archives, because it’s too long to put here. 

Anyway, though the whole system wouldn’t work out, it was a good idea, and the basis of it was included in my new revival plan.  Though at one point I was ready to retire from the ACP (more because Jedimaster had randomly retired than because I was giving up on this place) the people who were loyal to the ACPTR kept me going.

And then, after lots of hard work, I had done it.  I lead us out of the depression, and into what I think may have been our best month ever!  The road from there was shaky, riddled with triumphs and defeats, but I got us through it, and here I am today, looking back on all that.

It’s hard to let this place go.  I’ve been here for a long time, and even when I’m pulling my hair out due to frustration, I love this place.  But we all have to go sometime.  And this is my time.

I’d like to think of myself as the ACPTR’s greatest leader.  But that’s not for me to decide.  How well I did is for YOU to decide.  But I do know one thing: I tried my hardest.  I gave it all I had.  And that’s enough for me.

Now, the thank-yous.  I know I’ll see you all in the main ACP still, but I still want to recognize you for all you’ve done for me here:

Jedimaster17 and Clintos: If it wasn’t for you getting this place going again way back when, I wouldn’t be here today.  Thanks, I owe you a lot.

Axevolution: One of my first pupils here, and a great friend.  I think that, if you hadn’t left, you could be taking my place right now.  But hey, you’re doing good in the ACP.  I’m glad I could help.

Packer1NFL: You may not read this, but you were an awesome friend.  My student and co-leader.  I’m glad that I decided to suck-up to you to try to get into your story (let’s face it, who didn’t?), because if I didn’t, we may not have become great friends.  Good luck in life, pal.

Hawkboy: Where has the time gone?  It feels like just yesterday you were doing everything in your being to make sure this place got to and stayed at the top.  You’re a good friend.  Cya in the main ACP!

Wolvetone: Hopefully my replacement as leader.  You definately deserve it.  You’ve helped me out a lot of times, and I can’t thank you enough.  You’d be an ideal leader for this place.  Good luck.

Rider:  Hopefully a co-leader after this.  You’re another active guy, and a good friend.  When I have nobody to talk to on chat, you’re always ready to start a conversation.  Take care of this place.

Snowballpink:  You go girl!  XD  You’ll help take this place far.  Good luck with what I’ve started.

Matre10: You rock.  You have to to be able to come back to life after DA DOBBY has killed you EIGHT TIMES.  You’re gonna be leader of this place.  I can tell.  You’re one of the most active people, if not the most active person, here.  I hope that, if it’s not Rider, it’s you that gets the Co-leader spot.  I wouldn’t mind you being leader, either.  You have HUGE potential.  Have fun.

Bluey: Dude, you’re awesome XD.  You were a good friend, and a good staff member.  And I’m SO the main character of Packer’s story.

Yanksrule: The Yankees DO NOT rule.  But baseball aside, you’re a good friend, and I wont regret having you to help me out here.  Good luck.

Motor20: The greatest patroller I’ve ever seen!  Help this place out, buddy.  We need you now more than ever.

Casiusbrutus: We had some differences, but you were a cool guy and helped me out when I needed it.  Thanks.

Manjenson: You weren’t the most active.  You weren’t the best leader.  But you did tell me that I’d be a good leader, and you gave me the chance to show it.  I owe you a lot.

To All the Cadets: You’re the reason I’m here.  That this place is here.  So you can learn.  Don’t pass this up.  The people here care.  They really do.  Help them care.  Come here.

I know I’ve forgotten people, so just comment if I forgot you.

I’d like to request that I’m still an admin on the site, and that I’m a mentor here.  I want to still help out a little, but not as much.  This is your place now.

Well, that’s all.  But don’t worry, this isn’t the end.  I’m leaving, and you are truely starting up.  The end is but the beginning.

The glue is finally gone, yet the pieces stay together.

TyloV5, Otherwise know as DA DOBBY