[2021] Fair Winds and Following seas.

Standby for words from the Chief.

So when I retired from the Navy it was for personal reasons. I recognized that I am a workaholic, I was doing more living to work, than working to live. And anyone that has served knows the amount of life you miss being deployed (I deployed 10 times throughout my career, only one deployment was 6mo long). I did some self retrospection and recognized I was falling into the same habits.

As a result I have made the decision that I am leaving Wargaming and the World of Warships team to try to enjoy life. I never needed this position, I wanted it. I love the World of Warships community and everything the World of Warships team does on the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis. I have had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in some AMAZING things celebrating people, events and the community. Whether it was interviews with Captain Bob Batterson a WW2 Pearl Harbor veteran, collaborations with Wounded Warrior Project, commemoration of the USS Kidds commissioning, the first Virtual Fleet Week, Longest Night at the Museum (spanning the globe. Toasters abound), a 24 hour charity stream for Save the Children, a bunch of Anchors Away Tour visits to ship museums (some as part of the Community and some as your Community Manager) and met a lot of you, we had some really fun streams with @Mademoisail @Maredraco @KARMAT1KA @ParceNautico and @Kalvothe with cosplay as Santa, a pirate, gondola driver (literally never thought I would end up with a wardrobe of costumes as a result of this position, also, no Shipgirl Cosplay! ). All that and we revitalized, and relaunched, by popular community feedback, the NA community streams and NA bounty events!

I have to tell you that I have had a blast being able to be one of your Community Managers and I am so happy to have been a part of the global team I have been a part of. I couldn't imagine doing this for any other company or gaming community!

Mahalo!

-Hapa

.That is all.

Chief FireControlman United States Navy (Retired) Departing.

July 6th is my last day.

I actually retired in 2018 after almost 22 yrs

For me, it had NOTHING to do with WG or the team, it was 100% a personal decision. Also, that being said, the Games industry overall is very normal for people to move around positions fairly shorter time frames than most...

My intention is to fully retire and relax some. And TBH, I do not think I would want to do this position with any other company.

Oh god, that would be nice to return to...

I 100% intend to keep streaming, though I will stream more and probably throw some random games in in 1-2 times a week!

Mahalo!

-Hapa

Folks,

Let me make something abundantly clear.

I don't know where the idea that I didn't give a 2 weeks notice came from (it is the internet afterall). The team has known about me leaving for WEEKS. Me moving on was purely my choice because I am a workaholic and tend to give 150% into everything I do professionally, this tends to lend to burn out at times, I recognized this when I was nearing 22 yrs in the Navy and I recognized it recently now. I would like to actually live and enjoy life some for the first time. I know it's hard to believe that someone at my age (a young 41) can completely retire, but I set myself up before I retired from the Navy to be able to do this. And my intention now, since I have seen the world, is to see this country, spend time with my parents and brother since I have missed out on almost 25 years of their lives and RELAX.

There is no "scandal" there is no "drama." And I don't appreciate some of the speculation I have seen out there on why I am leaving. I love the opportunities that Wargaming and the World of Warships team have given me over the past almost two years, I still could not imagine doing this for any other company. I have made some amazing friendships in this position and value them deeply.

To the community, thank you SO MUCH from the bottom of my heart for all the kind words. I sincerely appreciate all of you and look forward to continuing to chat and engage with you in game!

My last day with Wargaming is the 6th and my tags will be removed at that time if y'all would like to get ahold me, feel free to PM me on Discord or any of the channels listed on my profile.

Mahalo,

-Hapa

Thank you everyone for letting me be one of your community managers! I look forward to seeing you all in battle!!!

-Mahalo