7’s Spotlight: KSI Shatner 7
KSI Shatner 7 truly is a one-of-a-kind individual. Shatner is one of the Co-founders of CS, part of AAP, and he is a big part of the LC and strives to help achieve a better KSI experience for all his members. In addition, Shatner is a family man who sticks to his beliefs and is always there for a good time! I have shared so many laughs with him during his interview and can’t wait to share his wisdom.
“They used to say that if man was meant to fly, he’d have wings. But he did fly. He discovered he had to.”
Captian James T Kirk
What is it like being a Co-founder?
So far, it’s pretty fun. The rank had its learning curves like a few ranks did coming up. Unlike Captain and General, you’re over a few squads, so you need to be able to give them the resources they need. You also have to be able to come up with a plan of attack if there are issues. It’s a little more paperwork-oriented, but it’s not bad. But, again, you need to set up and plan things out. Co-Founders need to be checking on their officers and squads while still allowing the Generals and officer staff to do something.
As a new 7 in the community, what are some unique challenges you have faced?
One of the challenges you have when you come up with a squad is you eventually reach a point where you have to integrate yourself into the other squads. The main thing is getting out there and showing your face in the Division. It’s a constant thing because we always have new members, so you put yourself out there for them. It’s mostly just getting to know everyone.
Has your outlook on the community changed since your promotion?
Not drastically. You get a little more insight as to how different squads run things. They each have their personalities, so you have to keep that in mind when helping them out. One thing works for a team but doesn’t for the other. It didn’t change too much when I moved up, but it did when Wrath came over to CS. We have seen how things should operate, which was for the better.
Has your “Why” changed from when you were an SSGT to CoFo?
When I moved up and took on SSGT, it was definitely to help the community and squad. I had gotten pretty close with my General at the time and saw he needed help, and I had the time. My “why” overall was to find more people to play with. I had my core group of friends, but you grow up, and life happens. I was playing many single-player games, and it was getting old, so I joined a bunch of gamers. I’d say it’s worked out pretty well so far.
What is it like being a General? How has that prepared you for what you face today?
Generals are the kind of end-all-be-all for the squad. They’re the head honcho in charge, but I never viewed it that way. It’s about being the primary source of information. It gives you a lot of respect for those who came before you because it can be a bit rough, but that doesn’t outweigh the fun you have. It can be a little work, but it’s worth it.
Who would you consider your mentors? And what have you done differently from them?
My first mentor was from Demonic Mayhem, KSI Refined. He was my primary source of contact, and him being the General of the squad gave me a bit of insight and valuable knowledge. He helped mold me and put me in the right direction for what kind of officer I wanted to be. When I came to CS, my mentor became KSI Uppish 7. We were Generals together simultaneously and went through some rough times, but we always made it through. When we came to CS, he helped train me to become a Co-Founder.
With moving from DM to CS, was that process difficult? And how did it affect your squad?
It wasn’t easy, but adapting to how things worked in CS was challenging. It was how it was supposed to be run. A lot of the knowledge I had at the time was translated, but there were many new things I had to learn. We got everyone transferred over in the first three weeks and started building an officer core. We trained them in the proper procedures; a lot of it we were learning together.