Recently, longtime STF member Randy McCullick, former CO of the USS Ark Angel in Fleet One, took an emergency LOA without any notification, other that setting the LOA flag in the WeBB software. It was later learned that his mother had ussurped the computer to take to her office, leaving McCullick only enough time to declare LOA and leave. Two days after his LOA expired, Spurlin replaced him as CO on the Angel. When McCullick returned a few days later, he was furious at losing yet another captaincy to RL connection problems, and resigned from all government and RPG positions until the end of Spurlin's term.

Many people supported McCullick, and said that Spurlin should have spoken to him before replacing him. Others sided with Spurlin, saying that while his methodology needed work, replacing McCullick was the right thing to do. In actuallity, Spurlin acted properly across the board.

It has been said that Spurlin should not have replaced McCullick at all. But the ship was dying, especially as its XO is also on an extended LOA and may not return to STF at all. McCullick had not given any reason for his LOA, nor had he informed anyone directly. It was not his fault that he made such an abrupt exit, but that doesn't change the fact that it left the AA in a very bad situation. He needed to be replaced.

It has also been said that Spurlin should have contacted McCullick before replacing him, to go over his intentions. But McCullick was at that point AWOL. He was out of contact, and Spurlin couldn't contact him.

McCullick also has a history of loosing contact with STF suddenly for long periods of time. While most of them are the result of computer failure, personal problems, and freak auto accidents, the fact remains that previous McCullick absences have stretched into months. Had Spurlin left the Angel CO-less for months waiting for McCullick to return, that would have been gross negligence. Instead, he did the only thing he could do; he gave the ship a new CO and told it to carry on. In particular, he gave the job to Greg Hertzsch, who has served STF for years in many capacities, and has over a year's experience as a CO, without any significant breaks (save for the normal vacation LOA and the like). His presence should help to bring the Angel back to life.

Spurlin's decision was certainly not an easy one. It has made him at least one enemy in the form of Randy McCullick, who is attemting to start a revolt of sorts against Spurlin, even resorting to derogatory nicknames and IRC nicks. Others, while not as flagrantly anti-Spurlin as McCullick, have expressed mild displeasure with Spurlin's actions. While a more complete public statement of his reasons may have been a good idea, it was not required. Spurlin's actions were both necessary and appropriate.