Who we are.
Founded in 2018. 750+ members. Still figuring out the best way to blow up pirates.
The Origin
How we got here.
Vanguard was founded in September 2018 by DrakoHardt and Randrik, two pilots who felt there was a genuine need for a Star Citizen organization that was active, well-structured, and actually listened to its members. Not just another recruiting page with a big number next to the name — something real.
The early days were small and scrappy. A handful of members, a Discord server, and a shared conviction that the game deserved better than what most orgs were offering. The pitch was simple: come fly with people who care about quality over quantity, who train hard but never forget it's a game, and who will never ask you to put the org ahead of your real life.
That pitch worked. Vanguard grew steadily — not through mass recruitment drives, but through word of mouth and the kind of reputation you can only earn by being consistently good to your people. Seven years later, we're over 750 members strong, with operations running almost every day of the week, a dedicated training pipeline, and the kind of organizational depth that most gaming communities only talk about building.
The founders' vision still holds: quality members, real structure, no toxicity, and real life comes first. Everything else we've built sits on that foundation.
We're lawful, not boring. Vanguard members don't prey on law-abiding players — that's the line. But within that boundary, we embrace the full breadth of what Star Citizen offers. Smuggling runs, covert operations, tactical deception, and the kind of creative problem-solving that keeps things interesting. We bring order to the verse, but we're not above getting our hands dirty to do it.
We've lost members over the years — five of them permanently, honored on our In Memoriam page. When we say this community matters, we mean it in the way that only people who've shared real time and real connection can. This is a gaming org, yes. But the relationships are genuine.
The manifesto, minus the manifesto.
From our custom training platform to our quarterly newsletter, from the Academy certification system to our operational doctrine, Vanguard invests in infrastructure. We don't just show up and shoot things — we create the systems that let 750 people coordinate effectively and enjoy the process.
Training isn't an afterthought here. Every member has access to structured learning paths, from Star Citizen fundamentals through advanced specializations. We believe people enjoy games more when they feel competent, and we put real effort into making that happen.
Our tactics, our training, our organizational structure — all of it gets revisited as the game changes. We train for what's coming, not just what's here. When patches wipe our progress, we rebuild. When mechanics change, we adjust. Rigid orgs break. Flexible ones thrive.
Structure that serves, not suffocates.
The combat arm of Vanguard. Security handles defense of org operations, bounty hunting, pirate suppression, and the full spectrum of combat — from solo dogfighting to capital ship fleet engagements.
The economic engine. Industries members extract the raw resources that fuel Vanguard's operations — mining everything from common minerals to volatile Quantanium, salvaging wrecks, and running fuel operations that keep ships flying.
Leadership
Who runs this thing.
Officers and Chiefs lead at the unit and Wing level — running academies, managing training, commanding operations. They're the people you'll interact with most, and they're all active players who earned their positions by doing the work.
Commanders oversee entire Wings, setting strategy and advocating for their members' interests. They operate at one level of remove, focused on the big picture while their officers handle the day-to-day.
The Vanguard Leadership Council — three Marshals who form the strategic core of the organization, and the Wardens who hold responsibility for Vanguard's identity and mission. SpaceHarvest serves as Prime Warden, and MasonStonewall as Star Warden and keeper of our lore.
Seven years and counting.
Founded by DrakoHardt and Randrik. A Discord server, a handful of pilots, and an idea.
Steady growth through word of mouth. Wing structure established. Training programs formalized. The community finds its identity.
In Memoriam
Those we carry with us.
Over seven years, we've lost members of our community — people who were part of this before they were gone. We remember Splatterhead, Lady SolarA Solarwind, TotenKopf, moonclaw, and SOLHieLUS. Their contributions to Vanguard are part of our history, and they're not forgotten.
Splatterhead
Lady SolarA Solarwind
TotenKopf
moonclaw
SOLHieLUS
Want to be part of this?
We're always looking for pilots, miners, medics, explorers, builders, and anyone else who wants to be part of something bigger than a friends list. The application takes five minutes, and our onboarding team is standing by.