We then went onto the Socom series.  It took almost a year of building, but we did it together through discipline and tough love.  We started out by placing 4^th or 5^th in many tourneys, but it all seemed to come together during our small map challenge tournament.  We won that tournament, and were invited to Urgent Fury.  Urgent Fury at that time was the premiere PS3 gaming tournament.  They invited only the best clans.  UF looked at a clans Leadership, rosters, and most importantly our attitude.  It was a long effort playing with the best, but it paid off with an invite to their prestigious tournament.  During those times we scrimmaged with Socom’s official team The Sea Snipers.  Many of us got offers to join them, but we turned that around and stated we were beating you…..why not join KO?!?

Urgent Fury began with 24 clans, all with 20+ man rosters.  Only 24 out of the 63 clans were invited.  KO was one of them and we were ready.  Our leadership was on point and we never missed a meeting.  The contest last 6 months.  We were seeing who was the best of the best……when 4 clans were left in the ashes they had to stop the tournament.  The tourney hit its deadline with a 4 way tie.  So in a way we feel we won Urgent Fury, but were glad to share it with the communities we fell in with.  The best of the best, yea, we were comfortable there…..

Anyways, that tournament took its toll.  Leadership worked so hard for so long.  We were burnt out.  We needed a break.  So we promised to break, and then come back stronger than ever.  Unfortunately, that never happened.  Times had gotten pretty dark.  Some leaders wanted to take KO down a marketing path with its newfound popularity.  Others just wanted it to stay the same fun loving family.  Hell, that’s what had us winning to begin with…..why change?  So, we separated ways and times had gotten even darker.

After a few months of limbo, new leaders emerged.  Systems had changed to the XBOX360, and the PS3 was up and running.  Our PS3 crew started churning out some minor wins in GB and recruitment finally picked up.  After awhile we were once again boasting a 50+ man roster, and we felt the war drums beating.  We entered our Warhawk team into MLG tournaments and GGL tounaments….and were winning again!  Practices and scrimmages went off without a hitch in all games.  Gears, Warhawk, Socom, and Resistance.  Gears was front page GB, Warhawk was number 1 on the GB ladder and winning tournaments.  Resistance was winning MLG tournaments and was in and out of the top 3 on the GB ladders.  Socom was getting its wind back…….KO was back and we were in top form!

All of the glory came to an end in the summer of 2009.  There was a fallout in the leadership.  The XBOX360 leaders and the PS3 leaders couldn’t see eye to eye on a few things.  Things were said and done that warranted apologies, neither side could do so.  KO was split down the middle, and that’s where it tore.  The PS3 side left that summer, and we have been looking for a new leader to signup or emerge there.  The XBOX360 side was never the same…..it was like taking away a twin brother.  Even darker times ensued, KO was broken.  Down to just 7 members, I felt like it was time for a break.

From November 2005-November 2009 I was a leader here at KO.  I was broken just like KO was.  I dropped my tags, and joined other competition teams as just a member.  I joined about 5-6 clans just to see if I could just be a member somewhere.  KO was always with me, but I was just plain tired and alone.  I spent about 3 months by myself, until I started hearing those drums again…..beating steadily….RAIST come back.  Its time…..

I know it sounds a little dramatic, but I love KO.  I have seen her glory, and I have seen her nastiness.  Through it all, KO has been there, always standing.  It was calling to me, time to come home.

I couldn’t do things like we did in 2005.  Times had changed.  I couldn’t act like a militant in my leading and expect people to stay.  I needed to earn their respect, and allow them to garner their own.  This was how I was going to treat the new KO.  I was going to express strength in family, and never leave my fellow leaders sides.  I vowed to myself, no matter what we are family, we make mistakes and we learn and move on.  That’s how KO won’t falter, that’s how to stop fall outs.  And it has worked wonderfully.  We now boast a full Leadership staff.  The clan members can take their gaming as far as they want, and can earn their own rank.  We have something for everyone.  Scrimmages and practices for the competitors; with game nights for the casuals.  You can no longer blame KO for anything, because its up to the members to mold the clan for themselves.  The member is in charge of their destiny in gaming, KO is just the vessel.

Through all of it, I wouldn’t change a thing. I miss the old members of KO sure, but I wouldn’t have been able to meet the new ones.  You guys are so awesome, and I hold you very close as friends.  I hope I can provide a damn good time, and I promise KO won’t be going anywhere soon.  The only thing that I ask from you is…..if you hear those war drums, grab hold and don’t let go.  You haven’t experienced a battle worn KO….it’s a sight to see, and an awesome feeling to have!!

If you ain’t KO…….

XxRAISTxX

KO Clan Leader