Official as of: 06-22-2003 @ 0000 GMT (1700 MDT)

493rd VFS 'Grim Reapers'
Rules and Regulations
I. General -Lays down basic squadron rules to follow.
II. Eligibility -Describes what is needed to become a member of the 493rd VFS.
III. Command and Promotions -Describes Command structure, Promotion requirements and procedures.
IV. Squadron Conduct -Describes what is EXPECTED of each member.
V. Discipline -Describes what procedures will be taken as a result of any violation(s) of any rule(s).
VI. Report Procedures -Summarizes the correct procedures used when submiting reports.
   

SECTION I -General

A.

 All pilots are to show respect to their fellow pilots as well as and especially ranking officers.

B.

 No one can be a member of the 493rd VFS and another flight squadron at the same time.

C.

 Any pilot not heard from at least once per calendar month will be placed on the inactive roster then demoted one grade each calendar month thereafter. Members are then removed after they are demoted past the rank of plebe.

D.

 All pilots of the 493rd VFS have a duty to fly and train with fellow 493rd VFS pilots.

E.
  • i. All pilots must add the entire squadron list to their ICQ contact list.
  • ii. Pilot's ICQ number must be used by them, and ONLY by them!

G.

 Members have the right to take extended leave, providing one or more of the command staff is informed of the leave via E-mail. Leave is then permitted that allows the commission to remain valid past the standard requirement. (at CO and/or XO discretion)
   

SECTION II -Eligibility

A.

 To be eligible for a commission into the 493rd VFS you must:
 
  • i.Own one or more of the official games played by the 493rd VFS: Microprose Falcon 4.0, Jane's F/A-18, Lock-On: Modern Air Combat.
  • ii. Download and install ICQ. (www.icq.com) or use Trillian with an ICQ UIN.
  • iii. Own at least a joystick and a form of throttle control other than that on the keyboard.
  • iv. Download and install Roger Wilco (www.rogerwilco.com) or the current equivalent voice communication software.
  • v. Must be able to both type and speak fluent English.
  • vi. Must own a computer compatible microphone.

B.

 In addition to the above requirements you must agree to comply with all official 493rd VFS documents.
   

SECTION III -Command and Promotions
A. The order of command is as follows(highest to lowest):
 
  • CO (Commanding Officer)
  • XO (Executive Officer)
  • IP (Instructor Pilot) (ranking officer is senior)
  • Lower then this command position is decided by grade and rank
B. The order of grades is as follows(highest to lowest):
 
O-10
  • General
O-9
  • Lieutenant General
O-8
  • Major General
O-7
  • Brig General
O-6
  • Colonel
O-5
  • Lieutenant Colonel
O-4
  • Major
O-3
  • Captain
O-2
  • 1st Lieutenant
O-1
  • 2nd Lieutenant
O-0
  • Plebe

C. If members are of equal grades, then the member who was officially promoted first out-ranks the other.
D. To be eligible for promotion:
 
  • i. Your last promotion must be at least two months prior.
  • ii. You must pass a routine knowledge test for you specified rank.
  • iii. You must be active and have passed your last proffiency test.
  • iv. You must have completed your qualification missions.
  • v. The 493rd VFS Command Staff must give their approval of promotion.
E. To recieve a promotion, you must send a letter that loosely follows the format below:

Date
To: 493rd VFS Command
From: Grade, Name, Callsign
Subject: Promotion Application

Briefly reiterate your:
-Recency of Experience
-Leadership Experience
-Statistics from last promotion:
Hours
A/A Kills
A/G Kills

Anything other qualities that indicate you deserve a promotion.

Current ICQ UIN:
Current Email Address:
  • ii. In the promotion report, whether approved or denied, there will be a list describing the aspects that benefitted/hindered the member in question in the promotion decision.
F. If the CO, XO or any IP is not online, then the highest ranking officer is in charge (known as the Officer on Deck).
   

SECTION IV -Squadron Conduct
A. Final decisions are decided by the highest-ranking officer and are not to be questioned unless by execution of the order a regulation is broken.
B.
  • i. All members are expected to respect their superiors.
  • ii. Respect is defined as:
  1. Obeying orders when they are given and are to be completed in a timely manner.
  2. Not questioning lawful orders.
  3. Not insulting or mocking.
  4. Keeping your superiors informed as to your actions and intentions.
C. All members are to respect one another.
D. All members are expected to treat other pilots with respect regardless of the squadron they belong to OR their behavior. If necessary, ignore the perpetrator.
E. All members are to resist any temptation they might have to swear TO or AT other pilots.(via text OR radio) unless there is an agreement by all involved that it is acceptable.
   

SECTION V -Discipline
A. If you see a 493rd VFS Member disobeying ANY rules (or orders) you have an obligation to report that to the staff.
Member behavior reflects upon the entire squadron, above all, we will maintain an honorable image.
B. After any incident involving a 493rd Member you are to file a report describing the incident.
  i. incidents that you are to file are:
  • Fights that a member of the 493rd VFS is in any way involved in.
  • Rule infractions by a 493rd VFS Member
  • Conduct that you feel could be considered unbecoming of a member(Command Staff will decide in each individual incident)
C. Demerits will be issued for inappropriate behavior.
D. i. If two Demerits are issued within a period of one month, or three in two months, the member's record will be put under scrutiny by the Command Staff who will then decide the fate of the member's status.
  ii. The obligation of the Command Staff:
a.- determine the appropriate actions to be taken to avert future regulation violations
b.- determine the most appropriate action for the member

iii. The military operates as a dictatorship, not a democracy, the most superior officer has absolute authority over the decisions.
   

SECTION VI -Report Procedures
A. FLIGHT REPORTS
  i. Each Flight Leader is required to sumbit a flight report at least one per every nite flown, although individual flight reports are preferred.
  ii. Flight Leaders must keep an accurate account of the mission statistics:

a.- number of kills of each type FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL:

Air-to-Air: Missile, Gun
Air-to-Ground: Unguided Weapons, Guided Weapons, Gun

d.- quantity of: Mid-Air Refuelings, Airfield Landings, Off-Field Landings, Carrier Traps
c.- approximate length of flight.
d.-basic mission type, and if possible, the mission parameters

iii. It is allowed to have each individual record statistics then report to the flight lead prior to submission.
  iii. If you do not record the exact number of flight statistics, you can esitmate. HOWEVER!, you must lower your estimate 10%. (ie 10 kills = 9)
  iv. Flight Reports must be filed within 48 hours from the time they wre flown to be official.
  v. To be official, flights must be flown online, with at least one other human pilot.
  vi. Standardize your report procedure: DO organize that comments into an orderly arrangement and remain consistent.
   
B. PILOT REPORTS
  i. If a Flight Report has not been filed with your name on it in the last calander month
C. OTHER REPORTS
  FIX ME! ...include discapline probs....scheduling events....sending messages