Virtual Department of Defense
About
virtual Department of Defense (vDoD)
vDoD is an online organization that allows individuals to join and participate in military operations on pc-based simulators in a centralized manner. MSFS, X-Plane 12 and DCS will be the first simulators used and will focus on the aviation aspects of the military, however there are plans to gradually incorporate other military endeavors such as Modern Naval Warfare.
The virtual United States Air Force under the vDoD will be one of the first branches to get up and running as flight simulation will be the main source of simulation. Joining the vUSAF will allow recruits to train and fly the high-end technology in today's real-world USAF. Once an individual signs up to join the vUSAF, they will be given training missions to complete known for vUSAF purposes as basic training. After basic training, the new Second Lieutenant will be assigned to a command and to an Air Force Base. As the individual completes missions and builds time, they will be eligible to gain rank. Unlike other, virtual entities, this isn't merely based on flight time, nor automatic.
The virtual United States Army under the vDoD will also be one of the first branches to be operational. For now the vUSA will exclusively revolve around the branch's aviation capabilities. The initial training for recruits into the vUSA will all be accomplished on MSFS or X-Plane 12. For the vUSA purposes this will be considered basic training. Once a recruit graduates from this basic training, they will be assigned a post and airframe in which they will fly various assigned sorties. As we progress, we hope to use other online simulation software such as tanks and even first person-shooters. This will all largely be dependent on what types of simulators/simulations are released.
The virtual United States Navy will focus initially on naval aviation utilizing MSFS, X-Plane 12 and DCS. Like the other branches initial training, or basic training for vDoD purposes, will comprise of seaman recruits being assigned flight training missions to complete in order to pass and gain rank of Ensign. Once achieving the rank, the Ensign will be assigned a duty station and airframe where they will fly assigned sorties. Future promotions will be on a case-by-case basis and granted by the vDoD Secretary of the Navy. Future endeavors the the vUSN we hope to include both the surface fleet along with the submarine fleet. These would depend on available online software releases.
The virtual United States Marine Corps will eventually be multi-faceted to include ground operations along with aviation. While this will depend on various potential software available, the vUSMC will initially focus on the aviation aspect along with the other branches. Recruits initial training, or our version of basic training will comprise of flying training missions utilizing various aircraft available on MSFS or X-Plane 12. Upon graduation of basic training, the newly ranked Second Lieutenant, will be assigned a base of operations along with an airframe in order to conduct various flying sorties. Gain of rank in the vUSMC will solely be at the discretion of the commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC).
Unlike the other branches of the vDoD, the virtual United States Coast Guard's mission will not be combat orientated. It will, however, originally focus on vUSCG flight missions. Future water-based missions for this branch are probably less likely than for the vUSN based on the differing objective and historically released software releases. MSFS24, however, does lend an extreme potential for the vUSCG. Primary, or basic training, will be conducted through the vUSN. Upon completion, the new Ensign will be assigned a duty station and airframe to conduct flight sorties.
The virtual United States Space Force is one branch that will require further evaluation and completely dependent on the pc software available for space mission simulation. The vUSSF will not only allow in-house promotion, but it is possible for vUSAF personnel to transfer over upon adoption of specific space simulators. Until this occurs, the vUSSF will be the one branch that is not currently taking any recruits. However, the vDoD, would accept individuals who are interested in making this branch a reality and willing to put in the work and research into an appropriate space simulator.
The virtual National Guard will focus entirely on the virtual Air National Guard, at least to start out with. This branch will be a lot more laid back and less structured than the other branches, geared towards the more casual simmer. Pilots in the vANG can choose which airframe and their sorties from a list as opposed to being assigned by command. Transfer from the vANG to another branch will require the individual to go through the basic training if they haven't already done so when they entered the vANG. vANG personnel are allowed longer periods between sorties before being taken off the roster.
The virtual Navy Reserve will focus entirely on the virtual aviation portion of the Navy Reserve. This branch will be a lot more laid back with sortie obligations than the regular vUSN. Pilots in the vNR will still be assigned an airframe and have assigned sorties to fly, but will have more leniency with time frame to finish those sorties. Transfer from the vNR to the vUSN laterally, meaning save rank.
