Virtual Department of War
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of what we anticipate to be the frequently asked questions.
Joining
Questions and answers regarding signing up for the virtual Department of War.
Multiple Branches
Can we sign up and join multiple branches or bounce around between branches?
Short answer is no. We prefer that recruits make a "career" of only one branch. That being said, if you sign up for one branch and then later want to change branches, you may do so by emailing us with your request. Whether the rank carries over will be determined by the head of that branch you are transferring to, but not guaranteed.
Airframes
I want to fly a specific airframe. Am I guaranteed to do so?
Until we are at capacity, which is a long way off, then yes you can expect to be assigned the airframe you desire after training. If your dream sheet includes multiple aircraft than the head of your branch will most likely choose one of those aircraft to assign you.
Duty Station
How will I know what duty station I will be assigned?
From sign up, you will be notified of your duty station for training. After completion of training and your airframe assignment, you will be notified of your squadron and duty station.
Squadron
How will I know which squadron I will be assigned? Will I have a choice?
Like the duty station, your squadron will be assigned by your service branch commander. Typically, we will try and "fill out" a squadron before assigning to a new one. If there are a group of friends that join simultaneously and want to be in a squadron of their own and together, that can be requested to their service branch commander.
Airframes/Simulators
Questions and answers regarding the aircraft models for vDoD.
Which Simulator
Which simulator does vDoW utilize?
vDoD utilizes 3 simulators: MSFS (soon to include MSFS24), X-Plane 12, and DCS. Certain airframes may only be available on one or two of the simulators.
Airframes
What if my simulator does not have an option for my assigned airframe?
Part of the sign up is notifying which simulator(s) you use. Obviously the more you have the greater your options. vDoW will not assign you airframes that are not available for the flight simulator you use. For your assigned training squadron, you may be assigned an aircraft that is available for your simulator but not necessarily an actual aircraft utilized by the real-world US military.
Older versions
I noticed some of the airframes are available for older versions of the simulators (FSX, X-Plane 11, etc.) Can those be used?
When up-to-date versions are not available, we may fall back to older versions of the airframe provided we believe them to work effectively in the newer version. For instance, the T-38 appears to work for X-Plane 12, even though it was designed for X-Plane 11. There seems to be one caveat, however. The gear doors don't seem to shut. This may be a minor issue you can deal with, or it may be something you cannot. There are work arounds published to fix the problem, it just depends how comfortable you are with going through the steps to do so.
Special Operations
Are all available airframes listed?
No. The vDoW has some special operations and test aircraft that could be offered to senior pilots in good standing. This will be done on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the upper command. The vDoW consider these projects Top Secret.
virtual National Guard
Questions and answers regarding virtual National Guard (specifically the virtual Air National Guard).
vUSAF or vANG?
What would the difference between signing up for the virtual United States Air Force vs the virtual Air National Guard be?
If you are looking for a structured environment ran as closely to the real deal as possible, then the vUSAF is for you. In the vUSAF you will be assigned training sorties, airframes, duty stations, etc. It is intended to be very regimented.
On the other hand, the vANG is more for the casual pilot, or someone who wants to hop in a plane and go. The vANG allows its pilots to fly appropriate vANG aircraft of their choice, when and where they want.
How often
How often do I have to complete flights in the vANG?
vANG is fairly lax on keeping current. If you cannot fly consistently, then the vANG is for you. All that is required is that you accomplish one sortie per year. The annual clock resets with each flight you complete.
Structured
What if I want a structured environment like the vUSAF but I do not have the time to fly consistently as the vUSAF requires?
vANG will also allow individuals to opt into a structured environment much like the vUSAF, but with the lax currency of the vANG.
Duty stations
Are duty stations the same in the vANG as they are for the vUSAF?
Duty stations are largely different than for the vUSAF. There are specific vANG bases that will be assigned to vANG pilots. There are a few active Air Force Bases that also have a vANG detachment however.
Aircraft
What aircraft can I fly and get credit for in the vANG?
The vANG allows you to fly any aircraft you would like in the vANG hangar. Flights done in aircraft that are not part of the vANG will not be counted. Most vUSAF aircraft are also vANG aircraft.
virtual U.S. Navy
Questions and answers regarding virtual U.S. Navy.
When?
When will the virtual United States Navy be up and running and available?
We hope to get it up very shortly (at least some of the naval aviation portions). The entire vDoD will be rolled out in phases and gradually. This will allow us to find recruits and those that want to help build this endeavor. It'll also help gauge the interest in such an undertaking. The more interest that is shown, the quicker we can develop.
Surface ships
What if I want to join the vUSN as a sailor?
Our plan, or more appropriately hope, is that there will be a simulator or game that will allow for the operation of US Naval ships in both day-to-day operations and in combat operations. And while we have yet to find any that exists, the option for the Silent Service gives us some hope. There is also the possibility of utilizing at least partially, DCS Combined Arms such as shown HERE.
Silent Service
What is the plan for the Silent Service (submarines) of the vUSN?
There is currently a combat simulator that is under development called Modern Naval Warfare. The release date is unknown, but by going to the link you see what it will consist of. And yes, it sounds like it will allow for a multi-player crew.
virtual U.S. Army and virtual U.S. Marine Corps
Questions and answers regarding virtual U.S. Army and virtual U.S. Marine Corps.
What?
What will the virtual U.S. Army (vUSA) and virtual U.S. Marine Corps (vUSMC) consist of?
To start with the vUSA and vUSMC will operate their aviation squadrons that are appropriate for each branch. Once those are established, phase 2 will be to determine how to proceed with each branch's ground functions.
Ground ops
How will the ground operations of the vUSA and vUSMC be conducted?
We are looking into a few options currently available, aside from hoping for a more immersive and appropriate game or software. There are many first-person shooters available along with the DCS Combined Arms as seen HERE. It really comes down to whether you're infantry or mechanized.