Joining the Staff

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Introduction

For those who've been through Basic Training (BT) and have had an opportunity to meet the fine men and women of the VENA Staff; they know that only the best are allowed to enter under their specific positions. You must be intelligent, open-minded and positive, always working for the recruit or those taking courses in the VENA to better themselves in their active careers. Below is the Staff's Creed, and even further is the information you've been searching for...

VENA-S Creed

As a member of the Vast Empire Naval Academy Staff (VENA-S), I will do all in my power to inform to the greatest degree our novice members so that they may, in fact, become the best of the best- the elite. No longer will they be thought of as a 'noob', nor should they be seen as a new recruit, but a full-fledged fighter pilot with all the respect they deserve. It is because of I and my colleagues that they become this way. I will not deal recruits out of personal dispositions, but out of contemporary fact in the hopes they will be able to understand what it is to be a VEN Pilot. It is my duty to train, not tamper or become temperamental because of my own inabilities or short-comings: I will do just as I have been assigned and will admit when I am of no use any longer. From there, I will show my student the correct person to correspond with so that they might accomplish their goals. I know all about what it is I do, and I will not fail anyone simply because I mean to: there is no failure in the eyes of a student who sees we have done all we can. We do not give up- we are the VENA Staff.

VENA-S

VENA High Staff

The Vast Empire Naval Academy High Staff usually consist of two people, no more than three. These people are usually very, very experienced pilots and have seen their fair share of active duty and have somehow shown their ability to problem solve and help the Navy as a whole. They are seen as innovative and experienced- wise. The one that is probably best known is that of the Training Officer (TO), and his or her second in commander- the Training Exec (Executive Officer) (TX). The function of the two are pretty intertwined, but their functions are easy to state...

TOs have come and gone because of real-life issues, but not necessarily because they were to burdening to keep in the Navy, more the responsibilities of a TO took so much time and energy that it made it impossible for them to keep up with RL at the same time, thus things had to be cut out. These responsibilities have been cut down considerably now, but they used to go something like- check up on the new recruits personally, build on the academy, create and grade test, move people into squadrons, work on the 'On-Line' Roster and reply to questions posed by virtually everyone in a given day. That can be tiring, especially if you're doing it every waking moment of your career! And that's not to mention the fact that often times the TO would have other positions because it was so difficult for the Navy to have a single person in command of the TO when that good of an officer was often needed in a squadron. Thas a lot of work, basically. These days, the TO's only real job is to work on the information presented by the academy on pages like 'The Officer's Handbook' as well as coordinate courses and make final decisions on larger Academy affairs. Also, they see to it that the rest of the staff is getting along alright and doing there jobs; he and the TX will often review candidates for the VENA-S together though. In all, the TO is able to change the Naval Academy entirely unless the NCO (Naval Commander and Chief), says otherwise. Technically, the NCO is also a part of the NCO and they also get a t-shirt, but they usually only come into play when the TO is doing something against the well-being of the Navy or something needs to be done by them and them alone.

The TX on the other hand is directly involved in the day-to-day activities of the Trainers and Operators. His job is to direct new recruits to their homes in active duty once they've completed Basic Training (BT). Also, should the trainers or operators have troubles, questions, comments or concerns, it is the job of the TX to find them and report them to the TO should he or she be unable to find a good answer.

Other than those specific duties, the TX or TO can also act as an Operator or Trainer should they wish it, though their main duties are pretty demanding as it is and it is usually best they simply not interfere at this point.

The third possible member of the High Command staff is that of an aid, or really- the only 'Adjutant' left in the VENA. This 'Adjutant' act as a kind of proxy for the duo mentioned above- should both become absent, it his the person's job to speak for them in the best interest of the VENA. This doesn't mean he takes their jobs, but is allowed the final yes or or no in situations requiring the attention of a VENA-HS member. Usually, the Adjutant is not mentioned, though one can be appointed while they are an active Trainer or Operator- usually an above average Trainer.

Trainers and Operators

Now comes the more well-known side of training: the direct staff. This meaning that these staffers are directly in contact with the new recruits as well as most higher-up learners, like those taking the SA, MEs and finally, the MA. These men and women are the trainers and operator's of the VENA-S.

Operator's are the first response to a new recruit, or at least they should be- sometimes a Trainer might come online just in time to post first. Never the less, when the message comes through that a new recruit has enlisted, it is there job to e-mail them with the customary welcome message and intro so that they might find their way to the ComNet and get to work. This means that they are able to access the e-mail account [email protected]

What does this do for them? Well, the series of operator's work together to complete these messages as they come, often times signing a list with their callsign next to it after completing the objective so that the rest of the staffers know what's been done and what needs to be done. You see, the main objective of an operator is to point a new recruit in the right direction, constantly sending them on, offering advice and whatever else have you to get that new recruit through. So what's the difference between them and trainers?

An Operator does all in their power to get in contact with a new recruit basically- they sign on to any medium they can such as AOL, MSN, Yahoo and mIRC any time they're on so a new recruit will be able to ask a question and get an answer immediately. They check their e-mails and messages as well as the vena-s e-mail account so that things can run smoothly, getting the recruit through much faster and smoother than they would had there been no extra assistance. They also post the initial welcome once the recruit has created a thread in the Naval Academy ComNet. This usually tells them the first steps and introduces them to the Naval System, though they can continue to direct throughout the rest of training, should they have the proper credentials and actually feel like it. However, even if they don't post on the thread anymore, new recruits can still come on and ask them questions whenever they feel like it...

Trainers are a little different- their purpose is to move a recruit on once they've begun training. That means that they probably won't get the first message out about what you need to do, but once the recruit does the objective, they are the ones who critique it and officially say "Okay, time to move on to the next chapter." Very simply- they move the new recruits through the Training Process and grade the Aviator's Exam upon completion. Trainees can also extend out to grade the SA and MA, but they have to have certain qualifications.

And that's the direct Training Staff! But wait! There's more!

As was mentioned, there are certain levels to the trainers and operators- below is a list of all the information for each level.

Operators

O1

(Operator, BT Directing Qualified) - These men and women are only aloud to offer information to new recruits that covers the VEN in general as well as the BT training process. They can not go into directing a pilot along the SA, MEs or MA and certainly not the FOCE. Never the less, this is the most common operator and probably more important because it is here that first response is critical.

Qualifications: Must have passed through BT, been in a squadron for six months, taken and passed the SA.

Acknowledgments: Payed a steady 3,000 credits extra and is more likely for promotions and recommendations depending on their quotas in helping recruits.

O2

(Operator, BT and SA Directing Qualified) - This is basically the next level up for anyone searching for a way to become a better Operator. These people are allowed to tell someone taking the SA where to go to look for information and is even allowed to give a yes or no to whether or not a member is on the right track or they should start looking somewhere else. While they are unable to give answers, they can certainly tell someone if they're way off and point them in the right direction.

Qualifications: Must have passed through BT, been in a squadron for eight months, taken and passed the SA, passed all of the MEs and Passed the MA.

Acknowledgments: Payed a steady 7,000 credits extra and is more likely for promotions and recommendations depending on their quotas in helping recruits.

O3

(Operator, BT, SA, MEs and MA Directing Qualified) This is the absolute highest you can become as an Operator and requires a substantial amount of understanding for you to even be considered. These operators can also tell operators underneath them what to do in case they've come across something can't handle, so it's also a bit of a leadership role.

Qualifications: Must have passed through BT, been in a squadron for a year, taken and passed the SA, passed all of the MEs, passed the MA and whatever exam you career offers like the FOCE, or the SCE (Ship Command Exam).

Acknowledgments: Payed pretty nice salary of fifteen thousand credits extra and is more likely for promotions and recommendations depending on their quotas in helping recruits.

Trainers

T1

(Trainer, BT Directing Qualified) In this part of this part of training, the Trainer actually says what needs to be fixed and worked on- thus the Trainer needs to know what they're talking about. Since these people are no longer guiding, but fixing recruits so that they're doing things to the best they can be done, its very important the Trainers are experienced, so the expectations are a little different.

Qualifications: Must have passed through BT, been in a squadron for a year, taken and passed the SA, passed all of the MEs, passed the MA and whatever exam you career offers like the FOCE, or the SCE (Ship Command Exam), and interned for at least about a month or two, depending on how capable the VENA-HS finds you.

Acknowledgments: Payed a salary of Seventeen thousand credits extra and is more likely for promotions and recommendations depending on their quotas in helping recruits.

T2 through T5

(Trainer, BT, SA, MEs, MA and FOCE or SCE) After T1, one can only achieve a higher status through experience as a trainer and taking courses themselves, not to mention prolonged activity in a squadron or story creation for themselves, further proving their capabilities. There is no set standard for when a Trainer can jump from one level to the next- it is totally up to the VENA-HS. Each level corresponds to the amount of test and courses they can grade and correct: T2- BT and SA, T3- BT, SA and MEs, T4- BT, SA, MEs and MA, and T5- BT, SA, MEs, MA and FOCE or SCE. Each level after T1 increases the pay by three thousand ICs. Thus, a T2 would receive twenty-thousand ICs more, and a T3 would receive twenty-three thousand, and so on. As the level of Trainer goes up, so too does the leadership capabilities of that individual. A T2 has more say than a T1 for instance, or a T5 has far greater say a T3.

TM

(Training Mentor- BT, SA, MEs, MA and FOCE and SCE) If you can somehow get to a T5 level and work your way up to passing the SCE- you are considered a Training Mentor. As a mentor, you are the best versed person in the Navy for equipment, tactics, leadership, history and really anything anyone could ask you. That person is usually automatically in the VENA-HS or at least an Adjutant, a proxy for the VENA-HS. Also, those people are usually a much higher officer do to their extensive training and understanding, probably given a squadron of their own by now, or a ship, or perhaps both should it become possible and seen as an incredible pilot all around. These people have probably been 'The Elite Pilot' at least once or led their squadron to victory in the ESC- they are the best of the best. Being able to write and be active is great, but if you can teach it- there's no touching you. Also, there can only be one TM allowed in he VENA-S at a time: if more than one shows up, one must leave and retire or simply leave and pursue a specific avenue- they have reached the top and need to stop basically. The only way a TM can remain is if they become a part of the VENA-HS.

Training Formations

When one refers to a training formation, they don't mean the tactical definition involving aircraft in the skies above, rather how the roster reflects the VENA-S at the moment. There are two typical styles, and one very radical form where all supplies and people have been acquired and a massive influx of recruits is constantly coming in.

Constructive Formation

This is where the VENA-S is not fully functioning- not all required members are present so some men and women will take on the roles of others. For instance, the SC will take on recruits as a Training Mentor while the TX may function as an O3-class Operator. The two VENA-HS members would still retain their usual duties while continuing on with the added weight while trying to build the VENA-S. Few others may be employed as T1 or T2 Operators, but the staff is pretty small and very young in terms of experienced pilots to help out.

Casual Formation

Here, VENA-S members are more abundant and better trained so that the VENA-HS can do their main jobs a lot more and worry less about direct contact with the recruits. This is pretty much the best form because the staffers are speaking amongst each other in a close unit, yet sharing the burden to a greater degree, saving them all a lot of work. Also, this lowers the confusion level for new recruits coming in- they always know who their trainers are and they get acquainted with a fairly good sized group right away without being overwhelmed.

Complex Formation

There are actually three levels of this formation, but in general it a complete formation that forces everyone to do their jobs and their jobs a lone. Here, there are so many people in the VENA-S, that TMs are actually forced out to make room for new ones and TOs and TXs may be switched regularly- multiple TOs or TXs may be employed as well as variable Adjutants- never more than one serving at a time though. Also, should their be such an incredible influx, secretary positions and even more specific Trainer positions or Operator positions may be created to meet the need.

 1. Hasty Complexes- These usually refer to operations that are going on too fast for trainees
 or members trying to keep in touch with the Academy to keep up with.  This is usually
 mediated by making specific positions or assigning a single trainer and/or operator to a
 recruit.  

 2. Simply Complex- This means that things run very smoothly and work excellently- there is
 simply an abundance of positions and people working within he VENA-S.  This could also be
 seen as the ideal formation for the VENA, but it brings into play a lot of politics which
 most would hope to avoid.

 3. Impossibly Complex- Its pretty much ridiculous to think this is possible, but should too
 many people be employed into the VENA-S and things are running far to quickly, which would be
 both of the earlier complexes, then an Impossible Complex comes up.  This is where nothing is
 getting done, personal and political conflicts are flaring up everywhere and the VENA-S is no
 longer functioning as it should, going directly against its creed.  This is when the NCO may
 step in to settle things down or order the TO to make some serious cuts if he or she hasn't
 already.  Though it may not be the favorite choice of a TO to cut people, if its necessary to
 make sure the VENA-S is running properly- it will be done.

Joining the VENA-S

If you somehow think you fit under one of these categories, you can go on ahead and e-mail or message the TO or TX or perhaps both with your resume to see if you are acceptable, from there they will decide and ask for further information if they need it. And its as simple as that- if you want to help out: you can!