¶ Discord
VFA-45 retains a Discord server separate from the main CSG-8 Discord server.
Attendance must still be marked on the main CSG-8 Discord server—however, many of the same functions of the CSG-8 Discord server are available on the VFA-45 Discord server.
¶ Important Channels
| Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|
#welcome-to-vfa45 |
Landing page with a link to helpful resources and next steps. |
#announcements |
VFA-45-specific announcements. |
#general |
General chat channel available to all patrons of the VFA-45 Discord server. |
#spartan-den |
General chat channel available only to Spartans. |
#checkride-requests |
Please post here if you need to schedule a checkride or qualification. |
VFA-45 also maintains a ready room on the CSG-8 Discord server. Spartans are encouraged to use the ready room on the CSG-8 Discord server to promote an amicable relationship with the rest of CSG-8.
| Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|
 VFA-45 Ready Room |
VFA-45's primary ready room on the main CSG-8 Discord server. |
¶ Pilot Standards
¶ Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications required to attend and fly in an operation are:
All new Officer Candidates will have 30 days to schedule and complete their CV Qual and CR Checkride. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis. If the CV Qual and CR Checkride are not completed within the provided timeframe, an OC will be removed from the active roster.
¶ Minimum Participation, Attendance
To maintain active status on the roster, Spartans must attend 1 operation in a span of no greater than 60 days while continuously marking attendance for Saturday operations (whether it be "Attending/VFA-45 Spartans" or "Not Attending") in #attendance.
If an operation has not been attended in a span of 60 days or a Spartan has not been continuously marking attendance, command will reach out and remind the member of the attendance standards listed above. If a member has disregarded this warning or has not attended an operation in a span of 90 days, they may be removed or placed on IRR.
Spartans may request to be, or may be forcibly moved into the IRR roster. Placement on this roster does not mean removal from the unit. Spartans on IRR may still fly and attend operations as normal. However, placement on the IRR roster does come with drawbacks:
- No assigned modex
- May not promote
If Spartans wish to no longer participate in the unit, they can asked to be removed from the roster entirely. Removed members do not retain any privileges of membership. Members who ask to be removed will keep a favorable status, and may rejoin the unit at any time—though, they must start at OC and must complete the beginning qualifications before attending any operations.
Spartans forcibly removed from the unit due to attendance, behaviorial, or other issues will be asked to seek membership elsewhere.
Spartans in favorable status who wish to retire may ask the Commanding Officer to consider their case. Retirement is granted on a case-by-case basis, and the retired member maintains the same perks as IRR.
Spartans wishing to take a leave-of-absence may ask leadership for one if they shall be gone for a period of less than 90 days. If a member wishes to remain in good standing, but take an absence of more than 90 days, they may ask to be put on the IRR roster. Exceptions to this policy may be made.
¶ Proctoring and Checkrides
Any individual with the rank of Lieutenant (LT) or higher with the same pre-requisite qualification can proctor any given checkride. An exception to this rule is any promotional checkrides must be proctored by a member with a rank higher than that of the rank being promoted to (e.g. a Lieutenant/Section Lead checkride must be proctored by a Lieutenant Commander). If a checkride requires more than one proctor, the proctor and candidate can utilize any other member Ensign or higher to assist in the checkride.
Each checkride or qualification will have rubric or criteria attached for proctors to grade and evaluate candidates. The proctor is ultimately responsible for making the decision to pass or fail a checkride or qualification, and may waive minor discrepancies if debriefed appropriately.