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VT-4 Intermediate

Tredstone03

Member
I've decided to post this since there doesn't seem to be much if any info about VT-4 on here (at least current info). VT-4 used to be for primary alongside VT-10. Now, VT-4 is for intermediate and advanced for NFOs who don't select VT-86 for jets out of primary. At the moment, most NFOs are going to VT-4 after primary (seems to be about 1-2 people are getting jets out of a typical graduating class of 8).

VT-4 starts with intermediate, then you select your platform (P-8, E-2, EP-3, or E-6), and then advanced. Intermediate is about 10 weeks long and has three phases each consisting of ground school and sims. The sims are conducted in the Multi-Crew Simulator (MCS) with civilian contract instructors, you will work more with active duty instructors in advanced. The MCS is a lot different from a T-6, it's a touchscreen below and non-touchscreen with a keyboard, a trackball, and a hand controller (joystick-looking thing). The setup looks pretty much like one of the mission stations from the back of a P-8 or E-2. Because VT-4 selects for aircraft with larger crews, there will be a lot of focus on crew resource management. As the SNFO, you will play the role of mission commander for intermediate.

The first phase is Fam/Nav. The ground school will be almost entirely a review of instruments in primary. The sims are about getting familiar with the simulator interface, checklists, and procedures. You will work on your briefing skills, and you will still have EPs (albeit a lot fewer than in a real plane). Your class will be assigned either CENTCOM or PACOM. The sims are just regular instrument flights with ATC, and there are four of them. Not hard at all, just know your EPs and procedures.

Next comes Sensor/Link. This is the hardest phase in intermediate (still not too bad so don't worry). The ground school is very rushed, only a few days with minimal actual class instruction. For ground school, just pass the test. By this point, you know how to pass a multiple-choice exam. There are eight sims, where you will learn to employ the Radar, IFF, ESM, EO/IR camera, and the data link. The instructor will do a lot of teaching the first time you're introduced to a sensor, but they will expect you to be able to employ that sensor for subsequent sims. By the 6th and 7th sim, the instructors will expect you to have a decent grasp of all sensors.

Last comes Fleet Ops. Ground school is not too bad, relatively short but some of it is a review of sensor/link. There are 6 sims plus a check-ride. These sims are more about mission planning than just studying. Each sim represents a different scenario, where you as the mission commander will decide how to best meet the objectives. The missions will depend slightly on your operating area but will be things like a missile exercise, search and rescue, or a cruise ship hijacked by pirates. As long as you remember the basics (aviate, navigate, communicate), you'll do fine.

Now you've finished intermediate, you'll select your platform the next Friday. For P-8s or EP-3s, your advanced is eight weeks long. For E-2s, advanced is six weeks long. If you select E-6s (congratulations, none of your training thus far has anything whatsoever to do with your job), advanced is four weeks long.
 

cfam

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I've decided to post this since there doesn't seem to be much if any info about VT-4 on here (at least current info). VT-4 used to be for primary alongside VT-10. Now, VT-4 is for intermediate and advanced for NFOs who don't select VT-86 for jets out of primary. At the moment, most NFOs are going to VT-4 after primary (seems to be about 1-2 people are getting jets out of a typical graduating class of 8).

VT-4 starts with intermediate, then you select your platform (P-8, E-2, EP-3, or E-6), and then advanced. Intermediate is about 10 weeks long and has three phases each consisting of ground school and sims. The sims are conducted in the Multi-Crew Simulator (MCS) with civilian contract instructors, you will work more with active duty instructors in advanced. The MCS is a lot different from a T-6, it's a touchscreen below and non-touchscreen with a keyboard, a trackball, and a hand controller (joystick-looking thing). The setup looks pretty much like one of the mission stations from the back of a P-8 or E-2. Because VT-4 selects for aircraft with larger crews, there will be a lot of focus on crew resource management. As the SNFO, you will play the role of mission commander for intermediate.

The first phase is Fam/Nav. The ground school will be almost entirely a review of instruments in primary. The sims are about getting familiar with the simulator interface, checklists, and procedures. You will work on your briefing skills, and you will still have EPs (albeit a lot fewer than in a real plane). Your class will be assigned either CENTCOM or PACOM. The sims are just regular instrument flights with ATC, and there are four of them. Not hard at all, just know your EPs and procedures.

Next comes Sensor/Link. This is the hardest phase in intermediate (still not too bad so don't worry). The ground school is very rushed, only a few days with minimal actual class instruction. For ground school, just pass the test. By this point, you know how to pass a multiple-choice exam. There are eight sims, where you will learn to employ the Radar, IFF, ESM, EO/IR camera, and the data link. The instructor will do a lot of teaching the first time you're introduced to a sensor, but they will expect you to be able to employ that sensor for subsequent sims. By the 6th and 7th sim, the instructors will expect you to have a decent grasp of all sensors.

Last comes Fleet Ops. Ground school is not too bad, relatively short but some of it is a review of sensor/link. There are 6 sims plus a check-ride. These sims are more about mission planning than just studying. Each sim represents a different scenario, where you as the mission commander will decide how to best meet the objectives. The missions will depend slightly on your operating area but will be things like a missile exercise, search and rescue, or a cruise ship hijacked by pirates. As long as you remember the basics (aviate, navigate, communicate), you'll do fine.

Now you've finished intermediate, you'll select your platform the next Friday. For P-8s or EP-3s, your advanced is eight weeks long. For E-2s, advanced is six weeks long. If you select E-6s (congratulations, none of your training thus far has anything whatsoever to do with your job), advanced is four weeks long.
Good stuff! Stickied.
 
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