If you're like me, you may have been asking yourself: "Self, what would happen if twelve cadets interested in military aviation got together in a networked combat flight sim lab with instructors, learned air combat tactics, and then competed in a tournament?" If you're like me, you don't just wonder about things like this, you go try them and find out! In the process, I found myself explaining the concept repeatedly.

Here are the five basic pillars that VFWS stands on:

1. No assumptions about knowledge or experience in aviation or flight simulators. We start with "This is an airplane" and "If you push the stick this way, the airplane rotates like that". Everybody is brought up to the same level. More than one cadet who thought they knew a lot got hosed by a "newbie" who paid attention in class.

2. The discipline level at VFWS is remarkably relaxed. We're trying to teach cadets flight sim tactics, not saluting and drill. There are plenty of other activities out there if that's what you want. Cadets who attend VFWS are expected to exercise self-discipline with little to no external input.

3. VFWS is an information overload. The quantity and pace of information pushed at cadets is like water coming from a fire hose. The schedule also progresses at a break-neck speed. After a day in the lab, cadets are ready to unplug.

4. VFWS is, above all, a competitive event. The event culminates in a round-robin cadet vs cadet tournament. Those cadets who absorb, internalize, and apply the knowledge and skills from class will perform better in the tournament.

5. Seriously… VFWS isn't. We WANT cadets to wear great big aviator sunglasses, quote fighter movies, and act like arrogant goofs! "I like that in a pilot." If you don't have a good time at VFWS, you need your pulse checked!

Incase you were still wondering, the answer to "what happens" is COMPLETE AWESOMENESS!!! Check out the youtube video.

We will be holding VFWS again in the summer of 2009. If you are interested in finding out more, [shoot me an email][dano@cadetstuff.org] and i'll keep you inside the ooda loop!