The following promotion criteria is established for all USVAF personnel:

All new members will be assigned with the rank of 2LT/ENS (O-1) regardless of prior experience.

Once assigned to their MAJCOM, the MAJCOM/CC may request the member be advanced in rank based on demonstrated and verifiable skill.

New members may not be advanced higher that CAPT/LT (O-3).
No additional hours will be awarded for these advancements.
Members must meet the minimum standards for aircrew members to be granted advancement beyond 2LT/ENS.

Advancement to each successive rank will be based on accumulated flight hours, minimum position requirements, and time frames.

A minimum of fifteen (15) days must pass before approval of promotion to 1LT/LTJG (O-2).
A minimum of 30 days must pass before approval for promotion to all other ranks.

The time limit requirements begin on the date a member is assigned as active to their MAJCOM.
Under extraordinary circumstances and with the approval of HQ USVAF/CC, an individual may be assigned as a squadron or higher commander as a new member or from within the membership. Under these circumstances, the member may be granted a rank commensurate with the position; however, no additional hours will be added to the member's total. The 30-day promotion time limit may be waived by the USVAF/CC in this case. The member must still meet the minimum requirements for the position assigned.
Promotion to flag rank (O-7) and above will be based on availability of the position, i.e. HQ USVAF or MAJCOM command rank, demonstrated leadership ability, demonstrated airmanship skills, and a HQ USVAF command staff review with HQ USVAF/CC approval.

The following standards for promotion to each rank are adopted:

2nd Lieutenant/Ensign (O-1): Approved application to the USVAF . 0-50 Hours.

1st Lieutenant/Lieutenant JG (O-2): 51-100 flight hours, demonstration of basic airmanship, navigation, and basic air traffic control procedures. Recommended: Successful completion of IFT/JSUPT.

Captain/Lieutenant (O-3): 101-200 flight hours, meet all requirements above, successful completion of IFT, demonstration of intermediate airmanship, navigation, and air traffic control procedures. Ability to create and file a valid flight plan. Naval pilots whose primary aircraft is carrier capable must achieve CQ level 2. Recommended: Successful completion of JSUPT and OCU in their primary airframe, CQ level 2 for naval pilots, host at least three flight sessions.

Major/Lieutenant Commander (O-4): 201-300 flight hours, completion of all above requirements, successful completion of JSUPT, demonstration of advanced airmanship, navigation, and air traffic control procedures, ability to develop training and operational flight sessions for their assigned command, host a minimum of five (5) sessions. Naval pilots whose primary aircraft is carrier capable must achieve CQ level 4. Requires Command Staff Review. Recommended: Successful completion of OCU in their primary airframe and development of advanced mission tasking and flight sessions. Attain instructor pilot status for IFT and JSUPT airframes.

Lieutenant Colonel/Commander (O-5): 301-450 flight hours, meet all requirements above, successful completion of OCU in their primary airframe, ability to develop and host training and operational flight sessions, host a minimum of ten (10) flight sessions, demonstrate an understanding of the employment and capabilities of their assigned command airframes. Demonstrate leadership skills for assigned aircrews. Attain IP status for IFT and JSUPT airframes. Requires Command Staff Review. Recommended: Attain IP status in OCU airframes, attain instructor status in skills applicable to command airframes and missions.

Colonel/Captain (O-6): 451 flight hours, meet all requirements above, host a minimum of twenty (20) flight sessions, attain IP status in their primary airframe, attain instructor status in skills applicable to command airframes and missions, employ command airframes in applicable training and mission scenarios. Demonstrate advanced leadership skills and command and control of assigned aircrews. Requires Command Staff Review. Recommended: Attain IP status for all their assigned command's primary airframes.

Brigadier General/Rear Admiral, Lower (O-7): Meet all requirements above, demonstrate the ability to perform specific tasks related to the command position filled, plan for and employ USVAF resources in operational and training scenarios including multi-command mission tasking. Maintain currency in assigned primary airframe and command mission. Provide leadership, training, and command and control of assigned and attached aircrews. Requires Command Staff Review and approval of HQ USVAF/CC. Recommended: Attain IP status for other than assigned command airframes. Attain instructor status in skills other than the primary assigned command.

Major General/Rear Admiral, Upper (O- 8): Meet all requirements above, demonstrate the ability to plan for and employ USVAF resources in advanced operational and training scenarios. Provide advanced leadership, training, and command and control of all USVAF personnel. Requires Command Staff Review and approval of HQ USVAF/CC.

Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral (O-9): Meet all requirements above, demonstrate an understanding of the proper employment USVAF and other national resources in advanced operational and training scenarios. Provide advanced leadership, training, and command and control of all USVAF personnel. Requires Command Staff Review and approval of HQ USVAF/CC.

General/Admiral (O-10): Meet all requirements above, understand the concept, organization, function, training, and leadership within the USVAF, provide exceptional leadership, training, and command and control of all USVAF personnel. Requires Command Staff Review and approval of HQ USVAF/CC.

The following additional minimum criteria must be met for members in the indicated positions:

Squadron Commanders: All requirements for (O-4), regardless of rank.
MAJCOM Commanders: All requirements for (O-5), regardless of rank.
HQ USVAF Staff: All requirements for (O-6), regardless of rank.
HQ USVAF/CC may waive the minimum criteria for personnel filling such slots.
Personnel currently filling these positions will not be removed or reassigned.

The following policy governs awarding of flight hours:

New members will earn flight hours once they register to the Pirep system and being assigned as active with their chosen command.

Hours for individual flights will be awarded, Members can fly as many individual flights that they want to. Members must make sure that they file a flight plan on the flight server in the proper format, and be on Teamspeak during the flight.
No additional flight hours will be awarded for any decorations earned. Flights will continue to earn only the recognized and approved hour levels. No 'extra' hours will be authorized for commemorative flights, special activities, or historical missions.

MARK A. FERNANDES, Admiral, USN(V)
Commander, United States Virtual Air Forces