LCDR Jason "Velvet Elvis" Velivlis
After commissioning, I worked at the VPI & SU NROTC Department as the Navy ROTC liaison officer to the University Admissions Office, fielding calls and giving guided tours to prospective freshmen who displayed interest in the Corps of Cadets and the Navy ROTC department.

After departing Blacksburg, I reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida for 6 weeks of Aviation Pre-flight Indoctrination (API) and then subsequently to the "Doerbirds" of Training Squadron 2 at NAS Whiting, in Milton, FL for 8 months of Primary Flight Training in the Beechcraft T-34C "Turbo Mentor."

After finishing Primary Training, I was selected for the jet training pipeline and reported to the "Professionals" of Training Squadron 23 at NAS Meridian, Mississippi for Intermediate Jet Transition training in the Rockwell T-2C "Buckeye."

After completing jet transition training in Meridian, I moved to NAS Kingsville, Texas to complete the advanced phase of jet training with the "Red Hawks" of Training Squadron 21, flying the McDonnell Douglas T-45A "Goshawk." I earned my "Wings of Gold" on 27 June 1997 and was selected to fly the McDonnell Douglas FA-18C "Hornet."

I moved yet again to Jacksonville, Florida and reported to the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron 106 at NAS Cecil Field, where I completed a year of Fleet Replacement Pilot Training, learning to fly the FA-18 "Hornet" and employ its combat weapon systems.

After completion of the FRS training, I was assigned to my first deployable, sea-going FA-18 squadron, the "Golden Warriors" of Strike Fighter Squadron 87 originally based at NAS Cecil Field, but later relocated to NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA after Cecil Field was closed by the BRAC process. During the 3-year tour with the "Warriors" I made two 6-month deployments, one aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) and the second aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). I participated in combat operations as part of Operation ALLIED FORCE in Kosovo (1999) and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH in southern Iraq (2001). I had many collateral duties during this tour, including squadron Landing Signal Officer (LSO). At the conclusion of my tour, I was selected to attend the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in NAS Fallon, Nevada. I detached from the squadron on 3 September 2001, 8 days before the tragedy of 11 September 2001.

I spent nine weeks in Fallon as part of TOPGUN Class 02-01, enjoying (without a doubt) the greatest air combat flight training I've ever experienced. I graduated on 14 December 2001 and earned my qualification as an FA-18 Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI).

After TOPGUN I returned to NAS Oceana, VA to begin my first shore duty assignment as an Instructor Pilot at the Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic. I spent two and a half years providing pre-deployment air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical training to FA-18 squadrons of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet.

Upon completion of shore duty at SFWSL, I returned to fleet duty once more, this time with the "Rampagers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 83, based at NAS Oceana, VA. I joined them during a 6-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. I am currently serving as the squadron's Training Officer, responsible for ensuring that our aircrew remain tactically prepared for all upcoming deployments. We are currently scheduled to deploy as part of Carrier Air Wing SEVEN and the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) battle group in the Fall of 2006. I am also scheduled to remain aboard VFA-83 for my 3rd Sea Tour as a squadron Department Head, beginning in June of 2006.

During my 11 years of service thus far, I have been deployed three times (6 months each) during which I have flown 65 combat missions over Kosovo and Iraq. I have accumulated over 2,000 flight hours, over 1,600 of which are in the FA-18 Hornet, and I have logged 423 arrested carrier landings.