Boston Interview
As it is, I am writing this while waiting for my second cycle with VWA to begin. What occurs to me and perhaps to many others is the prevalence of multi-grads within the server. Often identified by X[]G, they are people who have flown with VWA for multiple cycles to attain a level of proficiency in multiple aircraft.
One such individual is Boston, a 6XG, soon to be 7XG. With over a year's experience within VWA and multiple courses under his belt, I was fortunate to be able to sit down to talk to him about his experiences with VWA and DCS in general.
As it were, then, Boston came to VWA on what can be described as chance. According to himself, “It actually happened as a kind of impromptu thing,” wherein he had gotten himself DCS and a module, and on the launcher’s news ticker was a mention of Virtual Weapons Academy. He goes on, “What had happened is that Mark had asked Eagle Dynamics to give VWA a shout out on their launcher.” Resultantly, Boston has had an active presence within VWA since the earlier days until today.
Boston decided to stay within VWA, undoubtedly, due to a mix of what he calls “[...] the banter here,” and catching the “bug” as it were for DCS. When he started out in the F-16 course, it was an instant fit, and this is no surprise. “I didn’t really know anything about aircraft. I knew what an AMRAAM was and that was it for my knowledge on fighters,” is how Boston introduces his explanation for why he loves the F-16, and he goes on to point out that he initially loved it as a kid due to its looks and aesthetic. Stating it to be the most beautiful aircraft there is, Boston chose it on that basis alone.
This all helped fuel his choice to stay. The aforementioned bug caused him to spend around 1200 USD on just the game and various modules and maps. But the bug was not the sole reason; a genuine desire to learn and understand his modules drove Boston. That drive earned his X6G status, which continues as he works to attain X7G. He states: “I wanted to go jack of all trades, but also find my specific niche,” and it is visible in his interest in a multitude of aircraft. The professionalism of the well-regimented F-16 course cemented his decision to become a stalwart member of VWA. He understood that the modules he had bought could be learned in a learning-centered environment. “It’s then a case of if it’s so good here, why go elsewhere?” A sentiment which I suspect is shared by many VWA aviators.
Of course, it isn’t just investment and learning that makes one stay. As Boston had said previously, he loved the banter found within VWA in and out of more serious situations. And it is to his credit as a person that he says, “I like to joke around and whatnot. Make sure everyone feels good, warms my heart too.” He is absolutely correct in describing himself as a sociable person and even more so should he describe himself as a benefit to the social culture of VWA. Not one to not give examples, he retold the story of ChickenWok, who eventually came to be known as MeowMeow in VC. Having talked about kittens and tinkered with a voice changer, eventually Wok nailed the settings just right and occasionally would say “Meow Meow.” Laughter was had, endearing Boston to Chicken.
The best example of camaraderie and social benefit from Boston has to be during his first cycle, wherein the instructors would give him an extra degree of attention in “a brotherly way”. Examples include during moments of instruction, they would sometimes say, “Don’t do X like Boston”. It wasn’t uncommon for them to also watch the TacView and find out things Boston was doing that they had no clue about, and openly go, “What the fuck is this?” Boston states that he misses this period.
But it should be noted that none of this was done in a sense of mockery or belittling. Boston was treated as an earnest friend who received light teasing in an affectionate manner. And this, most importantly, sums up Boston as a whole. It is in his mind that VWA is for everyone, and that ultimately everyone has a right to be there. This attitude, and the aforementioned teasing, is something he himself will bring with him throughout VWA in a manner which, according to those I have spoken to about him, uplifts the whole of the server. It speaks highly to his character that this is something he is aware of and that he actively seeks to make people’s days better.
The group’s openness and sociable nature has also been the source of callsigns. Someday in a VC he happened to mention fratricide in an unremembered context. Someone almost immediately snapped back with “Fratboy”; everyone laughed before it became a discussion of making it his new callsign. Boston was quick to point out that he can’t decide that himself, but AFLT “HORNET” was present and decided that it would stick.
Presently, it’s Puddles. Stemming from Boston being a RIO with the F-14, Boston’s jokester nature often causes him to quip before takeoff. Something along the lines of, “Ah shit, I forgot my wallet!” On the day, he was RIOing for Amelia “Kronk” in conjunction with another pair in their own F-14. Having a good line in mind, he said, “Is it too late to take a piss?” Jim, in the other F-14, heard this and said “Oh, Puddles?” Laughs were had, Jim put it to Kangaroo court, and according to Boston it passed with an overwhelming majority.
Overall, Boston is a man whose presence within VWA has always been known. One to make a joke and always of the mind that everyone has a right to be here, he is not one to turn people away out of turn. This is a reflection of the values of VWA. It is utterly welcoming and accepting of people from all walks of life and strives to make itself a space that is safe and conducive to learning.
In fact, in many ways, Boston is almost a personification of this idealized vision of VWA. A multifaceted man with many airframes under him and with a constant hunger and drive to learn and experience many things within DCS, who also strives to be approachable and sociable so as to make others as well as himself have a good time. These are all things which VWA as a whole seeks to be, and to see it be personified is awe-inspiring in a way which is rare to see.
Presently, Boston is working on his 7th grad, making him one of the only X7G within VWA. This, he says, is to be his last major endeavour within VWA for some time, as he has real-life commitments to tend to. While he isn’t leaving VWA, his activity is going to decrease noticeably. I believe that I speak for everyone when I say his presence will be missed, that we are all glad to have gotten to know him, and that we all wish him the best.
Rina