Squadron Division · Entry Certification ᛊ   ᚲ   ᚹ   ᚨ   ᛞ   ᚱ   ᛟ   ᚾ

S(1)
QUALIFIER

Your entry into the Squadron division. Keybinds and fundamentals before anything else.
S(1) Qualifier — Overview
PrerequisitesL(1) + L(2)
Duration60–90 min
EnvironmentArena Commander
TypeSettings + Race
UnlocksSquadron Division
S(1) is different from the other entry certs. Before any PvP evaluation, you first verify your flight settings are correct — keybinds, control scheme, and decoupled flight mode. Rune Guard pilots fly a specific way, and S(1) makes sure you're building the right habits from day one. The second half is a race circuit in Arena Commander to prove basic ship control. There is no kill ratio requirement at this stage.
Part 1 — Settings Verification

Your evaluator reviews six specific settings areas in your Star Citizen client. These must be configured correctly before you can proceed to the race. Screenshots of each setting area are required — submit them in the cert channel on Discord.

1. Keybind Layout

Must use the org-recommended profile or equivalent. Evaluator verifies throttle, pitch, roll, yaw, and boost binds.

2. Decoupled Mode

Decoupled flight must be bound and confirmed active. This is non-negotiable for Squadron pilots.

3. IFCS Assist Levels

Auto-landing, auto-hover, and other assists must be set per org recommendations — not game defaults.

4. HUD / Reticle Config

Sensor range, ping, and targeting reticle settings checked for combat readiness.

5. Master Modes

SCM vs NAV mode switching must be bound and understood. Evaluator confirms with a brief question.

6. FoV & Graphics

Field of view and basic performance settings reviewed. Not a hard gate — guidance given where needed.

Part 2 — Race Circuit
2
Yela Asteroid Belt Circuit

Complete the Yela asteroid belt race circuit in Arena Commander. You need to finish the course — not win, not hit a target time. The evaluator rides along and observes your ship handling, throttle discipline, and use of decoupled mode in the turns.

Pass & Fail Conditions
Pass When...
  • All 6 settings areas verified and correct
  • Race circuit completed without disqualification
  • Decoupled flight used demonstrably in the course
Retry Conditions
  • Settings incorrect — fix and resubmit screenshots
  • Race DNF — rerun the circuit, no cooldown
  • Decoupled not used — practice session recommended first
Tips for New Members

Do the settings setup before you schedule your eval. The keybinds guide and reference screenshots are in the #squadron-resources channel. Follow them exactly.

Spend 20–30 minutes in the Yela circuit in free practice before your eval. You just need to complete it — but you don't want your first run to be the eval run.

Decoupled mode feels wrong at first — that's normal. You're building the muscle memory that makes you dangerous later. Lean into it during the circuit.

Ask in #squadron on Discord for a pre-eval settings check. A senior pilot can walk through your config in 15 minutes and save you a retry.

Video Resources
S(1) Keybind Setup Guide Decoupled Flight Fundamentals Master Modes Explained
Reference Images
Keybind reference Settings reference
What Passing Unlocks

Squadron Division — Enlisted Path

S(1) grants you the Recruit Pilot role in Discord and access to the Squadron division channels. From here you pursue S(2) — a live dogfight evaluation that puts your now-correct settings to work in actual PvP.

Squadron advances through S(2) to reach Enlisted rank. Higher certifications — Utility Pilot, Fleet Pilot, Ace Pilot — are available after Enlisted. Those are long-term goals. Right now, get your settings right and get through S(1) and S(2).

Back: L(2) License All Divisions Overview
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