C,

Don't discount VT FTS. IMO, VT-31/35 are as good or better than VR....more flight time and instant ME PIC. Worked for me

Also, the CO of NSA Bahrain is an ex-VQ-4 CO. I don't know if he has any say on the C-12 det out there but it couldn't hurt if he knows you or knows someone who knows you...just sayin'.