A couple of things.

with your above clearance to JBU1602, 'via radar vectors MERIT' gives ambiguity to what the pilot should do after wheels up. Obviously they will be given radar vectors, but what should they do before they receive those radar vectors? they could make any turns they want and be perfectly legal in doing so. Second, 'Departure on' is improper phraseology (see the 7110.65, 3-9-3).

So this clearance, with full CRAFT, using 3-9-3 and 4-3-2, should be:



BL.

Sorry on this one BL but in the course of my career I can not tell you how many times I said "radar vectors (fix)" in a clearance, leaving out the word direct.  I do not think adding the word 'direct" to this clearance is necessary.  Nor did the Academy and my facilities.  We both know as the radar controller, as soon as we're able we are gonna give him direct.  Besides, those of us (including yourself I believe) who have worked RW radar know that he is not going to make some crazy turns.  He was told radar vectors Merit and that is what he is going to expect.  On VATSIM, yeah I would tend to say they might do as you suggest, lol.  Also on VATSIM, after hearing how a lot of clearances are being given, I would be tickled to hear a clearance given as he did in the example he gave.  Also "departure frequency will be" was the way we were taught in Ok City.  But again, I am not going to harp at a student for leaving the words "will be" out.  There are more important things on VATSIM that need to be taught, e.g. reading METARS correctly would be near the top of the list.  And ON and On.

You can not be thanked enough for the job you are doing Andrew

Thanks Guys!  I really appreciate it.