3 answers
Easton
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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How can I go to the fighter pilot or military ?
When u was younger I wanted to be a fighter pilot or military because my cousin is in the navy and he fly jet and my other cousin was in the military,I like to go fast and jets go fast and it also looks cool as a job and same with military, military can pay for college.
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3 answers
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Lieutenant / EMT
102
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Easton. I was an Air Force officer, and many of ROTC classmates chose to become pilots.
The others are correct, you must be a military officer to be a military pilot. You can do so in the Air Force, Navy/Marines, Army, or Coast Guard. Being a pilot in the Marines or Coast Guard is especially difficult because these branches are smaller and therefore more competitive to get into. The Army has a lot of helicopters and would be the best choice to be helicopter pilot, but if you're specifically set on fighter jets your best choices are the Navy and Air Force, both of which have pretty similar paths to becoming a pilot.
1) Complete a Bachelor's Degree on your own, then apply to Officer Candidate School / Officer Training School (OCS / OTS). The downside to this is that they don't pay for your school - bummer.
2) Complete an ROTC program. ROTC programs are classes you take in college that allow you to simultaneous train for the military while earning your degree, so when you graduate you go straight to pilot school, if selected. This is the most popular option, but you still have to compete for scholarships to get your school paid for.
3) Attend the Naval Academy at Annapolis or the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. This is the rarist because it is the most difficult, most competitive program to get into. Part of the reason why is because it is completely free to attend, and graduating from an academy gives you a higher liklihood of being selected for pilot training than any other method.
This brings me to my final point, one that a lot of people don't know, is that there is no guarantee that you will get a pilot slot, let alone a fighter pilot slot. When you begin training to be a military officer you will sign a contract that says you will do any job they give you, period. You might want to be a pilot, and might end up in an underground bunker with your fingers on the launch key of a nuclear weapon. You don't get to choose, the Air Force / Navy does. If you are selected for pilot training, you will again have to compete for and earn your airframe. Fighter pilots only make up a fraction of the pilots needed, so you may find yourself being selected to fly cargo or bomber aircraft instead.
Your first desire should be to serve your country. Your next passion can be to fly, And your dream can be fighters. But I'd suggest having that mindset. And I would still suggest going on the journey - don't quit or not even start just because the journey will be hard and competitive. Lots of the people I know that went in wanting to be fighter pilots learned more about what exactly that means along the way, and discovered they would be way more happy flying something else. You won't know until you get there.
Good luck! Let me know if I can answer any follow up questions.
The others are correct, you must be a military officer to be a military pilot. You can do so in the Air Force, Navy/Marines, Army, or Coast Guard. Being a pilot in the Marines or Coast Guard is especially difficult because these branches are smaller and therefore more competitive to get into. The Army has a lot of helicopters and would be the best choice to be helicopter pilot, but if you're specifically set on fighter jets your best choices are the Navy and Air Force, both of which have pretty similar paths to becoming a pilot.
1) Complete a Bachelor's Degree on your own, then apply to Officer Candidate School / Officer Training School (OCS / OTS). The downside to this is that they don't pay for your school - bummer.
2) Complete an ROTC program. ROTC programs are classes you take in college that allow you to simultaneous train for the military while earning your degree, so when you graduate you go straight to pilot school, if selected. This is the most popular option, but you still have to compete for scholarships to get your school paid for.
3) Attend the Naval Academy at Annapolis or the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. This is the rarist because it is the most difficult, most competitive program to get into. Part of the reason why is because it is completely free to attend, and graduating from an academy gives you a higher liklihood of being selected for pilot training than any other method.
This brings me to my final point, one that a lot of people don't know, is that there is no guarantee that you will get a pilot slot, let alone a fighter pilot slot. When you begin training to be a military officer you will sign a contract that says you will do any job they give you, period. You might want to be a pilot, and might end up in an underground bunker with your fingers on the launch key of a nuclear weapon. You don't get to choose, the Air Force / Navy does. If you are selected for pilot training, you will again have to compete for and earn your airframe. Fighter pilots only make up a fraction of the pilots needed, so you may find yourself being selected to fly cargo or bomber aircraft instead.
Your first desire should be to serve your country. Your next passion can be to fly, And your dream can be fighters. But I'd suggest having that mindset. And I would still suggest going on the journey - don't quit or not even start just because the journey will be hard and competitive. Lots of the people I know that went in wanting to be fighter pilots learned more about what exactly that means along the way, and discovered they would be way more happy flying something else. You won't know until you get there.
Good luck! Let me know if I can answer any follow up questions.
eboni scott
school nurse
1
Answer
Miami, Florida
Updated
eboni’s Answer
Hello Easton,
I proudly served 20 years in the Air Force. There are options as to becoming a pilot. You can get your degree on your own in aviation and then join military as an officer. While talking to a recruiter make sure express your love for wanting to be a pilot. They can give you insight on what is needed for the job. The other route is to join as an enlisted personnel and allow the military to pay for college. They also have programs once you are in to help you become an officer. Officers are the ones that are pilots. I hope this help shed some light for your future endeavors.
I proudly served 20 years in the Air Force. There are options as to becoming a pilot. You can get your degree on your own in aviation and then join military as an officer. While talking to a recruiter make sure express your love for wanting to be a pilot. They can give you insight on what is needed for the job. The other route is to join as an enlisted personnel and allow the military to pay for college. They also have programs once you are in to help you become an officer. Officers are the ones that are pilots. I hope this help shed some light for your future endeavors.
Allan Holley
91E
5
Answers
Newark, New Jersey
Updated
Allan’s Answer
Hello there! I'm currently serving in the Army and I'd love to shed some light on the process of becoming a fighter pilot, a role that's not just limited to the Air Force, but also extends to the Marines and Navy. The journey to becoming a fighter pilot may seem long and complex, but with determination, it's certainly achievable.
Firstly, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. Once you've accomplished that, the next step is to sign up for one of the three branches I mentioned. After that, you'll need to successfully complete the ASVAB test and choose your MOS, as well as commission as an Officer in your chosen branch. This is crucial because only Officers can become fighter pilots in the Military.
If you're keen on getting financial assistance from the military for your college education, I'd suggest considering the enlisted route and participating in the ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps. This program offers you a direct commission as an officer.
Remember, Easton, every step you take towards your goal brings you closer to achieving it. I hope this information is helpful and inspires you to chase your dreams. You're capable of doing amazing things in life, so go forth and conquer!
Firstly, you'll need to earn a bachelor's degree. Once you've accomplished that, the next step is to sign up for one of the three branches I mentioned. After that, you'll need to successfully complete the ASVAB test and choose your MOS, as well as commission as an Officer in your chosen branch. This is crucial because only Officers can become fighter pilots in the Military.
If you're keen on getting financial assistance from the military for your college education, I'd suggest considering the enlisted route and participating in the ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps. This program offers you a direct commission as an officer.
Remember, Easton, every step you take towards your goal brings you closer to achieving it. I hope this information is helpful and inspires you to chase your dreams. You're capable of doing amazing things in life, so go forth and conquer!