Any USAFA Grads Who Became Fighter Pilots?

txfwindian said:
Thank you Pima. So it’s the same way to adresss whether in AF or Army. Is that right?
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Yes. To give you a little AF history. The AF was born out of the Army after WWII. It's 72nd birthday was just a few weeks ago.
 
You didn't ask, but the Air Force isn't the only service with fighter pilots :)

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Off top of head, Marine Corps naval aviators fly Hornets and Lightnings, plus Harriers, Ospreys, various helos, the Herc and Prowler, and some other stuff.
 
benfoster0 said:
Much obliged.
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As you learn about the Services, absorb the fact the Department of the Navy, which is in the Department of Defense, is comprised of two separate armed services (Navy and Marine Corps) plus Federal civilians. No Marine is IN the Navy with capital N, but they are a part of the naval service, a joint team. Both Navy and Marine aviators are naval aviators, small n, and wear the wings of gold. There are Marine pilots and Navy pilots.
 
Capt MJ said:
As you learn about the Services, absorb the fact the Department of the Navy, which is in the Department of Defense, is comprised of two separate armed services (Navy and Marine Corps) plus Federal civilians. No Marine is IN the Navy with capital N, but they are a part of the naval service, a joint team. Both Navy and Marine aviators are naval aviators, small n, and wear the wings of gold. There are Marine pilots and Navy pilots.
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Thanks again. The Air Force appeals to me because of what they do, but in the end, service is service. I would be thrilled to attend any academy.
 
You are doing the right thing, reverse engineering your choices by researching the Service, career paths, plane types, culture, and the commissioning source that suits you.
 
Not exactly a fighter plane, but still an effective attack and close support aircraft. It is an important component of the U.S. Army.

See the source image
 
All of the above advice is good and it should be read and considered. I do want to point out that in the end it is up to you to put yourself in a position for the best chance for a fighter.

My son is a 2011 USAFA grad who wanted to fly fighters. He didn't apply to AFROTC because he wanted to go to USAFA. He did well at USAFA and got a pilot slot. At UPT he made sure he never missed an opportunity to study, chair fly, or help out a classmate. He graduated #1 in his class at UPT and got an F-16 for his assignment. Today he is a Flight Commander with several unit assignments and deployments under his belt and is an instructor in the F-16 FTU. Last week my wife and I flew to Miami to watch him do the flyover for the Dolphins/Chargers football game.

My point to all of this is, despite the warnings in the posts above, if being a fighter pilot is your goal then go ahead and go for it. It can happen if you keep at it. Good Luck.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
All of the above advice is good and it should be read and considered. I do want to point out that in the end it is up to you to put yourself in a position for the best chance for a fighter.

My son is a 2011 USAFA grad who wanted to fly fighters. He didn't apply to AFROTC because he wanted to go to USAFA. He did well at USAFA and got a pilot slot. At UPT he made sure he never missed an opportunity to study, chair fly, or help out a classmate. He graduated #1 in his class at UPT and got an F-16 for his assignment. Today he is a Flight Commander with several unit assignments and deployments under his belt and is an instructor in the F-16 FTU. Last week my wife and I flew to Miami to watch him do the flyover for the Dolphins/Chargers football game.

My point to all of this is, despite the warnings in the posts above, if being a fighter pilot is your goal then go ahead and go for it. It can happen if you keep at it. Good Luck.

Stealth_81
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Thank you. Props to him!
 
BDHuff09 said:
You didn't ask, but the Air Force isn't the only service with fighter pilots :)

View attachment 3725
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Okay...you mentioned fighter pilots and put up a picture of three targets...where's the fighters?

I went there didn't I, I really did?!!

I keep telling my students: my filter sometimes it...it's a fighter pilot thing...it just...sometimes it just releases those "inside words" that are never meant to become "outside words."

1570838046803.png

Steve
Viper 78
 
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