Forum: Future F-16 crew

Greetings,

If you manage to read through this entire wall of text and leave me a response, I'd be extremely thankful.

Tidbit of history:
I am a 23 year old recent university graduate that has discovered that a desk job is just not where I belong. I graduated from Chapman University in California with an Honors degree in Economics (BS-Economics [Link pending approval] unweighted). I played football up until my Junior year, when I tore my rotator cuff in practice Sad

. I'm 6'4", 255 lbs- athletic, not fat. I go to the gym daily, circuit and dynamic lifting on top of cardio. In school I led an assortment of study groups (both planned and impromptu sessions) for a variety of advanced economics classes- needless to say, I excel greatly in many learning environments. Currently, I work at an insurance brokerage agency in the licensing/contracting department. Starting off as an assistant, I've been promoted extremely quickly and now manage corporate licensing as well as training all of our affiliates and new employees. I am also traveling to several conventions on behalf of the company to represent our services.

My Dillema:
I've come to realize that the desk job type of environment is simply not dynamic enough for me, so I am seeking other options. My father was a firefighter, and I've volunteered in fighting some of the local fires in 2008; that is a possibility, but not my primary goal. As with most other potential pilots that I've seen post on the forums, I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid- only problem is that I was raised away from the military, so it effectively fell off my radar. I love flying, especially in Helicopters- I've never personally flown them, but I love the feeling of being so mobile in the air. I've not been in a jet (only passenger airlines), but I am assuming that I'd love it (I love g-force acceleration, etc- been in many dragsters/pro stock cars).

My Question:
Would it be feasible for me to be able to pick up the military career line and try to become a fighter pilot? I realize that it is a very long and difficult road to become a fighter pilot, but it is a path that I am definitely taking a look at. This hasn't been a quick "I want to be a fighter pilot" decision, this has been a long, thought out, process that I've been thinking about (and reading about) for some time. I don't have any problems with putting forth 110% effort the entire time trying to earn a spot as a fighter pilot, I just want to be sure that someone like me (non military background/schooling) even has a chance at becoming one. I'm fairly sure I meet the medical requirements (20/20 vision, no related medical history- just sleep apnea that I had surgery for). I'd be taking a big time salary hit switching over, but that isn't really a concern for me. If I don't love what I do, it's hard to justify that with just money.

My Plans:
1) Pay for a ride in a jet. That'll let me know whether or not I can hang.
2) Find out if I could even qualify as a fighter pilot with my (lack of) background
3) Determine whether or not I'd best fit in AF or USMC- a few friends of mine in USMC have talked to me about their fighter wing, sounds at the least decent.
4) If being in a jet doesn't fit me (or if I don't fit in them!)- determine what the best course of action would be (continue with piloting choppers?)

Any advice or concerns that you could bring up would be greatly appreciated. If you have questions of me to be able to formulate better advice, please let me know!

Again, thank you.

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Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

First of all, you don't need to pay for a ride in a jet. UPT will determine for you if you are suited for fighters or heavies or helicopters. Don't worry about that till you get to your UPT base. Your first step is to get a pilot slot so go to the AF OFFICER Recruiter and take the AFOQT and the BAT as well as get your medical clearance. Odds are that you'll need a waiver for the sleep apnea thing but don't stress about that, they'll tell you if you need one or not.

If you want a pilot slot in the AF, when you fill out the forms, make sure you fill out the AF Form 56. That is the pilot training slot request form. Without that, they could put you anywhere. Also, find a blank copy of an SF86 (security clearance) form and fill it out completely as well as get 5 references (preferrably from military officers, but civilian community leaders like teachers are fine). If you walk into the Recruiter's office with all that filled out and done, they are more likely to push for you and get you what you want. That being said, once all the forms and tests are done the entire package will be organized and it'll be sent to the board for the selection process. The big benefit for your route of entry into the AF (you'll go through OTS for comissioning) is that you'll have a pilot slot before you ever have to sign the committment to enter the AF. I don't know if the Marines do things the same way but I've heard it can be a pretty grueling process to become a pilot for them. I know for a fact, quality of life wise, that the AF beats ever other service.

The last point to ponder is that you need to go to UPT with the idea that you want to fly and will be happy flying anything. Dont set yourself up for dissappointment by thinking you'll get something and then not get it. I've seen it happen and it isn't a pretty picture.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Hey Snake-

Thank you for the advice! I'll definitely start gathering the paperwork and preparing for the above mentioned tests. I only mentioned paying to ride in a jet to validate that I can personally handle (and enjoy) the G's during flight in a jet. I'm open to the idea of flying both fixed wing and rotary craft; I would greatly enjoy both.

I will continue to do some more research before finalizing the application- I realize that this is an extremely, extremely competitive environment (fighter pilot), and want to be sure that there is a real possibility of becoming one (even if a small one) given my non-military background. Seeing as I am not really challenged by desk jobs, I am fairly confident that this type of dynamic environment would be an amazing fit (especially since I love learning/active environments). The environment coupled with the love for flight makes this a real possibility for me in the near future.

Thanks again for the positive advice- with the right preparation and hard work, I might have the opportunity to turn this dream into reality.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

Just a thought, but if you want a high demand/high payoff job, you might think about the MV-22. It is a kick to fly and I think you'd like the challange of the Spec Ops world.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Seeking advice - Feasibility on becpoming a fighter pîlot