Forum: Future F-16 crew

Heya,

First let me introduce myself because I am a new visitor on this board.

My name is Collin (nick Bramage) and I have just reached the age of 18 for 3 month and a bit right now. My dream is, and has always been, to become a fighter pilot, ever since I was 12 years-old or sow.

But too bad, due to my 'poor' eyesight (+1.25 and +1.5) I wil not be allowed in to the RNlAF (Royal Netherlands Air Force) to make my dream come true and fly the world most powerfull jet.

However, because I just love aviation (*dreaming*) I started searching around for alternatives and because I don't see myself flying huge air buses with drunk passangers from A to B I came to the decision to leave my home country and seek my life else where.
I noticed the USAF and USN were (are) handling softer requirements regarding to their sites and recruiters when I talk about the eyesight.
20/70 for the USAF and 20/30 for the US Navy, wich indeed, I meet.

So my question is, what way to follow in order bo become a fighter pilot in the US military?
Right now I will be graduating form high school in June with a 'HAVO' degree, wich is the one-but highest level in Holland and it gives me acces to both College and University.
However, I am planning to start 'CIOS' (sports training) next year wich will last for 2 years and 3 months and afterwhile I am planning to move to the USA, work there for about 1 year and meanwhile apply for a Greencard.

Then join the USN or USAF as en elisted and get college degree (bachelor) while in the Navy (they financiate, correct?) to be allowed into Officer training wich gives me good chances on becoming a FP.

What options do you think are the best? Because, after living/working in the USA for 4 years I know that I can apply for US citizenship.

What is the best way to follow in your opinion? First finish CIOS in The Netherlands, after wich I will be 21 (let's say 22 for sure), move to the USA, work for a year in sporting industries (wich makes me 23 at the age of enlisting), join USAF/USN, after 4 years become an officer (meanwhile I am US Citizen), then I am 27 or so.

Is this a good idea?

Please help me out.

So long,
Bramage

PS: Oops, almost forgot something... Embarassed

How do USAF and/or USN react to possible laser surgeries? Thanks in advance.

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Nobody?

Frankly, this sounds like a fantasy to me.

Ask yourself if you be happy if something goes wrong with your plan?

No I would not, but I askes my self a dozen of times if I would be happy if I never become a Fighter Pilot while I might have had a shot at it, and that's a big NO as well.

I would 'prefer' to regret something I did, then regret whole my life I did NOT do something.
I know it wil be a long way before getting there, but my motivation is well enough to get there.

Please don't join our services just to fly. We hold great honor in what we do and though you would be welcome to join the service to my great country make sure it is for more than your single minded will to fly a cool jet. I had a kid from Cambodia that was an F-16 loader. He joined because he wanted to become an American first and wanted to serve the his new country. You country has a great AF that is good place to serve. Start there, your eyesight may hinder you, granted but there are no greater things in this world than to serve your country. Don't emigrate just to fly.

Yeah... That TS/SCI clearance is gonna be a long shot... but I am with Erikthe F-16462. I serve for more reasons than wanting to be a fighter pilot.

Hi all,

I know it has been a long time, but I tought let's keep them informed.
A long time ago I suggested to try joining USN/USAF because due to my poor eyesight I wouldn't be allowed to Fighter Pilot training in RNlAF.

However Cool

January 4th was my first selection day (maths, hands-eye-feet coordination test, etc etc etc) - PASS
March 2nd was my second test, theoretics about flying - PASS
March 27th - March 30th - Simulator flying tests (am I able to quickly learn to fly) - PASS
May 11th was my psychological day (interview, teamwork tasks, presentation) - PASS
May 18th - Medical test - PASS!!!!!!!!!!! My eyesight is good enough!!

So, only 3 more tests lefts (some other medical tests, fitness test and flying a real aerobatics plane to see wether I have air sickness etc) before I am sure wether I am taken or not, but it's looking real good now and the chance that they will hire me are approximately 80-90% right now.

I'll let you know Very Happy

Bramage,

See? A little behind the scenes no PC help can always do the trick Wink

Just getting, congratulations! I am happy you found a home in your own country's military and are still able to persue your dream. This will free you of many of the moral and ethical burdens that may accompany joining a foreign armed forces.

Congrats again,

-Aaron

Bramage did you post this somewhere else? I think there is another Bramage on Frugals.

Erik hit the nail on the head and gave you some good advice. I was in your shoes. From my native country I came to US to become a fighter pilot years ago, but plans indeed do not home on target as you plan. Things change. I look back, just to fly vipers, and for that purpose to immigrate, that was almost far fetched, but now I have a happy life with a family, I am in the US Army and soon will start to put my packet in for Warrant Officer Flight Training to become a rotorhead.

I can see that your plans are working over there somewhat, if you need information how to immigrate, your legal channels etc, I can give you further advice.

Hi Bushmaster,

It's possible that I posted this on Frugals, but I am not quite active anymore on Frugals.

Immigration to the USA isn't required anymore because I almost finished al the tests in The Netherlands and my eyes are well enough to fly fighters in the Air Force here, but thanks anyway.

Ok sounds great. What is the latest?

Well I've got 3 rounds to go (5 passed already).
June 22nd I've got my fitness test (strength and endurance), nowadays I am still waiting for my 2nd medical test at the Military Hospital, and when those tests are O.K. my last round is 6 flights in an aerobatics plane (Slingsby Firefly), together with a retired Air Force pilot we'll fly some aerobatics and procedures and they'll look wether I have airsickness, desorientation etc.

Quote:

Slingsby Firefly

What? Good ol' T-67? Heh heh did you know I have 233 hours of flight training in that thing, M200 model. That thing is dangerous and in rough weather it is almost unforgiving. USAF had the same plane (built under license) T-3... They lost a few instructors and cadets at USAFA and retired the plane right away. When I was a student, 2 of my friends crashed, one got into a spin with a student, could not get the plane out in only 3000 feet. The other lost his engine and stalled before touch down. An instructor while performing aerobatics, lost his engine, landed on a highway. Same instructor in a different T-67 made me puke in my first aerobatics demo. It is normal though, you get used to it. Now if you are throwing up all the time in level flight then that is no good. I also have done my flight screening in that bird and trained in that bird. It was not for the AirForce though. PM me, I will send you a few pics of me flying it.

Hey, great (may sound a little weird, some things aren't that cool of course) stories there!!! Check your PM.

Bramage wrote:

Hi all,

I know it has been a long time, but I tought let's keep them informed.
A long time ago I suggested to try joining USN/USAF because due to my poor eyesight I wouldn't be allowed to Fighter Pilot training in RNlAF.

However Cool

January 4th was my first selection day (maths, hands-eye-feet coordination test, etc etc etc) - PASS
March 2nd was my second test, theoretics about flying - PASS
March 27th - March 30th - Simulator flying tests (am I able to quickly learn to fly) - PASS
May 11th was my psychological day (interview, teamwork tasks, presentation) - PASS
May 18th - Medical test - PASS!!!!!!!!!!! My eyesight is good enough!!

So, only 3 more tests lefts (some other medical tests, fitness test and flying a real aerobatics plane to see wether I have air sickness etc) before I am sure wether I am taken or not, but it's looking real good now and the chance that they will hire me are approximately 80-90% right now.

I'll let you know Very Happy

Sorry to break it to you, you haven't passed for F-16 Pilot. You have passed for some pilot job or loadmaster etc. The RNLAF doesnt hold the system that most nations use: Testing for a specific job. In the RNLAF you get tested for the Job Pilot/Loadmaster or a ground job. Then you go threw "KMA" and after the Woensdrecht PC-7 Training they decide where you go judging what you have shown to be best at, it's very efficient and it has a much higher chance of putting the right people at the right spot compared to other systems but you won't know what you're going to be untill you are far into your training and because of your eyesight you have alreadt been excluded from the F-16.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Dutch guy, willing to join US Air Force or Navy