Tag Archives: USAFA

Should I enlist to become a fighter pilot?

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Some people may have trouble getting into college (or the military academies), or they may get pressure from a recruiter to serve their country by enlisting. This is not the optimum way to become a fighter pilot.

Don’t get the wrong impression. There are many sharp troops, and the military would fail if it didn’t ride on the strength of the shoulders of its enlisted soldiers and airmen. The problem is that enlisted troops’ first priority is doing their job, and doing it well–it is not viewed as a “stepping stone” to a career as an officer. It’s not easy to get a college degree on the side, which is what some people think they’ll be able to do. If you have the option, it would probably be better to go to college on your own (paying your own way) than to enlist.

That said, if you do enlist or already have, there are some good options. The Montgomery GI Bill is an excellent way to get your college degree paid for–which is the first step to becoming an officer (and thus a pilot). (If you are offered the GI Bill option in basic training, though it may reduce your pay for awhile–take it.) The Air Force also has specific enlisted-to-officer programs, which include variations of the “Boot Strap” commissioning program and also reserved slots at the Air Force Academy. (See the “Leaders Encouraging Airman Development (LEAD)” program at USAFA.) Remember that you can’t have dependents if you want to go to the Academy, so you can’t be married (or divorced with dependents) or have kids, which may be easy to forget when you’re an independent adult as an enlisted airman.

Your best option is always to keep your commander and leadership informed of your desires. They want to see you succeed. If they know you want to become an officer, and you demonstrate your potential to them, they’ll help you in any way they can.

How can I prepare for my Academy/ROTC/OTS interview?

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If you want to be a pilot, you need to get into one of the officer accession programs: USAFA, ROTC, or OTS. These all have application processes that will eventually require an interview. (This interview is not the same thing as “talking to a recruiter.”) Your basic qualifications (GPA, extracurricular activities, etc.) will stand on their own merits. The point of the interview is for an officer to get a sense of your “potential in terms of motivation, goals, leadership ability, communication skills, adaptability, and other qualities.” You need to approach that interview like it’s the most important job interview you’ll ever do. Your interview for Home Depot may determine whether or not you work this summer. This interview helps determine what you could be doing for the rest of your life.

For USAFA and ROTC, the application/interview will only get you into the program. Two to four years later, prior to your graduation, you will compete for pilot slots among your peers. There is no interview process then; it’s just a big computer in the sky determining who is the most qualified. (Part of that determination, though, is the input of your unit’s commander. They will rank their cadets at some point; if you’re at the top, it’s more likely you’ll get your choice. If not…) The down side of this means you will have a commitment in the Air Force before you know whether or not you’ll be a pilot.

For OTS, it’s possible that you could be offered an OTS slot with a guaranteed job, contingent upon your completion of OTS three months later.

The ROTC and USAFA processes can actually be begun online, and you should never have to talk to a recruiter.  For OTS, there does not appear to be an online option, and the listed point of contact is “your local recruiter.” Walk into their office and ask for an application to OTS. There’s no need to let them try to talk you into anything else, nor do you need to convince them of what you want. Just ask them how to start the application process. [If they’re honest, they’ll be more than willing to help you get what you need, and it shouldn’t be a problem.] You can call them back later if you have questions on the form, and you’ll probably have to go back for your interview.

“Tips” for the interviews:

  • Get a haircut.
  • Wear reasonable clothing (or your JROTC uniform, if it is appropriate).
  • Sit up straight.

Have ready answers to the questions you know he’ll ask: (Write the answers to these questions out and practice delivering them. They don’t need to be memorized, but you need to have coherent, well thought-out answers that you can clearly communicate.)

  • Why do you want to be in the Air Force? Why not the Army/Navy/Coast Guard?
  • Why do you want to be an officer? Why not enlist?
  • What do you want to do in the Air Force?
  • Do you know what pilots do in the Air Force?
  • You want to fly the F-22? Why? (Better have something other than “its cool.”)
  • Do you plan on having a family? How many kids?
  • Do you know how long pilots are deployed in the Air Force?
  • Do you know what the AF is doing right now? (Hint: Read the news.)
  • If you can’t be a pilot, would you be happy doing something else in the Air Force? What would that be?
  • What do you think of dropping bombs and shooting missiles…at people?
  • Do you want to stay in and make it a career?
  • Where do you want to be in 20 years (a general officer, etc.)?

Does the Air Force Academy get more pilot slots?

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The likelihood of getting a pilot slot is dependent upon how many pilots the Air Force needs. Several years ago the Air Force had a pilot “excess,” rather than “shortage.” As a result, they culled their applicants with requirements for 20/20 vision, and they also favored USAFA graduates, which was one of the benefits of Academy attendance. Now, though, the Air Force has had such a need for pilots in recent years that virtually anyone (Academy, ROTC, OTS) who has wanted to get a slot could, assuming they were somewhat medically qualified. That may not always be the case. Like most things in the military, it will probably be cyclical.

Statistically speaking, the US Air Force Academy has more pilot slots than the US Naval Academy.

Should I go to the Air Force or Naval Academy?

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The choice of schooling is truly a personal one. Both of the academies have good academic reputations. The “other” issues of the life of a cadet / midshipman (military, physical, etc.) can be daunting.  That said, it is likely that you will increase your chances of getting a pilot slot if you attend the Academy, but it is by no means guaranteed. Over the past several years, the number of Air Force Academy pilot slots has been equal to or greater than the number of physically qualified cadets who wanted to become pilots. Most years there have been more slots to fill than cadets willing to fill them.

Statistically speaking, you have a better chance of flying in the Air Force, given that there are more aircraft in the Air Force and thus more opportunities to fly. Still, that does not guarantee that you will become a fighter pilot.

Ultimately, the choice of higher education should be based on more than just your ability to get a pilot slot. If you are indifferent as to your college choice, the service academies may present more opportunities. If you dislike the idea of the military academies or you are leaning towards a particular civilian school, it is probably better for you to attend the school you would enjoy rather than “suffer” through years at the academy for the remote possibility it will give you a better chance at flying.

Reporter Documents Academy Graduation Traditions

Tim Prudente of the Capital Gazette wrote a short piece on the traditional hat toss that accompanies the graduation of each of the US service academies:

In the seats, children fidgeted because where else can an 8-year-old boy score $20 and a military hat, maybe as many as he can carry…?

Many midshipmen tucked $20 and 15 cents for the Class of 2015.

This and other traditions have been noted here before, including the veritable plethora of traditions from a single photo during an Air Force Academy graduation in 2010.

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SECAF: Diversity, Moral Courage, and Barriers for Same-Sex Couples

In her address to the 2015 USAFA graduating class, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James called on the new Second Lieutenants to

have the moral courage to stand up for what is right.

It is a worthy, if nearly clichéd, reminder to graduates. It is curious, though, if some parts of American society or American government can remember what “right” — or moral courage — even is.

Notably, every news article covering the 23-minute speech by Secretary James (including the official ones) noted one specific phrase, in context and in bold below:  Read more

Mikey Weinstein Calls for Court-Martial of General Craig Olson

Update: Franklin Graham came out in General Olson’s defense, while Weinstein doubled down, saying

Olson was “not simply a harmless howdy-doody/’Stepford Wife/Ned Flanders type of character delivering homilies and platitudes to his assembled flock of like-minded fools.” He was, instead, part of a “Christian triumphalist” plan to subdue America, Weinstein wrote.

Michael “Mikey” Weinstein published a press release last week calling for the court-martial of Major General Craig Olson, who was the representative for the US military at the National Day of Prayer on May 7th.

You can watch the video of General Olson’s 20 minute talk at the National Day of Prayer courtesy of the MRFF, which recorded the broadcast and uploaded it here. In it, General Olson says:

I’ve been with fellow redeemed Christians who happen to be educators, who happen to be businessmen, who happen to be medical professionals, who happen to be public officers. I’m just a Christian who happens to be in the Air Force. So we all have things we do but we’re believers, when we love Christ and we love this nation. That’s the point of America. We get to be out and about in America as believers in the various places God appoints us.

Gen Olson spoke repeatedly of having experiences that reminded him of his reliance upon God. He spoke of the need for prayer for our military.

This is what Weinstein said in response:  Read more

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