| Becoming a fighter pilot isn't something that | | | | extensive paperwork, and even to be nominated |
| happens overnight. It requires lots of time, | | | | by your Congressman. To improve your chances |
| dedication and perseverance if you want to be | | | | of success, start preparing your application early, |
| successful. A special type of person is required to | | | | and certainly don't start any later than your junior |
| join such an elite group. Funnily enough, most | | | | year. |
| people think that becoming a fighter pilot is mostly | | | | The bad news is that just because you made it |
| about flying, when in fact that isn't the case. You | | | | into the service academy, pilot training slots are |
| also need to successfully train as an officer. So | | | | still extremely limited. Being accepted by the |
| you're primarily an officer, even if you continue on | | | | academy is a piece of cake by comparison. |
| to be a fighter pilot. Your primary job is to defend | | | | However pilots are in demand right now, as all the |
| the USA against its enemies, and any career | | | | military streams are struggling to retain the pilots |
| aspirations are secondary to that. | | | | they have. So if you're keen to be a fighter pilot, |
| There are three possible ways to train as an | | | | it's a little easier than usual to obtain a slot. How |
| officer - service academy, Officer Candidate | | | | long that lasts, nobody knows. |
| School (OCS) or Reserve Officers Training Corps | | | | You might also find that The Reserve Officers |
| (ROTC). As a high school student, you should | | | | Training Corps is the best option for you. With |
| apply to a service academy if you want to | | | | this, you study at a college or university as |
| become an officer. You can choose between the | | | | normal, but add in the officer training |
| Air Force Academy, Annapolis (Navy & Marines), | | | | requirements. On top of your regular studies you |
| West Point (Army) or the U.S. Coast Guard | | | | will have to attend military training and courses, |
| Academy. All of them put you through rigorous | | | | spend at least one summer on a training camp |
| military training, and you also obtain a Bachelor of | | | | and attend weekly meetings. Most of the time |
| Science degree. If you have a strong aptitude to | | | | you live as a civilian, only donning your military |
| advanced math and science then you'll have a | | | | garb when you're actually attending military |
| much better chance of succeeding. | | | | classes. When your officer training is complete, |
| If you're planning to enter one of the academies, | | | | you can then apply for specific programs such as |
| then be aware that the competition to get in is | | | | pilot training. Competition is tough, and you'll need |
| fierce. You'll need a high school grade point | | | | to pass some rigorous academic, medical and |
| average of 3.8 as a cadet, as well as a SAT | | | | testing requirements to be successful. |
| score of 1300. This has to include a minimum of | | | | For those who decide a little later in life to |
| 1050 for verbal and math. It's a good idea to | | | | become a fighter pilot, The Officer Candidate |
| have a strong extra-curricular activity record as | | | | School (OCS), sometimes called The Officer |
| well, even more so if those activities demonstrate | | | | Training School (OTS), is the best route. Within 4 |
| leadership or athletic skills. | | | | months OCS will take a college graduate with no |
| So if you want to enter a service academy, earn | | | | background in the military and turn him into an |
| a commission and receive a college education, the | | | | officer. Again, you have the opportunity to apply |
| path is simple. It's not easy though - you'll need to | | | | for pilot training school when you qualify as an |
| perform very well in high school, and not just | | | | officer, but the competition is just as fierce. It's |
| inside the classroom. It takes a long time to work | | | | also necessary for you to begin training as a |
| your way through the application process. You | | | | fighter pilot before you turn 27, so this third |
| certainly don't just hand over a simple form and | | | | option is only available for a limited time. |
| expect to be accepted into a service academy. | | | | Steve Dolan always wanted to be top gun but |
| You need three letters of recommendation, | | | | didn't quite make it. |