How do I become a US Navy fighter pilot?

Question

Right now I am a sophomore in engineering at the University of Illinois. I am just wondering how hard it is to become a fighter pilot in the navy...and how it is decided whether or not I can fly. What are the physical requirements, and do they test how smart you are?

I think I am smart enough to do it, but I am kind of worried about physical requirements. I am 6'2", but I only weight like 170, so I am not real strong. I go to the gym a lot though. I also think I have allergies, but not real bad. I used to have asthma but I'm pretty sure I don't anymore. I am somewhat decent at sports so I think I have pretty good coordination. Dunno what else there is to say.

Answer 1

good luck it rough

Answer 2

I think it would be faster for you to look at colleges that have ROTC for navy. You can do then, become an officer and then the Navy will help pay off student loans. The better your high school grades, the better choice of colleges. A lot of people join as enlisted and never get selected to go on to be officers even if they get the bachelors degree. You might check out the Air Force too. They offer some awesome ROTC programs. Also, you need to talk to REAL people in the military that aren't recruiters. No offense to your recruiter, and yes he is still a REAL military person, but you need to talk to people that do the job you want to everyday and what they like and don't like about it.

Answer 3

Absolutley you are tested for intelligence, among several other things. Start by contacting one of your states congressional politicans and inquire about an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. Congressmen I am not certain of, but I'm sure Senators make appointments. They are the first step in the selection process by making appointments to the military academy schools from the candidates interested.

It's a tough program. And it takes a very large committment from you. A minimum of ten years. There are a many many who wash out before ever getting near a jet fighter, or even into flight school. After all, at the cost of today's advanced fighter aircraft, ($25 - $50 million per plane - just an estimate), and with what they are capable of doing, they are not going to let just anyone at the stick.

Answer 4

Separate the ' glamour ' from the reality. Any type of combat, ground or air.

Check with a reputable recruiter.

It's just like the world, there's all kinds in the military. All the branches have an air arm. Check your motivation.

Above all.

If you have what it takes, go for it. Remembering that in this type of thing, not only are your surroundings a life threatening environment, but that you yourself could become a danger to others.

I - wouldn't advise military service, not because of the time but because of this particular time in history. Do not look at it as your one and only option. I won't get your judgement for you.

The individual is responsible for a careful weighing of the facts, and his options. That also takes courage. It doesn't come from a gun. If anything, you learn to hold back on the trigger.

Answer 5

Visit the local Navy recruiter to take the ASVAB. Its the test they administer to decide what jobs you qualify for. Basically, above an 85 you can do anything you want. Thats what they told me. I got a 98. If you're studying engineering you'll do just fine on that. It has a lot of simple math and mechanical stuff. Then, finish your college degree. If you have one, you can become an officer right in the beginning after boot camp. That's all you need to do to get into their flight school. Good luck man. It looks like an awesome thing to do.

Answer 6

The first thing you shoudl do is to take an ASVAB tst. This is a military placment test. Next, I would tal to a recruiter. Second, finish your degree at UoI. An engineering degree is a rated degree and would help you greatly at getting a pilot slot. Anybody can fly, it just requires certain hand, eye, and foot coordination, but then again, so does driving.

Answer 7

I believe normal vision (20/20) is a prerequisite, however I have heard that Lasik correctness is now being considered, if vision is one of your handicaps. Naturally, your undergraduate studies must be completed and you will be required to attend Officer's Candidate School and earn your commission as an officer. Following all this, and provided you put in a request, you will be considered for flight school.

Your health , that is good health is also a prerequisite for flight school, so stay in shape in the meantime.

Answer 8

dude me 2 what series are you trying to fly????? i was thinking of becoming a alpha jet pilot so i don't have to fight in a war until i want to, so i suppose you should do that first because that will give you good flying training and maneuvering. but when you register they are going to give you a written test, the Murine court test, and then train you, and they will also train you in the weapons field just in case you have to bail out of the jet, They move pretty fast there so they will use simulators then if they think you got what it takes or enough money they will send you on a test fly in a F18 but you know you want the f14 tomcat don't front or the FC-1 hmmm maybe even a blackbird but I'm just doing it for the speed and maneuvering so I'm going alpha, but i want a jet more like the F16 or i might go for stealth

Answer 9

Go for the Naval Academy. The academy is tough to get into, but it's not impossible & it'll put you where you want to be. This site will tell you pretty much all you need to know for applying. http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/steps.htm
Good luck & GO NAVY!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Based upon your added comments that you have previously been diagnosed with asthma you are ineligible for military service in any capacity. A diagnosis prior to your 12th birthday with no recurrence since might be waiverable but never for aviation. Sorry.

Answer 11

Apply