do you have to graduate from the air force academy to fly a fighter jet?

Question

Someone told me that you have to graduate from the academy to fly a fighter jet in the air force. I thought that everyone from rotc and the academy went to undergrad pilot training and then the top pilots from there got first choice at the plane they fly.

Answer 1

No, but you have to have a college degree.

There is a greater chance of getting a pilot slot if you do go to the Air Force Academy. An Academy class has roughly 1000 graduates and get about 600 pilot slots. Almost everybody who is qualified and wants to fly gets a pilot slot. How you do at UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training) will determine what type of airframe you will fly; there is the fighter/bomber track, helicopters, airlift/tanker track, etc. The best pilots there get their first pick.

If your grades (MPA for military stuff, GPA for academics, and PEA for athletics)are high enough at the Academy, you can apply for ENJJPT (The Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Program) where you train with our European/NATO allies down at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas and you automatically get a fighter after that. It is very competitive at the Academy to get one of those slots.

You do not have to have any special major to get a pilot slot. You can be a humanities major and become a fighter pilot. The only caveat is if you want to be a test pilot, then you need to have a degree in aeronautical engineering.

You also don't have to have the best grades to get a pilot slot in the Academy. The person that graduates first in the class and the person that graduates last in the class are still both 2nd LT. The people at the front of the class list get first pick, but usually there are enough pilot slots that people towards the back of the class get what they want as well since some people aren't medically qualified or want to do another job in the Air Force.

I am not sure how the pilot slots work for ROTC or OCS, but I know they don't get as many as the Academy. You have to probably be one of the best at the ROTC detachment to get a pilot slot from those commissioning sources whereas even average cadets from the Air Force Academy get pilot slots. The Academy's program is very stressful and strict; juggling academics, athletics, military duties, etc so average cadets were at the top of their high school classes and would be competitive at top civilian schools.

Other than the Air Force, there are opportunities to fly fighter aircraft in the Navy and the Marines.

Answer 2

your best chance as a fighter pilot will come from the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs.... You need to have great SAT scores and great grades and letter of recommendation to just apply. You do have other options, you can try the ROTC. The thing is no matter how you look at, you need to be an officer to fly fighters, you need to have a bachelors degree to be an officer and well if you aren't going to the academy then I would consider getting a degree in aeronautical engineering, avionics, or something very similar. Talk to recruiter, you maybe able to train while attending school, but remember this, you won't fly fighters without the education. Not to mention all the ridiculous physical requirements. I hate to tell you this, but if you where contacts or glasses, give up your dream now, the military only pays for corrective surgery for your eyes, if your a god.

Answer 3

Strictly - no. However, there are a certain amount of slots that are open for fighter pilot training. Those grads at the Academy have first pick among the open slots. Therefore, your chances of flying fighters is much better if you graduate among the top of your Academy class.

Answer 4

No, going to the Airforce Academy is not a requirement. Any college education is a good start. Just being in Rotc does not mean you will be a pilot. You need to talk to a airtforce recruiter. They do pick the most qualifed.

Answer 5

hmmmm

Lets try a little common sense with this question
The Navy has these HUGE ships with flat tops called Aircraft Carriers.

So. ask yourself again.. Do you have to go to the AIR FORCE Academy to fly fighter jets?


Seriously though. You DO have to be an Officer to fly fighters. Whether you go to the USAF Academy or not.
Whether you go to Annapolis or not
Whether you go to West Point or not

there are many routes to become an Officer
Officers Candidate School (OCS)
ROTC
etc...

You have to be an Officer yes, but not necessarily an acadamy grad.

Answer 6

You do not have to go to the Air Force Academy to fly a fighter jet, but you have to join the Air Force and apply for flight training, if qualified.

Answer 7

No. You must graduate from college and be a commissioned officer. Your source of commission can be from the academy, ROTC or OTS (Office Training School). Then of course you have to pass flight training and then be select for jet fighters.

And don't forget...the US Navy and the Marines have jets too.

Answer 8

NO... first thing is to be physically qualified. ANY bachelors degree will work... and almost any college.

Had a good friend who was Class of '82 and went thru AFROTC at San Jose State, and flew F-16's until his death in 1992.

Answer 9

It's wise to enter the USAF Academy in Colorado, sign up for the advanced mathematics/physics courses available--and excell in them all.

Such top gun grades, coupled with some solid written recommendations from your superior officers should give you a good step into TOP GUN.

Answer 10

nope, but your chances of being a jet pilot in the AF are slim to none, esp since that field is almost shut off to all new people.