If I join the military to become a pilot will i die?

Question

What are benefits to joining the military? i want to become a comercial pilot and everyone is telling me most of them have training from the air force military w/e.. but do i need to go to Iraq? what are the chances of me staying alive and can i just join the militay so i can train with planes to become a comerical pilot? and thats all

exuse me but how many ppl do you know out there that goes to the military for money.. i know a lot..no offense.. and i ask "will i die" as in will i die in duty cause all i hear about is how many ppl have died in iraq being a pilot is my dream job since i was 11- or 12 years old i am questioning the military because its benefits but idk if paying for a school is better even tho i have to pay..

Answer 1

Sounds like you have no concept of military service. If you have the grades and physical qualification you may be able to get a aviation guarantee for a 6 year contract in the military. Being a pilot requires a lot of dedication to the books, rapid reflexes, and good eyesight. Competition for pilot school in the any branch of the military is very high. They have a very high wash out rate. And just because you wash out of training, you do not get discharged, you will be assigned some other training program and serve out your contract.
If you are afraid of death, being a pilot is not going to be an option. Individuals get killed in training, and even while flying over peaceful sky. They just do not get a lot of press. It takes a lot of nerve to complete military pilot training and getting your commission--it not as glamorous as the movie "Top Gun". And even if you pass pilot training school, the aircraft you are assigned to fly will be upon the need and your abilities.
Sorry, if I sound harsh or may have busted your bubble. But I feel you are seeking a honest answer.
You may consider a different career, and get a small aircraft license--and fly for pleasure/hobby.

Answer 2

First, sadly to say, yes, you are going to die, eventually. Everyone does. I'll bet that no matter how hard you look, you will not find a person who has lived forever.
Now, as far as commercial pilots go, yes a vast majority come from the air force, however, they aren't fighter pilots. most fighters either have one engine or two. most commercial planes have either three or four engines. The highest percentage of pilots that can transition from the military to civilian, are those that fly cargo planes. Something that isn't too glamorous in the air force, or any other branch of the service. A pilot in the air force that flies a C-9, can easily transition to flying a C-9 in civilian life. That also holds true for a person that flies a B-52 or a C-141, or for that matter a C-17, but they are cargo pilots or bomber pilots. most of the movies you will see are the fighter pilot jockeys and they are the most desired in the military. The fighter pilots are also the ones that see the most combat, and hence have the shortest life span.

Answer 3

I'm actually pretty refreshed to see people that actually think of these things before telling the world how much they wish they were a badass. First off, the Marines do not have Special Forces. SF is found only the Army. The Marine Special Operations Regiment, a similar unit, is only open for experienced Marines that have done their time, usually as Marine grunts. I would advise against the SEAL route simply because in the highly likely chance that you were to wash out, you'd be stuck with a greaseball job in Blue Water Navy, while washing out of Army SF training lands you in the infantry (which you are apparently interested in), and washing out of MARSOC selection just puts you back wherever you came from in the Corps. Second, becoming a pilot in the Air Force requires a 4-year college degree. However, due to your apprehension to witness or experience death, it is probably the best option of the choices you've made (sort of). From the cockpit, you're pretty removed from the battle below you and it's less personal. On the other hand, your weapons are much more likely to actually kill someone - or several - when used (assuming of course that you're assigned to an aircraft that conducts CAS). All of that being said though, if it really bothers you, then the military simply isn't for you. People join non-combat jobs thinking it'll keep them out of harm's way just to get ambushed in a convoy overseas and caught in a gunfight. Even the ground-pounders in the Air Force have been in combat in this war.

Answer 4

You do realize that this is the military, not just some freebie flight training! They will give you the training if you are qualified, but in return you will have to serve your country. Things don't come free!

You have been watching the new too much too. It is the media's job to make out like things are worse in Iraq than they really are. Just because you go to Iraq, doesn't mean you are going to die. Is there a chance? Sure, but you have to accept that we are in a war, and there will be casualties. If it's your time, it's your time. What makes you so much more special than those who are over there busting their a$$es while you're sitting on the couch drinking your cokes and playin' video games?

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION: I suggest you join the Civil Air Patrol. They are an Air Force auxiliary, and they do not deploy. You can join as a cadet if you are under 18, if not, you'll have to be a "senior member". While there, if you show them that you are not a dirt bag, and you show an aptitude for flying, they MIGHT be able to send you to flight school for free. It's a stretch though.

Answer 5

The military will give you a great grounding in life and teach you a hell of a lot about working as a team and handling difficult situations, its hard to think of a civilian sector job that could prepare you more for many things.

If you are scared of dying though I would suggest not joining the military, and yes you would probably have to go to Iraq or some other conflict at some point as this is what the military do.

Sorry but you sound far to naive to ever become a pilot with the Air Force.

Answer 6

A military pilot today is more likely to be killed in a car accident than in flying his jet. In Afghanistan and Iraq we have total air control and other than some stingers and small arms fire, there is not much there that can shoot down a fighter. Many pilots are sitting at Creech AFB, NV flying UAVs in Iraq. Not much danger in that.

The competition for pilot slots in the USAF is very tough.
1. The USAF is in a draw down mode and they are letting people go.
2. USAF Academy grads get first pick. They usually take all the fighter slots and heavy transports.
3. ROTC grads get second pick. They get the remainder of the heavy transports and the light transports.
4. Everyone else. They get whatever is left over. You are a "everyone else."

A degree in something they need with good grades (Straight A's) helps. Judging by your writing skills, you do not cut it.
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However, you also seem to have a bit of a "yellow streak" and if you want to become a commercial pilot without risk, approach the civilian airlines. They may get you started on little turbo props and if you prove yourself in 5-10 years they may move you up to jets.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you have the right attitude. It is true that if you join the Air Force and serve your tour, you have an advantage in becoming a commercial pilot. But that's a bad reason for joining! There is no guarantee about where you'll be deployed to, and since we are fighting a war in Iraq, that does seem a likely destination. You need to evaluate the risks, and understand them fully before you make the decision.

Answer 8

the US Airforce has lost only 5 pilots of over 50,000 in service, so you tell me the odd of you getting killed in Iraq? Most have never been or may never serve in Iraq, the total maximum US airforce pilots to be in Iraq at anyone time is just about 1,000, thats fighter pilots, bomber pilots cargo aircraft and air refuelers. Also if you want to be a commercial pilot, you don't start as a fighter pilot, few airlines will hire a hot shot fighter jockey, the pilots they hire are the cargo and re-fueling pilpts, they fly the big plans, steady and slow, just like the commercial plans. and no cargo or re-fuelers have been lost in the war so far.

Answer 9

If you got your drivers license, does that mean youre going to die in a car accident.????

Just because you join the military, doesnt mean youre going to die..... It is a risk when it comes to a war zone, but as far as pilots go, the risk is minimal... The only aircraft you hear about getting shot down over there are helicopters.... But compared to how many helicopters are flying every day over there, there have been only several incidents....

Id say go for it. Join the Air Force, get the training, and get your commercial license.

Answer 10

Actually being a pilot is about the safest job in the military. It costs over 1 million dollars to train a military pilot! They represent a big investment so they don't take chances with them. We have unquestioned air superiority so planes are very seldom shot down. As military jobs go, it's a pretty good job. If you can get it.

I would have moral problems with it, though. Pilots kill a lot of innocent people. At least hundreds of thousands this time around in Iraq. You just drop bombs or shoot missiles, you never see who you hit.

Aerial bombing usually produces few or no American casualties, so there's no downside. Americans don't care how many people of other countries get killed. So American presidents tend to use bombing as an all-purpose tool, it's just too easy for them to order out the bombers to throw around American power and might. I wouldn't want a part in that.