Can someone with actual knowledge about the military tell me about women becoming combat pilots?

Question

I know that there are limited slots for combat pilots and they only take the best of the best, and that it's VERY competitive. I'm interested in becoming a pilot, and the one thing I've always wanted to do is fly flighter jets. I'm not interested in a lecture about how "you still have a lot of time to decide about this" or "you have to understand what kind of dangerous position you could be putting yourself into". Obviously I understand what kind of risk this involves. Now here are the real questions I have:

I know that the Air Force is a difficult branch to be accepted into. Would my chances of becoming a combat pilot be higher if I did ROTC right out of high school? Or would they be higher if I went to a prestigous university and then applied?

Currently (I'm only in middle school so this could change) so they really consider women to fly fighter jets and do combat missions? If so, about how many women are there right now.

Answer 1

As a retired Navy officer, all I can tell you is to go to the source. Is there an air force base or naval air station near you? If not, do you live near a city which might be hosting a visit from the Air Force Thunderbirds or Navy Blue Angels in the near future? Those are the aerial demonstration teams for both those branches of the military. If the answer is yes, go and talk to one of the Air Force pilots or Naval aviators.
We have the first female pilot with the Thunderbirds right now. The Navy doesn't have a female aviator with the Blue Angels at present, but it's only a matter of time.
Matriculating at a "prestigious" university won't give you an edge. And you shouldn't commit to ROTC without doing some research along the lines I suggested above. The Air Force Academy or Naval Academy is also an option, but you will need to be be appointed by your Congressman. One more point of contact might be available to you. Check your local phone book and see if there is a listing for an outfit called "Military Officers Association of America". They used to be called the Retired Officers Association of America. Many of them have retired pilots and aviators as their members and they are a good source of information as well.

Answer 2

I have never personally seen any female fighter pilots in the Air Force, but I have seen quite a few in the Navy. Aside from one they have all been excellent pilots. A couple of them were in the top tier and could win dogfights against a lot of other capable pilots. The moral of the story is you can do it. If you know what you want, then go for it. Do not let anyone tell you that you can't and let them stand in your way. You obviously need at least a bachelors degree to be an Officer, so ROTC might be a way to go. The Academies are another route. You could even enlist and work your way up through a degree program, but it would take longer and not guaranteed. Getting the education is the easiest part. Make sure you have no disqualifying medical issues, for example eye sight. And then you have to work your tail off in flight school, only the top gets selected to train in fighters. Gather as much info as you can and formulate a plan that will work best for you, work hard, and never give up. Best of luck.

Answer 3

To be a pilot, the first thing you will need in a bachelor's degree. All pilots are officers and all officers must have a four year college degree. Doing ROTC in high school is always a good place to start. Doing it in college will help you get a lot of your basic training and qualifications out of the way while you earn the degree you must have to be commissioned.

The Air Force is consdiered the toughest branch to get into. You will need to get good grades, stay out of serious trouble and be in good physical shape.

Pilot slots are limited. Jet pilots are the cream of the crop and getting there takes years of dedication and hard work. There is a lot of risk. And, while there are some female jet pilots who are allowed to fly training and exercise flights, to my knowledge (and this could have changed with Iraq) women are not allowed to fly in combat situations. You will train as hard as the men, face a lot of discrimination because it is a male dominated career and then not be able to use your skills for what you are trained. That can be a tough idea to swallow,

Answer 4

Just work as a mercenary pilot for Blackwater. They will make certain you get all the training and experience you desire. Don't leave it up to some nitwit recruiter in the Air Force to decide what you want! Or you can be accepted as a pilot for another nations Air Force, just remember there are always alternatives, if you look for them! Talk to women pilots directly and find out what they had to face!

Answer 5

Not only do women in the military fly combat missions, but there is a U.S. Navy female Commander as commanding officer of a fighter jet wing. I don't remember WHICH one, but she's here in Virginia Beach. Also, check out the following link about FEMALES in the military air. I'm sure if you do some digging you'll come up with more. I wish I had kept that newspaper article about the female C.O. I met a female C.O. of a MINESWEEPER in March in Ingleside, TX, but they were selling her old minesweeper to Greece.
Don't let ANYONE smash your dream! God luck, smooth sailing, calm seas and following winds!
(USN retired)

Answer 6

"Women by their nature are not aggressive", you are so cute! Who told you that one? I don't suppose it has occurred to you to evaluate the careers of female combat pilots vs their male counterparts? Why don't you do a little research and get back to us? NOTE to JMS: This is going to come as very unpleasant surprise to you but male POWs get raped/molested all the time. But I don't hear anyone making a case to keep men out of combat. You might want too google that.

Answer 7

go for it kiddo

women kick butt

Get great grades, play a sport all the time. Pilots have very demanding physical requirements. Women also have a tendency to rely on visuals instead of body feedback for balance and orientation. But this can be improved dramatically by physical training.

Answer 8

As a retired Military Pilot, Desert Viking pretty much got it right with his comments. Don't listen to the likes of Kingpin nor Jake, they obviously have never been in the military and don't have a clue.

Answer 9

If you're not a ring knocker coming out of the Service Academies w/ degree in Aeronautical Engineering& Daddy isnt throwing big time green$$ towards Aeronautic Corporations, ie Boeing,Lockeed as well as those Powerplayers in Washington DC.YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH FORGET THE TOP GUN FANTASY SCENARIOS YOU'RE PLAYING , INSIDE THAT IMPRESSIONABLE YOUNG MIND.

That's reality in the 21st Century Military especially in aviation.
Look @ this new technology w/ these pilotless drone planes. That's where we're heading dear so perhaps you should have a backup plan in case the flying thing doesn't pan out.

Answer 10

Yes you can. In the meantime, check out the civil air patrol at www.cap.gov/. If you do serve, thank you in advance.