Is it too late to change up my lifestyle and become a fighter pilot?

Question

I'm a 14 year old white female. I've been through... a lot, I was born in the inner city area of Baltimore, and brought up in Glen Burnie Maryland. So far, I've done poorly. My GPA is 1.25 but I hope to bring it up to 3.5-3.8 before my High School career is over. I'm going to be a Sophmore on Tuesday. I hope to try out for spring sports, also. I work out twice a day and I'm currently trying to apply as an intern at the gym to raise money and pay my own share of the bills. I've 'been around the block' this includes drugs, abuse, rape, and much more. I've stayed away from gangs, and that's about it.

I have big plans for my next three years in High School, this means, get my GPA up, meet the Senator, enrol in Civil Air Patrol, join sports, get a job, and do some more volunteer work. Maybe if I'm able to fix things and bury my past a little bit, can I make it into the Air Force Academy and be a fighter pilot? What are your suggestions? I'll do everything possible, even change my name.

Answer 1

As a rising Sophomore, you face an uphill battle, because you start the application process to the Academies in your Junior year of High School.

this DOESN'T Mean you are screwed, however, it just means that you might not get into the AF Academy immediately after High School. You may have to go to the Prep School, or possibly enroll in a civilian college and take AFROTC.

Things to do for the next couple of years:

Lay off the smoking, drinking, drugs and sex.

Take as many AP courses as you possibly can, although with your current GPA, you will have a hard time convincing anyone you are capable.

take as much Math and Hard Science as possible.. Trig, Chemistry, Physics.

Continue to stay in shape. Volunteering is good, also join a few school clubs, More points in your favor if you get some Leadership experience: student Council, or even president of the Debate club or whatever.

Whether or not you can be a pilot, depends on the very rigorous physical screening process. Depending on what drugs you have done in the past,even a one time usage will be disqualifying for any branch. also, long term use( even more than a half dozen times smoking Marijuana) can be a PDQ with no waivers authorized.

Something to keep in mind: the AF is downsizing, and unless you are the cream of the crop, you won't be getting in. Keep an open mind on the other branches, all of who have pilots. (and the Navy actually has more fighter aircraft than the AF does, and the Army has more Helicopters)

Answer 2

YOu have had a tough life. The only thing that could affect your ability would be felony charges and, as you are a minor, they would most likely be sealed and not applicable. Drug use or possible emotional issues could come into play as well, but only if the drugs had long term affects (am assuming you are no longer using..keep it that way) or if you receiving ongoing treatment and meds for things like depression (if you are, do not stop. It is far more important to be sure you are emotionally healthy and stable at 14 than to worry about the military).

Getting an appointment to one of the military academies is tough. It often takes more than good grades. Community service is key as well...volunteering with the homeless, working with other teens in crisis, those sorts of things will be hugely helpful. You can also look at other colleges with ROTC programs as a way to get your degree (a must for an officer and only officers can fly) with the military footing the bill.

Fighter pilot slots are the most coveted in the military. While there are female fighter pilots (only a few though) you would not be allowed to take your plane on combat missions as women are not allowed into that combat scenario at the moment. You would be allowed to fly training missions and be an instructor if you reached that level of qualification, but that would be about it. While I do not want to dissuade you from your goal, I do think you should know what that goal will mean in as far as what it will allow you to do.

Focus on school. Work hard. All you can do is your best.

Answer 3

Girl you are 14, there is nothing that is too late for you to do. Get those grades up and you can do anything after that. Man, that would be soo cool if you did that. Please just don't lose sight of those dreams. I wanted to be a pilot when I was your age too. But I let other people tell me I couldn't, so I didn't. Don't let that happen and believe me, you can, especially since you already have some bad experiences in your past to learn from. Too many kids grow up being handed everything and when they get into the real world, they have no goals or ambition. But you are different and that's why you will be great at what you decide to do. Especially a pilot. Just keep straight-laced from now on :) Good luck!!!!!

Answer 4

You can't be a fighter pilot because you are a female. Also my husband is Air Force and you need to look into the regs. You have to be in a certain weight and height range, your vision must be perfect, and your hearing must be perfect. If you have had prior surgeries it generally rules out the possibility of being a pilot. There are also tons of medical conditions that won't allow you to fly. It is very hard to become an Air Force pilot. You also must be an officer to fly so that means getting college in first. Good luck just find out all of the restrictions before you have your mind set on pilot.

Answer 5

hey, you are doing a great job! it sounds very much to me like you have the motivation and ability to achieve your goals!

yes, you can still become a fighter pilot if you work hard enough. the most important thing you need to know though is to not be discouraged by what ANYONE tells you. Just keep those grades up and keep studying no matter what! I can tell you have a burning desire inside of you and it's that burning desire that will carry you through so that you can reach your dreams! You can make it if you try.

I was a lot like you when I was your age but I quit studying when a recruiter told me that I couldn't be a pilot because of my eyesight. It turns out that that recrutier was wrong but I didn't learn that until it was too late.

-I was in the civil air patrol
-trying to get my pilots license
-straight A's
-extra carricular activities

but i gave up because a recruiter gave me false information. so my suggestion to you is to keep trying and do not give up!

GOOD LUCK!
you can do it!



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additional details:

DONT LISTEN TO WHAT BIDDY BUNNY IS TELLING YOU! SHE IS FLAT OUT WRONG!

YES YOU CAN BE A FIGHTER PILOT. there are many female fighter pilots.

NO YOU DO >NOT< NEED PERFECT VISION you can get laser surgery

...buddy bunny is exactly the type of person you need to watch out for. her goal is to knock the wind out of your sails. ignore people like her!

Answer 6

Having been in the military, I can say your past is not AS important as where you are now and where you are headed.

They DO have a keen interest in making sure you have your head screwed on straight and it would be advisable to endeavor to be the utmost you can be if you want to be a fighter pilot. They only take the best and the attrition rate is phenomenal.

Also, if you need to wear prescription glasses, you may consider lasik. You need 20/20 vision or better.

Answer 7

It sounds like you are on the right track and I congratulate you you have time to get your grades up and plan on collage and if possible you might try getting your private pilots license you have a good shot at applying for pilots training but about 10 percent of those who complete pilots training get picked to go on to Fighter Training but there are plenty of pilot jobs out there
Good Luck I am rooting for you

Answer 8

The civil air patrol is your best bet. The senator can help you too, but what you need to think about is college. If you want to go there are ways to pay for it. Get student loans, and then get a degree-then join the military if you think it is still for you by then.

Jim

Answer 9

Wow...you are only 14 BUT THAT GPA NEEDS TO BE BETTER UNLESS YOU WANT TO WORK AT MCDONALDS!!! But you still have time to bring your grades up if you start now...no more 'well i do it next year'. If you dont do it now you will run out of time for your GPA. I can imagine its gonna be hard but try and put that stuff behind you and dream of a future that you will create if you study hard and play it smart....joining sports is also a good way to keep it strait. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 10

eat some carats for your eyes pilot needs 20/20 vision