Have I already ruined my chances at becoming a fighter pilot in the USAF?

Question

I'm a senior and my high school gpa has only been around 2.0 to 2.5. Do you need straight A's in high school to become a fighter pilot?

what kind of college would I have to go to?

Answer 1

I'm glad that you asked.
I know Chase and Lawloetc have good intentions but recruiters are briefed on ROTC; it doesn't help them meet their quota of recruiting enlisted personnel.

You do not need straight As in high school.
The Air Force gets most of its pilots from ROTC! My det had a 100% selection rate last year. The #1 cadet had a 3.9 and the #4 cadet had a 3.6 so your college grades count a lot! I'm not concerned about your high school grades; I am concerned about your poor study habits. If you are not studying now, you are going to have a harder time in college.
You can be a pilot with allergies so don't get wrapped around that. And we prefer our pilots have good moral character but we normally don't perform bed checks, etc.
If the college of your choice does not offer AFROTC; see if they have a cross-town agreement. The university I'm stationed at is the "host". Half of our cadets come from this university and the other half come from six nearby colleges and universities. If you are able; I would encourage to visit an ROTC detachment and see what you think.

Answer 2

If you want to be a future (fighter) pilot - some advice - The fact that you want to be a pilot since age 5 is... irrelevant - Wanting to be a pilot at age 5, 10 or 15 makes no difference - Check the minimum age for FAA certificates - Private Pilot is age 17... Flying RC airplanes and FSX computer games is equally irrelevant - All these things are childish considerations - You should instead think about demonstrating maturity - My only advice, be top of you class - Try to get to the AF Academy - Outstanding education is the first step towards flying as a pilot - Flight training is to be started as prescribed by USAF training standards - Flying at 15, 16 or 17 of age in a CAP Cessna will not make you "better" -

Answer 3

You are way behind the eight ball but you can still become a pilot if you stop goofing around.

You pretty much blew any chances of getting into a four year college as most require a better GPA than that to get in. You do have one chance, if you get really high SAT or ACT scores that show you are actually smarter than your GPA would indicate. (Good luck with that.)

Assume you can not get into a four year program, you will have to go to community college. You can get in with a GPA like you have. Get A and B grades and after two years you can get into a four year college. I would go for some kind of engineering degree. Then with A and B grades in your junior year, you might be able to get into Air Force ROTC your senior year. With that, you can get a commission in the USAF when you graduate and have a little time in service to boost your pay. Or you can get the degree and try for a direct commission into the USAF.

Once you are in the USAF, you need to do OUTSTANDING work as a 2lt and 1lt. Then you can apply for pilot training and you just might get it.

But you need to stop screwing around. Getting all "A"s the last semester of high school would go a long way in showing people you are not an idiot. Knock off the dating, working and playing around and stick to school and studies.

Answer 4

Becoming a pilot is very competitive. First, you need a four-year college degree and an officer's commission (academy, ROTC or Officer Training School). Then you have to apply for undergraduate pilot training, be accepted and make it through (the washout rate is high). And even then, there is no guarantee that you'll wind up flying fighters.

(USAF Ret)

Answer 5

Well, I doubt you'll make it into the Air Force Academy with those grades which would've been your best bet. Get good test scores, go to the best school you get into that has an AFROTC program and talk to a recruiter to figure out what you need to do. I'd imagine you'll need to major in some form of engineering or science, get great grades, and excel in all of your Air Force training. But even if you make it to become an an officer in the Air Force the physical requirements are pretty stringent for fighter pilots and it's very competitive.

Your best bet would be to go to a recruiter and learn about AFROTC and make it clear you want to become a fighter pilot. Good luck.

Answer 6

Fighter pilots are commissioned officers in the US military. That means you'll need at least a four-year college degree in a technical field, plus specialized military training. Most pilots come from one of the four service academies (West Point, Annapolis, etc.) or from college ROTC programs.

I believe at least four of the five branches of the military train pilots. I'm not sure about the Coast Guard, as I'm most familiar with the USAF. Currently, US Air Force pilots must commit to serving ten years on active duty after their training. In addition, pilot applicants must meet stringent moral character, health, and physical fitness requirements. Even allergies are enough to permanently disqualify you from the job.

Tough job to get, but rewarding. You may also want to look at special-ops type jobs like Pararescue.

Answer 7

Probably did yourself in already, there are straight -A students around the country competing for very few positions. However, it is not too late to get your grades up as much as possible, then when you get to college, get serious, forget the party scene and take the hard courses. You may not be able to get the fighter pilot spot, but if you can physically handle it, try becoming a Special Ops Officer. Tougher than the pilot job, but I think it's the best out there. Try Combat Controller, Pararescue, or Weather.

Answer 8

you dont need Straight A's in school to become a fighter pilot. you do need to go to college and become an officer before they even let you touch a airplane. plus the USAF isnt really the best to join if you want to fly. only like 6% of them fly if that. you have a better chance flying in the Navy.

Answer 9

The Air Force academy accepts the best of the best. Very competitive, Even straight A applicants are turned down.

Answer 10

You need a high IQ and the physical ability to survive "G" forces. You will need excellent math skills also.

You can improve the skills in college. The IQ part will come in when taking the entry tests. You will have to get a GT of at least 110 to be an officer.

SSG US Army 73-82