My son is an aerospace engineer/math minor graduating in 2020; he wants to become a fixed wing pilot. Which branch offers his best chances?

Pattie Engels — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 21:25:36 -0400

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 25 at 2019 9:30 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 21:30:58 -0400

Go Air Force (Glad the Army doesn't play as rivals in Football.)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 10:55 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 22:55:26 -0400

Pattie Engels The Air Force would be my frontrunner, but that is only my opinion. Have your son search RallyPoint for posts dealing with "Fixed Wing." Your son should research what each branch has to offer to determine best fit. Once he narrows down what he want to do, he can talk to Recruiters to ask specific questions. What are your son's long term goals? Is he thinking of making the military a career, and what comes after the military? Solid research will enable your son to make informed career plans and goals.

https://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/pilot

U.S. Air Force - Career Detail - Pilot

Welcome to the United States Air Force. Learn about great opportunities for enlisted airmen, officers and health care professionals.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2019 11:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 23:49:53 -0400

Not the Army. We have a fixed wing program but it's rolled into our rotary wing program, so you don't get an actual choice on which one you'll be.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 26 at 2019 7:59 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 07:59:57 -0400

Not the Army!!!!!

He might have a better chance in either the Navy or Air Force. And he should get in contact with a recruiter now to inquire about officer training and get the ball rolling.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Aug 26 at 2019 8:53 AM

MSgt Michael Smith — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:53:25 -0400

That's a hard one...

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 26 at 2019 9:12 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 09:12:27 -0400

I'd say Air Force...besides all their money and cushy lifestyle makes the rest of us jealous.
;-)
LOL!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 26 at 2019 10:27 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 10:27:22 -0400

Navy, Air force and Marines have fixed wing pilots. Each has a unique culture. He should read up on and speak with the officers at his schools ROTC program. Determine which culture fits his goals and desires. Good luck.

Response by Capt Glen Downey made Aug 26 at 2019 3:10 PM

Capt Glen Downey — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:10:10 -0400

USAF

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 26 at 2019 5:01 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 17:01:38 -0400

He should first talk to recruiters from Air Force and Navy. The Air Force mission is fixed-wing oriented. The Air Force operates a few helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft, but everything else is fixed-wing, mostly jets, with a few turboprop aircraft. Air Force pilot training is entirely fixed wing. It takes about a year to complete Undergraduate Pilot Training, then the new pilot is routed to advanced pilot training for the type of aircraft he will be flying. After that, it's off to his first assignment as a "real" pilot. Advancement is automatic up to Captain and nearly automatic to Major. Promotion beyond Major is more competitive. Selection for command at Squadron and Wing level is very competitive. Opportunities to command large groups of people (100s to 1,000s) are actually quite rare below Colonel (O-6) because flying squadrons are small compared to other military formations. Flight pay and flight bonuses increase pilots' income well above non-flying contemporaries. Many Air Force Bases are located in desirable locations with regard to climate, recreation, spousal employment, and other factors. Examples: Langley AFB in tidewater Virginia, Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK, Hickam AFB, Honolulu, HI, MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL, Eglin AFB, Destin, FL, Travis AFB, CA, near Oakland, and McChord AFB Tacoma, WA. Of course, there are some not-so-nice places such as Minot AFB, ND, Whiteman AFB, Knobnoster, MO, Columbus AFB, MS, but even these are nicer than many Army posts. Additionally, flying many types of Air Force aircraft translates nicely to experience needed to fly commercial passenger or cargo aircraft making a pilot leaving the Air Force primed for a civilian pilot career.

Now the Navy. I have to admit to not knowing as much about Naval Aviation as I do the Air Force. Aviation is a Department within the larger Navy and Marine Corps. They operate fixed-wing, tilt-rotor, and helicopter aircraft. Their fixed-wing aircraft are mostly fighter, attack, surveillance, and a few cargo. Navy pilot training is similar to AF pilot training with the same pattern of moving to advanced training and then to a fleet unit. Navy and Marine flying units and aircraft are frequently deployed aboard aircraft carriers for extended periods of time. Others are shore based providing forward air support for ground troops and logistical support. The Navy and Marines have some pretty nice Naval Air Stations, primarily located along the coasts, such as Norfolk, VA, Pensacola, FL, to name just two. Like the Air Force, the Marines have some locations that aren't quite as desirable such as MCAS Yuma, AZ. I can't speak to opportunities for advancement and command Naval Aviation. I assume their flight pay and bonuses are similar to the Air Force. Some Navy aircraft are similar to commercial cargo or passenger aircraft, but most are not. Still the opportunity to transition into the commercial airline industry is there for the Naval Aviator.

I love the Army. I was an Army Civilian Employee. The Army is almost all helicopters with a very few fixed-wing aircraft. Talk to the Army recruiter last.

Don't overlook the Coast Guard. The Coasties don't have a pilot training program of their own. I think they depend on the Navy for undergraduate pilot training and then advanced pilot training with the Service that primarily operates the same type aircraft as the Coast Guard. For example, we had Coasties in my Air Force C-130 advanced flying training class who were going to fly rescue C-130s for the USCG. Coast Guard aviation is a Department within the Coast Guard, which is a component of the Department of Homeland Security, but is an "armed force." Keep an open mind and talk to the Coast Guard recruiter.