Posted on May 16, 2020
What branch should i join if i want to be an F-35 pilot?
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Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 20
Just a nickel's worth of free advice. I don't know how old you are or where you are on your educational path, so bear that in mind. As I and several others have mentioned, this is a tough path, but obviously it's doable. In fact, last I checked, the Air Force was suffering from a significant, and growing, shortage of fighter pilots, so if that's what your heart is set on, by all means, shoot for the stars. That said, I would look at the requirements for being a fighter pilot, and focus on accomplishing those things. Regardless of the branch, all of them require you to be a commissioned officer with a college degree. You're dead in the water without that, so start there. I would say look at the service academies (Colorado Springs for Air Force, Annapolis for either Navy or Marines). If you can get into, and graduate from, one of those, that kills 2 birds with one stone...and the selection process will give you an idea of what to expect. And you get a first-rate education in the bargain. If that's not an option, look into ROTC programs at your school, or schools you plan to attend. As you move through those programs, opportunities will be available and they can guide you on your path. Remember, the journey of 1,000 miles, starts with a single step. Good luck!
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Jamie Tran
Thank you SGT. I will bear your words in my mind as a motive for me to fight harder. Thank you for replying and enjoy your day. HOOAH !!!
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As many others have already said, it's tough to get flight slots, and then even if you do there are no guarantees what aircraft you will get. You need to be aware going in that you could wind up in another aircraft type or mission type altogether.
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Jamie Tran
Thank you, Sir. I'm fully awared that getting a flight slot isn't a ride in the park and I'll give it my best. If this doesn't work well I already have multiple back steps. Thank you for replying to me !! Have a great day
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The f-35 specifically? That road will be rough no matter which route you take.
You'll definitely get answers from people who know more than me, but I'm inclined to say navy.
Air Force has 5 fighters that I can think of. So not only is getting a flight spot tough, but then you have to get a fighter slot which is tough, then you have to get the f-35 specifically. If you just want fighters I'd say the AF is the way to go but 35s specifically... Maybe not.
I'd tie both the Marines and Navy for best options to get the 35. Getting fighters in either branch is very very tough... Their fleet is mostly helos... But the 35 is taking over their fighter community. So probably the best shot there.
The army and coast guard have the least likelihood of you getting it. and by a very huge margin
You'll definitely get answers from people who know more than me, but I'm inclined to say navy.
Air Force has 5 fighters that I can think of. So not only is getting a flight spot tough, but then you have to get a fighter slot which is tough, then you have to get the f-35 specifically. If you just want fighters I'd say the AF is the way to go but 35s specifically... Maybe not.
I'd tie both the Marines and Navy for best options to get the 35. Getting fighters in either branch is very very tough... Their fleet is mostly helos... But the 35 is taking over their fighter community. So probably the best shot there.
The army and coast guard have the least likelihood of you getting it. and by a very huge margin
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LTJG (Join to see)
SFC Bryan Stetzer lolol dammit that's what I was trying to go for. I gotta work on my keyboard sarcasm transparency.
Or maybe it just comes with rank. JOs I feel like people are going to lean more towards he's just dumb rather than he's being sarcastic haha
Or maybe it just comes with rank. JOs I feel like people are going to lean more towards he's just dumb rather than he's being sarcastic haha
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SFC Bryan Stetzer
LTJG (Join to see) - Hey LT, don't sweat it. To paraphrase Beverly Hills Cop, "it all comes down to experience and bullsh*t".
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Jamie Tran
SFC Bryan Stetzer - Welp imagine Coasties using F-35s or any sort of fighters for SARs and stuff. I bet it would be a hard time for them to try to hook someone up from 10 ft waves with them :)))
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Mr. Tran,
Good on you for your desire to fly for your country! SFC Hasbun is correct. As a retired Naval Aviator, I need to tell you that you don' t just sign on and get to fly a certain aircraft. Many "wanna be" fighter pilots ended up flying bombers, transports or helicopters.
Right now 50% of USAF pilots winning their wings end up assigned to drone squadrons. The rest are spread out among the various tankers, transports, F-16, F-15 and F-35 squadrons.
The Navy and Marine Corps do not assign pilots to drone squadrons as a primary duty, they fly them in addition to their own aircraft. (One exception being some reserve squadrons and our Triton squadron).
If I were a young man or woman starting out, I'd get my civilian pilot's license and make sure flying was for me. Then once I got commissioned into whatever service (college degree and a commissioning program like NROTC or USNA/USAFA) I'd work my tail off in flight school. The #1 grad often gets his choice of aircraft and/or coasts. However, understand the needs of the service come first. You can do everything right and end up flying other than fighters.
Hope this helps.
Good on you for your desire to fly for your country! SFC Hasbun is correct. As a retired Naval Aviator, I need to tell you that you don' t just sign on and get to fly a certain aircraft. Many "wanna be" fighter pilots ended up flying bombers, transports or helicopters.
Right now 50% of USAF pilots winning their wings end up assigned to drone squadrons. The rest are spread out among the various tankers, transports, F-16, F-15 and F-35 squadrons.
The Navy and Marine Corps do not assign pilots to drone squadrons as a primary duty, they fly them in addition to their own aircraft. (One exception being some reserve squadrons and our Triton squadron).
If I were a young man or woman starting out, I'd get my civilian pilot's license and make sure flying was for me. Then once I got commissioned into whatever service (college degree and a commissioning program like NROTC or USNA/USAFA) I'd work my tail off in flight school. The #1 grad often gets his choice of aircraft and/or coasts. However, understand the needs of the service come first. You can do everything right and end up flying other than fighters.
Hope this helps.
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Jamie Tran
Thank you for your information, Sir. I will do my best to achieve at least a pilot slot in 1 of the 3 branches. Thanks for replying and have a good day !!
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Air Force and shoot for the academy. It would be slightly easier than trying to get into one in the Navy or Marines, since the Air Force has the A version. The B and C models demand either a carrier certification or a lot more VTOL training to be flying those things. In any of the three, you might as well look at it as being almost an astronaut in how rare it will be to get that far.
One last thing, I wouldn't worry too much about the F-35. The speed restrictions it has, remove it from being a true 5th generation fighter , I don't see it staying in widespread service for long , except maybe the USMC version since it is VTOL, but with its short range and lack of payload , it may not be around long there either.
One last thing, I wouldn't worry too much about the F-35. The speed restrictions it has, remove it from being a true 5th generation fighter , I don't see it staying in widespread service for long , except maybe the USMC version since it is VTOL, but with its short range and lack of payload , it may not be around long there either.
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Jamie Tran
Hooah brother. I love to fly, especially fighters and my dream bird is the good ole F-35. Thanks for replying and have a great day !!!
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