Posted on Dec 11, 2017
Enlisted combat pilots? The Air Force is launching a test that could lead to that.
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If they have the same responsibilities as their commissioned pilot cohorts, then they should be commissioned. Either as a Warrant or 2LT. Incorporate an OCS program into the flight training.
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MSG (Join to see)
We used to have enlisted pilots during World War II and Korea, and it worked out just fine. The only difference, is that their commission counterparts would go on to command positions.
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I have known guys with college degrees in English Literature who became Pilots. Chuck Yeager did not graduate from college to my knowledge. Being a Pilot is a separate skill. I just don't understand why a College Degree should be a requirement? Maybe a person with a degree in Mathematics, or Engineering might have a better understanding of some of the concepts of flight. Still, you do not become a Pilot until you complete flight training. Regardless if you are a Cook, Lawyer, Candle Stick maker. Being able to quote Shakspeare or Having a degree in History will not make you a better Pilot.
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2d Lt (Join to see)
Totally agree. I ended up commissioning and going through upt right now. I’m pretty sure I should be wearing a helmet at all times, especially when it’s to talk about intellectual topics. But in the cockpit I’m not to shabby. The only problem I can see with having enlisted pilots is the potential for a pilots commander role in the aircraft to be compromised by other senior enlisted members. Example being senior maintence guy pushing maintence regs on the lower ranking pilot.
But the original point of having a degree absolutely has no bearing on a pilots ability holds true
But the original point of having a degree absolutely has no bearing on a pilots ability holds true
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We had enlisted pilots in WWI so more like getting back to its roots vs pioneering...
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SSG Darrell Peters
That was when Pilots in the beginning were assigned to the Army Signal Corp. The Navy had enlisted helicopter pilots during the Korean War. Back in WWI they had this flying thing they didn't know wat to do with so they gave it to the Signal Corp. A lot of officers at the time thought it was a fad that would die out.
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