Sound Off: Should the Air Force Allow Enlisted Pilots?

no thank you MAJ Montgomery Granger I am applying to be a pilot in the Air Force. if I am doing the work of an officer, I should be recognised as one. There is so much more than flying the plane that goes into a rated position. You have to manage personnel as well as financial resources.

A reasonable question. I believe that the Marine Corps had enlisted pilots as recently as the Korean War. (I should check that but am too lazy today. Too many other things to do) I suspect that my answer would rely heavily on the experience of these earlier enlisted pilots. Generally, I am inclined to put my vote on the side of pilots being at least warrant officers. If they are members of the strategic air forces, then definitely they should be commissioned officers inasmuch as they will be commanding weapons of war with a range far beyond limited battlefields where they are beyond the direct control of superior officers. They are, in effect, ambassadors with clubs much like commanders of blue water warships.