Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Fighter pilot

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Expert: - 7/21/2006


Question
i want to become a fighter pilot but do i have to enlist to do so? and do i run the risk of being deported?


Answer
Greetings Kat -

To become a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, you must be commissioned as an officer.  To get that you must have a 4-year college degree.  You cannot become a pilot by enlisting.

Is the word you are using DEPORTED, or DEPLOYED?

If you mean deployed, yes ... everyone in the military gets deployed at one time or another.  In my flying job, I spent more time in the Middle East than at home after 9/11.

If you meant deported, you would only need fear that if you were not a U.S. citizen.  By law, only natural-born U.S. citizens may become commissioned officers.  You cannot be naturalized.

I hope this answers your questions.  If not, don't hesitate to write back.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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