Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/requirements for being a USAF fighter pilot

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Expert: - 8/11/2006


Question
Hello James. I am a sophmore in highschool and I was wondering what kind of grades I should be getting to become a fighter pilot? I get A's and B's, im not sure if that's good enough though. My vision is ok but it is not 20/20. I've heard that you can have laser corrective surgery if you want to sharpen your vision. If you could help me with these questions that would be great.

Answer
Greetings Chris -

High school grades are unimportant to an Air Force career.  College grades are only moderately important, with actually getting the four-year degree being the single largest requirement.

Your vision needs to be no worse than 20/25.  Before you have any corrective surgery done, be very careful.  There are requirements the military places on you, and some procedures will keep you from getting into the Air Force, even if it corrects your vision to 20/20.  I would check with a recruiter first, as they can quote you chapter and verse directly from the regulations, and let you know what procedures are allowed and which ones are not.

Good luck.  If you have any other questions, 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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