Hey,

I'm a 16 year-old Junior in High School, and I too am looking for a career as a fighter pilot. I was hoping to get a bit of information that is specific towards my own situation. During my Freshmen year, I was quite immature and ignorant about the big picture and I slacked. Received some bad grades, and ended up with a 1.5 cumulative GPA by the end of that year. Sophomore year I picked up quite a bit and got a 2.7 GPA which brought me up to 1.8 cumulative. First semester of this year, I really started hitting the books and received a 3.2 GPA which only brought me up to 2.0 cumulative.
     I looked into the Air Force/Naval Academy but I am far below their standard and meet few eligibility requirements. In the last few days, after basically breathing information from forums like this one about the steps to becoming a fighter pilot, I have decided OCS would probably be my best bet. I am in a program called Running Start where I go to High School two classes a day and Community College two classes day thus receiving college credit and a ton of extra High School credits. Upon graduating high school, I will have to complete one more quarter at the community college then I will be transferring to a four year as a Junior (at age 18).
    I'm not sure what I should get a BA in if I want to go to OCS and then attempt to become a fighter pilot. Who would be the appropriate person to talk to in this situation? I still have not decided on a branch but I am leaning towards Navy. My father was a Major in the Air Force before retiring in 1998, would this give me an edge at all in the whole process? If you can counsel me on this please do as I really need to get some information. Thanks for reading.

Matt

Matt,

With the Service Schools out of the picture you have 3 options:

1) ROTC
2) OCS
3) Enlisted Commissioning

All are very available to you right now...and the sooner the better.

Here are a couple of thoughts.

First, contrary to common opinion, don't worry about your past grades. By the time you are talking to a recruiter, he will be looking at your college scores. Second, keep all of the services (AF, Navy, Marines) in mind...you may find you like one more than another. Third, gather as much info as you possibly can right now. I know too many guys who go in blind.

For help with the last two, check out http://www.fighter-pilot.org.

Semper Fi,
Ed

Im kinda in the same about except kinda less extreme.  In my freshman year I had something over a 3.5 weighted GPA.  Now, Im in no easy class.  Im not ranked all that high at all, especially this year.  I heard the AFA really looks for a good foundation in algebra.  Well, right now in Alg 2 I have a low C.  About a 3.4 weighted gpa right now. Ive never really looked into that enlisted to commission thing.  I've always wanted to enlist as a marine and also become a pilot after that.  Would it be possible to enlist as a marine and become a commissioned officer and eventually a marine FA-18 pilot?

Im gonna shoot for the AF academy too, no matter what.