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Difficulties and details on commissioning into the army or air force?

I have a vested interest in joining the military as a mid-to-long-term career. I have done some preliminary research and narrowed it down to being either a fighter pilot or joining the army rangers. And I just have some further questions about difficulties and potentially going into a military academy in either branch. Thanks.

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Phil’s Answer

I actually feel that ROTC is the best option for the Army. It gives you that college life and allows you to take classes to see if that is what you actually want to do. I had options to join the military academy but chose the ROTC option for those reasons. I came from a military family. My dad was the ROTC Professor of Military Science, and I was able to go on a few exercises and saw that the military was my career. I was like you. I first started in Air Force ROTC to become a pilot. Went through the training and all the medical tests. But there is a big difference between the breed of an Air Force officer and an Army Officer. I realized that I fit in the Army because of what I enjoy daily, such as being outdoors and a little more physical.
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James’s Answer

Each branch is going to have their own requirements, but you will need a four-year degree regardless of which branch you choose. Potential difficulties that may arise is things that have happened in your past that you will need a waiver for. It could be a medical issue. It could be whether or not you have committed a crime in your past. It could have to do with drug use. Be honest about your past and a selection officer will try and set you up for success.
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Mark Francis’s Answer

Hi Samuel. It is great that you are conducting your own research. I am thankful to learn of young folks like yourself who intend to serve their country as a career uniformed service member, meaning for 20 years or longer. Since you are asking about military academies, it is obvious that you are seeking the commissioned officer route and not the enlisted route. Speaking of the academies..If your high school grades are outstanding and you have political support, aiming to get into one the academies is indeed an option. But I would suggest that you also consider, and don’t discount, the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) routes. Now, regarding your desire to be a fighter pilot or Army Ranger…As a career officer, you need to understand that you may indeed eventually qualify as a fighter pilot (in one of the armed services) or as an Army Ranger but know that most officers’ career paths are not usually focused exclusively on flying a plane every day as a fighter pilot or jumping out of an airplane every day as an Army Ranger. Both are outstanding goals to consider and aim toward but I would encourage you to first focus your effort and energy on getting onto a path to commissioning, either via a service academy or via a ROTC program. Assuming that you make it into a commissioning program, and after getting through your first couple of years of that program, then you will be better informed, experienced, and will better understand what I have written above. Who knows? Maybe by then you will discover that there are other great career route options in the military as well to consider. Hope this helps. All the best.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice. Samuel
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Zach’s Answer

Samuel
I will focus on the pilot side of your question, but I have worked with the rangers, and it is worth noting that there is a distinction between earning ranger tabs (making it through ranger school) and being assigned to a ranger unit (in the 75th ranger regiment). My biased opinion is that the lifestyle of a pilot in the USAF will be much more enjoyable than that of a ranger, but that is less important than pursuing that path that stokes your passion. Air Force pilots rarely sleep in a tent or eat MREs...I can’t say the same about a ranger. At the same time, both paths are hardcore in their own right and as you mentioned, extremely challenging.

The general process for becoming a fighter pilot is this:
1. During high school (or college for OTS) apply and get accepted to a commissioning program (Academy, ROTC, OTS)
2. During college (Junior year), apply to get a ‘rated’ pilot slot
3. If accepted you will attend 1 year of UPT (undergraduate pilot training) after graduating college and commissioning
4. Halfway through UPT you will ‘track select’ into T-38s, T-1s, or rotary wing
(there have been many changes to UPT since I graduated 10 years ago so some of this info may be dated)
- T-38s are what you want to become a fighter
5. At the end of T-38 training you will rank your aircraft preferences and then have an ‘assignment night’ where you are notified of which aircraft you will train in
6. For fighters, you will attend 8 weeks of IFF (fighter fundamentals)
7. Then you attend the B-course (~9 months for the F-35)
8. If you pass all of these challenging courses you will finally be assigned to an operational unit
9. For pilots, training never stops because you will continue to upgrade (formation lead, instructor, evaluator, weapons school, etc)

To address your specific questions:
- Attending the academy is your best bet to get a pilot slot, but it is also very common to get one from ROTC (this is what I did) if you get good grades and demonstrate strong leadership qualities
- It is a common misconception that you have to study aeronautical engineering or any other STEM field to improve your chances of earning a pilot slot. I know pilots who majored in history, but many are in fact engineers (I was a business major). Bottomline: I have not observed a noticeable difference in the skill of a pilot based on what they majored in so study what interests you because it is easier to get good grades in a subject you care about.
- All of your flight training happens after college (although there are cool summer programs at the academy that could validate your interest in flying (unpowered flight, freefall, etc))
- The total length of time from graduation to being a fully qualified, deployable F-35 pilot is 2-2.5 years
- As previously mentioned, academics (GPA) and demonstrated leadership are the two most important factors when it comes to getting a pilot slot.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the lengthy process because each step is thoroughly enjoyable in itself. Keep your eye on the ball and good luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much Zach. This is very helpful to hear from someone who has experienced it. I will look closer into each of these steps. And I'm glad to hear that a STEM field doesn't particularly affect your chances, I kept hearing that from many of the people I spoke to. Thanks again Samuel
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David’s Answer

Hi Samuel, I've read your question. Being a fighter pilot or army ranger definitely will take you down different paths. You mentioned you had further questions. What are they?
Thank you comment icon (part 1 of 2 due to 800 character limit) So other than the easily available info on the air force's website. I wanted to know more about the actual process of training for it. I know you have to attend the academy for a minimum of 4 years and I wanted to hear from someone who has attended it a few things like: 1. How intensive is the academy if you are shooting for a fighter pilot (what courses would you be expected to take etc.) 2. how long other than the 4 years at the academy ould i have to spend before actually being able to fly a combat aircraft (what additional flight training would need to be done, and is it done in those 4 years or after? Samuel
Thank you comment icon 3. What are some factors that determine if you get to fly the aircraft you want? assumedly being ahead in the class is part of it but is there anything else? I personally want to fly an F-35. Obviously this is no easy task and it is EXTREMELY competetive 4. If you or someone you know has any additional tips or pointers please ad those as well Thanks Samuel
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