How to become a Fighter Pilot?

Question

I'm sick and tired of searching, I mean, why is every thing so complicated? First you have to choose: USAF or US Navy or USMC, then you have to know what programs take you there and that's a catastrophe, the airforce website for example gives you nothing clear, they only list available programs and careers and leave you alone to drown in them trying to solve the mystery, I've browsed some previous answers on Yahoo, but no one seemed to state everything clearly, I'm 28 now and I guess that's too old, but I'd love to know now wether I was able to become a fighter pilot when I was younger or not, anyway, in plain english, can anyone PLEASE tell me how to become a fighter pilot?

This goes for each one of the USAF, US Navy, USMC: if there's one path,please state it, if there are more than one, please mention everyone separately and clearly (I would appreciate putting everything in points 1,2,3)

Thanks alot!

Answer 1

you are too old, doesnt even matter to answer the question. sorry.

Answer 2

Preliminaries:

1- You must have a Bachelor's Degree

2- You must be accepted into and complete a commissioning program

3- You must be accepted into and EXCEL at pilot training. This is true for USAF, USN and USMC.

To qual for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (to give it its full name)

1- You must pass a Class I Flight Physical

    VISION 20/70 correctable 20/20 USN/USMC 20/40 correctable else as USAF

                  No colorblindness

                  No astigmatism

                  No nightblindness

                  Good depth perception

     HEALTH:  No history of cardiac issues, diabetes or Hi/LO Blood Pressure (LO BP is sometimes waiverable; if HI BP can be controlled with exercise and diet fine)

No hearing problems (possibly waiverable depending on freq range etc).  No history of clinical emotional/mental issues like BPD, Depression etc.

2- You must get acceptable scores on the Air Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) or the Navy/USMC equivalent.

3- You must get past a Flying Training Selection Board.  The board considers the above, plus your civilian flying experience.  A PPL, Student License, Glider License, or even copies of your logbook (which is what I did) is huge.  Also recommendations on your "rated potential" from active/retired aircrews helps a lot.

OK,  This is the USAF path:

Once on your way to SUPT, your aviation fate is determined by

1- Needs of the Air Force.  This you have zero control over.  The AF may determine your class (typically around 20-30 studs) may get zero fighters, 1-2, or RARELY 3+.

2- Your class standing/preferences.  With these kind of odds, you need to be at the top of your class (or as close as you can get).  Higher the class ranking, the more likely you are to get your first or second choice.

An example:  say you're living right and 2xVipers, 1xA10, 1xEagle come down.  You want Raptors eventually-as those crews are coming from Eagles, that's your first choice; Vipers second.  You are ranked #6.  The number 1 stud wants a Viper-he/she gets it. #2 dude wants B1s-he gets that.  Etc,etc.  Comes down to you and the stud ahead of you wants the Eagle-she gets F15s and you'll get the remaining Viper.

Don't know how I can explain it any better.  If you still have specific questions, please PM me; be glad to assist if I can.