Duties and Responsibilities: The term "military pilot" is a broad one and may encompass a variety of duties, including a fighter pilot, a tanker pilot and a cargo pilot. Above all, a military pilot is responsible for the security of the nation and its airspace. In the words of one Air Force pilot, their main duty is "to fly, to fight, to win!"
Training Required: To fly in the United States Air Force, you must have a four-year degree and be a commissioned officer. However, the Army and the Marines enlist warrant officers, who are not required to have a four-year degree. Pilot training consists of 52 weeks. A military pilot will then continue his or her training in a specific weapons system.
Working Conditions: The working conditions of a military pilot naturally depend on what is going on in the world. During periods of war or great tension, the job of a military pilot is much more noticeable and recognizable to the general population. However, even during times of peace, the military pilot is still flying through the air. A tanker pilot, for example, may deliver much-needed supplies and food rations to a starving area of the world. A military pilot may depend on a lot of travel -- after all, his or her entire career is based on going "back and forth, back and forth."
Personality: A military pilot must be level-headed and easy-going to deal with stressful and potentially dangerous situations. The military is noted for meticulous detail and high standards. However, flexibility is the key to this career.
Average Salary: Although salary is dependent upon a multitude of factors, including rank, experience and expertise, the average range for a military pilot may start at $30,000 annually. It may also be as high as $75,000 annually, plus military benefits.
Employment Possibilities: If a military pilot chooses to leave the military, he or she has numerous possibilities to consider. One of the most popular is becoming a corporate pilot for an airline.
The Best and the Worst: One of the best aspects of this job is the travel opportunities. A military pilot may be needed for combat in the Middle East or for relief drop-offs in Shanghai. The feeling of accomplishment in completing a mission and doing something good for one's country and the world is a benefit like no other. However, the long or unusual hours contribute to the down side of this career. A military pilot is required to be "on call" twenty-four hours a day. Itıs always "Country first, family and friends second" when it comes to matters of national security and the military.