How to Become a Navy Fighter Pilot (17 Questions Answered) | Ask The Captain

Join our mission to help Make-A-Wish, donate today: https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR/Wish...

Dreaming of becoming a pilot, but don't know where to start? In this episode of "Ask the Captain," a seasoned naval aviator with 40 years of experience answers your most pressing questions about starting a career in the cockpit.

From the best advice for a 12-year-old future fighter pilot to the nitty-gritty on academic and medical requirements, Captain Steve lays out the path to earning your wings. Find out how much your college GPA really matters, whether the Navy prefers technical degrees, and what the pros and cons are of attending the Naval Academy versus a regular college.

We also cover critical topics like vision requirements, disqualifying medical conditions (like colorblindness and epilepsy), and whether you can secure a guaranteed pilot slot before you even start training. Learn what happens if you "wash out," how aircraft selection really works, and how a military career impacts family life.

Got a question for a future episode? Drop it in the comments below!

00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Advice for a 12-year-old aspiring Navy fighter pilot.
01:24 - How much do college grades matter for flight school?
02:21 - Is a 3.5 GPA in a technical field competitive enough?
03:25 - Does the Navy prefer technical degrees like engineering or physics?
04:12 - Naval Academy vs. regular college/OCS: What's the best path?
05:17 - Can you become a military pilot with corrected vision?
06:11 - The lesser-known medical requirements pilots should check early.
07:03 - What medical conditions are absolute disqualifiers?
08:20 - Can you get a guaranteed pilot training slot before OCS?
09:08 - How do you get a pilot contract guaranteed by a recruiter?
10:00 - What happens if you have a contract but wash out of flight school?
11:03 - Does civilian flight experience help in military training?
12:03 - How do they train you to land on an aircraft carrier?
12:52 - Is it true top students get fighters and bottom students get helicopters?
14:20 - How does the aircraft selection process actually work?
15:07 - Can a Navy helicopter pilot transition to a civilian career flying jets?
15:51 - How does being a naval aviator affect family life?
17:37 - Outro

For business inquiries email us at: [email protected]
For press or general questions: [email protected]

Disclaimer: Captain Steeeve is not a spokesperson for any airline or aviation authority. The opinions expressed in this video are solely his own and are based on his experience as a professional pilot. This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an official statement from any airline, regulatory agency, or aviation organization.

Want to know what watch I'm wearing?
If you are from the US, visit Watchbuys.com and go to the PRIMUS collection under Hanhart. For everyone else, visit https://www.hanhart.com/en/.