How to Become a Navy Pilot

Last Updated: June 12, 2022 References Approved

To become a pilot in the United States Navy you must meet educational, physical and medical preconditions and complete several stages of training. The educational requirements are among the more significant and time-consuming factors in becoming a navy pilot, or naval aviator. In addition to academics, you must prepare for the physical demands of training and meet certain medical standards. The career is challenging, but can be a rewarding means to serve your country.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Learning about the Navy

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Understand your responsibilities. Being a Navy Pilot is an incredibly difficult, time-consuming, and emotionally and physically demanding job. Before you begin your career path, make sure you fully understand your responsibilities and are up to the task.
- As a pilot, you may take part in warfare. Your duties include antisubmarine efforts, search and rescue operations, and vertical replenishment operations. Vertical replenishment means transferring cargo and supplies between helicopters.^{[1]
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- You will also likely conduct surveillance on enemies via collecting photographic evidence.^{[2]
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- Training is longterm. Throughout your career, you will receive continued, specialized training for the specific plane you operate.^{[3]
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- You will be in control of all internal and external functions of the aircraft you operate. Using the plane you're flying, you will provide attack and defense support for Navy fleets.^{[4]
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2
Familiarize yourself with basic requirements. Not just anyone can become a Navy pilot. There are certain requirements that must be met in order to qualify for training.
- For education, you will need to have at least a bachelor's degree. This can be obtained at a civilian college or the U.S Naval Academy.^{[5]
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- To enlist in the Navy, you must be at least 18 years of age. You must be commissioned as an officer before you turn 28.^{[6]
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3
Make sure you can meet the physical requirements. The Navy has strict physical fitness requirements for all members. Work on staying physically fit in the time leading up to enlisting and strive to meet the Navy's requirements.
- To enlist in the Navy, you have to pass a physical readiness test. This consists of a series of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) run. You will be asked to perform as many sit-ups and push-ups as possible in 2 minutes, and your run will also be timed. In addition, you have to ride a stationary bike or elliptical machine for 12 minutes without pause.^{[7]
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- There's also a standard medical screening to make sure you meet basic health requirements. This includes taking basic vitals and an assessment of any risk factors you might have.^{[8]
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- For body fat, men can have a maximum of 22% and women can have a maximum of 33%.
- In the event you are unable to pass, you will be given 3 weeks to prepare and then try again.
- Your vision must be no worse than 20/40 and needs to be correctable to 20/20. The Navy does accept officers who've undergone laser eye surgery. If your vision is a problem, this is something to look into.^{[9]
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- If you are colorblind or have trouble with depth perception, you can't be a Navy pilot.^{[10]
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Be prepared to make sacrifices. Joining the Navy requires a great deal of personal sacrifice, for both you and your family. Make sure you're prepared for those sacrifices going in.
- Navy pilots move a lot, both during and after training. During your 2 to 2.5 years of flight school, you can expect to move 3 or 4 times. While you will be home during school, you will work odd and often inconsistent hours.
- Your work obligations are dependent on your country's needs. You may be overseas for long periods, with limited access to communication. You might not always know ahead of time when you'll be leaving, meaning plans in your personal and professional unrelated to the Navy are subject to change quickly.
- Training is a lifelong process. Even after you've completed flight school and gone on to earn your wings, you will be called back for training throughout your career. This means moving around and spending a great deal of time away from loved ones.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Getting Educated

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Decide when to enlist in the Navy. The first step to becoming a Navy pilot is enlisting in the Navy. You can do so as soon as you turn 18. However, to be a pilot you will need a bachelor's degree. Many people therefore forego enlisting until after college. However, if you'd rather enlist sooner you can enroll in the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC) at a civilian college. This allows you to take military classes while enrolled in regular college curriculum. Over the summer, you will report for midshipman cruises with the Navy.^{[11]
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Pursue a bachelor's degree. You need a bachelor's degree in order to become a Navy pilot. Before or after enlisting, complete the requirements to earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- There is no specific path of study outlined to become a Navy pilot. Specific training comes after you undergraduate career, when you enlist in flight school. If you want to be a Naval Flight Officer, which is slightly higher up than a pilot, you need a degree in a technical field.
- Certain courses can help you in your goal of becoming a pilot. Physics and math factor heavily into the operation of an airline, so majoring or minoring in one of those fields can help.^{[12]
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- Communication factors heavily into a pilot's job. Consider taking English, communication, and telecommunications classes.^{[13]
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- Aeronautical Engineering provides you with advanced understanding of how an aircraft works. Consider majoring in the field, and seek out universities that offer that as a major or minor. This can really help when applying for flight schools, particularly if you're setting your eyes on the prestigious U.S Naval Academy.^{[14]
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3
Get your military education. After completing your bachelor's degree, you must become a Naval officer commissioned at the rank of ensign. In order to achieve this, you need specific military training.
- As stated, NROTC programs can be taken during your time at a civilian college. If you've decided to enroll in such a program, you may not need further education upon graduation.
- Officer Candidate School is an 12-week crash course in military studies. You will train at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. In addition to becoming familiar with the basic rules and regulations Navy training, you'll engage in physical challenges like swimming, running, and other physical conditioning.^{[15]
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- The U.S Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is the most difficult route to becoming an officer. Only about 10% of applicants are admitted each year. In order to make the cut, you should have a great academic record, a history of leadership, and a background in sports and other physically rigorous activities.^{[16]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Pursuing Pilot Training

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Pass the Aviation Selection Test Battery. Once you've completed your military training, you need to pass the Aviation Selection Test Battery to qualify for flight school and subsequent pilot training.
- The test has not changed much since World War II, when it started being used as a screening tool for Navy pilots.^{[17]
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- The test contains five timed subsets: mathematical and verbal, mechanical comprehension, aviation and nautical, spacial perception, and survey gauging interest in aviation.^{[18]
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- Minimum requirements depend on the program and specialization you enroll in after taking the test. If you do not meet minimum requirements, you can retake the test. However, there is 3 time lifetime limit. If you cannot pass the test your 3rd time, you will be unable to become a Navy pilot.^{[19]
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Enroll in flight school. After you successfully completing the Aviation Selection Test Battery, you will need to enroll in flight school.
- If you have a recreational or private pilot's license, you may be able to forego flight school. Check with Navy officials to see if you can skip this process and proceed to training.^{[20]
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- Flight school begins with an introductory flight screening, which includes 25 hours of instruction. Once this period has passed, you will begin an aviation program. This last 2 to 2.5 years and training begins in Florida. However, as stated, you should be prepared to move around throughout your training.^{[21]
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- The screening period is followed by primary training. You will relocate to the Florida panhandle, where you'll get hands-on instruction in regards to operating and repairing aircrafts. You will spend roughly 100 hours in flight.^{[22]
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- At the end of your primary training period, you will specialize in a particular aircraft. Where you go next depends on what type of aircraft you're chosen to specialize in operating.^{[23]
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Earn your wings. The Wings of Gold are granted to an elite group of pilots who can become Navy Aviators. It takes years of training and dedication to earn your wings, but if your'e dedicated to a career as a pilot, it's a good longterm goal.
- After completing flight school and preliminary training, you will enter an intermediate training phase. This builds upon what was learned in basic training.^{[24]
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- After intermediate training, you will move on to advanced training. This includes mission specifics and allows you to truly specialize in one type of aviation device.^{[25]
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- Once you've completed intermediate and advanced training, you can earn your wings and become a Navy aviator.^{[26]
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Community Q&A

Question

Would a higher level of education (like an advanced degree) mean that I'll achieve a correspondingly higher rank?

Community Answer

No. Your educational merit will not affect your rank. You will still be commissioned as an Ensign, and you will still be promoted as everyone else.
Question

How can I go straight to being a naval combat officer?

Community Answer

Any officer jobs will require a four-year degree. Once you've obtained that, contact your recruiter. They can then send you to OCS, which is where you will learn leadership roles.
Question

Is the Navy really hard work? Does age matter?

Community Answer

Age does matter, and you do need to work hard. People's lives will depend on you.

Warnings

The Navy has strict guidelines that may, for whatever reason, exclude you from becoming a pilot; be prepared to explore alternative naval careers.

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