Military Aviation

U.S. military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force (Space Force does not currently offer aviation careers)

Department of Defense

Headed by Secretary of Defense (civilian), oversees main branches except Coast Guard in peacetime

Civilian control

U.S. military is civilian controlled, President is Commander in Chief, Secretary of Defense is main advisor, Congress declares war

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Military leaders (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines) advising President, not part of chain of command

Active Duty

Military members serve full-time, stationed globally, may relocate every 3–5 years, spend majority of time training/deploying

Reserve components

Part-time service, includes Reserves (federal), National Guard (state/federal), train monthly/yearly, mobilized for war/emergency

National Guard

State-based force, serves both state and federal missions, activated for disasters, emergencies, or war

Branches and departments

Army (Dept. of Army), Navy & Marine Corps (Dept. of Navy), Air Force (Dept. of Air Force), Coast Guard (Dept. of Homeland Security in peace, Navy in war)

Military rank categories

Enlisted (E), Officer (O), Warrant Officer (W); with leadership and responsibility levels

Enlisted ranks

E-1 to E-9; workforce, NCOs (E-5+), manage, train, support daily operations

Officer ranks

O-1 to O-10; command units and missions, commissioned by President/Senate

Warrant Officer

Specialized technical experts, command authority varies by branch, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard

Military values

Army: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage; Navy/Marines: Honor, Courage, Commitment; Air Force: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence; Coast Guard: Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty

Leave No One Behind

Cultural value—never abandon a wounded or fallen comrade

Military culture

Structured by chain of command, discipline, focus, and control trained from initial entry

Basic training

Initial entry training, 8–13 weeks, teaches discipline, history, customs, mental and physical skills; boot camp for Navy, Marines, Coast Guard

Commissioning sources

Academy, ROTC, OCS/OTS, direct appointment, training required for officers in all branches

Active/reserve life

Active military live on bases (own stores, schools, support), reserve/National Guard live in civilian communities, less frequent relocation

U.S. Air Force mission

Fly, fight, and win—airpower anytime, anywhere

Air Force aviation careers

Pilot, Airborne Support, Flight Operations, Avionics/Integrated Systems

Advanced Air Force aircraft

F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35A (fighters); CV-22 Osprey, HH-60G, UH-1N (helicopters); A-10, AC-130J (attack); B-1B, B-2, B-21, B-52H (bombers)

Air Force pilot path

Officer commissioning, Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), seat assignment, advanced aircraft school, squadron assignment

Air Force commissioning sources

Academy, AFROTC, Officer Training School

Navy mission

Combat operations at sea, defense, America’s influence, prompt and sustained response

Navy/Marine entry requirements

Citizen/permanent resident, age 17-41 (enlisted), degree for officer, pass ASVAB/OAR/ASTB, meet standards, pass MEPS

Navy pilot careers

Fighter Pilot, Fixed Wing Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer, Naval Flight Officer, Aviation Engineering Duty Officer

Navy pilot path

Officer commissioning (USNA/NROTC/OTC), air indoctrination, primary/intermediate/advanced flight training, FRS fleet assignment

Marine aviation functions

Offensive Air Support, Anti-Aircraft Warfare, Assault Support, Command & Control, Air Reconnaissance

Marine aircraft

Fixed-wing, rotary-wing, tilt-rotor, and unmanned aircraft, examples: F-35C, E-2C, T-6, EA-18G, CH-53D, MV-22, KC-130J, UH-1Y, VH-3D

Army mission

Defeat ground forces, seize land/resources/population, conduct and support sustained combat and stability operations

Army aviation careers

Helicopter/airplane/drone pilot, fleet maintenance, intelligence/threat detection

Army officer pilot path

Commission via USMA, ROTC, Green to Gold, OCS, attend Flight School, BOLC, SERE, tactical/MEDEVAC/air assault training

Army Warrant Officer flight program

Pilot career with only HS diploma, paid training, 10-year commitment, SIFT test, security/medical, tactical aviation roles

Coast Guard mission

Maritime security, search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, regulatory duties

Coast Guard pilot careers

MH-60 Jayhawk, MH-65 Dolphin, HC-130 Hercules, HC-144 Ocean Sentry; progression from copilot to aircraft commander

Coast Guard aviation path

Officer training, co-pilot duty, advance to command, multi-role support

Do enlisted servicemembers pilot manned aircraft?

No—must be commissioned officer or Army warrant officer

Military family lifestyle

Active component families relocate frequently; reservists/National Guard live in communities and serve part-time unless activated

Combat stress/mental health

Ongoing deployments increase stress, isolation, and challenge for families and employers