I have numerous friends that went to Naval flight training and are now flying fighters for the Marine Corps or Navy. Many of them have gone on to become Top Gun and MAWTS-1 instructors. I believe if you have a bit of natural talent/smarts (meaning common sense) and a lot of desire and determination you can definatley be a fighter pilot. Prior flight time helps in the begining up until you solo then formation flying and aerobatics tend to level the playing field in primary. Only if you have your private and maybe instrument and about 500 hrs would i say it would definately help you. I also had friends with a 1000hrs who washed out of the program because they just couldn't seem to unlearn what they had learned to do thier way. I'd say no you don't need a private or prior flight time to make it to Fighters.