Excargodog

I disagree. This is not an attempt to disparage anyone of any gender. But I've looked up at (or flown in) too damn many missing man formations during my time as a backseater in tactical aviation, and sat on too damn many mishap boards. And it hurts, deep in your soul to see the folded flag handed to the spouse with the kids beside him or her trying desperately to be brave when their whole world has been shattered.

The onus is on the trainers and the commanders to keep junior aviators out of situations they can't handle, not on the newbie's to turn down what they can only perceive as a "golden opportunity."

Everyone, regardless of their gender, deserves better trainers and leaders than those that pushed people who weren't ready into a dangerous situation to further their own careers at the risk of their subordinates lives.