To your point, and i support it...thousands. We fought a World War and Vietnam with pilots that did not have a degree. The Army could not have waged war if not for Warrant Officers flying helicopters (my Father). Not apples to Apples though in many cases, i admit.

That said, the reason I can understand there being a college degree requirement though, is the employer doesn't know you any better than you know them. All we get about them is what's online and from other employees (maybe). All they know about us is an application and a resume, maybe a personal recommendation. The college degree is just something that they can easily point to that show's a candidate has done something to separate themselves, and that they at least at one time were able to consume large volumes of information and retain it. In a sea of faceless resumes, that one data point gives them a little more comfort that the candidate can handle the academics of training. Just my opinion.