Originally Posted by
Erthwerm
What is it, do you think, fighter pilots do all day? Twirl around and do barrel rolls all day?
Of course not, but taking down a fighter requires large, heavy, vulnerable, and expensive weapons platforms to launch SAMs, something modern day terrorists don't have too many of. In order to down a helicopter, all you need is an RPG launcher and a steady hand, something many terrorists have. Besides, being a fighter pilot is well worth it. It doesn't seem like you get the same thrill flying a helo than you do flying a fighter.
They train for combat just like any other member of the military. Being a fighter pilot is not a low-risk profession. It seems like there's a rather large disparity between your conception of being a fighter pilot and the reality of actually being one. What you've said is analogous to somebody saying: "I want to be a fire-fighter but I don't want to go into the burning buildings, I just want to drive around in the truck."
Nothing could be further from the truth. Being fired at won't deter me, I just don't like it, just like fire fighters don't like rushing into collapsing and burning buildings.
I may be wrong, but it seems like you just want to fly fighters because it seems cool but you don't want the risk.
You're damn right I don't want the risk. Its something I'm going to have to live with.
If that's the case, perhaps take up a relatively low-risk career like accounting and do some aerobatic flight on the side.
Accounting? I'd much rather be shot at. lol
My recommendation is to really think about this. There are so many people who would love to fly for the military because of the risk and because of the role the military plays in American life.
I highly doubt there are many people who want to go into the military because they want bullets whizzing over their head and missiles tracking their airplane. Its something they have to live with. The people who actually enjoy the prospect of almost being killed are the minority. Its just the reality that every service member has to live with.