Hey guys,
This is my first post on this forum so please bear with me!

I am a relative newcomer to US military aviation, but I am hoping to join a military service as a pilot once I graduate from university. I am studying a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Essentially, I am writing this post to gain information on the early training each service gives to its pilots, and which training system is considered to produce the best pilots. If possible, would anyone be able to provide me with the training phase steps of each service?

My first question is about Initial Flight Training. Does everyone (i.e. every service and PPL/non PPL holders) have to complete this phase, and what is involved? I hold a UK PPL, and I was told that if you do hold a PPL that you can progress past this phase, straight into Primary Flight training.
Despite having a PPL, I would like to complete this phase to make sure that I am using the correct techniques whilst flying, would this be possible?

Is IFT there to introduce the basics of flying (such as Effects of Controls, Straight and Level etc) so that you hit the ground running once you move on to Primary/SUPT training? Or are the basics also taught on the T6 as a recap for those coming straight in with a PPL? Is there a Primary/SUPT syllabus guide available anywhere?

As a last question, which training system (USAF/US Navy/ Marines) do you consider to produce the best pilots?

Again, please bear with my ignorance!

Many Thanks,
mcclune18

This should answer some of your questions. Good luck!

https://www.baseops.net/militarypilot

If you're planning on US military aviation, you must be a US citizen. All pilots are officers, who must be citizens.

All US military branches are essentially comparable, and in fact USN, USMC, and USCG (Sea Services) all use the same training and procedures, and the USAF often mixes students with the Sea Services. Army is a bit different due to emphasis on helos, but still equivalent quality. The real difference between services is more the type of flying and location of bases.

All trainees complete the full program regardless of prior flying experience (possibly one exception for commercial pilots going the guard/reserves?).

I think most of the US services now have applicants do a little general aviation to assess their aptitude, but this is not really training as much as assessment.

Everything Rickair says is true here, except the Air Force mixing students. That has gone the way of Les Aspen. A nice idea on paper, but it didn't work. It's all divorced as of 2014.

Oh and Air Force does some training in the process. Just short of PPL, but that's because the AF doesn't want to pay for PPLs for their fresh fish.

All true except:

If you have a PPL, yes, you can skip IFT (Pueblo Co, in DA-20). All others must attend

They are fielding a new program which allows certain pilots in Guard/Reserves (not sure on discriminators, like ATP and such) to skip straight to T-1's. Buddy at AFRC pilot placement said this is starting in next few classes

Thanks for your help guys!

As I am not a US citizen, would you have any advice on what path I should take considering I would like to serve in the US military. I know that you can get your naturalisation sped up if you're in the military, but I assume that getting the green card would be my first obstacle?

Non-citizens (from certain countries) are allowed to enlist, but not be officers...many jobs available but not pilot. You don't need a green card, and will have a fairly automatic path to citizenship through military service.

If you're a UK/EU citizen, safe to assume that you would be allowed to enlist if you meet the standards.

You can enlist, try to choose a service speciality in aviation--boomer or loadmaster maybe even engineer on KC-10 or C-5s. Yes, service as enlisted will speed up naturization, then be selected for OCS, then for UFT. Long row to hoe.

GF

What? Why? That's an awful idea. Yeah you may never do TP stalls or loops in your guard C-17 but the fundamental skills and discipline learned in T-6s is irreplaceable.

It diminishes the brand a tiny bit, but is the T-6 really necessary for an experienced turbine pilot? The AF (along with everybody else) is about to need all the pilots it can get/keep. Probably OK to have a handful of these around. Like guard babies, as long as they're immersed in the appropriate culture they'll be fine.