One of my friends has expressed an interest in becoming a fighter pilot, and it got me thinking about the advice I wish someone had given me when I was just starting out. This letter is written as if to Cadet 4th Class Garcia, but I hope it serves as a guide for any young person pursuing this path. Having recently become a combat mission-ready (CMR) wingman in the F-16, I’ve found this to be a good moment to pause, reflect, and share a few of the lessons I’ve learned. The journey to becoming a fighter pilot is as demanding as it is rewarding, and I want to share the perspective I’ve gained along the way.
“Dear Cadet Garcia,
Becoming a fighter pilot is one of the most elite and challenging professions in the world. It’s a goal that requires continual dedication and discipline. If you’re serious about this, the time to start was yesterday.
The Odds:
Fighter pilots make up about 0.0001% to 0.0005% of the population. Out of 330 million people in the U.S., there are only 1,200 to 1,500 active fighter pilots. Fewer than 1% of military personnel become pilots, and an even smaller percentage qualify to fly fighters. You’re more likely to play in the NFL, be a doctor, or become a Fortune 500 CEO than to earn a fighter pilot slot. This isn’t to intimidate you—it’s to make it clear: this path is hard. If you want it, you have to work for it!
What It Takes:
This journey demands excellence in every aspect of your life:
Physical Fitness: You must meet the highest health and endurance standards. Build a disciplined workout routine now.
Mental Toughness: Fighter pilot training is grueling, and over 90% of applicants don’t make it. Develop the ability to focus and stay calm under pressure.
Academic Excellence: Excelling in basic math, science, and leadership is non-negotiable. Make “learning how to learn” your top priority. The faster you can learn new concepts, the better.
Dedication: Fighter pilots are forged through years of effort, perseverance, struggle, and sacrifice.
Start Now:
Set Goals: Break your dream into achievable milestones—excel in school and tennis, build leadership skills, and explore flying when you get the time.
Learn Aviation: Study the basics of flight and aviation regulations.
Develop Discipline: Sleep with a purpose. If you had to stay up late working on homework, don’t crush your recovery and mental state by waking up at 0500 to get an extra workout in. Own your time. Commit to habits that push you forward. Prioritizing recovery is a sign of commitment.
Daily Preparation:
Adopting a lifestyle of continuous improvement is non-negotiable. Each day is an opportunity to grow stronger and smarter:
Physical Conditioning: Strengthen your body with rigorous workouts—cardio, strength training, flexibility. Play sports to build teamwork, agility, and endurance. Be relentless and push yourself.
Mental Training: Sharpen your focus through mindfulness, problem-solving exercises, and reading. Stay sharp and curious.
Time Management: Structure your routine. Prioritize. Execute with precision.
Nutrition and Hydration: Fuel your body with clean food. Prioritize protein. Stay hydrated. Avoid junk—it holds you back and you can't get away with it in the long run.
Endurance and Sacrifice:
This isn’t a career; it’s a lifetime commitment. It will take you four years before you’re actually of value to the USAF. In those four years there will be thousands of hours spent studying, training, and visualizing missions, and sitting through brutally honest debriefs that tear apart every mistake you make. It’s tough, but it’s necessary because it’s how you get better. Resilience isn’t optional. Setbacks will happen. Mistakes will be made. What matters is how you respond.
You’ll sacrifice. While your friends with civilian jobs enjoy holidays, weekends, and time with family, you’ll be training, studying, resting, or deployed. They’ll be focused on pecan pie and the college football playoffs—you’ll be focused on the mission.
Respect and Camaraderie:
Being a fighter pilot isn’t about individual success—it’s about being part of a team. Be humble. Always be humble. Always treat your teammates with respect. Have a great sense of humor! Do not take yourself so seriously. Help your classmates, even if it means sacrificing your own “ranking”. Never, ever rat someone out or be a snitch—it destroys trust. Build others up, and you’ll build a stronger team. The bonds you form with your peers will carry you through the toughest days, and teamwork is the foundation of mission success.
Acceptance and Adaptability:
During Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), you’ll learn that most things are out of your control—especially the aircraft you’re assigned to fly. Embrace the uncertainty and the discomfort. Fighters, bombers, helicopters, tankers, drones —it doesn’t matter. Every platform is critical. Go in with an open mind. I’ve seen DGs get something they didn’t want…I’ve also seen folks be non-vol’d into fighters. Give your best on every test and flight. Success comes from professionalism, teamwork, and flight discipline.
Identity and Detachment:
Flying is incredible, but it cannot define who you are. Your worth isn’t in the aircraft on your nametag or your qualification. Ground yourself in your character, your relationships, and your faith. Accolades come and go. What sustains you is who you are when the G-suit comes off.
Becoming a fighter pilot is one of the hardest things you can do. But it’s also one of the most rewarding. If you ever need advice or want to vent, I’m here.
Stay grinding!
Captain Garcia”
If you have any questions, feel free to contact our team at www.grindtofly.com. Thank you for sharing this letter, and remember: Stay Grinding!
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