Scoliosis diagnosed at 10, now 15

It’s important for anyone considering an academy for pilot training to understand that the training is not done during undergrad. A pilot’s license is not part of the curriculum at any service academy.* Military flight training starts only after commissioning IF the officer is selected for aviation and IF the service selection involves flying. Also, if the service selection does involve flying, the officer may be obligated for up to ten years (exact commitment depends on various factors) which is why it is important that officership rather than pilot be the goal.

So, apply to the Air Force academy because you want to serve as an officer wherever the force needs you, not because you dream of flying. You may want to read my response to others who consider USAFA as a path to a career as a commercial pilot. There are other easier, (much) faster, and more guaranteed paths to commercial flying than a service academy whose goal is to produce officers for the various branches of our armed services. They are not in the business of turning out civilian pilots, doctors, lawyers, etc.


*You can certainly earn a license on your own, and you can join the flying club, but military flight training is not part of the USAFA undergrad curriculum.

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