Hi folks, I've been fascinated with the Blue Angels for as long as I can remember. I'm currently a high school junior and seriously considering a route in the military after graduation. I know the Blue Angels are connected to the military, but which branch specifically? Additionally, what might a path to becoming a part of the Blue Angels look like for someone coming out of high school? Thanks for your time.
Hello there! It sounds like you've given this a lot of thought, which is excellent. The Blue Angels is a flight demonstration squadron for the United States Navy, so if your goal is to potentially become a Blue Angel, you would be looking at a career in the Navy.
As for the path to becoming a part of the Blue Angels post-high school, it typically involves several stages. Firstly, after graduating high school, you would need to earn a bachelor’s degree. The Naval Academy or an ROTC program at another institution could be a good place to get that degree, and then go on to join the Navy.
After joining the Navy, you'll undergo flight training and eventually become a naval aviator. There are quite a few steps involved there, including academic work, simulator training, and actual flight time. Getting into military flight training is highly competitive, so good grades and physical fitness will be key in addition to demonstrating leadership.
After you qualify as a Naval Aviator, you'll need to accumulate a substantial amount of flight experience before you'll have any chance of becoming a Blue Angel. The minimum requirements currently include a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours and an aircraft carrier certification.
Keep in mind that this is a quite competitive selection process, and Blue Angels usually have significantly more experience than the minimum requirement. This is quite a lengthy journey and entails a significant commitment, so be sure that the military lifestyle is something you're prepared for. Having said that, it's amazing that you have goals like this at such a young age – best of luck with all your future endeavors!
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