What's the Deal with the Blue Angels and the Military?

Okay, so I've always admired the crazy skills of the Blue Angels and recently it hit me - what military branch do they belong to? Does anyone know? And is it possible to aim for something like that in a military career?

Yes, the Blue Angels are indeed part of the military! They fall under the United States Navy, and they are the Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron. Named after a nightclub, the Blue Angels were formed back in 1946, which makes them the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, after the French Patrouille de France.

Joining the Blue Angels would be part of an active-duty Navy career. It typically involves working your way up after first becoming a naval flight officer or a pilot. The members of the Blue Angels are all highly experienced naval aviators, with a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours. What's even more fascinating is that the Blue Angels do not wear G-suits, despite performing intense aerial maneuvers. G-suits prevent blackout and nausea when undergoing extreme G-forces, but the Blue Angels need to maneuver their control sticks, which the bulkiness of a G-suit would interfere with.

Becoming a Blue Angel is a highly competitive process, with selection relying on demonstrable flying skill, character, and professional reputation, among other factors. It's not just about flying prowess, you also have to be able to represent the Navy and Marine Corps team at the highest level.

One interesting thing to note is that serving with the Blue Angels is considered a two to three-year "tour of duty." After this time, the aviators often return to the fleet to continue regular active-duty service.

So, in short, yes, it is possible to aim for being a part of the Blue Angels in a military career, but it certainly requires dedication, hard work, and a high level of skill in naval aviation.