|
Enlisted Airmen Become Officers and Pilots
by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman David Phaff
January 21,
2023
Many Airmen enlist in the Air Force with
the dream of traveling, doing a unique job, and looking for a bigger
purpose. Some join with the dream to fly, and others develop it
while they are in. With over 266,000 enlisted members, it only makes
sense that some outstanding Airmen will answer the call and trade
their stripes in for a pair of wings.
Capt. Garrett Green, an
87th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, is one of these
Airmen. He started his Air Force journey as a 1N0X1, or Operational
Intelligence, with the 131st Fighter Squadron at the 104th Fighter
Wing, Massachusetts. Working closely with pilots and F-15Cs inspired
and showed him a new world of possibilities giving him the push he
needed to make the jump himself and become a pilot.
|
U.S. Air Force Capt. Garrett Green, 87th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot,
shortly before getting into in a T-38C Talon then giving a
thumbs-up in its cockpit prior to taxing the aircraft at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas on January 13, 2023. The 47th Flying Training Wing’s mission to build combat-ready Airmen, leaders, and pilots. (Image
created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman David Phaff.)
|
“At the squadron level, I would be involved
with the development of realistic scenarios that the pilots could
train to,” said Green. “I got to take part in Red Flag and a couple
other exercises around the world. I really enjoyed the job and
learned a ton while doing it.”
He worked along pilots and
friends seeing the mission unfold firsthand, while being a part of
all the planning, all this talking about the flying scenarios made
Green wanted to be a part of them. He wanted to be the one flying
loops and practice being in dog fight.
"One day, it dawned on
me, I took part in all of the pre-mission preparation and
post-mission debriefings, but I didn’t actually get to take part in
what was going on,” said Green. “After that, I was very motivated to
become ‘the operator’ instead of being in more of a support role.
Also, there were a lot of patches.”
He still remembers his
time in Operational Intelligence and all the friends and mentors who
helped him reach his goal and learn the type of leader he wanted. He
uses his past enlisted experiences to help guide the officer he is
today.
“I learned a ton from my leadership and peers in my
previous job,” recalled Green. “I enlisted straight out of high
school, so the Air Force has been a part of essentially all my adult
life. I still think back to things that I learned working in intel
to this day.”
Green’s path led him to the Air Force Reserve
Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), a program to train future officers
for the Air Force. In exchange for getting college tuition paid for,
they have a mandatory service commitment to the Air Force.
“I
ended up going through the AFROTC program to earn my commission and
got a pilot training slot,” said Green. “My leadership was very
supportive of my goals and helped me a lot along the way, for which
I am very thankful.”
During his time in AFROTC he earned a
pilot slot, starting his next journey into pilot training. Green
quickly learned that he couldn’t just cram the night before a test
like he did in college – it took hundreds of hours of studying and
flying. After a long year, his dreams were realized, and he
graduated pilot training. He then went on to become an instructor
pilot.
As an instructor he gets the opportunity to fly as
much as he wants and found a new passion in teaching others how to
fly and being a part of seeing other also achieve their aspirations.
“I enjoy watching the students go from learning how to start the
T-38 when they first show up, to us flying solo in a four-ship
formation by the end of the program,” said Green. “It’s very
rewarding to see them grow as aviators and officers over the six
months that they spend in Phase Three.”
There are other ways
for enlisted to move to the officer track and try to become pilots.
Earning a bachelor’s degree to apply for Officer Training School
(OTS), a path that 2nd Lt. Garrent Allen took. Allen is a student
currently awaiting pilot training at the 47th Flying Training Wing.
|
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Garret Allen stands in front of a T-6A Texan II
at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas on January 5, 2023. The T-6 is the first aircraft pilots get to fly during their year-long training. (Image
created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David Phaff.)
|
While being a prior Air Traffic Control
Specialist, Allen decided to commission and attend OTS, hoping for a
pilot slot in order to achieve his childhood dream.
“Aviation
has been a particular interest of mine since I was a kid,” said
Allen. “During summer break from school, I remember spending days at
my local airport watching planes come and go and listening to the
radio chatter on my phone.”
Both members found something
they wanted to do and took the steps to get it. They found ways to
achieve their goals with the help of mentors and leaders from their
past careers. The move from enlisted to officer can have many
challenges but can also bring much reward.
“I would say if
you want to do it, then go for it,” said Green. “From what I’ve seen
in my relatively short career, there’s usually a way to get to where
you want to be. It may not be a direct route, but if you really want
it, you can get there. Make sure your leadership is tracking on your
goals, and they usually will want to help you achieve them. Lastly,
whatever job you have right now, excel at it. People notice when you
do good work whether you think they’re paying attention or not”
Our Valiant Troops |
I Am The One |
Veterans |
Citizens Like Us
U.S. Air Force |
Air National Guard
|
U.S. Air Force Gifts |
U.S. Department
of Defense
|
|
