Earn Your Wings

Rise Above

BECOME AN AVIATOR

FLY WITH US

Rise Above and Become an Aviator

EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN PIECE TO BRING TO THE AIR FORCE.

CAPT VARUN PANDE

Operating the most-advanced military aircraft in the world may seem daunting, but our Airmen do it every day. It takes all types of perspectives to be an aviator and the U.S. Air Force welcomes them all. The Air Force values having service members of all backgrounds, ethnicities and identities, because diversity of thought focused together with providing the most lethal airpower around the world makes us stronger and enables mission success every time.

If you’re interested in flight training to become an aviator in the Air Force, there are many ways in. Airmen who are responsible for operating aircraft and their systems are called Rated Officers and include Pilots, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilots, Air Battle Managers and Combat System Officers.

Watch Rated Officers from different backgrounds share their unique flying journeys and learn how you can start your own.

PATHWAY TO WINGS

WATCH HER STORY

Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot

WATCH HIS STORY

Pilot

WATCH HER STORY

Combat Systems Officer

WATCH HIS STORY

Air Battle Manager

Commissioned into the U.S. Air Force Through Afrotc
Started pilot training
Stationed in Arkansas and Japan as a c-130 pilot
Earned my M.B.A.
Became an RQ-4 pilot
Competed in my first fitness competition
Became a commercial airline pilot in the air force reserve

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ROOTING FOR YOU WHETHER THEY LOOK LIKE YOU OR NOT.

MAJ LAUREN JOHNICAN

First in my family to be born in the United States
Joined AFROTC in College
First in my family to fly for the U.S. Air Force
Got married
Selected to fly the C-17
Became an instructor pilot on the KC-46
Had a baby boy named Avi

THERE’S VALUE IN CHALLENGING YOURSELF TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

CAPT VARUN PANDE

Born in Tijuana, Mexico
Started community college
Earned B.S. in Astronautical Engineering
First in my family to become an Officer
Started undergraduate combat systems officer training
Earned M.S. in Astronautical Engineering
Got married, became a stepmom and expecting a baby

HAVING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE IS NOT JUST ABOUT HOW I LOOK BUT ABOUT MY STORY.

CAPT AMPARO ELIZABETH ROMERO ORTIZ

First in my family to join the Air Force
Enlisted as an Aerospace Physiology Technician
Got married, became a stepdad and had a baby girl
Earned B.S. in sports sciences
Completed officer training school
Earned air battle manager wings
Selected as Air Combat Command Air Battle Manager of the year

I’M HERE TO HELP ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BETTER THEMSELVES TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP IN LIFE.

CAPT XAVIER COLEY

FIND YOUR PATH

BECOME AN OFFICER

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RATED CAREERS

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LET'S FLY

FIND YOUR SKY

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