A person can become a Coast Guard pilot in one of two ways. The US Coast Guard employs aviators who fly a wide range of aircraft, from light helicopters to heavy cargo planes, all of which require highly specialized training. After becoming a pilot, as with other military careers, a variety of benefits and opportunities are available, including educational assistance, excellent health care, and retirement benefits.
It is necessary to be an officer before becoming a Coast Guard pilot. Attending the Coast Guard Academy, a four-year training program, is one way to do this. It is possible to apply for pilot training after graduating as an officer. If accepted, the candidate will go through an 18-month flight training program before being assigned to a Coast Guard base.
Receiving a direct commission is another option. Someone who has completed aviator training with another military branch can apply for a direct commission and begin serving as a Coast Guard pilot right away. A person who wishes to become a pilot in this manner has the necessary training and military experience to serve in the Coast Guard. Civilian pilots are not accepted for direct commissions because they lack specific military experience and would therefore require additional training.
To become a Coast Guard pilot, you must also pass a physical exam. The class one flight physical is intended to ensure that a candidate does not have any health issues that could impair performance, such as dental issues that could worsen at high altitude or vision problems. As long as a pilot’s vision is 20/20 or correctable to 20/20, and he or she has good depth and color perception, he or she should be able to meet the Coast Guard’s vision requirements.
Coast Guard pilots can participate in a variety of activities, and their work is extremely demanding. Coast Guard pilots are well-known for their world-class search and rescue work, but they also take part in law enforcement missions, particularly in the area of drug interdiction. They can also assist with oceanographic surveys, provide active duty support to other branches of the US military, and perform a variety of other flight tasks.