A few years back, I was in a conversation with a Marine general about the testing and development of the F-35 program. The general told me how confident he was that the F-35 program would be the first fighter development program with no delays. I thought…“yeah, right!”
Turns out I was right.
The F-35B, which is the Short Takeoff Vertical Landing (STOVL) variation designed to replace the Harrier for the Marine Corps, is facing delays. According to Lockheed Martin’s CEO, Bob Stevens, the STOVL F-35 has fallen behind due to problems in the supply chain. And although they are catching up, it’s not at quite the rate that they had originally planned.
When it comes to the design and testing of a new fighter, delays are to be expected. In fact, delays may even be a good thing, because that means that the flaws are being shaken out and the Marines will get the safest and most reliable STOVL fighter that they could possibly hope for.
If everything went exactly as planned with the F-35 program and there were no delays at all, THEN I would be worried, because that would mean that the Marines, Navy, & Air Force would all be buying untested and imperfect machines that could fall apart on their first combat mission.
In becoming a fighter pilot, you too are bound to experience some delays and setbacks as you try to attain each of your short-term goals. Don’t think of them as setbacks, think of them as opportunities.
Each delay is an opportunity for you to demonstrate to a recruiter or ROTC commander that you have what it takes and will not give up on your mission. Come to think of it, if you faced no trials and just skated through life, you wouldn’t make a very good officer. So once again, I stress the point of perseverance. Becoming a fighter pilot is a long road and the career that comes after will be filled with other goals to attain and challenges to overcome.
Sometime around 2018, a Marine fighter pilot will be strapping into his F-35B on a mission and will be able to do so with the satisfaction of knowing that both he and his machine have been through the trials and are well prepared.
What trials are you experiencing right now? How are you dealing with them?
Jake says
Hey Guys!
Well here’s a question i have as well? What do you think? Speaking of trials and opposition, all of us here are friends, atleast we share a common goal right? Which is? To fly fast and high as Officers in the United States Military! All of us here have the same goals, but just how many of us jump on this website everyday? Surely there are Far more US then there are PILOT SLOTS!?!?! So what do we do? I believe that some of us will make it but many of us will not, lets be honest its true! In the end its not WHAT you do its HOW you do it! Though many of us may not reach that ultimate dream of flying in 2018 with an F in front of our plane! Let us remember that we are all on the same team! I am not putting down anyones dream shoot i aspire to fly just like the rest of ya! YOU MUST DREAM BIG!!!! But dream REALISTICLY!!! Keep The Faith and See you in the SKY!!!!!
eddie says
Don’t forget about the cost overruns. Seems like the bids are low to”get” the contract but as time goes by the true cost comes to light.
Nick says
I decided to pursue aviation only back in February, and now, I have a pilot slot locked up and a seat in OCS (officer candidate school) for the Navy next summer after I graduate from college in May. Didn’t do ROTC or go to the Academy? No worries, start looking up info on OCS now and get yourself in! They’re paying me pretty well too just for being committed to go! Great plan if you’re serious about joining. Just got sworn in today boys let the party begin.
Maj.Price says
I’m a fighter pilot in the Air Force and let me tell you, you have to work hard at high school, get the grades and get any edge that you can get over anyone else. whatever it may be. do it. something as little as receiving a award for community service will help.