You know, I recently wrote about Connecticut Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal, a guy who talked a big game about his service during Vietnam until his records showed he had never actually served overseas. In Illinois, Mark Kirk got caught in the same type of situation.
Rather than let my blood continue to boil, I did some research about the importance of virtue, and came across a really interesting piece linking fighter pilots to the knights of old. I know it may sound crazy, but the more I read, the more it made sense to me.
The writers are both Christian scholars, and they agree that fighter pilots are a throwback to an era when small groups of men could and did fight on behalf of their country or for a higher cause. Better trained than many other fighters on the battlefield, knights and fighter pilots are in the top echelon of warfighters.
It goes beyond that, though, so stay with me. Even the ritual of becoming a pilot and earning your wings, and the tournaments that we now fight as war games or at the Top Gun school have their roots in the traditions of those horseback fighter pilots of yore, the knights.
When I think of chivalry, of holding myself to an honor code and the standards of the U.S. military, I see where these researchers are coming from. We do in fact have some guys who still ride on horses; our Green Berets used their fillies to patrol Afghanistan early on after 9/11. And those are the guys who some of you may support when you take to the skies, providing a few Tomahawks as needed during firefights.
But the gist of it is right on the money: when you decided to become a fighter pilot, you made a promise to yourself. Outside of the majestic new beasts that we call F/A-18s, F-16s and others, you join a brotherhood. We may not have shiny suits of armor; but then they never could have dreamed of turning on the afterburner to go past Mach 1.5.
Your turn, guys. Without the suits of armor and the ladies in towers, do you see any parallels between who you aspire to be and the knights of the round-table? Or, more fun, how do you think Sir Lancelot would fare behind the yoke of a Super Hornet?
Anonymous says
Very well written sir, this perfectly portrays how modern day warriors are. Thank you for always writing and providing such inspirational material that continues to keep my dream of becoming a fighter pilot alive and strong.
PaulDominguez says
How can I be a BECOME A FIGHTER PILOT FOR THE NAVY
Randy Shine says
That’s cool because I love learning about the dark ages and Medeival times. I agree that there are many parallels between fighter pilots and knights. From now on I’ll think of myself as a knight in training, learning the “code of Chivalry” and always ready to learn anything that will help me along the way in my life. Man that’s cool, I like to think of myself as a future knight!
Joe Burlas says
Dont forget our boys in the Cavalry. I was a Cavalry Scout long before I took steps to chase this dream. ha.
Frederick Middlebrooks says
I believe fighter pilots are the modern day knights. I’m reminded of two instances, one being the movie “A Knight’s Tale” starring Heath Ledger. In this film, those who were blessed to have the honor to become a knight were looked at as being noble and were placed on a pedestal. The second instance I’m reminded of is the Tuskegee Airmen. Even through a time of racial tensions, these men exemplified the skill, courage, and perseverance to be distinguished as a group among the elite fighter pilots with an impeccable record of protecting bombers from enemy fire. I believe it is being part of a distinguished few that live by a code, portraying honor and giving their lives to fight for a people or a cause that puts fighter pilots in the category of knights.
Jake says
I agree with Frederick! Those Tuskegee Airmen serve as a standard for us all! Ok Ed and Fellow Wing-men! How’s this one? Knights with their jousting ( Idk if i spelt that right) and on the battlefield, Knights would slide their face shields over their faces! Fighter Pilots do the same with their Visors.! I think its so neat that when Knights would battle eachother they fought for country, family, God and Freedom. Dropping their visors, even though they couldn’t see eachother faces but they were one in the same and carried that Chivalry! That honor one to another. I think a parrallel can be exposed when fighter pilots come to the MERGE! I am also reminded of a story i once heard, dont remember where or when but here it is. Setting is WW2, A German and an American are dogfighting it out! American sadly loses and is shot down, he is lucky to bail from the craft, as his shoot blossems, he see’s the German Pilot banking towards him ” He’s coming to shoot my chute” The American thought, Last second the Pilot Banks off and snaps him a salute as he does a slow fly by! Man that just goes to show the Honor and Dignity that pilot had, even though he was the enemy, and won that battle, he still paid his respects to his fellow aviator! That story has always given me chills! Anyway FLY HIGH and Keep the faith! YOU guys are Awesome!!!! GO KNIGHTS!
emmanuel says
thanks a lot ed for encourageing people to reach to their dream and how long it can take to qualify as a fighter pilt
Joseph Lareau says
Dear Mr. Rush,
It is a not too uncommon idea that fighter pilots are parallel (in some ways) to medieval knights. I’m sure you are not the only one who has thought of that.
Joseph Lareau says
Dear Ed Rush,
Although I am not (obviously) a medieval knight, I am in the mildly strange position of knowing how to ride a horse without knowing how to drive a car.