Do you have the drive to become a Coast Guard aviator and fly on daring search and rescue missions? If so, you can achieve your goal by applying to the Coast Guard flight program after graduating from the Academy.

Coast Guard aviation showcases several types of fixed and rotor-wing aircraft, including the HH-65 Dolphin, HH-60 Jayhawk, Augusta 109 Use of Force Helo, C-130 and new C-130J Hercules, and the HU-25 Guardian.

Typically, officers apply for flight school within four years after Academy graduation. Competitive selection is based on job performance, aptitude for flight and ability to meet the medical criteria. Each year, depending on service need, anywhere from 60 to 80 junior officers are selected to attend 18 months of training at the Navy's Flight Training Command in Pensacola, Florida.Successful graduates of the school obtain the right to wear the Naval Aviator Wings of Gold insignia and are sent to fly Coast Guard aircraft at one of our air stations around the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

A career in aviation has many rewards, including opportunities for post-graduate training, international pilot exchange programs and service in executive and command positions. Graduates of flight school incur an additional service obligation of five to eight years, but they also receive monthly flight incentive pay from an extra $200-$880 above regular pay and allowances, depending on years in flight duty.