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Quick takeaways
- Navy fighter pilot training includes intense preparation and real aircraft application.
- Night carrier qualifications demand precise navigation skills for challenging landings.
- Joining an operational squadron involves adapting to new responsibilities and culture.
- Budget constraints limit flight time in operational squadrons while balancing ground duties.
- Handling coffee dues and organizing squadron events is part of squadron life.
- The speaker's recovery journey post-ejection involved struggles with medications and ultimately pursuing a medical retirement for the encountered difficulties.
Deep dives
Going through Navy Flight Training
Training to become a Navy fighter pilot involves intense preparation and practice. Initial training covers instrument flying, emergency procedures, and decision-making skills. Each stage of training involves simulators, ground training, and practical application in real aircraft. The multi-phase program includes strike training for air-to-ground missions, air combat maneuvering, and comprehensive fighter training.
Challenges of Landing on an Aircraft Carrier
Nighttime carrier qualifications pose unique challenges, requiring precise navigation and landing skills. The intense experience involves launching from the deck, approaching a landing spot on the carrier, and catching a tailhook wire to come to a stop. The necessity for precise timing and throttle control adds to the complexity of carrier landings.
Transition to Operational Squadron
Joining an operational squadron after training involves adapting to new responsibilities and squadron culture. New pilots integrate into the unit by participating in squadron activities and showing dedication to the team. The adjustment to the pace and demands of a deployed squadron can be both exciting and daunting.
Flight Training and Operational Challenges
Flight time in an operational squadron can be limited due to budget constraints and operational requirements. Pilots often balance flying duties with ground-based responsibilities within the squadron. Adapting to the dynamic operational environment while maintaining proficiency poses ongoing challenges for new pilots.
Coffee Mess Officer Duties
The speaker discusses being a coffee mess officer in the squadron, responsible for handling coffee dues, organizing events like feasts, and managing everyday squadron activities.
Call Sign Story
The speaker recounts the story of receiving a call sign after eight months in the squadron, where a fellow pilot initiated the process by commenting on the lack of standout call signs for newer members.
Flight Maneuvers and Near Mishap
The speaker describes a flight mission involving testing an air refueling pod followed by air combat maneuvering, where due to a high-speed maneuver, they almost crashed into the ocean, leading to a dramatic ejection at nearly supersonic speeds.
Recovery Journey and Return to Flying
The speaker shares the challenging recovery journey post-ejection, including physical injuries, PTSD diagnosis, struggles with medications, developing psychoses, and ultimately deciding to pursue a medical retirement from flying due to the encountered difficulties.
Struggle with Medical Assessment and Misdiagnosis
Facing severe nerve damage and other visible issues from his service, the protagonist encounters an unsympathetic neurologist whose hasty assessment fails to recognize the extent of his injuries. Misdiagnoses and under-assessments reveal the challenges of navigating military medical evaluations.
Psychotic Experiences and Challenging Mental Health System
Struggling with psychosis and medication side effects, the protagonist vividly describes a harrowing journey through a flawed mental health system. From hallucinations to inadequate care, the podcast sheds light on the difficulties of receiving appropriate mental health support.
Personal Transformation and Pursuit of Hope
Amidst the turmoil, the protagonist embarks on a path of healing and self-discovery. From psychedelic therapies to physical challenges, a renewed sense of purpose emerges. The narrative underscores resilience, the power of community support, and the pursuit of a brighter future.
24.
I'd Been in the Squadron for About Eight Months, and I Was a Coffee Mess Officer.
3min
Kegan Gill was a US Navy Fighter Pilot (F-18 Super Hornet) and was forced to eject into the sound barrier as his plane was going down during a training exercise over the Atlantic Ocean. In the process of ejecting, Kegan sustained catastrophic injuries that literally ripped his limbs apart along with a severe traumatic brain injury.
His body landed in the ice-cold waters of the Atlantic with a protective wet suit that had been ripped to pieces. With his parachute still attached, and unable to move his arms, Kegan was continuously dunked into the freezing water for two hours before his rescue. Luckily, his hypothermic condition kept him from bleeding to death.
Kegan spent the following months focusing on his recovery, and despite his catastrophic injuries, was eventually able to score a perfect PFT and was able to return to flight duty.
Due to his traumatic brain injury, Kegan began to experience severe, but temporary, psychosis. After being rushed to the emergency room during a psychotic episode, Kegan was admitted to a VA Mental Health Facility. Kegan did not react well to pharmaceutical treatments, and in many ways, they made him feel worse. After explaining this to his caregivers, they treated him as a troublemaker and began doing things like keeping him up all night long by flashing a flashlight in his eyes every 15 minutes.
Kegan has since been seeking alternative treatments for his brain health. He found the Warrior Angels Foundation several months ago and is on the path to recovery through nutraceutical and hormonal interventions.
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