Combat Pay for Pilots: Is It Worth the Risk?
What exactly is combat pay, and how much do pilots actually receive for their highly dangerous missions? In my experience, it is often far from sufficient. Unlike the exciting tales you might hear, a combat pilot is unlikely to brag about the amount of combat pay received or the risks they face. This article delves into the reality of combat pay for pilots, exploring the realities of their duties and the true motivations behind their service.
The Myth and Reality of Combat Pay
It is a common misconception that pilots receive large sums of money for flying combat missions. Experience has shown that combat pay is often inadequate, both in terms of financial compensation and in recognition of the risks involved.
Week after week, pilots put themselves on the line in defense of their nation. These missions are perilous, with SAM missiles and heavy flak everywhere. Some pilots, like myself, found these missions exhilarating and unmatched in the realm of flying challenges. For others, the sheer danger made the missions unbearable. However, irrespective of personal feelings, no pilot was motivated solely by the financial reward.
When Combat Pay Isn't Enough
The idea that a pilot remains in such missions purely for the combat pay is laughable. Here are some real-life scenarios:
The thrill and honor of flying combat missions in a place like North Vietnam, the most heavily-defended spot on earth, cannot be bought for money, with myself included. Flying over such areas was magnificent, and the challenges one faces are unlike any other.
Some Naval Aviators truly thrived in these dangerous missions, despite the hazards. For them, the duty was a matter of personal and professional pride.
Others, while apprehensive, continued because they had invested a great deal of time and resources into their careers and saw no other way to fulfill their obligations.
The True Motivation Behind Service
When it comes to piloting a combat mission, what drives a pilot remains the sense of duty, the honor of serving, and the exhilaration of the experience. The genuine motivations behind such decisions cannot be reduced to a financial incentive. These factors contribute significantly to the unwavering dedication and determination of military pilots.
Conclusion
In summary, while combat pay exists, it rarely covers the true cost of the missions pilots undertake. The reality is that soldiers enter such high-risk roles out of a deep sense of duty and a love for the challenge. The financial compensation is often a secondary, if not tertiary, consideration. Therefore, when evaluating pilot enlistments and assignments, it is important to recognize and address the genuine driving forces behind their decisions.