[Pukin Dog]

When I enlisted back in 67 it was pretty well established that getting into a Nat Guard unit was a good way to avoid going to Vietnam where one might get seriously hurt and ruin your civilian life plans

Flying fighter jets is more dangerous and likely to ruin your civilian life plans than going to Vietnam. Especially the F-102, which killed quite a few pilots who were not up to snuff.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Flying fighter jets is more dangerous and likely to ruin your civilian life plans than going to Vietnam. Especially the F-102, which killed quite a few pilots who were not up to snuff."

My recollection is that fighter training can be dangerous, that there are a lot of fatalities. A few years ago at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, I believe they had three or four fatal crashes in a year or two. So I agree that pilot training is not a risk-free endeavor by any stretch of the imagination.