For starters, most drones are slow-moving turboprops, not jets.
All I expressed is my opinion that it would be very beneficial for drone drivers to have some level of pilot certification and minimum number of hours flying, probably including IFR. There are a whole lot of levels below F-16 qualified that would satisfy that level!
The heavier, faster, more expensive and more dangerous a drone is, the greater the safety factor would be in having more “real” pilot certifications and hours, IMO. It is just my opinion.
There are lots of physical stresses that a real pilot must tolerate that a drone driver will never be subjected to, so requiring that level of physical fitness doesn't make sense.
I stand by my statements about flight training being traditionally reserved in the military not just for officers but for those officers who can score highest on tests that are the functional equivalent of IQ testing.
Well, no service is more devoted to wasting money on it’s officers lifestyles and self interests at the expense of combat effectiveness, than the Air Force, so they will string this out as long as they can.