That’s my take as well. Other students would not have been let into the Naval Air corp training with the academic record of John McCain. And once he flew his first ride into the brink, that would have been it.
He was a total screw off. So sad how his character is blown up,...
Once he lost his first three rides there’s no way he would have been given a fourth and fifth one.
I’m not an expert on this from person experience, but I’ve heard it said by others who I was inclined to respect.
His first trainer was not impressed with him. He said he would have washing him out if he could.
I met McCain’s first instructor many years ago, he told me that McCain wasn’t fit to be a Naval officer, let alone being a pilot.