Can a Fighter Pilot's Ego Be Too Big?

Posted At : March 8, 2010 6:00 AM | Posted By : Rowdy
Related Categories: WTFO / The Blog

No, it can't.

OK, amazingly, on occasion, it doesn't happen often, but rarely a fighter pilot's ego can get a little out of hand. When it happens it's more than likely the result of accessories. Fighter pilots themselves are certainly justified in their confidence and pride, seen by some as arrogance. However, when they start wearing look-at-me-I-kickass accessories it's probably going too far.

Here's a perfect, no-kidding, real world example. Imagine an F-16 fighter pilot that's risen through the ranks and is now a two-star general, a Major General. He's assigned to the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Kabul, Afghanistan. He's there with high ranking officers from the multi-national force including US Marine Corps and US Navy (some of them fighter pilots), US Army and special forces folks. So, what do you do when your two stars aren't impressive enough. Yeah, you're a general but you're not sure people know you're a fighter pilot. People might not know that you're a serious warrior. How can you be sure that you're getting the right amount of respect? Ah, yes, a nickel plated, pearl handled .45. That'll do it. Not just a regular pearl handle either, engraved with stars. These guys are going to look at you and say, "That guy kicksass!!"

Interestingly, upon arrival in Kabul, this fighter pilot was just a brigadier general, a one star, and his pearl handle reflected that appropriately with a single engraved star. Pinning on a second star during this tour, he had the wood grips installed on his gun temporarily while the new Major General waited for the arrival of his mail ordered, new pearl grips engraved with two stars. That must have been a trying time, carrying around that nickel plated gun with regular grips.

Now, let me get this straight. Eisenhower didn't carry a gun. Bradley didn't carry a gun. Hap didn't carry a gun. Even Monty didn't carry a gun. Yeah, Patton did but he was a diva and commanded a combat force of fifty thousand men. Of course, they weren't fighter pilots either. The only time guys like Robin Olds or Duke Cunningham carried a gun was in the jet, there for a possible survival situation. Even then, their guns weren't nickel plated and pearl handled.

OK, you want to John Wayne it and carry a gun but, come on, a nickel-plated-pearl-handle-look-at-me .45. Really? You think you're impressing those Marine or Army guys? Or what about those special forces guys? Sometimes a fighter pilot ego can get to be too big. How do you know when that happens? When you look like a dork. That's when it happens.

If you've got a big ego, then you belong
in the FU STORE. All kinds of stuff there
to keep your ego completely inflated.
Three nice designs below available
in the FU STORE that subtley say,
"FIGHTER PILOTS KICKASS!!"

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Patton had IVORY gripped .45's. I believe his comment when asked if his were pearl, was only whores in New Orleans carry pearl grips or something along those lines. Clearly pearl grips are for the ball less wonder douches who know they really can't fly, and are afraid eventually someone will notice. Isn't there a reg somewhere about conduct unbecoming?

VD

# Posted By VD | 3/8/10 5:39 PM

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