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According to the official Blue Angels site, the six pilots who perform daredevil maneuvers in this team are all U.S. Navy or Marine Corps officers. Applicants must be carrier-qualified, tactical jet pilots with 1,350 hours of flight time under their belts. If selected, the pilots serve for two years and are required to continue in the Navy or Marines for an additional two years after they leave the Blue Angels. Every year, several pilots leave the team and must be replaced. Applicants submit detailed forms and records, and candidates visit the squadron to observe a show firsthand. Then the current team members interview finalists at the Naval Air Station Pensacola. The new pilots are selected by unanimous vote of the existing team.
The Chief of Naval Air Training chooses the team's commanding officer. In addition to flight skills and an exemplary military record, a Blue Angel candidate must present a positive face of the Navy and Marine Corps to the general public. This is crucial because the mission of the Blue Angels is to promote recruiting efforts. While individual Blue Angel pilots may have combat experience, the team is not combat squadron. Instead, the Blue Angles are a promotional tool for the military. To catch the high-flying daredevils in action, make sure to check their schedule of upcoming shows.
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