Whether it is a sense of patriotic duty or a desire to turn loops and flips in the sky, a growing number of people are applying for coveted pilot positions in the U.S. military.

On a recent afternoon, three fledgling pilots assigned to the 4th Airlift Squadron at JBLM-McChord Field shared their experiences in becoming pilots answered questions about the training, and offered advice on how to be successful in the Air Force pilot training program.

After 1st Lt. Karl Kuehner earned a degree in business management from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., he decided that he wanted to become a pilot.

When he started the pilot training program, the unknown expectations made it stressful, he said.

"I worried that I would not do well enough to make it," he said. "I had no prior flying experience and no idea what to expect."

However, the toughest part was learning how to manage his time, he said. The work day was 12 hours, and he had to study and exercise on top of that.

"I learned how to manage my time pretty well," Kuehner said. "I learned how to squeeze in study time, and get enough sleep to be alert for the next day."

Now that it is over, the expectations are higher, but the stress is lower.

"At the beginning of pilot training, there is always the threat of not making it through the program," he said. "Now that I am through with the training program, I am no longer worried about getting kicked out."

Kuehner illustrated the stress of pilot training with an incident that occurred with his roommate. He was having trouble with stress, which was causing him to suffer from air sickness.  He was vomiting and was to the point that if he did it again he would be kicked out of the program.

"He told me that he was fighting throwing up in his mask because he didn't want to tell anyone his was throwing up for fear he would be kicked out," Kuehner said. "He eventually overcame it, but he suffered through throwing up in his mask so he could finish the program."

As Kuehner prepares for his dollar ride - the first ride out of the country that makes him mission ready when he returns - he looks forward to moving past practicing to the real thing, he said.

"I have never been on any real operational mission of any sort," he said. "I am really looking forward to my first real mission."

Air shows turned 1st Lt. Joe Salvino on to being a pilot. Compared to the other jobs that he had seen, being a pilot looked exciting, he said.  After he completed a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering at Rutgers University in New Jersey, he applied for the Air Force Pilot Program.

For Salvino, the most difficult part of pilot training was the mental games.

"There is a lot of stress involved," he said. "When we had time we attended the Mississippi State football games to relax."

Despite the stress, Salvino's desire to be a pilot was strengthened after his first flight in a T-6 Talon.

"I did aerobatic stuff," he said. "Loops and cloud dodging.  I felt as free as a bird.  I knew I wanted to be a pilot, but that first flight instilled it more."

As he continued with his pilot training, Solvino gained confidence and flying became even more rewarding, he said.

"Flying matures you a lot," he said. "Being reckless is never an option. When the Air Force gives you a multi-million dollar jet to fly, you have to be careful."

He recalled the day he earned his wings.

"I will never forget the look on my parents faces," he said. "I looked at my wings in the mirror a lot. I looked different."

However, his proudest moment has not happened yet. Just after Sept. 11, he knew he wanted to serve his country.  Training to be a pilot has been an experience he will never forget, but the best is yet to come, Solvino said.

"My first real mission will be my proudest moment as a pilot," he said.

As for those thinking about becoming a pilot in the Air Force, take everything seriously and start early, he said.

"Do your best in everything you do...academics, sports," Solvino said. "Don't do anything stupid.  Be responsible, and never settle for anything."

Finally, 1st Lt. Benjamin Newman wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who also served in the Air Force.

Managing time during pilot training was also an issue for Newman.  There was so much to do and remember, said Newman, who earned a degree in economics from the Air Force Academy.

"There was a lot to learn," he said. "We had to do a different maneuver every time."

He recalled the first time he flew a T-6.

"It was easy to fly," he said. "The hardest part for me was managing the radio, knowing at what altitude I should be flying and learning all the procedures."

Newman credits his success in the course to being a self-starter who is self-motivated.

"The pilot training program is a gentlemen's course," he said. "It is a big boy program. They tell you what you need to know, and expect you to learn it."