Combat Ready: Lessons Learned in the Journey to Fighter Pilot

Zealous, persistent, and vulnerable are just a few words that come to mind when considering the person behind the words on this journey. As Fox’s character is revealed throughout the intense experiences, lessons learned, and comical stories in the book, I found myself inspired by the honorable traits that manifested so consistently from one scene to the next. Whether extra hours of study, sticking up for what appeared just, trusting himself, or owning mistakes (not that there were many of those), Fox’s ability to navigate moments, confirms that a position such as this be held by those able to not only perform, but further exist as the highest quality of human - kind, hard-working, exemplary.As a reader with minimal knowledge of the subject matter prior to this book, I found that the information in the text provided a great deal of insight into the United States Air Force, flying, and combat. Fox’s willingness to share a week by week overview allowed for an easy to follow break down of the practical and logistical expectations of becoming an American fighter pilot and created an increased appreciation for those in service. From circumstantial dissections of processes throughout to a glossary with basic terminology at the end of the book, Fox was able to educate the reader of what to expect and raise awareness for what is experienced on this path to fighter.I’d recommend this read to any curious about the world of fighter pilots and also to those looking for something stimulating and entertaining. Thanks for not quitting on your dream and for having the courage to share part of your story with us all.

I am an aspiring ANG pilot hoping to join a fighter squadron, and this book provided many great insights and anecdotes that reveal what this path might look like. While Capt Fox clearly has a rare natural talent that allowed him to excel in each challenge and graduate in the top of his class - a point some reviewers have stated was not relatable - the main theme that stands out to me throughout reading this book was the level of determination and hard work that he put in to be successful. As he mentions, as an ANG pilot candidate he could've coasted through flight school knowing that he didn't have to compete for the lauded fighter slots; instead, Capt Fox took every opportunity to get into a plane or simulator and work his tail off. To me, that is inspiring and extremely relatable. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to know what a day in the life of a fighter pilot candidate is really like. The writing is approachable and engaging, and it is clear that Capt Fox wrote this book as a roadmap to prepare future fighter pilot candidates on what to expect and how to prepare.

As a former Air Force pilot who flew supersonic T-38s in pilot training 47 years ago, my primary interest was to see how pilot training has changed since then. I got what I bargained for, and a whole lot more. Captain Fox has a way of bringing you into the cockpit with his words. And the lessons he shares are applicable to more than just the cockpit. If you're interested in military aviation, and why our Air Force fighter pilots are exceptionally qualified to maintain U.S. air superiority over the battlespace, this will be an excellent addition to your library. I only wish that it was also published in hard cover.

An intese technical and emotional record of a very, very challenging 3 year education. This is what it actually takes to graduate. Flying and writing are great. The author is unique in recording the process with such clarity and situational awareness. I can only wish that I had such an organized mind. This is the best jet fighter book of many I've read. It describes in detail what you need to learn, do and feel to be an F16/F22 fighter pilot. Fear and elation play a continuous role. What a ride. Happy landings!

Taylor's lifelong passion for flight is palpable through out the book. The descriptions of flights are riveting and vivid, the lessons are applicable to anyone, and examples of his personal growth are shown throughout the book. While Taylor is a very skilled pilot, he owns up to his flaws and shares some of his more embarrassing moments. A few of these anecdotes became my most memorable moments from the book! While these moments are humorous, they also serve as a reminder that even heroes are human. While the book was originally intended as a guide to becoming a fighter pilot, it is also is an accurate and inspiring guide on reaching your own aspirations.

Interesting insight into the detail and depth of USAF pilot training. Struggled to relate to the authors special experience of being the absolute top of class for who nothing was ever really hard. While much respect for having that level of natural talent, it is so far beyond most of us humble mortals. Part of me wanted to read the story of the guy at the bottom who had to fight through and only just graduated or the ones who just did not make it.Layout as a week by week diary felt disconnected and the lessons at the end a bit forced – could have combined several weeks into general themes.The descriptions of training flying, while individually cool, ended up being a bit repetitive as there are only so many ways you can drop simulated bombs.Interesting parts for me were the group and team dynamics.

Combat Ready is an impressive story about a guy who had a dream and followed it, and followed it with finesse, to boot. The book is a refreshing piece of nonfiction, not just because of the subject matter, but because of the author's candor and authentic take on his experiences. What's great is that the reader, whether an aviator or not, gains a great deal from the captain's Lessons Learned; the advice and revelations therein are applicable no matter the walk of life from which the reader comes. That said, Combat Ready is certainly a must-read for any folks aspiring to become a pilot in the US military.

This is pretty much what you'd expect from a memoir in training to be a fighter pilot and in that sense it does not disappoint. When Fox tries to connect lessons learned in the cockpit to business and life he's not quite as effective. It's clear in this sense that he doesn't have experience in either of these realms. Also the blind patriotism while understandable doesn't seem to be grounded in much actual experience. Other soldiers have done a much better job writing about the complexities of training,combat and politics. Furthermore Fix doesn't experience a great deal of adversity. However no one works harder than this guy and his exemplary results speak for themselves.

Great book so far, gripping and a detailed account of pilot training and operations in the USAF