Evasive manoeuvres. Being catapulted off an airforce carrier. Relaxing after long flying stints on ports all over the world. Ever wondered what a career as a fighter pilot would be like? Today we hear all about it direct from a US Navy Fighter Pilot.. Kristen Erpenbach is the latest of our ‘real role models’ to answer our Q&A about work and life.
What is your job now?
I am a United States Navy F/A-18 Fighter Pilot. Eight months ago I finished two combat deployments to the Middle East. I am now an instructor pilot teaching newly selected jet pilots how to fly the F/A-18 Hornet.
Describe an average day for you.
That is the best part! There is no average day….
If you asked me a year ago my average day consisted of waking up on a U.S. military carrier, briefing for a flight into Afghanistan, getting a catapult shot off the front of a carrier, flying a seven hour mission supporting troops on the ground in Afghanistan, and then coming back to the carrier and watching a movie or reading. In my year worth of deployments we stopped in multiple ports to include: Spain, Greece, Bahrain, Dubai, France, and Portugal. Now an average day is to wake up and go for a run or get a quick workout in, go to work and fly for an hour and a half teaching students tactics and basic flying of the F/A-18 and then coming home to cook dinner and spend the evening with my husband. ( I love to cook and bake so any free time is spent in the kitchen.)
How did you get there? (I winged it)
A lot of factors go into how I got to where I am today. I have a brother who is five years older and he always wanted to be a Navy Blue Angel (F/A-18 pilot). I watched him work for his dream and it opened my eyes to all of the opportunities available to me if I work hard enough. Growing up I wanted to be a teacher, a veterinarian, a doctor…you name it. When it came time to apply for college I was still unsure of what I wanted to do for a living. I very much enjoyed visiting my brother at the United States Naval Academy and liked the idea of serving my country and traveling the world. So I too went joined the Navy and went to Annapolis. I watched my brother attend Flight School and become a jet pilot and he seemed to be enjoying life so I decided on the same path. I wanted an adventure, and to do something different than my peers. There were many reasons that I got to where I am today…I have approached life by working hard and striving to be the best I can personally and professionally. I tend to make decisions when I get to a fork in the road and don’t necessarily have the rest of my life planned out. In some ways I consider my indecisiveness a weakness but at the same time my ability to be flexible in life has made me enjoy my entire journey and not just be focused on the final goal or destination.
How do you manage the logistics of your career and your life outside of work?
Being in the Navy I don’t always have control over my schedule. The nice part about my current schedule is that depending on what time I have a flight affects what time I go into work. If I have a night flight I spend the morning at home and if I have an early flight then I leave work in the afternoon and have the evenings at home. It is a nice balance in itself and I also always make time for my husband, friends and hobbies. I am busy during the weeks but I take advantage of my weekends! I do not have children yet but am hoping to add them to the mix very soon. My husband is currently a Navy Radiology resident and is even busier than I am.
What is the easiest part of your working week? and/or What is the hardest part of your working week?
The easiest part of my work week is teaching. I love to teach and I enjoy working with other people. It is very gratifying to know that you are helping someone better understand their job and are giving them tools to be successful in their careers. The hardest part of my work week is when I am not home in the evenings. After a year of being deployed I do not like being away from home in the evenings. I use to love the changes in schedule but after being married I have grown to cherish spending the evening with my husband.
How do you think your younger self would view your current career?
My younger self would be surprised but impressed. Impressed that I took the leap and left home…I always thought I would be a California girl for life and while I do miss my family and friends I wouldn’t trade it for a second. The experiences that I had throughout college and so far in my Naval career are so unique and extraordinary. I am impressed with what I have achieved and to be honest not much has changed….I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. But I am enjoying the path I am on…
If someone else out there wants to develop a career like yours what advice would you give them?
I guess it depends what part of the career. First things first: Work hard in school but balance it with sports, dance, music, volunteering etc. Colleges and employers want well rounded individuals with potential. If you want to be in the military…that is easy…JOIN! If you want to fly I recommend taking classes or lessons, but keep in mind if you do it through the military it is free! And if you are already in aviation then it is just a matter of studying, flying and having the right attitude. I had the option to be selected as a jet pilot because I had decent grades but I think I was chosen because of my positive attitude and work ethic.
Have you got any anecdotes about your career or daily life you’d like to share?
I truly believe you can’t sweat the small stuff and still be happy. I have had the same two mottos since elementary school: Hakuna Matata (it means no worriers) and “things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out”. I wish I had something deeper to share but those saying have always stuck with me.