OFFICER APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE NAVY FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION SQUADRON (BLUE ANGELS) FOR 2026-2027 SHOW SEASONS (CORRECTED COPY):
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//
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SUBJ/OFFICER APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE NAVY FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION
SQUADRON (BLUE ANGELS) FOR 2026-2027 SHOW SEASONS (CORRECTED COPY)//
REF/A/DOC/CNATRA/25JAN23//
AMPN/REF A IS CNATRAINST 1301.4P, APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND QUALIFICATIONS
FOR OFFICERS OF THE NAVY FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION SQUADRON//
RMKS/1. The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) will select:
a. For 2026-2027 show seasons:
(1) Three F/A-18 demonstration pilots. Navy and Marine Corps pilots
are encouraged to apply. One of the three F/A-18 demonstration pilots
selected, will be for the 2026-2028 show seasons.
(2) One Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilot.
(3) One Supply Officer.
(4) One Public Affairs Officer.
(5) One Maintenance Officer.
b. For 2026-2028 show seasons:
(1) One Marine Corps C-130 demonstration pilot.
2. Interested officers, submit applications in line with reference (a) by
30 April 2025. All applicants must contact their detailer/monitor prior to
applying to ensure adequate timing to complete a two or three year tour
without impacting career milestones. Manpower Management Officer Assignments
(MMOA) will release a separate MARADMIN that outlines Marine applicant
eligibility requirements. Final selections will be made in July 2025.
3. Qualifications. Applicants should be career-oriented, Navy and Marine
Corps Officers with the following specific qualifications:
a. F/A-18 demonstration pilot applicants:
(1) Must be, or have been, carrier qualified with approximately
1,250 tactical jet flight hours by 30 September of the year applying.
(2) Have completed an operational Fleet tour.
(3) Have completed Advanced Flight Training with an average or
greater composite score.
b. Marine C-130 demonstration pilot:
(1) Must have an aircraft commander rating in the C-130J.
(2) Should have a minimum of 1,200 total flight hours.
(3) Have completed Advanced Flight Training with an average or greater
composite score.
c. Maintenance Officer applicants:
(1) Must be designated Aviation Maintenance Officers
(152X/633X/734X) (CWO3/CWO4/LTJG/LT/LCDR).
(2) Be on, or have completed, an operational Fleet tour.
d. Supply officer applicants:
(1) Must be designated as Naval aviation supply officer
(310X/651X) (LTJG/LT/LCDR).
(2) Be on, or have completed, an operational Fleet tour.
e. Public Affairs Officer applicants must be designated as Naval Public
Affairs Officer (LTJG/LT/LCDR).
4. Selectees will be approved by Chief of Naval Air Training with
BUPERS/MMOA review and concurrence on suitability prior to public
notification. Navy and Marine Corps pilots will be required to remain on
Active Duty for a period of two years following completion of their
assignment with the Blue Angels.
5. Reference (a) details application procedures.
a. Applications submitted via mail through 1 March 2025, address to:
Commanding Officer
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
Attn: LT Connor O'Donnell
Naval Air Facility El Centro
1605 Third Street
Hangar 5
El Centro, CA 92243
b. Applications submitted via mail from 2 March 2025 through 30 April
2025, address to:
Commanding Officer
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
Attn: LT Connor O'Donnell
390 San Carlos Road, Suite A
Pensacola, FL 32508-5508
c. Applications may also be delivered in person beginning 15 March 2025.
6. For additional information, visit the Blue Angels website at
https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/, or contact the Blue Angels Applicants
Officer, LT Connor O'Donnell, in Pensacola, FL at (850)452-4650, or in El
Centro, CA (January through Mid-March) at (760)339-2509 or via email at
connor.j.odonnell3.mil@us.navy.mil.
7. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or 31 August 2025,
whichever occurs first.
8. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.//
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