Jack Stewart always wanted to fly. Following in his pilot father's footsteps, he pursued a career in aviation at the U.S. Naval Academy before serving 23 years as a fighter pilot, flying combat missions from three different aircraft carriers and deploying to Afghanistan as a member of an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party. He's also a graduate of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as TOPGUN, both for it's esteemed reputation of bringing up the finest dogfighters in the country, as well as the film series starring Tom Cruise, of course. When you tell people you graduated from TOPGUN, it doesn't take long for the conversation to wander from real-life situations to whimsical Hollywood schlock, because c'mon - who doesn't want to know more about TOPGUN? Is the real program anything like what's in the movies? What kind of flight risks are people not aware of, and how does new technology help make dogfighting safer in modern warfare? And most importantly - did Jack ever buzz the tower, or is that just Hollywood bunk? ---------- Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 04:57 - Born in Fullerton 09:40 - Have You Seen Top Gun? 17:02 - Standing on Ceremony at the United States Naval Academy 24:09 - Student Body Shenanigans 34:32 - Senior Year Selection Day 38:38 - Flight School in August 45:43 - Fighter Jet Pilot Training 48:38 - How To Bomb A Target 01:04:11 - A Flight School Tragedy 01:08:03 - Challenges of an Oceanbound Aircraft Carrier Landing 01:12:41 - Getting Your Wings 01:22:54 - Flying 9/11 01:32:05 - Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-87 01:41:00 - Deploying after Operation Iraqi Freedom ---------- Get Your Copy of Jack's Book, 'Unknown Rider' on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/t33vbtyy Support Jack Stewart - Website: https://jackstewartbooks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackstewartbooks X: https://twitter.com/JackStewartBook ---------- Sponsors: Contingency Medical Don't Wait! Go to https://www.contingencymedical.com/mikedrop now and enter promo code MIKEDROP for $20 off any pack! That's $20 off ANY pack at https://www.contingencymedical.com/mikedrop with promo code MIKEDROP! ---------- ZBiotics This holiday season, give your friends and family a gift they will actually want and use with ZBiotics. Go to zbiotics.com/MIKEDROP to get 15% off your first order when you use MIKEDROP at checkout. ZBiotics is backed with 100% money back guarantee so if you’re unsatisfied for any reason, they’ll refund your money, no questions asked. Remember to head to https://www.zbiotics.com/mikedrop and use the code MIKEDROP at checkout for 15% off. Thank you ZBiotics for sponsoring this episode and our good times. ---------- WileyX Whether it is the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, shooting, working around the house, or putting in an honest day’s work on the job, Wiley X has you covered. Protect what matters… Stock up this Holiday season at https://www.wileyx.com/ ---------- Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- BUBS Naturals The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life. Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/ and use code MIKEDROP for 20% off your order. ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND: SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - null Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet/