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A Super Hornet pilot gives us an inside look at how Naval Aviators get their often colorful but unflattering callsigns.<\/em> Let\u2019s reminisce about fighter pilot callsigns and how they come about.
\nBEN KOHLMANN<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nI\u2019ll start with mine: ‘The Professor,’ eventually shortened to ‘Prof.’
\nHow I got it: First port call as a new guy in the squadron, we pull into Hong Kong. Everybody always chipped into buying the fanciest penthouse in a big name hotel – think 30 guys and gals crashing on the floor.
\nSomeone was always tagged as the ‘admin queen.’ This individual was required to stay sober and be the adult in the room in case anything went awry and had to talk to the hotel staff.
\nI pulled Admin Queen duty the second night.
\n2am, all my compatriots are out on the town. Looking around, I noticed everybody was gone.
\nSo, like anyone would, I change the music from rap to Beethoven and pull out my American History of Law book to pass the time.
\nBad move.
\nAn older squadronmate bursts in, tipsy, and sees me.
\n“What do we have here? It’s the Professor at work!”
\nIt was the leading contender at the callsign review board the next week that took place aboard ship.
\nLet’s pause a bit and talk about the ‘rules’ for callsigns.
\nIt’s rumored that Air Force fighter jocks get to pick their own callsigns… which is where you get things like ‘Ripper’ and ‘Ace’ and ‘Thor.’
\nNot in the Navy<\/p><\/blockquote>\n