File this under “reasons I’m not ever gonna be allowed to be a Navy pilot.” According to Guy Snodgrass (what a freaking AMAZING name), former pilot and Top Gun instructor’s book “TOPGUN’s Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit,” recruits in the infamous flight school program would be fined $5 for every time they quoted Tony Scott‘s 80s arial adventure flick “Top Gun.”
But….all the incredibly quotable moments from the film!
We think this is hilarious, but also understandable from the institution’s standpoint.
To quote Snodgrass’s tome directly:
I think that’s [watching Top Gun] where my real true initial love for naval aviation started. I loved the flying scenes. It was exciting. I felt myself going, “Man, if I could ever do that, it would be a dream come true.” Looking back on the action film as someone who had the opportunity to serve as a Navy fighter pilot, the movie had such an impact on most of our lives. [But] when you get to Top Gun, because it is such a professional organization and you want to emphasize that you are at the top of your game, that it’s about professionalism, about good leadership, you don’t turn Top Gun into a joke by referencing the movie. So, it is a part of our bylaws that if someone overtly references the movie — it could be a direct quote, it could be something that is really close to a direct quote — that’s an automatic $5 fine. And it’s enforced. And you are expected to pay right then. You pull out your wallet and pay the $5. I think at some point we were all fined because it’s so ingrained in our aviation culture.
We dunno, but it sounds like someone made one too many passes on one Admiral’s daughter.
Also, you should TOTALLY pick up a copy of Val Kilmer‘s book “I’m Your Huckleberry,” if only for the “Top Gun” antics he shares.
“Top Gun: Maverick” is currently slated for a July 2nd, 2021 release date.
