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callsigns-in-the-military-why

An aviator call sign or callsign is a nickname given to a military pilot, flight officer, and even some enlisted aviators. This call sign is a substitute for the aviator’s given name, and is used on flight suit and flight jacket name tags, painted/displayed beneath the officer’s or enlisted aircrewman’s name on aircraft fuselages or canopy rails, and in radio conversations. They are most commonly used in tactical jet aircraft communities (i.e., fighter, attack, bomber) than in other aircraft communities (i.e., airlift, mobility, maritime patrol), but their use is not totally exclusive to the former. Many NASA Astronauts with military aviator backgrounds are referred to during spaceflights by their call signs rather than their first names.

The origins of aviator call signs are varied. Most call signs play on or reference on the aviator’s surname. Other inspirations for call signs may include personality traits, middle name, references to historical figures, or past exploits during the pilot’s career. Aviator call signs nearly always must come from a member or members of the aviator’s squadron, training class, or other cohort.

It is considered bad form to try to give oneself a callsign and it is also common for aviators to be given a fairly derogatory callsign, and the more they complain about it, the more likely it is to stick. Some stick with the aviator forever, while in other cases an aviator might have a series of call signs throughout his or her career.

What is Project Callsigns?

Have a callsign? We want to share your story! Project Callsigns aims to collect the stories behind the callsigns. We’re not just looking for historical stories, we want to focus on those who are currently serving or veterans. We’ll be selecting the best 100 stories to publish in a Coffee Table book that will be available on Amazon and eventually your local bookstore. Make your friends famous, tell the best story you know!

The Three Rules of Callsigns

  1. If you don’t already have one, you will be assigned one by your “buddies”.
  2. You probably won’t like it.
  3. If you complain and moan too much about steps 1 and 2, you’ll get a new nickname you’ll like even less!

So, how do you get a callsign?

Do something stupid or have it fit with your last name. Obvious examples, ‘Crash’ or LT ‘Cheese’ Kraft. Sometimes it’s based on a physical appearance thing like ‘Carrot’. After you’ve earned the respect of your buddies, you’ll get a more ‘heroic’ callsign.

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How will the stories look in the book?

Each story will be conveyed on full-page spreads so high quality photos are key to make this book cool (photo is a placeholder, callsign story from airlinepilotforums.com)

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For A Good Cause:
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Callsigns is About Giving Back.
Proceeds from the Callsign Project will benefit “Visions For Vets”. A St. Louis based non-profit focused on offering free Visual Arts workshops to Military Veterans to help assist in the healing process, provide community and serve through art.
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What makes a good callsign story?

That’s really not up to us! This book will be created by the Squadron Posters community, so if you have a good story please share it with us and help a worthy cause!

How to submit:

1. Simply email us with your story: request@squadronposters.com
2. Included photos that we can use in the book are greatly appreciated.
3. Or get it voted to the top by sharing it on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SquadronPosters/

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