This unprecedented journey through the training brings viewers up close and personal with some of the students as they learn and test their skills. Some of them won’t make it through, but if they have what it takes, they will get their wings and be part of America’s elite fighter pilots.

This six-part series demonstrates the dedication, pressure, and perseverance of the students. Cameras follow a class of Navy and Marine Corps student pilots as they undertake their final training and tests to become part of the elite strike fighters.

These young men and women have dedicated their lives to the United States military. They know what they signed up for, and even though at times they are afraid of the tasks they are required to do, they forge on with the final goal of making it in this special field of pilots.

This is an intense program filled with pressure but also camaraderie that unites the students as they not only learn the tactics of flying, but also become a close-knit group that pulls for each other and looks out for their fellow pilots.

The training takes them through high speed bombing drives, carrier landings, dogfights, low altitude flying and everything needed to be an efficient and reliable aviator. The intensity of these experiences shows on their faces. At times they might want to give up, but these are tough people and forge on through it all, with the hopes of making it through and graduating. It all culminates in the graduation where they each receive their gold wings and officially become Naval Aviators.

Throughout the episodes viewers not only see the training but also get some insight into the personal lives of some of these students. They show their family lives and discuss the training, their decisions to join the military and to apply for this special training, and their hopes for their careers going forward.

The series premiered on National Geographic throughout September and October and now all episodes are available to stream on Disney Plus and Hulu. It is an intense look at the skills required to make it through to be a Naval Aviator.

Viewers will undoubtedly feel empathy for these hardworking and hard-driving students. They experience setbacks along the way but keep on learning and gaining the skills needed to make it through. These are dedicated people who are determined to achieve their goals to serve their country.

Tom Cruise “acted” his role as a Top Gun pilot. These men and women don’t act. They are Top Gun pilots.