An afternoon with the
Grouped in front of "Hornet One", the Angels discuss their last routine. Debriefing is just minutes away and I know I will only have a few moments to talk with Lieutenant Scholl. Looking around, I realize that my photographer and I are the only civilians present near the Blue Angels. When I first received confirmation of the interview a few weeks earlier, I thought that I would have to struggle to get to these great Naval Aviators. But there I was, all alone under the pouring rain…They say luck is the coming together of preparation and perseverance, I will learn on the Media Day that I was the only one to follow the proper chain of command to get interview authorization.....we are indeed lucky today. Momentarily distracted, testing my tape
recorder, I am surprised by a very warm "Hello,
Sir!". There in front of me, looking like a living
recruiting poster, hands clasped behind his Lieutenant Scholl is from Beltsville, Maryland, and graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science. He became part of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Team in October 1995. I begin the interview by asking him how he become part of the Blue Angels:
In fact, Lieutenant Scholl's naval career is quite impressive. After completing Aviation Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned an ensign in March 1988. Earning his wings in February 1990, he then served with attack Squadron 122 (VA-122), the "Gunslingers" of VA-105, Strike Fighter Squadron 105 (VFA-105). Lt. Scholl then made the transition from the A-7E, to the F/A-18C Hornet. He then completed two sets of work-ups, followed by a mini-deployment, then an extended deployment aboard the aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). In light of his career path, I was curious to know if Lieutenant Scholl had the goal of being part of the Blue Angels early on. His answer stresses the importance of the training Naval Aviators receive: "When I joined the Navy, I wasn’t thinking I could be part of the Blue Angels. I was thinking the Blue Angels were the "Be all, End all" of the Naval Aviation and that you had to be a superb pilot of just incredible skills that I didn’t possess. As I grew in my flying ability and my flying skills, I found out that just about any Naval aviator could do this job. And once I got on the Team, I realized that that was the truth. We, on the Team, and especially because they picked me because I am certainly not the best Naval aviator, possess certain skills, certain abilities to talk to the kids. We really love being here and represent the Navy, the Marine Corps and the US Government. And that’s why we are here. With the training that is involved in being a Navy pilot, to be able to land aboard a ship and do all the other tactical flying skills that we have, with our training, just about any other Naval aviator can do the same flying that we, in the Blue Angels, do. It’s very tough, the toughest flying I have ever done, but we receive training above all training that I’ve ever had in the Navy. That’s how we are able to do this, to make it look so exciting, and also yet have it be so completely safe." I immediately notice some key words Lieutenant Scholl is using: Skills, Team, Training… Obviously, being the Blue Angels Lead Solo has not made Lieutenant Scholl loose the sense of being part of a team. In fact, the Blue Angels success relies on this team effort, from the support/maintenance and administrative crew to the seven Naval Aviators. I also notice Lieutenant Scholl is showing a great deal of modesty! Having won the 1993, the strike-fighter community’s Scott Speicher Award for superior tactical weapon delivery. He was also named Carrier Air Wing Three’s (CVW-3) Pilot of the Year. He certainly *is* one of the best!
"One of the greatest things is
being able to walk out and see smiles on the kids’
faces. Even when you have a day when I didn’t
perform so well, I gave it all I had and it was just not
coming all together for me. But then I see the smiles on
the kids’ faces. To know I am having an I immediately ask him if a young person would think of getting into Naval Aviation, what things might he consider doing now that would help him later to achieve their goals. Lieutenant Scholl's answer is very enlightening: "I think that one of the
greatest things that I talk about is making simple
commitments. That you are going to get the job done and
that you are going to work Simple statement but very true. These great Naval Aviators have all made simple commitments, they have committed to being the best they can, at everything they do...this has led them to the top of their profession.... they are the Blue Angels! Lieutenant Scholl, very kindly, asks permission to leave for his debriefing. I could keep on listening to him for hours, but I know he is on a very tight schedule. We shake hands, I thank him and he joins the other Blue Angels… Floating on a cloud, Pierre-Mathieu, my photographer, and I dash to the car in a vain attempt to avoid the rain (which I hardly notice!) . He tells me he took some very interesting shots of the Hornets, I tell him I've just met one hell of a great person. I am so pumped by the meeting with Lieutenant Scholl, I'm almost ready to head to the nearest recruiter and sign up! Sitting in the car, wet and cold, a wide grin on both our faces, we hear a knock on the window. Standing in the rain is a guy whose coat is bears the logo of a very big and well-known Montreal TV station. "Where are the Blue Angels?" I answered affirmatively and invited him to visit the FlightLine Online site. He looked at me as if I were the luckiest guy on Earth. Remembering the phrase about preparation.... I thought....Indeed, I was… This meeting was a dream come true and we thank the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, The Blue Angels, for allowing us to have this time with them! By- Jean-François Laissus Photography- Pierre-Mathieu Fortin |
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As the six F-18's taxi to their assigned spots,
the technical crews begin their post-flight tasks with
the ritual precision that this team is famous for.
Standing in front of the seven magnificent Blue and
Yellow Hornets, we get a close up view of the action.
back, eyes riveted on mine, stands "Blue
Five"; Lieutenant Ryan Scholl! I'm remembering the
characters of the movie "Wayne's World" when
confronted with their idol.... "WE'RE NOT
WORTHY!!" ....This feeling subsides quickly as we
begin our conversation. LT. Ryan Scholl is very
congenial, I'm immediately comfortable. I congratulate
him for his tremendous performance and apologize for the
typical Canadian weather (at least, it was not snowing!).
"I joined the Navy and have been flying
F/18s. When I achieved certain steps in my career, I was
then able to apply to the team. The year I applied to the
Blue Angels, there were about 65 five applicants for two
Navy pilots jobs and I was lucky enough to be part of
those two." 
Lieutenant Scholl is keenly aware of his, and
his fellow Blue Angels role as representatives of the
best the Navy, and America have to offer. In the
following days, I will have the opportunity to witness
the incredible attraction the Blue Angels exert over the
kids and their parents. They are obviously role models
for a lot of young people, and perhaps a few of us older
"kids" as well!. I ask him what are the most
rewarding aspects of being part of the Blue Angels, his
answer reflects this fact :
effect on what is going to happen in their
lives is very rewarding. I may not recruit them to go in
the Navy, but hopefully if they have a choice down the
road somewhere to go the right way or the wrong way,
maybe they’ll have a look back and be influenced
somewhat by what we do." 
as hard as you can at everything you do. Once
you have that simple commitment, whether it’s
hanging up your clothes in your closet or even on your
final exam, if you do the best you can at everything that
you do, there is really nothing that you cannot achieve,
whether you want to be a Blue Angel or if you want to be
successful at whatever you do."