Page "Blue Angels" Paragraph 18

The team leader (# 1 ) is the Commanding Officer and is always a Navy Commander, who may be promoted to Captain mid-tour if approved for Captain by the selection board.

Pilots of numbers 2 – 7 are Navy Lieutenants or Lieutenant Commanders, or Marine Corps Captains or Majors.

The number 7 pilot narrates for a year, and then typically flies Opposing and then Lead Solo the following two years, respectively.

The number 3 pilot moves to the number 4 ( slot ) position for his second year.

Blue Angel No. 4 serves as the demonstration safety officer, due largely to the perspective he is afforded from the slot position within the formation, as well as his status as a second-year demonstration pilot.

There are a number of other officers in the squadron, including a Naval Flight Officer, the USMC C-130 pilots, a Maintenance Officer, an Administrative Officer, and a Flight Surgeon.

Enlisted members range from E-4 to E-9, and perform all maintenance, administrative, and support functions.

They serve three to four years in the squadron.

After serving with the Blues, members return to fleet assignments.