Which makes me think - what was the motivation to be a pilot of one of them, if the risk is so absurdly high? Prestige of being one of the very few certified to fly it? Did it come with better compensation? Or could you be ordered to fly it if you were good enough, no choice given? Or a combination of all of these?
Mostly it is military, so you pass flight school and then get your orders. Sometimes you can ask for a specific assignment, if it isn't in demand and isn't below you, you can get it, but part of asking is knowing who to ask and how to ask for it. (My Uncle was in the Navy and he got a lot of choice assignments because he asked for them and most of his peers just went where they were ordered)
Might also add true believer (if someone doesn't do this the commies will end my way of life). And, from what I've read more likely, "my buddy will die for sure in that thing, at least I have a chance."
