This article describes the process of crew resource management (CRM) training among fighter pilots and discusses the relevance of these techniques for surgeons, who are described as "the fighter pilots of medicine." Key elements of pilot CRM, such as identifying and reviewing mission objectives and post-mission debriefing, are described in detail. The authors discuss the adaptation of military CRM training for surgeons and review the development of a CRM program in a surgical residency program. Prior studies have reviewed the application of CRM training in obstetrics units and the emergency department.