<p>I have been considering recently what degree I may be interested in once I get to the Air Force Academy. It will most likely be either mechanical engineering or aeronautical engineering. What are the pros and cons of each? I know that mechanical engineering would have a variety of different applications once I get out. But, aeronautical engineering just sounds so much more interesting -especially since I want to become a pilot-and I do realize that degrees play little role in whether you become a pilot out of the air force academy. I have already met and read about many cadets who majored in subjects such as history or english and became fighter pilots.</p>
<p>Either engineering degree will do you good in the RAF (Real AF) or later in life. The AF jobs associated with the two are virtually identical if you don't go to pilot training. The beauty of a USAFA education is you don't have to rush to decide. Whether you major in mech, aero, EE, or astro (yeah, astro!) your courses are the same for the first 3 semesters or so and no one forces you to make a call until then. In the meantime, you'll be exposed to lots of topics and be better informed prior to your decision. Don't sweat it...</p>
<p>I have been considering my course of study at the Academy as well. I have a long standing interest in Political Science and International Studies. But this year I took a Physics class and am doing really well in it. Something I may want to continue studying. These are very different in their direction and am considering which way to go. Any ideas on the timing for a decision?</p>
<p>These days you have to pick "tech or fuzzy" track during BCT. You can change it later, without too much difficulty--especially to go from fuzzy (non-tech) to tech. The main difference is that fuzzies have to take 4 semesters of foreign language and techies have zero requirement there. I suggest you declare tech to start and then if, during spring of your fresman year, you decide that's not for you, you can pick up the FL starting in the Fall of your thirdclass (sophomore) year.</p>
<p>I'm thinking about going Aero right now, but during SS this past summer I really liked the MSS presentation. If only that had more impact for post AF, assuming that I don't spend 30+ years in the Military. I'm just hoping that the engineering won't be too much on top of the other stuff from the 4th class system.</p>
<p>I have a few service commitment questions? I know we will have at least a five year commitment after graduation from the Academy. But there is more to this. If you get to fly, I here different answers as to this commitment. I also would like to get my MA or MS. What are my chances of doing this directly after the Academy and is this while serving or is time schooling time added or separate? Just thinking about how this adds up and how far I can take my goals.</p>
<p>Pilot commitment is now 10 years AFTER you complete pilot training for ALL officers, USAFA, ROTC, or OTS. That means, 11-12 total.</p>
<p>The only way to do a Masters directly out of USAFA is to win a national fellowship (Rhodes, Hertz, Guggenheim, Goldwater, etc) or earn a VERY few AF-sponsored slots. About 30 or so will go to school right after USAFA. While you're in school, you are paid as a 2Lt and your time counts towards your USAFA commitment, retirement, promotion, etc. It's your military assignment. However, whenever you go to a full-time school in the Air Force, you pick up an extra commitment. Right now, it's typically "3 for 1" with some caps. For example, a Masters will porbably add 3 years to your commitment. A PhD will add 5. Special training also adds commitments. It's not uncommon for successful officers to owe a commitment for their good deals throughout their career. The rewards in the AF are many, but they do ask for some payback.</p>
<p>You can, in many cases, pursue a Masters part-time after you graduate, too. The AF will help fund many of these classes, but if they do, they'll ask for time. Pay for it yourself and you don't owe the AF anything. These days, however, the AF is de-emphasizing part-time education. Mother Blue will send you to school if and when she says you need it. I will tell you from experience, it's pretty darned nice to be a full-time grad student on AF pay. When I did my PhD in engr, I was paid better than most of the Liberal Arts professor at the school I attended and lived orders of magnitude better than the other grad students.</p>
<p>Remember, the goal of USAFA is to produce CAREER OFFICERS in the Air Force, not folks who only want to cash in after they do their five years. If that's your goal, USAFA may not be the right choice.</p>
<p>docfrance-
Do you know if that is the same for the Naval Academy? I seem to remember it being 8 years after flight training.</p>
<p>Not sure about the Navy. Sorry. Focus on building career officers is the same, though. I'm not a big fan of the 10-year commitment myself. I think the AF needs to simply do a better job of taking care of their people once they're in so they WANT to stay. That varies every few years, though. I can say that, in my case, the years have flown by and the opportunities have been magnificent. I went to USAFA not really expecting to even spend all four years there. I decided to stay after my sophomore (2nd) summer. I didn't expect to stay in more than 5 years after graduation, but then got picked for so many good deals (Stanford MS, VA Tech PhD, exchange assignment overseas, teaching at USAFA, etc) that I didn't really consider getting out until I'd been in for 15 years and they were offering early retirement.</p>
<p>I filled out the papers and had a couple of job interviews that would've paid me some serious dough, but then decided that I just wasn't finished--I had more AF goals to accomplish and I liked the sense of importance I had in my jobs. That was a good decision--I was promoted twice after that and had some terrific assignments. Now, it's been almost 24 years and I'm not sure if I won't stay for a full 30. I can make lots more money elsewhere, but it's just not the same...</p>
<p>When my spouse started at AFA, he thought he was going to be an engineer (he got a 36 on the math section of the ACT). As a doolie he took at course that changed his mind and sparked a passion for him. He was one of those few who went to grad school (fellowship to KSG at Harvard) out of the AFA, then went to pilot training. The fighter pilots in the squadrons he flew with had degrees that ranged from English to Astro Physics. There was no one who really work truely in the field they studied in college. Everyone needed a strong math background but many of the best pilots were NOT engineers. Later in his career, during the 90's when there were too many pilots (haha) --- he taught at the academy. He would tell his students not to commit to a major until the deadline. Enjoy the classes they had and find a subject that they loved. This degree will be with you for life, don't chose too early. Now nearly 24 yrs later as an O-6, he is finally working in the field he studied in college. As a Pol Sci guy he deals with Air Chiefs of countries in the Mid-East and Africa. Go with an open mind who knows where that might lead you.</p>