<p>Hey,
I’m applying to USMA and USNA but I’m unsure about USAFA even though the academy itself seems the best fit for me. I’m shaky on USAFA because I’m not sure I want to be a fighter pilot, and I really can’t think of any other enjoyable careers in the AF. I know next to nothing about the AF though, so any info on other career paths would be appreciated (since I’ve read that only a little over half the graduating class goes into pilot training)?</p>
<p>Well, it depends on your interests. Obviously the pilot field is the most well known among the AF fields, but there are many more. What are you interested in doing in the Army or Navy?</p>
<p>Cyclista, there are lots of great flying jobs outside of fighters, each with their own challenges and selling points. There are even more jobs in the AF outside of flying, also with lots of selling points.<br>
20 years in, and I've only met the rare individual who doesn't love their job. What Falcons said is the key: find where your passion lies and go for it!</p>
<p>PM me if you want details on specific career fields and what they do...</p>
<p>There certainly are a lot of choices, especially outside of flying. You can access a full list of officer AFSCs [url=<a href="http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjobs/a/afoffjobs.htm%5Dhere%5B/url">http://usmilitary.about.com/od/officerjobs/a/afoffjobs.htm]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>My daughter went to AFSS, NASS and was accepted at WP first. I remember her lamenting what she would do if AF didn't offer her a slot. She enjoyed USNA a lot and said she could see herself attending school there, but couldn't see herself in the Navy later. She liked West Point and if AF hadn't made the offer she would have accepted that appointment primarily because she saw career paths that fit her interests (Civil and Mech Engineering at that time). </p>
<p>The Air Force is not all about the Fighter Jet (Sorry Bullet) it just gets all the glory. There are so many other things the Air Force does every day. From flying cargo and Air to Air refeuling. Civil Engineers designing bases and keeping the runways functional. Comm people making sure we can communicate by radio, phone, and computer. Battle Managers that make sure we get the right stuff on the bad guys when needed. Logistics people who make sure the parts and food and other essentials are purchased and supplied to their users. Like Bullet and the rest have said follow your passion.</p>
<p>Although I would lay dollars to donuts that the longer one remains in the AF, the greater the probability that the person which they are saluting is a fighter pilot.</p>
<p>You're correct 69. It's been a "fighter pilot mafia" at the top ranks for a while now. It will be interesting to see what the fall-out will be with the latest firings at the top. This may be the straw that ulrimately breaks the fighter mafia stranglehold of the top positions...</p>
<p>But this is something most of you will likely will not have to worry about until YOUR own kids are ready to go to an Academy themselves. Want to stay for 30 and compete for multi-star rank? Fighter pilot has been the historical path in the AF for the past 30+ years. Want to enjoy a 20 year career (maybe even a little longer :) ) doing a job you love? Find what makes you happy and do it...</p>
<p>Geez...Bullet is pretty "on target" here...I sure hope he's not a viper driver! :-) (It's a twin tail joke)</p>
<p>But he's precisely correct.</p>
<p>I flew KC-135's...and T-38's. Lost my F-4 in UPT because of a scheduling screwup. Turned out to be a great deal actually. The KC is a wonderful mission, you see the world, you are "real world active" all the time. </p>
<p>And then I got my chance to fly fighters; specifically, the amazing F-15. This forum isn't long enough to say how incredible that was, so I won't try. BUT...I also came to the conclusion that I really enjoyed the KC more. I know, sounds like I'm a mental defective. </p>
<p>But I'm not...I really liked traveling the world and in the air superiority world, I didn't get to do that.</p>
<p>BUT...there are SO many incredible "jobs" in the military, not just the AF, that it's impossible to say which is best. As bullet said: take/pick what you get and do the best you can! And you'll be amazed at how much FUN you have and how far you can go!!!</p>
<p>Steve</p>
<p>Uh -oh Fleiger little history Bullet is an f-15 WSO about to rtire and your gonna make him rethink things talkin like that. :)</p>
<p>A Mudhen WSO?</p>
<p>Oh my...</p>
<p>Seriously though...my hat is totally OFF to the WSO's....</p>
<p>I sure as heck couldn't sit in the pit and do their job...I'd be puking my guts out...they're a different breed...</p>
<p>And we're always VERY HAPPY to have them! Great talent, another set of eyes and a set of hands that can land the jet if I'm toast.</p>
<p>Nope nothing but pride there!</p>
<p>Pilots get all the glory, but as I've been looking at careers, I can say that there are tons of them that look great. Electronic Warfare Officer is one I can think of off the top of my head. The title sounds cool in itself.</p>
<p>Not a problem on the WSO / Pilot confusion, flieger. Damn proud to be a WSO, and I've loved the life (and thanked the good lord everyday that the D-model Viper wasn't made in mass quantities and thus needed WSOs :) ) (another twin tail joke, but I did get to fly a couple of D model F-16 sorties, the entire time annoying the guy in front by saying "Was that the ENGINE choking!!!!!!". Even better single engine joke)</p>
<p>Like I said, I found where my passion lied, and rode it for a VERY happy 20 year career. I hope these kids here get a chance to do the same.</p>
<p>And PM, as to EWOs, look up their history. The career field started back in Nam, with guys flying F-105s and going out looking for SAMs to target them so they could attack them back. Wild Weasel EWOs, some of the most bravest, craziest, put-other-men-too-shame HEROES I've ever had the luck to come across. A shame the Weasel mission is now done with Vipers and R2-D2. LOTS of capability lost when they took away the EWOs. That being said about 1/5th the WSOs here in my Wing have an EWO background, and a few have been in the EA-6B *******.</p>
<p>Sorry Bullet I mixed up the WSO-EWO thing.</p>
<p>Does anyone really know what they want to do in the AF after graduating when they enter the USAFA or is something you sort of figure out along the way? Other than flying of course. Say, if they want to major in engineering, mechanical or civil- do they subject them and educate them accordingly so the cadets know if that career is the right fit?</p>
<p>Kas0912, the first two years in the academy are mostly general education. Cadets choose a major (and minor) and focus in that area after the basic areas are taken care of. So they have some time to make a decision and get a broader mix of classes than in a normal college.</p>
<p>Also, as far is flying is concerned, they learn all that they need in UPT. Majoring in weather or aeronautical engineering would certainly help, but they go through the same program as everyone else.</p>