ExAF

I smell herbivore vs carnivore smells!

TankerDriver

The Air Force has always liked technical science degrees when it comes to people on paper, but at the end of a day in UPT, it's all about attitude (a good one), willingness to learn and stick/rudder skills. You could have an arts degree if you were born with the hand/eye coordination and mental capacity to operate an aircraft as a weapon system. Some people have to work at it more than others regardless of the degree they have. My suggestion is to get some flight time under your belt. If flying a Cessna 172 isn't for you, flying an F-16 or C-130 especially won't be for you.

Also realize the military isn't all about flying airplanes. You will be expected to perform duties totally unrelated to flying.

andrewtac

I wouldn't join if I had a problem killing the enemy in the name of my government. Even if I completely disagreed with the polical leaders and why they were sending me. The military is just another arm of the government to make others do what we want. And ultimately, everyone in is supporting the goal; admin, logistics, etc., everyone.

All that being said, you don't need a PhD for TPS or to be an astronaut. Look at astronaut bios who were mil pilots, most don't have PhDs and many of them got grad degrees while on active duty. If you want to be an astronaut by going through the mil, I'd get an undergrad and get started, go to grad school when you can, and do what you can to get to TPS. Timing will be one of the toughest issues you will face. To get through TPS and your first test tour (about the min to get selected as an astronaut) will take 12-14 years. Currently they are taking classes every 4 years. You want as many looks as possible, as early as possible. The PhD will give you a late start and could reduce your number of looks.

You want to gain weight and strength, buy starting strength by Mark rippetoe. Follow it, don't deviate until you can squat high 300s and it will work. It requires eating as well, a gallon of milk a day will work wonders if you can take it.

bedrock

A great way to get in shape and become strong is swimming. Start swimming lessons to learn the right way and to have a schedule that forces you to go; then advance through the various levels. After you have done that for a year, 3x week, you will have good overall strength and incredible endurance. Then follow the 5x5 plan. Google it. Another option when you aren't swimming is kettlebell swings. You can start getting in shape today by just doing pushups, planks and bodyweight squats. Change your leverage so you can do 12-15 with good form.

Sputnik

Troll level--Supreme Master

And **** all you fighter guys, it was my 18 pallets of juicy juice that won the war.

tomgoodman

Harpilot,

I was assigned to the (former) AF Systems Command, where many pilots had advanced degrees. The common wisdom held that a Masters was excellent, but a PhD would doom you to a non-flying career. You might end up running a major program or a lab, and reach high rank, but have to turn in your helmet.