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PhD Aerospace Engineering to Air Force

Old 12-08-2015, 04:56 AM
  #1  
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Default PhD Aerospace Engineering to Air Force

Hello All,

I appreciate the insight on this website. Unlike other sources, there is mostly sophisticated discussion by professionals, without the usage of childish language or insults. For this reason, I decided to just join recently to benefit from the wealth of experience that all of you posses in aviation.

In essence, I am about to begin undergrad next year. I have been thinking about eventually becoming a USAF Pilot. I have no intention to join the US Air Force Academy, or enlist in the Air Force. Additionally, although I am thin, I don't have much physical strength, and can hardly run a mile or lift any weights. I have no muscles either, so basically just an average guy.

I am thinking about studying Aerospace Engineering, with the eventual goal of attaining a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. After which, I would like to try to join the Air Force and fly a C-130 or F-16 maybe. I know this sounds like an immature post, but I wanted to know if a PhD is an advantage, and how to join thereafter. I know that to become an astronaut, a PhD is highly recommended. So for becoming a pilot in the AF, it could really help i'm guessing. I would definitely work on my fitness over the upcoming years, and see what goes forward. I'm hesitant to join AFROTC due to the commitment, and would like to finish my PhD first. I have done internships in various labs and am committed to getting a PhD, just due to my desire to attain the highest degree I can and distinguish myself, while still pursuing a passion for research.

Any input?

Thanks guys.
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Old 12-08-2015, 06:47 AM
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I think the short answer is, no, a PHD will not be an advantage to becoming an AF pilot other than to fill another square on an application. Applying after a PHD (if not going through ROTC), you would have to apply for Officer Candidate School. The other option would be to apply to a Air National Guard or AF Reserve unit to sponsor you to go to pilot training. I'm sure you will get some more responses soon. Good luck.
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Old 12-08-2015, 07:40 AM
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Knew a similar guy in AFROTC with me. Got a pilot slot. Busted his first T-37 checkride. Decided that was enough and quit UPT. Now he works for microsoft.

Flew with another guy who worked hard to be a bad-ass F-16 driver. He hit the gym hard...you had to to pull 9-Gs and stay awake. Got selected to go to TPS...in another country...learning another language first. That changed and he went to Edwards, but was picked up later for the space program. He went to space as a Shuttle Commander, and also went to Space on Soyuz and commanded the ISS. Spent over 200 days in space...

Nice first post. If you aren't legit, whatever.... If you are, I suggest you get your scrawny ass to the gym and start studying calculus. The dudes I knew that made it to TPS were all razor sharp, and they were tough. You competition won't be "average guys"...suggest you try to aim a little higher.
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:12 AM
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What exactly is your end goal? Do you want to be a test pilot or even be a part of the space program eventually? If not, your degree or even a PhD in Aerospace Engineering will not help you in pilot training. It will, however, help you in getting a pilot slot. From my personal experience, the really geeky smart dudes/ dudettes with a technical degree in xx engineering, physics, computer science, etc. tend to over analyze in the cockpit and tend to be the biggest hamfists. I got a degree in Aerospace Engineering to better my chances of obtaining a pilot slot and I can tell you that my degree did jack for me in UPT. Success in pilot training has to do with studying hard, chair flying, playing hard, and to a high degree, your God given eye-hand coordination. My degree did help me land some good deals in the Air Force so I didn't completely waste my time studying my a$$ off while my friends were out enjoying life!
As others have said, you need to hit the gym and get some aerobic & anaerobic excercise. Regardless of what type of aircraft you will fly, you still need to be able to handle about 6-7 g's in the T-6 unless you enjoy doing the funky chicken.
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Old 12-08-2015, 09:15 AM
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A Phd would help you a little bit to get selected, in that it's another box to check and shows dedication, academic prowess, and some intelligence (depending on the field of study).

But they are looking for certain things in pilot candidates, and having a Phd will not waive those requirements (some fitness/athletic ability, multi-tasking, teamwork, etc). So you would want to work on the physical fitness...military pilots do not have to be extreme athletes but you don't want to struggle in early training or have that affect your class ranking.

Longer term, the Phd will help with promotions, more so as a senior officer and will open up career opportunities later on if you stay in (War College instructor, acquisitions, R&D).

Be aware that pilots slots go first to academy grads and then to ROTC. So as an off-the-street applicant it may be more competitive to pick up a pilot slot.

Also look at the Air National Guard and USAF Reserves...as a part-timer you could employ your Phd in the civilian world and also fly.
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Old 12-08-2015, 02:06 PM
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As a former ROTC guy and current active duty F-16 pilot some things I'd recommend:

1. Don't stress the fact that you're out of shape now, but start doing something about it nonetheless. If it's something you really want to do, the motivation to get in shape should come naturally. Also, making the minimum cut isn't especially difficult; I've seen some pretty out of shape people wearing the uniform in my time. Of course with your goals you should be getting closer to the max than the min though, but it sounds like you have some time to get there. Also, don't be scared of the G's even if you get in shape but don't significantly "bulk up." I can attest from personal experience that tall skinny guys are out there flying the Viper as we speak. The most important thing is proper G-strain technique, and the new G-suits we wear are a significant improvement over the older ones worn just a few years ago.

2. Getting a PhD while an active duty pilot is going to be extremely difficult. The time commitment of being a pilot in an Air Force fighter squadron is tough to overstate, without even taking frequent TDYs and deployments into account. However, the Air Force does offer generous opportunities for you to attend grad school full time prior to attending UPT. Recommend talking to an ROTC recruiter for details. Whatever they tell you though, in today's manning state do not expect to be released from a fighter billet to pursue higher education later (Olmstead, etc.) unless you are a total rock star.

3. The commitment required by ROTC is minimal initially. Depending on scholarship status you'll be able to walk away no questions asked for the first year or two if you find that it's not for you. At some point you will have to sign on the dotted line though, but you will have ample time to think things over first.

If getting a PhD is really the most important thing to you then I'd do as others have said and pursue the Guard or Reserve (Heck, I'd probably recommend that even if you DGAF about a PhD) so that you have time to pursue your studies.

Good Luck!
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Old 12-08-2015, 02:49 PM
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This post can't be real.

The military is for breaking **** and killing people. Sounds like you can't even break a sweat, go look for something else to do.
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Old 12-08-2015, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeF16 View Post
This post can't be real.

The military is for breaking *** and killing people. Sounds like you can't even break a sweat, go look for something else to do.
Seriously, Mike? W T F O?? Even if he is trolling, so what? Why do you care?
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Old 12-08-2015, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by FangsF15 View Post
Seriously, Mike? W T F O?? Even if he is trolling, so what? Why do you care?
I've given my advice, he's free to disregard. I'm not going to turn this into another thread like the foreigner who washed out of UPT and defend myself from people who don't know me or what I stand for. I'll leave with this and let you guys have at it. Every job isn't for every person. The military needs warriors and killers, seems people have forgotten that. If this kid is for real, then my advice should *** him off to hit the gym, do well in school, and make me wrong. If he listens, then I was right. Sounds like a win either way.
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Old 12-08-2015, 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeF16 View Post
This post can't be real.

The military is for breaking *** and killing people. Sounds like you can't even break a sweat, go look for something else to do.
Wow dude, your reply makes me wonder if you're even a military pilot let alone a human being.
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