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efekwulsemmay
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I am thinking about going into the Air Force ROTC program at University of Arizona if I can get accepted. Hints, tips, ideas, opinions, words of praise?
WhoWee said:As for "fighting wars to occupy lands where we want to establish oil pipelines not controlled by Russia", the Air Force doesn't exactly put "boots on the ground".
If they decide that's what they want as a career, then it's all good.Proton Soup said:still, for people thinking they're just going to spend 4 years in and then get on with their life, maybe they ought to realize it may end up being a career for them.
Proton Soup said:still, for people thinking they're just going to spend 4 years in and then get on with their life, maybe they ought to realize it may end up being a career for them.
I had several guys in my graduating class that the Navy was paying their way through a BS in physics. But they did have to serve a couple of years in their nuclear program and spend a year on a nuclear sub afterwords. These guys were really sharp.Evo said:The military will give you an excellent education and graduates are very sought after in civilian jobs. I don't see any down side to this if he's willing to go the military route.
efekwulsemmay said:I think it will open up many doors for me. Honestly, I don't know how I am going to get in, if it will be through U of A ROTC or if I will go through their Officer Trainning School. But reguardless, if I do end up going in I will most likely go career for the AFRL. I am thinking that if I go to have them pay for my college I might as well give them their monies worth.
Evo said:You can sign up for a 4 year tour and get early out in 2.
Invyz said:Sorry to bump an old thread...but I'm interested. I'm currently 17 and plan to do an undergrad in physics. I also have a strong interest in Astrophysics and Cosmology. I have been planning on applying to Air Force ROTC but after reading around I see Navy is also a strong option. How possible is graduate education during post-undergrad in either? If I'm looking for Astrophysicist employment after completing phD which ROTC + service would be more beneficial if I decided to leave or stay?
Invyz said:If I'm looking for Astrophysicist employment after completing phD which ROTC + service would be more beneficial if I decided to leave or stay?
nothing, its just a general goal of a career I could see myself doing and enjoy. They're simply an exampleVanadium 50 said:What makes you think all (or even most) astrophysicists work for NASA.
Really. I thought the experience would benefit character and help me succeed and help me gain research opportunities.turbo-1 said:If you want to work for NASA or on NASA-run projects, you get accomplish that another way. For instance, there are people at the University of Arizona who work on NASA projects, including designing probes, suggesting missions, overseeing missions, etc. Plus U of A is affiliated with a world-class observatory complex. You could find out where your aptitudes lie, and with some hard work and good grades, you could end up working on research projects under the direction of your professors and/or grad students.
I didn't say that a stint in the military would not benefit you, but you must realize that for every benefit and every bit of specialized training the military gives you, they expect commitments from you, and those commitments may take a lot of your time. You can have a much more direct path to exciting research work if you approach it from the academic side and excel in your studies. I have a young friend from Mongolia that in his freshman year at U of A was given work operating the school's telescopes, and on at least one project that year he was building electronics for a specialized sensor under the direction of a couple of grad students. Certainly, there are opportunities if you work hard.Invyz said:Really. I thought the experience would benefit character and help me succeed and help me gain research opportunities.
So my physics ambitions would not be aided at all by the military?
This is eye-opening. I'm glad I posted here. (:
MotoH said:The Air force is a great idea to have them pay for your college, and then you get to be on base for 4 years!
I am currently thinking about Air Force Academy in Colorado, But they don't have the program I want to get into so its a downer there, but if I ever decide to go its a phone call to my recruiter away.
Having a job in the military, and then moving into the civilian sector, especially for sciences has helped a lot of people get jobs quick.
Would you rather hire someone who has served their country, has leadership skills, are able to stay on task and get the job done right the first time.
Or someone you really don't know about, their resume may look good, but you really just don't know.
I know who I would hire.
plus you get the satisfaction of serving your country and know that you have helped protect the freedom that so many take for granted.
Pilots are a mandatory 8 years I believe (what I was going into do) because of the extra training.
My cousin did naval ROTC, and while he was in college, has completed a whole bunch of training, from jump school to helo pilot. You will work your way up quick if you set your mind to it in the ROTC, so when you are done with college, instead of cleaning the bathroom, you get to be the guy telling the people to clean the bathroom!
I'm glad I wasn't the only one that saw that. I almost spit my coffee out at the "one phone call away" comment. I have this vision that I saw a lot in my days..."but...but...my recruiter told me..."BobG said:I'm impressed. You have to be nominated, usually by one of your Congressmen, for the Academy, plus your SAT scores normally have to be in the top 25%.
You're also lucky to have a recruiter that can get you into the Air Force Academy. Most students have to apply through the admissions office (same as any other college).
MotoH said:Would you rather hire someone who has served their country, has leadership skills, are able to stay on task and get the job done right the first time.
Or someone you really don't know about, their resume may look good, but you really just don't know.
Says who?MotoH said:...and having a 4 year gap between undergrad and graduate school is going to be more detrimental than good.
Maybe, but your recruiter has no pull whatsoever with the academy.MotoH said:It's just like anything else you do in life. It's who you know, not what you know.