The Dream Job...

SamAca10

10-Year Member
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Jul 19, 2009
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I think this might have been posted awhile back, but what do you guys think the chances are of becoming an Aviator, then an Astronaut? I know that Bruce Melnick and Captain Burbank have done it...
 
I think this might have been posted awhile back, but what do you guys think the chances are of becoming an Aviator, then an Astronaut? I know that Bruce Melnick and Captain Burbank have done it...

Excellent long-term goal.

  • Graduate USCGA with an Engineering degree (top 15).
  • Obtain a flight school billet.
  • Fly many hours over the next 5-10 years, become an instructor and/or test pilot, while simultaneously obtaining your Masters in Astro-something and get promoted to O-5 or O-6.
  • Apply to NASA.
  • Pass incredibly detailed physical and mental examination
  • Train for 4 years.
  • Blast off.
Time-frame for your 1st spaceflight ~2030

Two USCGA grads have become astronauts (out of a total of ~540 from other sources) so your chances are approx 1 in 270.

:thumb:
 
Excellent long-term goal.

  • Graduate USCGA with an Engineering degree (top 15).
  • Obtain a flight school billet.
  • Fly many hours over the next 5-10 years, become an instructor and/or test pilot, while simultaneously obtaining your Masters in Astro-something and get promoted to O-5 or O-6.
  • Apply to NASA.
  • Pass incredibly detailed physical and mental examination
  • Train for 4 years.
  • Blast off.
Time-frame for your 1st spaceflight ~2030


Two USCGA grads have become astronauts (out of a total of ~540 from other sources) so your chances are approx 1 in 270.

:thumb:

If we have anything to blast off in. We're short on NASA manned space flight programs these days...

The chances are NOT one in 270. Not even close. It's not impossible, and it's a great goal, but that's faulty math.
 
SamAca10, that is exactly what my son plans to do. I sure hope he realizes his dream (all of them!) and that you do as well! Luigi, thanks for the info! I'm assuming that you would insert "USAFA" and it would be the same? I am going to copy/paste your reply and send to him. Sometimes the future seems so far away and complicated....you have nicely bulleted a very broad but clearly defined path!
 
If we have anything to blast off in. We're short on NASA manned space flight programs these days...

The chances are NOT one in 270. Not even close. It's not impossible, and it's a great goal, but that's faulty math.

Of course, it's just a meaningless statistic. However you want to base the chances of a USCGA grad (total of 2) who becomes an astronaut (~540, counting foreign ones) on some other factors, feel free to speculate as well.

In reality, the "real math" shows even worse odds.

NASA states that more than 3,500 applied to the latest astronaut class (2009)

They chose exactly 9.

Do your own math. :rolleyes:
 
Of course, it's just a meaningless statistic. However you want to base the chances of a USCGA grad (total of 2) who becomes an astronaut (~540, counting foreign ones) on some other factors, feel free to speculate as well.

In reality, the "real math" shows even worse odds.

NASA states that more than 3,500 applied to the latest astronaut class (2009)

They chose exactly 9.

Do your own math. :rolleyes:

My point exactly. The "real math" is the only math that counts. If you want to figure the rough chances of a USCGA grad becoming an astronaut, you divide the number of USCGA astronauts by the number who applied. Not the way you did it. No point in sugarcoating it. But even that is a terribly poor estimate. The real math requires you to look at the probabilities of being chosen for all underlying requirements (flight school, XP, grad school, etc.) and the probability of being medically qualified. Suffice it to say, odds are long of even being one of the 3500 who are able to successfully apply.

SamAca: go for it. They only chose 9. You can be one of those 9
 
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Thanks for the information, and the encouragement as well guys. I wouldn't mind going afloat if I had to, so maybe if I'm in the right place at the right time I'll secure a flight school slot. Luigi, what did you mean by the top 15 comment?

  • Graduate USCGA with an Engineering degree (top 15).
Time-frame for your 1st spaceflight ~2030
:thumb:

2030 would be amazing! That's when NASA would like to start sending people to Mars :thumb:

Tell your son to hang in there VAmom!
 
Luigi, what did you mean by the top 15 comment?

I was referring to your final MPA and the limited number of flight slots available in each graduating class.

Finishing in the top 15 in your class would (in most years) get you a Flight School card on Billet Night.
 
Of course, not all of the top 15 want flight school, nor would they get it, nor does this consider if fight school will always be offered graduates. Then of course, you have to be healthy, avoid the million little things you can't actually control that could get in your way, graduate from flight school, fly, apply to NASA's program, make the cut, complete NASA's program, and hopefully you'll make it.

As each shuttle is retired, I do wonder how many "space" astronauts there will be.

Not sure what exactly you expect to do after....stay with NASA, become a professor at CGA? Because you can't really expect someone who's been in space to be thrilled to return to an HU-25 cockpit, do you?

I'm always surprised at how many people going into an academy, or at least posting on these boards fall along these lines:

I want to be a SEAL.
I want to be an FBI agent.
I want to be a CIA spy.
I want to be an astronaut.
I want to be the best F-22 pilot in the world and shoot down bad guys.

All nice goals, and a reality for a select portion of the population.

Never see people say things like...

I want to provide logistics for a company in Afghanistan.
I want to be a SWO.
I want to be the navigator on a large plane.
I want fly 46s.

It's not all movie magic. SEALs get bored. FBI agents do paper work. CIA "spies" hang out in Virginia. Astronauts never fly. Some people get in the cockpit of a non-F-22 or F-35 aircraft.
 
"196X - 1978"
a. I wanna go to USAFA to fly jet fighters!
b. I wanna go to USNA if not USAFA to fly jet fighters!
c. I wanna go to USMMA if not USAFA and not USNA to go AF and fly jet fighters!
d. I wanna go to USMA if not USAFA and not USNA and not USMMA to fly attack helo's!

"1978"
"...Dear Mr. W...you're amazing, a student among students, HIGHLY qualified, definitely officer material, etc...etc...et... :smile:

BUT... :eek:

(5 TWE's in the mail)

"1978-1979" Off to Northwestern Prep School

a. I just want to get an appointment and get the chance to graduate and be a US military officer!

"1979"

4 BFE's in the mail (USCGA made me an alternate: they're TOUGH!) :yay:

After all that...

1. Did NOT get my choice of jet out of pilot training; got my LAST LAST LAST pick (but I GOT MY WINGS)
2. Did NOT get my choice of base; heck, not even in the same country! (but I got my wings and got to fly!)
3. As a more senior officer/pilot was offered the chance to go fly my FIRST CHOICE JET FROM PILOT TRAINING!!! :yay: :worship: :yay:

You never know what/where/when/how...decide your ULTIMATE goal (mine was to be a US military officer) and then you'll find that you will ALWAYS find excitement, challenge, and fulfillment. :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
LITS and Flieger, you guys are definitely right about the chances of doing things. It seems like a military career a lot of times results in being in the right place at the right time. Of course, it isn't like the CGA is a stepping stone to NASA or anything; It serves the goal that every candidate, appointee, and cadet has: Becoming an Officer in the US Military. It's great to have dreams, like becoming an astronaut, but I shouldn't expect to reach them knowing that many things are luck and circumstance. Who knows? Maybe I won't even be medically qualified for flight school. The point is that we, as cadets and candidates, should realize that we go to USXA or ROTC to become officers in those respective Services, not for just the job. :thumb:

I didn't know you applied to CGA Flieger...have you ever been to the other SA's besides USAFA?
 
Remember being in the wrong place at the wrong time for one dream may at the same time be the right place at the right time. Life has a way of throwing curve balls, and sometimes a curve ball is easier for you to hit out of the park.

Keep an open mind and enjoy the ride! :thumb:
 
LITS and Flieger, you guys are definitely right about the chances of doing things. It seems like a military career a lot of times results in being in the right place at the right time. Of course, it isn't like the CGA is a stepping stone to NASA or anything; It serves the goal that every candidate, appointee, and cadet has: Becoming an Officer in the US Military. It's great to have dreams, like becoming an astronaut, but I shouldn't expect to reach them knowing that many things are luck and circumstance. Who knows? Maybe I won't even be medically qualified for flight school. The point is that we, as cadets and candidates, should realize that we go to USXA or ROTC to become officers in those respective Services, not for just the job. :thumb:

I didn't know you applied to CGA Flieger...have you ever been to the other SA's besides USAFA?

With a military father and being based around the world, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit ALL the SA's except "Kings Point." Only FINALLY got to New York last September.

And it was truly tough...once I had the appt's...USMA...I mean, it's WEST POINT...there's SO much history there...heck, a member of my family graduated from there!!! Okay, it was 1829 but still...

USNA...again, HISTORY...not as much as USMA but still...

USCGA was actually a surprise to me. I have always loved the sea (family originally from Florida) but I didn't realize "they" had their own academy until somewhere around Jr HS. I learned about USMMA around the same time.

In the end...having been an "AF Brat" and living at USAFA (Okay...truth time: I graduated from Air Academy High School) I ultimately decided that the AF was my first choice.

It was a great blessing though to have the choice!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Remember being in the wrong place at the wrong time for one dream may at the same time be the right place at the right time. Life has a way of throwing curve balls, and sometimes a curve ball is easier for you to hit out of the park.

Keep an open mind and enjoy the ride! :thumb:
I am LIVING PROOF of that!! In more ways than one!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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