What's the Easiest major to get what I want out of USAFA?

I hear a version of this question often so I think I'll give an answer.

Usually the first question is: what major should I be to get pilot? Answer: Any.
Other career fields: check for a degree requirement (usually scientists and acquisitions/contracting). If none, then ANY.

Next question: Ok, so the major doesn't matter. What is the easiest major so I can get pilot!?
Answer: The one you will love. Management is easier than aero, astro, chemistry, mechanical engineering....etc. But if you love your major, you are far more likely to A) enjoy your experience, and B) work hard and get help. You will probably be happier which will improve other aspects of your performance (MPA, PEA). You will be interested and vested which makes getting help more natural. If you end up leaving the USAF early, you will have a major which will probably give you the most favorable career area based on your interests.

One of my good friends was a physics major. He LOVED it but was near the bottom of the major in terms of grades. He enjoyed USAFA, enjoyed his major, and is now at UPT at Vance. My room mate had a low GPA, but had a great MPA. He was a comp sci major and really enjoyed it and was always engaged (even getting through discrete math!). He is also at Vance for UPT!

So, what major should you choose? The one you will love.

Excellent advice.

FWIW: I remember when I was getting my first degree. I needed a couple of electives to fill some gaps. One semester, I decided to take "Art History". I figured it sounded "Easy Enough". HOLY CHEESE AND RICE!!! That was one of the hardest classes I ever had to take. And of course, I was living in Amsterdam at the time I took that class, so our instructor felt she had to take us to every museum and gallery in existence. Yes, it sounded like fun. Names, dates, style, impressions, triptychs, holy crayola. I was never so happy to get back into taking electronic engineering classes. Little electrons running around invisibly through wires, glass, and air seemed so much more understandable.

Definitely major in what you like. You'll enjoy it more and do better in it. I have degrees in electronics, psychology, and computer science. But that's what I'm into. If you're into history; go there. If you've got a specific career path that you want, get a degree in that area. Basically, pilot is the only job that really doesn't care. However: You aren't going to be a pilot for ever. Sooner or later you will be out of the military. And Uncle Same isn't going to let you just come by the base and take the F-15/16/35/22/etc... out for a ride when you want to. There's a good chance you won't be flying any longer. You might look at a degree that has some interest and meaning to you, so you can possibly start a career in that field later. Same with when you go for your masters/PhD.

Excellent advice. What I am wondering is if I want to make a career out of the Air Force would a fuzzy major be advisable. Cause if I do get a pilot slot, there will be a time when I can't fly anymore and if I don't have an engineering major, but instead a history major, for example, would the Air Force still want me then?

frisbforce said:

Excellent advice. What I am wondering is if I want to make a career out of the Air Force would a fuzzy major be advisable. Cause if I do get a pilot slot, there will be a time when I can't fly anymore and if I don't have an engineering major, but instead a history major, for example, would the Air Force still want me then?

Click to expand...

By that time, being a leader is the only major you need! As a LTC or Col after 20-30 years being a pilot, your job will not be about your major. Ask Bullet if his current job employs his experience as an officer or from his major. (Hint: I don't even remember what his major is or even if he told me!)

I know that the head of Nellis AFB is an Economics major from ROTC.

aggie83 said:

I know that the head of Nellis AFB is an Economics major from ROTC.

Click to expand...

Not Jeopardy man?

My base vice commander is a helicopter pilot and a Management Major from the USAFA. Our prior 3 star MAJCOM commander was a business major, and a personnel officer.

As a senior officer, your major, nor your AF job really matters. It's all leadership positions that you hold.

The thing that matters is when you retire/get out of the military what do you want to do.

The thing that matters is when you retire/get out of the military what do you want to do.

Click to expand...

This is true, but at 18 you can't predict what you want to do when you leave...or even when you get close to graduating. I know one poster who swore he wanted to be a flight doc as a C2C, C1C rolled around and he took a 180 turn.

Take everything one step at a time.

Hornet is going to become one of the best assets to this site. The post he created shows true leadership, because his goal is to mentor the next generation of AFA cadets.

Raimius and Eagle also are showing those great leadership qualities. They all could have walked away, afterall they no longer care about who gets in, or assignments; yet here they are mentoring and assisting all of you to get the best future officers in the AF.

They have all stayed around. They need a little

They are the closest to tip of the sword, listen to them when they say this is how it works.

Pima said:

Hornet is going to become one of the best assets to this site. The post he created shows true leadership, because his goal is to mentor the next generation of AFA cadets.

Raimius and Eagle also are showing those great leadership qualities. They all could have walked away, afterall they no longer care about who gets in, or assignments; yet here they are mentoring and assisting all of you to get the best future officers in the AF.

They have all stayed around. They need a little

They are the closest to tip of the sword, listen to them when they say this is how it works.

Click to expand...

Pima, extremely well said and timely. I want to thank Hornet publicly too for helping my son obtain hard to find research data into the plight of returning Guard and Reservists from overseas deployments and the hardships faced by returning infantry troops who did not get marketable technical training in the military and are forced to come back CONUS and deal with hourly wage jobs in this horrible economy. Outstanding. Somebody raised these officers right.

I, too, want to say THANK YOU to our recent grads who post here. They are indeed huge sources of pride and information.

After having the two sons at USAFA, I can say: major in what you WANT to major in. You will be happiest, and whatever your future career is, you'll have plenty of both fuzzy and non-fuzzy coursework to look back on.

Christcorp! Wow, we had similar stories about Art History. I was a chemistry major in college and needed "one of those courses" so figured Art History would be just the ticket. Well, it about killed me. Who cares about brushstrokes and "light?" I didn't. Worked my tail off, and now I love art museums.

Can't say I "Love" art museums. However; when I do go, I like being able to recognize an artist or the style that may have inspired him/her. Sort of like me and my wife. Before she got into law, she was an Actress. Did real well, and was a definite artist. I too have done a lot of acting; tv, movies, stage. But my wife got her first degree in theater arts. She was a professional. So when the end of the year comes around, she's really into the "Academy Awards", "Tony Awards", etc... Me.... I'm more into the "People's Choice" awards. I don't expect Larry The Cable Guy to get an Oscar or Emmy, but I'm more into that. Eurotrip; Harrold and Kumar; Harry Potter; etc... I'll let my wife be in charge of "Culture".