Do I need engineering to go Air force?

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Fl4546

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I'm a Junior in high school and am interested in going to USMMA. I've learned that the academy gives the option to join any of the military branches to become a pilot although I'm curious to know if I would have to choose the engineering route over a deck one to do this. If so how is it handling both AFROTC plus the studying for engineering? I'm not taking any physics classes, so it would be a bit of a problem for me.
 
Fl4546 said:
I'm a Junior in high school and am interested in going to USMMA. I've learned that the academy gives the option to join any of the military branches to become a pilot although I'm curious to know if I would have to choose the engineering route over a deck one to do this. If so how is it handling both AFROTC plus the studying for engineering? I'm not taking any physics classes, so it would be a bit of a problem for me.
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You do not have to major in Engineering, but if you have no physics experience, you are probably not going to make it on the deck side either.
 
Fl4546 said:
I'm a Junior in high school and am interested in going to USMMA. I've learned that the academy gives the option to join any of the military branches to become a pilot although I'm curious to know if I would have to choose the engineering route over a deck one to do this. If so how is it handling both AFROTC plus the studying for engineering? I'm not taking any physics classes, so it would be a bit of a problem for me.
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Take AP Physics 1 algebra based at minimum, will make KP Physics a breeze. I took that and the Calc based one as I was paranoid I wouldn't make the cut, but if you have a good foundation, the only hard part of physics is staying awake in 1st period lab.
 
acpacesetter said:
Take AP Physics 1 algebra based at minimum, will make KP Physics a breeze. I took that and the Calc based one as I was paranoid I wouldn't make the cut, but if you have a good foundation, the only hard part of physics is staying awake in 1st period lab.
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All right, but would you say physics is doable without prior knowledge on deck side? I live abroad and am doing the IB program so I don't have AP classes but I do a higher-level chemistry and maths course which I know would help for KP. But yeah I'm also kinda paranoid that the physics part will be a dealbreaker.
 
Fl4546 said:
All right, but would you say physics is doable without prior knowledge on deck side? I live abroad and am doing the IB program so I don't have AP classes but I do a higher-level chemistry and maths course which I know would help for KP. But yeah I'm also kinda paranoid that the physics part will be a dealbreaker.
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Physics is definitely doable without prior knowledge. Everyone takes physics on either side initially. That being said, I would recommend taking some sort of physics class in high school to achieve familiarization with the topic.
 
Fl4546 said:
All right, but would you say physics is doable without prior knowledge on deck side? I live abroad and am doing the IB program so I don't have AP classes but I do a higher-level chemistry and maths course which I know would help for KP. But yeah I'm also kinda paranoid that the physics part will be a dealbreaker.
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KP Physics is basic classical mechanics and e&m. Like basic basic mechanics and super watered down e&m. If you have any calculus background it will be trivial. Try to take a intro physics course at least to be familiar with concepts.
 
You earn a bachelor of science and while at the academy even if you don't choose to major in engineering you will be required to take classes associated with engineering. In particular calculus, physics and chemistry. Good Luck Kid. Its tough especially Plebe year but if you make it through you'll be part of a brotherhood thats priceless.
 
Fl4546 said:
Alright cool, thanks guys
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answer is no you don't need it. But as a deck major grad if I could go back I would select one of the ABET Accredited engineering majors (forget straight engine). Makes you more competitive for life after the service and the job market in general.
 
IMPORTANT NOTE... if your goal is to go AF flight, if you are commissioning AF out of KP you need to make that commitment entering your junior year. However, you are committing AF without knowing whether or not you have received an aviation billet. This differs from those pursuing Navy and Marine Corps flight.
 
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