Engineering major to USAF Rated

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Gearhead5

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Jan 6, 2023
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Hello to all,
New member but have been active visitor for three plus years. I’m prior AD USN & USAF Reserve. DS is a high school junior and will be applying to Embry Riddle Daytona & AFROTC this summer. His goal/dream is to be a pilot in USAF AD and is currently working on PPL. DS is an A/B student with a class 1 FAA physical. His true passion is flying, electrical engineering is a backup. As a Florida resident DS can receive a sizable break in tuition for electrical engineering through the university academic merit scholarship. Not looking for AFROTC scholarship. With current and past shortfalls in electrical engineering, both civil engineering & developmental engineers, what is the outlook for rated positions for electrical engineering majors out of ROTC? I can see very low to no chance if on AFROTC scholarship but how about if electrical engineering degree is not paid for by AFROTC? I know there is no guarantee for any rated slot, which is in high demand, but electrical engineering majors seem to be higher demand. Any input would be appreciated! Thank you!
 
Not positive about what you are asking but if you are asking if getting an electrical engineering degree will hurt his chance of becoming a pilot then i think the answer is no. When they put their names in for a rated pilot position, the board doesn't even know what their major is. If that is true, then they can't go "lets pass on this guy because we want him as an engineer." I would assume his degree would be more of an issue if he went for a non-rated position.

Now having said that, the story used to go that meteorologist majors were heavily in demand and a good chunk of them became meteorologists even though they wanted to be pilots.
 
For certain years, I believe they will cap the percentage of EE’s, Meteorologists, etc, that are allowed to go rated. It’s impossible to know whether this will be in effect for a particular future graduation year, but those two majors are the most common ones to have that cap. Things could have changed since I graduated, so just a disclaimer…
 
Thank you for the responses! It seems as though the degree major is masked for the rated board. I have read some sources, not on SAF, some cadets claim cadre never submitted requests to rated board due to highly desired major/afsc.
One thing I have always drilled into DS and others interested in military aviation is that there is no secret formula to getting there. Good grades, excellent PFA, be active in unit, do well flight aptitude test, keep your nose out of trouble, and let the chips fall where they may.
The desire to serve is first and foremost. Jobs seem to have a way of working themselves out. Thanks again!
 
From what I have heard when I was trying to decide a major, there are 3 or 4 majors that are highly desirable in the air force. EE and meteorology are 2 of those and when you commission, they will most likely put you in that respective field. Also, when it comes to the rated boards, I believe that they DO look at you major because it can carry extra weight when it comes to the rated boards. Someone with a engineering major and a 3.2 GPA looks really good, even compared to an English major with a 3.8 GPA, due to the level of rigor associated with an engineering major. I know that some meteorology and EE major get rated slots, so its not impossible, just very very challenging. Hope this helps!
 
TopDawg said:
From what I have heard when I was trying to decide a major, there are 3 or 4 majors that are highly desirable in the air force. EE and meteorology are 2 of those and when you commission, they will most likely put you in that respective field. Also, when it comes to the rated boards, I believe that they DO look at you major because it can carry extra weight when it comes to the rated boards. Someone with a engineering major and a 3.2 GPA looks really good, even compared to an English major with a 3.8 GPA, due to the level of rigor associated with an engineering major. I know that some meteorology and EE major get rated slots, so its not impossible, just very very challenging. Hope this helps!
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i think you are mistaken. It has always been said that the board doesn't know your major. The major does come into play in the Air Force when it comes to being invited to Field Training. So sure a major in Basket Weaving wouldn't hurt your chances with the board but it may hurt your chances getting to the board in the first place.
 
Thank you both for your input! I have been told by AFROTC cadre at both public & private universities that gpa and major counts for SFT but major is masked at rated board. My original thought/question is the local AFROTC cadre sends the cadet’s packet then it is stacked and debated at a national level. How much input does the local AFROTC cadre have in forwarding a cadet that wants to challenge for a rated slot?
If a cadet has been selected for AFROTC POC then they are in good standing and going to commission. If a cadet meets that class standing for selection for a rated board can a local AFROTC cadre hold a cadet back from a rated board to bolster the local cadre’s numbers for undermanned AFSC’s?
 
This question is not only for DS. He has two classmates that are interested in AFROTC and rated as well. Both of these potential cadets are looking at large state universities with AFROTC detachments. They have much better grades than DS so the USAFA is on their list as well.
 
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