Infantry-type positions after USAFA graduation?

DeepWaters

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I am applying to USMA, USNA and USAFA. My goal is to serve and I would gratefully accept any offter that came my way. I want to fly. But I also find the infantry extremely appealing. My question is if I get into USAFA, and decide for whatever reason not to fly (or maybe am not qualified to fly?), what "infantry like" positions might be available with the AF and are such positions a common path for USAFA grads?

Thank you.
 
I’m not sure if there is anything like infantry, however there is Pararescue (PJs). I’m not exactly sure how open it is to USAFA grads, but I’m sure a quick google search will reveal that.

Good Luck with your Applications!
 
look up USAF Special Forces -- Special Tactics Officer (STO), and JTAC and some others -- just make sure you are looking at Officer jobs
Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) is the officer equivalent for PJ.

To the OP, consider any of the above or security forces as well. They're pretty ground-warfare centric (when they're not checking CACs at the gate). Otherwise, go Army.
 
Combat Rescue Officer (CRO) is the officer equivalent for PJ.

To the OP, consider any of the above or security forces as well. They're pretty ground-warfare centric (when they're not checking CACs at the gate). Otherwise, go Army.
I forgot about them.
 
What elements of the infantry to you like? Is it leadership of many? Is it the lifestyle? Aircraft maintainers tend to have larger leadership roles as I understand it. You can also cross-commission into the Army after graduation. I have a close friend who joined the skydiving team and simply loved it. He wanted to do it as a job, so he cross commissioned into the Army and became a Ranger. He is approaching 20 years right now and still loves it. Cross commissioning is not super common, but it happens at each Academy. A mentor of mine went USNA but commissioned USAF. USMMA grads choose their path and almost half of the class last year went military and they all chose their follow-on branch.

Bottom line - do what you are passionate about and put less emphasis on the commissioning source. The printed material does not highlight this option, but it is there. Those who seek it out find the info they need and there is a process. Some cross-commissioning programs may require special schooling that you do as part of your summer leadership electives, so inquire early - you don't want last minute surprises, but I would also encourage you to not really play up your desire to cross commission in the interview process. Focus on getting in, and then do your research about changing branch of service.
 
DS has a USAFA classmate that cross commissioned to Navy and became a SEAL
I had two classmates cross over to the dark side and become navy ensigns.

Many years later they happened to be the "boss and deputy boss" at Coronado.

RAdm (UH) Brian Losey
RAdm (LH) Scott Moore (also my high school classmate)

Both US Navy SEAL's.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
USMA - Infantry Officer Basic Course - Airborne School - Ranger School - Platoon Leader.

The typical path of Infantry Officers in our Army.

Be among the very best in the Nation, and you could have a chance to lead a platoon of Rangers in the Ranger Regiment.
 
While the CRO and STO career fields were mentioned here already and I agree that's about as close as you'll get to an infantry like position, the other somewhat related careers I'll add (in terms of getting out there and doing things - although those "things" are very different) are combat weather officers and RED HORSE - Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer. For all of these careers, note there are a very small number of officers in each of these, so they are highly competitive, unlike USMA, where it is a typical job.
 
I have friend in red horse and have to agree it was very competitive and he was very start.
 
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