Life in Active Duty (ask a Captain anything)

USAFA10s, my son had a few questions for you, if you will indulge us. You pretty much hinted at them in your bio, but I think he's wanting specifics about ASTROphysics, if you can provide them:

1. Are there research opportunities related (specifically) to astronomy/astrophysics or even cosmology available while attending the Air Force Academy? (These could include coursework, as well as extracurricular activities)

2. My DS hopes to obtain a masters and PhD in astrophysics/astronomy after he graduates from AFA. Is this specialization (I guess he's asking: as opposed to general Physics) available at the AFIT?

3. Is AFIT the only university option for graduate work while serving AD or are there other options (like choosing a civilian university, etc) that the Air Force would still be willing to fund/allow?

4. Are you aware of occupations at AFRL or other AD assignments that are specifically related to astronomy/astrophysics/cosmology? I know your job has revolved around space science, but I think my son is interested in tasks that involve study of space beyond just the immediate area around the Earth, though he is interested in that aspect too. We know that the Air Force is going to direct you toward areas where you are of use to them, but we just want to explore how far out that goes. His ultimate dream goal (like, post AD) would be to work for NASA, Smithsonian Institute, or some related area of research, etc. He is far more interested in research than applications (like engineering), but a possible teaching/instructor role is not out of the question for him, either.

I hope I formulated the above questions in a way that makes them easy to understand. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to answer these questions! I think you are fast becoming my son's new hero! Ha!
 
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Pixie, one of my sons was a Physics major... if you want to PM me (after you get enough posts), please feel free. He and his bro are both pilots now, one in the C5 Super Galaxy, the other in the C130J Super Herc! (with PIMA's son)
 
Are there any engineering officers on this forum? If so, do you guys get to work away from the desk at all? I want to become an officer in the USAF but I want to be one who has a hands-on career. I know enlisted airmen do most of this type of work and the officers supervise and lead. But I want the best of both worlds. I know all officers sit at the desk no matter what but are there any career fields where they get to use their hands or get away from the office? Like the aircraft maintenance officer, would he be out and about a lot or just at the desk?
 
From a retired Chief's perspective with a son in the Air National Guard, and my best friend (also a retired Chief) who has an AD AF son, it is important the Academy continues to succeed on putting out good officers. I have a DS who is attending Summer Seminar and is wrestling with the decision of AFA, USCGA, or go the traditional college route and then decide if AFROTC or just seeking a OTS is the way to go upon graduation. As most of the officers on here have stated - I would recommend anyone on any job look at two things - locations for that career field and ops tempo of the job and the base they may go to.

I did a remote early in my career, got nothing on my dream sheet coming back, and after two years back state side my career field and rank had me hot for a second remote. A remote is a one year tour wittout your family. While some pilots would fly in and out, the maintenance, logistics, and support officers shared the joys of these long periods away.

I wouldn't trade my 22-plus for anything and sometimes wish I had stayed longer. However, the quality of life pendulum was great until the first gulf war and has been swing wildly since. Oh...and those cushy Guard jobs - my son in three years has just returned from a second deployment with Civil Engineering and that is without their main rotation bubble hitting yet. When the AD needs backfills they turn to the Guard and Reserve. So keep that in mind.

JB and AFrpaso - thanks for the current insights from the officer perspective as I'll have my son read those. I appreciate your service and JB you sound like an officer worth going into to combat with. AFrpaso - good luck and I have little doubt you'll make a leader I would trust with my enlisted son working for. His two deployments have been joint with the Army and he knows which branch he would never want to go into.

Prime BEEF / RED HORSE - we build it, fix it and blow it up!
 
JB and AFrpaso - thanks for the current insights from the officer perspective as I'll have my son read those. I appreciate your service and JB you sound like an officer worth going into to combat with.
Thanks Chief. I appreciate your kind words. Thanks for your service and you sound like a Chief we need back on AD. ;) Just out of curiosity, what Guard unit is your son a part of?
 
116th CES Georgia Air National Guard....was my last unit before I went to State Headquarters as the State First Sergeant. Was cool watching his commander at the time, a LTC swear him in...who was a young captain who I wrote his promotion paperwork up for...and a great guy. Cool thing is he is the third generation AF to serve on Robins. My Dad was a Master Sergeant who retired off of the base...as did I.

My concern is the direction the AF / military is going now - but I love the fact quality people to still believe and still serve!
 
Would taking a medicine that is commonly used for skitifrinia (but prescribed for depression) affect my chances of getting into an academy?
 
Depression and associated medication would be an issue for DoDMERB, but I don't know the specifics and if it would be waiverable.
 
USAFA10s, my son had a few questions for you, if you will indulge us. You pretty much hinted at them in your bio, but I think he's wanting specifics about ASTROphysics, if you can provide them:

1. Are there research opportunities related (specifically) to astronomy/astrophysics or even cosmology available while attending the Air Force Academy? (These could include coursework, as well as extracurricular activities)

2. My DS hopes to obtain a masters and PhD in astrophysics/astronomy after he graduates from AFA. Is this specialization (I guess he's asking: as opposed to general Physics) available at the AFIT?

3. Is AFIT the only university option for graduate work while serving AD or are there other options (like choosing a civilian university, etc) that the Air Force would still be willing to fund/allow?

4. Are you aware of occupations at AFRL or other AD assignments that are specifically related to astronomy/astrophysics/cosmology? I know your job has revolved around space science, but I think my son is interested in tasks that involve study of space beyond just the immediate area around the Earth, though he is interested in that aspect too. We know that the Air Force is going to direct you toward areas where you are of use to them, but we just want to explore how far out that goes. His ultimate dream goal (like, post AD) would be to work for NASA, Smithsonian Institute, or some related area of research, etc. He is far more interested in research than applications (like engineering), but a possible teaching/instructor role is not out of the question for him, either.

I hope I formulated the above questions in a way that makes them easy to understand. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to answer these questions! I think you are fast becoming my son's new hero! Ha!

ruralakay, sorry it took so long to get to this, finals hit me like a train
1. Yes, USAFA has an observatory with a 16in fast tracking telescope and a larger (24in maybe?) telescope for things like looking for exoplanets (as one example). They also have at least one (maybe more now) mobile telescope units. For my capstone research as a physics/math major, I used the 16in telescope and did a sort of proof of concept experiment that involved spending a lot of nights in the observatory (fun, but certainly made class the next day entertaining to say the least). For details, the work I did was recently published http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/article.aspx?articleid=2461778 and if you want the full paper I have a copy somewhere. There are also depending on interest and the current faculty, usually a few space physics related courses

2. Sort of, there is a whole space physics option at AFIT as part of the engineering physics degree or as an option for weather officers, there is a space weather track (these two share a lot of courses) however the degree itself is still just physics. The title isn't what matters though, really it's what research was done. A lot of what is available depends on what projects faculty are doing at a given time, however there is always the option of working with someone outside of AFIT. Many students work with people at AFRL or Lawrence Livermore National Labs.

3. No, there are other options but it is a little complicated. The toughest route is to get a major civilian scholarship (Marshall, Rhodes etc...) but there are also usually openings at MIT and Rice (I think it is called the Draper fellowship) right after graduation and RIT a little later on (I have a friend who just finished his masters in imaging sciences there). I heard rumors that it is possible to go elsewhere if you can secure the funding, but I don't know anyone who has done it. Honestly AFIT is a GREAT option and I am so glad I accidentally landed there instead of somewhere else.

4. There is a decent amount of research into the solar atmosphere and its effects on the Earth but in terms of space research out of our solar system, I don't know of any AFRL or AD assignments/projects currently working in that area. Space situational awareness is the main focus of space research right now (basically understanding how space is affecting our space assets and keeping an eye on other countries space assets). If pure cosmology/astronomy is the primary interest (as it was for me in high school actually) then USAFA the AF may not be the best route because everything will always need to have either direct or at least foreseeable Air Force/DoD/Intelligence relevance.
 
Are there any engineering officers on this forum? If so, do you guys get to work away from the desk at all? I want to become an officer in the USAF but I want to be one who has a hands-on career. I know enlisted airmen do most of this type of work and the officers supervise and lead. But I want the best of both worlds. I know all officers sit at the desk no matter what but are there any career fields where they get to use their hands or get away from the office? Like the aircraft maintenance officer, would he be out and about a lot or just at the desk?

While I am not an engineering officer, I worked with a lot of 62s at AFRL (mostly electrical and mechanical engineers). The majority of that job is managing programs at a desk, but AFRL has labs and depending on what research is happening, there are lab tests and field tests that are often run by officers. As a 2d Lt, my job was basically to set up all the equipment and then sit in the trailer while we ran the test. Higher up the ranks, captains will often organize the field tests but much beyond captain, it is rare to get a lot of hands-on opportunities. Basically, the 62 (engineering) career field will involve a lot of desk work, but if you are proactive about proposals and manage your time well, you can both manage and be a little hands-on at the same time. I have seen it from a few of my mentors.

CE specifically RED HORSE is probably the most hands on you will get but is very different from the world I work in so I can't really comment on it much.
 
Hoping that a CE (ideally, Red Horse) officer might be available to comment: Are CE and Red Horse squadrons principally building stuff or are they assigned a significant amount of EOD work?
 
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ruralakay, sorry it took so long to get to this, finals hit me like a train
1. Yes, USAFA has an observatory with a 16in fast tracking telescope and a larger (24in maybe?) telescope for things like looking for exoplanets (as one example). They also have at least one (maybe more now) mobile telescope units. For my capstone research as a physics/math major, I used the 16in telescope and did a sort of proof of concept experiment that involved spending a lot of nights in the observatory (fun, but certainly made class the next day entertaining to say the least). For details, the work I did was recently published http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/article.aspx?articleid=2461778 and if you want the full paper I have a copy somewhere. There are also depending on interest and the current faculty, usually a few space physics related courses

2. Sort of, there is a whole space physics option at AFIT as part of the engineering physics degree or as an option for weather officers, there is a space weather track (these two share a lot of courses) however the degree itself is still just physics. The title isn't what matters though, really it's what research was done. A lot of what is available depends on what projects faculty are doing at a given time, however there is always the option of working with someone outside of AFIT. Many students work with people at AFRL or Lawrence Livermore National Labs.

3. No, there are other options but it is a little complicated. The toughest route is to get a major civilian scholarship (Marshall, Rhodes etc...) but there are also usually openings at MIT and Rice (I think it is called the Draper fellowship) right after graduation and RIT a little later on (I have a friend who just finished his masters in imaging sciences there). I heard rumors that it is possible to go elsewhere if you can secure the funding, but I don't know anyone who has done it. Honestly AFIT is a GREAT option and I am so glad I accidentally landed there instead of somewhere else.

4. There is a decent amount of research into the solar atmosphere and its effects on the Earth but in terms of space research out of our solar system, I don't know of any AFRL or AD assignments/projects currently working in that area. Space situational awareness is the main focus of space research right now (basically understanding how space is affecting our space assets and keeping an eye on other countries space assets). If pure cosmology/astronomy is the primary interest (as it was for me in high school actually) then USAFA the AF may not be the best route because everything will always need to have either direct or at least foreseeable Air Force/DoD/Intelligence relevance.

USAFA10s, no apology necessary for the delay...As you can see, I also kind of dropped the ball on responding to your reply! :) We have been so busy with the application process, since DS got back from Summer Seminar, I've scarcely had time to breathe!

Speaking of Summer Seminar, I have to say that it was the best decision DS could have made (attending it). DS came back with a renewed passion for attending the AFA, and most assuredly knows now that it is the route he most wants to pursue. On top of the all-around taste of Academy life, my son was also able to speak with people who introduced a possible major track that he had not yet considered. He has taken a cue from you and has talked excessively about pursuing a double major in Physics and Math, but thanks to the folks at the Academy, he is also now considering a double major in Physics and Meteorology. Like you mentioned above in item #4 (regarding research into the solar atmosphere), they presented him with the possibility of involving himself in solar studies, and he found it very intriguing. The nice thing is that, since your first couple of years are primarily basic coursework, he will have the time to slowly process which decision he chooses to go in, regarding his major(s).

Thank you profoundly for all of your input. You cannot begin to know how much it has helped our "little AF nerd." <LOL>
 
USAFA10s, no apology necessary for the delay...As you can see, I also kind of dropped the ball on responding to your reply! :) We have been so busy with the application process, since DS got back from Summer Seminar, I've scarcely had time to breathe!

Speaking of Summer Seminar, I have to say that it was the best decision DS could have made (attending it). DS came back with a renewed passion for attending the AFA, and most assuredly knows now that it is the route he most wants to pursue. On top of the all-around taste of Academy life, my son was also able to speak with people who introduced a possible major track that he had not yet considered. He has taken a cue from you and has talked excessively about pursuing a double major in Physics and Math, but thanks to the folks at the Academy, he is also now considering a double major in Physics and Meteorology. Like you mentioned above in item #4 (regarding research into the solar atmosphere), they presented him with the possibility of involving himself in solar studies, and he found it very intriguing. The nice thing is that, since your first couple of years are primarily basic coursework, he will have the time to slowly process which decision he chooses to go in, regarding his major(s).

Thank you profoundly for all of your input. You cannot begin to know how much it has helped our "little AF nerd." <LOL>

No problem, I am glad I could give some useful information. I too went to summer seminar and it definitely got me excited about going to USAFA. It's really where the journey actually started for me [emoji3]. I'm happy to answer any future questions and good luck to your DS!
 
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