Life Question!!!

[MontanaKid]

I'm currently in my freshman year of college and I'm transferring down to the big school this spring in order to finish out my Bachelors. I wan't to become a fighter pilot for the Air Force. I was thinking of joining ROTC at the big school cause the small affiliate school I attend doesn't offer any ROTC programs or classes. I'm also majoring in pre-med Microbiology. My plan is to accept a scholarship through ROTC and try to become a fighter pilot. My main question is the scholarship that is offered if for specialty majors like pre-med, engineering, chemistry, etc. would my major have any affect on becoming a fighter pilot due to the scholarship I want to select. The reason why I'm doing pre-med is because I want to become a surgeon after serving in the military, but I also want to fly!

 

[raimius]

No, pilot slots do not have any major-specific restrictions. Unless your scholarship has additional restrictions, you are good to go.

 

[AROTC Parent]

Medical school also doesn't have any major-specific restrictions. You just have to complete the pre-reqs. If GPA is a factor in selection for a pilot slot (like medical school) you don't have to major in Microbiology for medical school later unless it's your passion. By the time you finish your Pilot commitment in the Air Force you would likely have to retake a number of pre-reqs as a refresher for the MCAT anyway.

 

[AROTC-dad]

Mod note:
Moving thread to ROTC forum.

 

[New@This]

Just a quick note: you stated your plan was to "accept a scholarship." Scholarships are not guaranteed. They are awarded based on performance. Many, perhaps most, AFROTC cadets are not on scholarship.

Pilots in the AF have a 10 year active duty requirement. You have 2 very ambitous dreams. I would encourage you to speak openly and candidly with the staff at the ROTC program on campus. They can help you determine whether this is a path for you.

 

[Tex232]

If you're interested in medicine AND aviation you might want to look into the path to become a USAF flight surgeon. There are two types of Air Force flight surgeons, one type only practices aviation medicine and isn't actually considered aeronautically rated, while the other type is considered a "flying doctor" and is certified to practice medicine while simultaneously holding duties as a pilot at a flying squadron. I'm not sure what the prerequisites are to become a flight surgeon and what the path looks like to get there, but it may be something you should research more if you're interested. Obviously there would be a lot more training involved, especially if you're in the "flying doctor" category.