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That sounds correct. Now that I think of it the kid took statistics because he needed 6 hours of math which was required by the college, not NROTC.
Reason Behind NROTC Calculus&Physics Requirement?
- Thread starter NavRattler
- Start date
All the discussion about relevance of STEM to leadership qualities makes me think of conversation with DS, Army O-2 Signal (Communication) Officer. He is a Signal Officer attached to a Battalion that is decidedly not interested in how smart you think you are but how you get the job done.
He recounted an interaction with an O-5 who was pushing back on an initiative of DS. It was very technical and a classic out of the box idea DS was pushing. I get the impression that everyone up the chain got sick of him so it ended up on the desk of the O-5. As DS was recounting the situation to me he said, "Dad, at one point I had to ask, 'Sir, do you know what a radio is?' " DS explained. He resoects and likes the O-5, but he is still getting push back.
I guess the moral of the story is if you don't understand something, don't pretend you do and don't begrudge those who actually do know. More important. If you use other people as a scapegoat for your own ignorance, then...
He recounted an interaction with an O-5 who was pushing back on an initiative of DS. It was very technical and a classic out of the box idea DS was pushing. I get the impression that everyone up the chain got sick of him so it ended up on the desk of the O-5. As DS was recounting the situation to me he said, "Dad, at one point I had to ask, 'Sir, do you know what a radio is?' " DS explained. He resoects and likes the O-5, but he is still getting push back.
I guess the moral of the story is if you don't understand something, don't pretend you do and don't begrudge those who actually do know. More important. If you use other people as a scapegoat for your own ignorance, then...
This topic reminds me of attending new student orientation with DD. As part of orientation there was a breakout session during which there was a brief presentation by the department chair of the student's chosen major. The physics dept chair cordially welcomed the 3 students in our session and asked them rhetorically how many freshman they thought were in the psychology dept breakout session? He answered 'probably 500 or so' and then congratulated them on choosing one of the most challenging majors at the entire university.
Speaking as a former engineering professor and someone who has hired a lot of engineers over the years (who are now in senior company leadership positions)...
Math, physics, and applied physics teach you how to solve problems - over and over and over and over and over and over again. This is why the most effective method of studying for tests in these classes is to do practice problems (over and over...). You don't know it at the time but you're developing the equivalent of muscle memory in music or athletics. It becomes part of your DNA (figuratively). You learn to break down complex problems into parts, solve them, figure out approximations, determine "what's good enough", work with uncertainty, and develop the ability to SWAG effectively. These problem solving skills apply to many areas of life. You can't solve complex problems on the fly unless you have had lots of practice.
In recent years, there has been debate among the engineer teaching cadre to drop calculus in favor of computer numerical approximations of differential equations. I (and others) are against this trend because calculus teaches you a problem solving discipline that carries on into everything else. Buckle up, learn calc and physics by practicing and practicing and practicing. You don't just sit down at the piano and start to play.
I'd like to add one more thing. I wish every young man and woman could have the opportunity to work on cars. Working on old cars is a fantastic way to learn problem solving skills in a very practical way - especially when the YouTube video is not available. DS is helping me restore an old Pontiac (with points) and I hope it gives rounds out his "book learnin'" with a lick of common sense.
Math, physics, and applied physics teach you how to solve problems - over and over and over and over and over and over again. This is why the most effective method of studying for tests in these classes is to do practice problems (over and over...). You don't know it at the time but you're developing the equivalent of muscle memory in music or athletics. It becomes part of your DNA (figuratively). You learn to break down complex problems into parts, solve them, figure out approximations, determine "what's good enough", work with uncertainty, and develop the ability to SWAG effectively. These problem solving skills apply to many areas of life. You can't solve complex problems on the fly unless you have had lots of practice.
In recent years, there has been debate among the engineer teaching cadre to drop calculus in favor of computer numerical approximations of differential equations. I (and others) are against this trend because calculus teaches you a problem solving discipline that carries on into everything else. Buckle up, learn calc and physics by practicing and practicing and practicing. You don't just sit down at the piano and start to play.
I'd like to add one more thing. I wish every young man and woman could have the opportunity to work on cars. Working on old cars is a fantastic way to learn problem solving skills in a very practical way - especially when the YouTube video is not available. DS is helping me restore an old Pontiac (with points) and I hope it gives rounds out his "book learnin'" with a lick of common sense.
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I agree. Every kid should graduate from High School with the ability to do all of the yearly maintenance on their car.
That's all fluid and filter changes, brakes, lights, wipers, fuses, and suspension components. They should know why Camber, Caster, Toe, and Thrust Angle are important (and be smart enough to buy a lifetime alignment package).
And everyone should know how to use a slide rule.
When the power fails, I can still do logarithms. That's pretty B.A.
That's all fluid and filter changes, brakes, lights, wipers, fuses, and suspension components. They should know why Camber, Caster, Toe, and Thrust Angle are important (and be smart enough to buy a lifetime alignment package).
And everyone should know how to use a slide rule.
When the power fails, I can still do logarithms. That's pretty B.A.
@THParent Memories... like the corners of my mind.... misty water-colored memories....
No! Please, No!
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Well said, @ders_dad. A core aspect of military leadership is problem-solving, over and over and over again. And in the fog of war — or any other crisis — there’s no substitute for muscle memory, whether physical or mental.
k2rider
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I agree. Every kid should graduate from High School with the ability to do all of the yearly maintenance on their car.
That's all fluid and filter changes, brakes, lights, wipers, fuses, and suspension components. They should know why Camber, Caster, Toe, and Thrust Angle are important (and be smart enough to buy a lifetime alignment package).
Agreed....my Dad was born during the Depression and grew up on a farm in Texas. They had to fix and/or "McGyver" everything they owned because they frequently couldn't afford to fix their equipment. Growing up, my Dad could come up with a solution to fix pretty much anything and he left high school after the 9th grade by passing the GED. He entered the Marines on his 16th birthday and retired as a Captain. Of course that was a completely different era.
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Oh sure, but did he ever add a residential window air conditioner and gas powered generator to his Lincoln?
Spray foam insulation and cool "aftermarket" tail lights, ala Clark Griswald's Family Truckster.
Spray foam insulation and cool "aftermarket" tail lights, ala Clark Griswald's Family Truckster.