About two months ago I received an offer of appointment to USAFA. About a week later I was notified that I had been waitlisted for USNA, which prompted me to accept the offer from USAFA. Today, I got a call from USNA reaching out with an offer of appointment which I must reply to by 5:00 EST tomorrow (6/2/22). Prior to being waitlisted, I had USNA as my first choice school, but I am now questioning this based on differences in career possibilities between the two services.
I am sold on USNA as school over USAFA. I believe the academics and opportunities are better, and I believe I will enjoy the culture there more. That being said, I realize that this only part of what I need to consider in making my decision, because I am also committing to X or Y service with it. I also see myself enjoying Navy culture more than Air Force culture, but I am worried that Navy lacks the potential to provide me with an occupation that aligns with my interests. I plan on majoring in physics, with a focus on astronomy. I would like to do something that utilizes this major, and after some research it seems to me that Air Force is the much better options for this. The list of AF occupations I see utilizing physics heavily are: cyberspace operations, space operations, space aggressors, nuclear and missile operations. These are all listed on the careers portion of USAFAs website. About all I could come up with looking for physics-oriented jobs in the Navy was nuclear subs.
With that background, I have a few questions, hopefully some of you wise and wonderful people are equipped to answer a few of them.
How accurate is my assessment of career possibilities for utilization of physics? Is my perceived balance wrong? I have also heard that officers rarely have hands-on technical responsibilities in the first place, so how much does it really matter that I end up doing regarding my interests?
I really like physics at the moment, but I understand that exposure to a whole new world at an academy could completely spark a new interest. How common is it for cadets/ midshipmen to totally change their interests as a result of exposure to new things?
How prominent is the pilot vs non-pilot stigma in AF? Will it matter much at all prior to the end of my 5 year obligation? (I know this is USNA's forum, but duplicate posts are not allowed and I feel like this post will receive better attention here.)
I've heard that I will build better connections at USNA to allow for success after service, could this be outweighed by USAFA filling my resume with more physics oriented items if I choose to pursue a career in physics after service?
Any general feedback is welcome as well
Thank you!
I am sold on USNA as school over USAFA. I believe the academics and opportunities are better, and I believe I will enjoy the culture there more. That being said, I realize that this only part of what I need to consider in making my decision, because I am also committing to X or Y service with it. I also see myself enjoying Navy culture more than Air Force culture, but I am worried that Navy lacks the potential to provide me with an occupation that aligns with my interests. I plan on majoring in physics, with a focus on astronomy. I would like to do something that utilizes this major, and after some research it seems to me that Air Force is the much better options for this. The list of AF occupations I see utilizing physics heavily are: cyberspace operations, space operations, space aggressors, nuclear and missile operations. These are all listed on the careers portion of USAFAs website. About all I could come up with looking for physics-oriented jobs in the Navy was nuclear subs.
With that background, I have a few questions, hopefully some of you wise and wonderful people are equipped to answer a few of them.
How accurate is my assessment of career possibilities for utilization of physics? Is my perceived balance wrong? I have also heard that officers rarely have hands-on technical responsibilities in the first place, so how much does it really matter that I end up doing regarding my interests?
I really like physics at the moment, but I understand that exposure to a whole new world at an academy could completely spark a new interest. How common is it for cadets/ midshipmen to totally change their interests as a result of exposure to new things?
How prominent is the pilot vs non-pilot stigma in AF? Will it matter much at all prior to the end of my 5 year obligation? (I know this is USNA's forum, but duplicate posts are not allowed and I feel like this post will receive better attention here.)
I've heard that I will build better connections at USNA to allow for success after service, could this be outweighed by USAFA filling my resume with more physics oriented items if I choose to pursue a career in physics after service?
Any general feedback is welcome as well
Thank you!