What are some of the typical majors for aviators?

[Old Navy BGO]

Over Christmas break our DS told us a story about a Marine Corp Major who was talking to his leadership class (or a talk on the yard - I don't remember which)) and he was chiding the Aero majors who maybe some thought you had to be an Aero major to be a pilot. The Major said he was a Psychology major and went pilot, and furthermore, in his opinion, he was the best damn pilot the Marine Corp ever saw. So there you go!

I heard the same spiel from a USMC Captain when we were going through majors briefings back in the early 80's. I wonder if that USMC Major was the same USMC Captain that claimed to be the best damn pilot in the Marine Corps 30+ years go.

The bottom line is simple. First, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to be a pilot (although as USNA85 points out, it helps if you want to go the test pilot/astronaut route). Second, Bull majors at USNA get enough STEM crammed....er, have enough STEM background to perform any Service Assignment in the Navy.

 

[Hurricane12]

I am:
a: not that smart
b: a former history major
c: a moderately successful winged Naval Aviator

The most math I do on a daily basis as an aviator could be handled by a reasonable intelligent 7th grader (weight and power calculations, etc.). Plenty of my peers in the squadron majored in international affairs, forestry, and other seemingly nonrelevant subjects whether at State U or USNA and are successful.
The Navy/USMC will teach you what you need to know. Good study skills, regardless of major, is what gets people through.
Its rare that someone cant handle the conceptual aspects of aviation or how engines/aerodynamics work. What's more common is students lacking the discipline or skills to study effectively.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

The most math I do on a daily basis as an aviator could be handled by a reasonable intelligent 7th grader (weight and power calculations, etc.).

The one skill that is pretty important for an aviator, and one that I still use ...is the ability to quickly do math in your head. It doesn't have to be 100% accurate, but ballpark enough to know if the various systems are accurate (Note, the systems usually work, but its so easy to put a wrong number into a GPS).

 

[jollyrogerUSNA]

I can't thank you enough for all your insight. My son is struggling with choosing between USNA and USMA. My husband is a 20 year army vet (1 deployment) and he truly feels Navy is for my son. He has been certified to scuba dive since he was 10, loves the water, loves boats, loves to fly, loves to be challenged at all times. My motherly instinct and heart is screaming NAVY but we can't tell him what to do. We can provide him with useful information and advice that you have all offered. We have a trip planned to go to Annapolis in a few weeks to talk to some USNA grads that my husband has been put in touch with. I have called admissions a few times but have had no luck other than being offered another CVW. So a heartfelt thanks for your responses, they are much appreciated!

 

[ders_dad]

What is it like to be a history major at USNA? Tons of reading and writing?

Reason I ask is that my DS, if appointed, is very interested in history (particularly military history). He is tier 1 NROTC scholarship so if he goes that route it will have to be engineering.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

We have a trip planned to go to Annapolis in a few weeks to talk to some USNA grads that my husband has been put in touch with

If you have a chance, I would recommend deferring the visit to the Spring ! Not sure what the weather is like out there now, but this time of year is referred to as the Dark Ages for a reason. Spring in Annapolis is wonderful.

 

[ders_dad]

If you have a chance, I would recommend deferring the visit to the Spring ! Not sure what the weather is like out there now, but this time of year is referred to as the Dark Ages for a reason. Spring in Annapolis is wonderful.

I think that depends upon where you are from. We were in DC this past weekend for a funeral at Arlington and drove down to Annapolis on Saturday. It was 45, partly sunny, and windy but we loved it. When we got home on Sunday it was -26 with a -45 windchill. For us northerners, the Dark Ages means sunrise at 8:30 am and sunset at 4:15 pm with a day filled with filtered sun (on a good day) through sun dogs.

But I have to agree, springtime in the DC area is amazing.

 

[jollyrogerUSNA]

unfortunately, my son's lacrosse schedule makes a Spring visit near impossible, but we have seen the Academy in its warmer days. We also had a CVW last march and it snowed! I am very biased to the Yard, it's always breath taking to me. I also remind myself that the academy is his location for 4 years, but his career choices will be with him a lot longer. Just some more wisdom I picked up on this wonderful forum.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

If you have a chance, I would recommend deferring the visit to the Spring ! Not sure what the weather is like out there now, but this time of year is referred to as the Dark Ages for a reason. Spring in Annapolis is wonderful.

I think that depends upon where you are from. We were in DC this past weekend for a funeral at Arlington and drove down to Annapolis on Saturday. It was 45, partly sunny, and windy but we loved it. When we got home on Sunday it was -26 with a -45 windchill. For us northerners, the Dark Ages means sunrise at 8:30 am and sunset at 4:15 pm with a day filled with filtered sun (on a good day) through sun dogs.

But I have to agree, springtime in the DC area is amazing.

I agree , its all relative ... It was -26 here the other morning as well. That made shoveling the driveway this morning at -4 feel wonderful. (And its going to be +40 and raining this weekend).

 

[OldRetSWO]

The most math I do on a daily basis as an aviator could be handled by a reasonable intelligent 7th grader (weight and power calculations, etc.).

The one skill that is pretty important for an aviator, and one that I still use ...is the ability to quickly do math in your head. It doesn't have to be 100% accurate, but ballpark enough to know if the various systems are accurate (Note, the systems usually work, but its so easy to put a wrong number into a GPS).

Mental Math is also a key skill for SWOs, especially as an OOD

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Mental Math is also a key skill for SWOs, especially as an OOD

True ...I often wonder if its a lost skill. My kids grew up with calculators, but I always tried to get them to figure a rough answer in their head before punching numbers. There is no way to tell if you you pushed the wrong number if you don't have a rough order of magnitude (ROM or WAG !) idea what the answer should be.

 

[candide72]

If you have a chance, I would recommend deferring the visit to the Spring ! Not sure what the weather is like out there now, but this time of year is referred to as the Dark Ages for a reason. Spring in Annapolis is wonderful.

I think that depends upon where you are from. We were in DC this past weekend for a funeral at Arlington and drove down to Annapolis on Saturday. It was 45, partly sunny, and windy but we loved it. When we got home on Sunday it was -26 with a -45 windchill. For us northerners, the Dark Ages means sunrise at 8:30 am and sunset at 4:15 pm with a day filled with filtered sun (on a good day) through sun dogs.

But I have to agree, springtime in the DC area is amazing.

When I did my CVW last winter there was quite a few drags who didn’t appreciate the weather, meanwhile I was happy to be able to run outside for once... in shorts!