Post by: cosine on December 13, 2006, 05:49:46 PM
Every so often the idea of the military pops into my mind. It's something I think I might want to do, to serve my country and all, but I really want to get my degree first. What's the idea on that course of action?
As for branch, I think I'd probably like the Air Force. Maybe join the ROTC in college.
If one would have a degree in a field such as electrical engineering, if one would join the ROTC in college, and after getting one's bachelor's would join a branch of the military such as the Air Force, would it be possible to work towards a master's while part of the military? Does the military provide for any way of doing something like that?
What could one do in the Air Force with a degree in something like electrical engineering?
Just disjointedly thinking out loud here. Your thoughts?
Post by: Matthew Carberry on December 13, 2006, 06:06:25 PM
I went into the Marine's with 3 years of college, didn't do any harm.
Post by: wingnutx on December 13, 2006, 06:09:55 PM
He owns his own company. He invented a piece of machinery that chews up ICs and reclaims the precious metals, and his company sells them to companies like Motorola and Intel. He's worth quite a few million dollars.
Post by: Dannyboy on December 13, 2006, 06:11:12 PM
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on December 13, 2006, 06:15:24 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 13, 2006, 06:18:49 PM
If you're going Air Force, electrical engineering should have broad applicability. Ya know, planes and radar and all that.
Post by: cosine on December 13, 2006, 06:19:45 PM
But since you say you're studying electrical engineering, do you mind my asking what particular subdiscipline you're interested in?
Working this year, so not in college yet, not studying yet. Will be next year. Haven't made up my mind as to particular subdiscipline most interested in.
Just decided to post this thread to verbalize some long-term ideas floating around in my mind.
Post by: 280plus on December 14, 2006, 02:33:06 AM
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As for branch, I think I'd probably like the Air Force.
See how good that recruiting picture works. 
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 14, 2006, 03:48:48 AM
Post by: client32 on December 14, 2006, 04:22:30 AM
I've been interested in joining after a degree as well. I have been looking at the Air Force as well. I keep wishing I had done it straight from college the first time before kids starting showing up. Now I have a Masters degree, sure would have been nice if I could have gotten any help with that.
My reasoning for Air Force is all the articles and papers we read through my masters program that were military came from the Air Force.
So to expand the question, what if you already have a masters degree?
Post by: Jamisjockey on December 14, 2006, 04:40:29 AM
I'm glad you asked.
I've been interested in joining after a degree as well. I have been looking at the Air Force as well. I keep wishing I had done it straight from college the first time before kids starting showing up. Now I have a Masters degree, sure would have been nice if I could have gotten any help with that.
My reasoning for Air Force is all the articles and papers we read through my masters program that were military came from the Air Force.
So to expand the question, what if you already have a masters degree?
I've been interested in joining after a degree as well. I have been looking at the Air Force as well. I keep wishing I had done it straight from college the first time before kids starting showing up. Now I have a Masters degree, sure would have been nice if I could have gotten any help with that.
My reasoning for Air Force is all the articles and papers we read through my masters program that were military came from the Air Force.
So to expand the question, what if you already have a masters degree?
I'm assuming any branch (Marines) would take you as an Officer (Marine).
Post by: Perd Hapley on December 14, 2006, 05:09:32 AM
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If one has a small inkling join the military...
A small inkling is really not enough. You'd better have a large inkling and a commitment to see things through before you sign anything. If you're not sure, then disregard my advice about going ROTC before college. Put it off until you know that's what you want to do.
Post by: cosine on December 14, 2006, 05:26:13 AM
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As for branch, I think I'd probably like the Air Force.
See how good that recruiting picture works. I was waiting for you to say that.
Post by: Dannyboy on December 14, 2006, 05:29:04 AM
Post by: MillCreek on December 14, 2006, 05:35:01 AM
Post by: cosine on December 14, 2006, 05:38:10 AM
I was just thinking out loud here. I'm nowhere near making up my mind one way or another, I've got to think about for a while yet and go talk to some people eventually.
Post by: ilbob on December 14, 2006, 06:32:57 AM
Post by: Phantom Warrior on December 14, 2006, 09:00:52 AM
A few thoughts.
1. On a degree
Get your degree first. You are obviously headed that direction anyway, but go with it. Get your degree. Don't count on the military to take care of you.
2. On ROTC
One of my buddies here did three years of (Army) ROTC. It's pretty basic. You take Millitary Science classes along with your other classes. Your first two years carry no obiligation. As a junior, you have to start getting serious about it. There are summer training camps and other stuff. Eventually, you will have to commit to commissioning. If you take no money, I think you can change your mind at the last minute. If you get an ROTC scholarship (useful), you are usually obligated to either pay the money back or serve as an enlisted solider. I'm not sure which. Find out if your college offers Air Force ROTC, track down their information, and contact someone in the ROTC department. They can give you more information.
3. On electrical engineering
I don't know too much about the Air Force. But I know they place a lot of weight on technical degees. I thought I read somewhere that to become an officer you either MUST have a techinical degree (math, physics, engineering, computer science, etc) or if you don't have a technical degree you are kind of at a disadvantage. Research that more because I don't know anything more than that.
4. On a Master's degree
Yeah, the military pays for some graduate degrees. But it is usually something that is advantageous to them. For example, if you will go teach at a service academy or are serving in a very technical job. If you are a finance officer, they aren't going to send you to get your Master's in EE on the military's dime. Also, there is usually at least a one-to-one service obligation for schooling (i.e. two years obligates you to two years of service). Dannyboy made a good point that you will also probably have to have a few years time in service and be promoted a few ranks before they military is willing to invest in you.
5. Other thoughts
It would not be a bad idea to be an officer. You will be taught more and expected to take more responsibility, you will be paid better, you will be treated like an adult, and I think it is generally a more beneficial experience. Esp over a shorter term. If you stay in 20 years, things even out, but I think it is in all ways better to do three years and come out a lieutenant than as an E-4 (give or take). I am probably going to piss off some of the senior NCOs that I know frequent this board, but that's the way I feel.
Like fistful said, be sure you want to do it. The Air Force has less responsibility over here than say, the Army, but you may be deployed to Iraq or Afganistan. You may be stationed somewhere you don't like. You may be stuck working long hours. You may have to work for an idiot. But you can't tell them that because that's UCMJ.
There is a lot to be said for being in the military. As much as I hate the Army, I've learned a lot, it will benefit me a lot, and I would always have wondered "what if?" if I hadn't joined up. But be ready for what you will have to deal with and be prepared to stick with it.
Final thought. Check out this website. I found it very useful when looking at the Army.
Post by: cosine on December 14, 2006, 09:55:31 AM
My dad thinks if I want to do join the military I should try to get in as a officer. He thinks I'm smart enough to be a pilot in the Air Force, but there's no way I'm am.
Plus, I have the reflexes of a snail and would probably crack up a even a slow plane like the C-130. So, no matter what my dad thinks I'm not really interested in being a pilot. If I would join the military I'm pretty much willing to give my service in whatever they would need me to do. I would, however, prefer to get in as an officer or at least become commissioned very soon after joining up. Post by: Perd Hapley on December 14, 2006, 10:01:19 AM
Even if you DO become an officer, and even in the Air Force, I will try to like you anyway. 
Post by: Gewehr98 on December 14, 2006, 10:44:44 AM
If you go simply to get an education paid for, be aware that the Air Force doesn't do it for free. Depending on the type of graduate degree you're looking for, there's an exchange rate. Spend a year in school, and you may indeed owe the Air Force 3 years in service committment time to pay for it. I have a young captain friend who the Air Force sent off to get her PhD in biochemistry, and she owes the Air Force quite a bit in service committment.
Also, as the Air Force is trying to streamline their forces to better fit the AEF concept, it has taken a hard look at officers who spend years or more on duty getting advanced degrees vs. doing their day-to-day jobs. One result of this scrutiny is that post-graduate enrollment of officers has scaled back somewhat, and those officers who do take the Air Force nickel to get advanced degrees, in addition to the extra service committment, may not get the best assignments, or garner the best Officer Effectiveness Reports, as well as the commander's all-important Promotion Recommendation Form, with the "Promote", "Definitely Promote", and "Do Not Promote This Board". If you're not getting the highly-coveted "DP", you'd best be served looking for a civilian job in the next year or two...
Post by: Bergeron on December 14, 2006, 06:25:57 PM
First off, the branch of the military offered by an ROTC program will vary by university. Some universities will have multiple branches available, but most that I know of only offer one. If you're really set on the Air Force, try to attend a university that offers AFROTC, or a univeristy that has a cross-town affliation with AFROTC at a nearby institution.
As was stated earlier, no commitment need be made until the end of your second year, as long as you do not sign a contract/scholarship. At the end of your second year, you attend summer training, and agree to commision. The first two years you can see how you like the environment. There will be minimum 2 a week 6 am PT sessions, a lecture class, and once a week leadership lab. You will be wearing a uniform during at least some of these activities, and may be required to meet military height/weight and PT standards, even if you are not commited to commisioning.
ROTC takes cadets with many degrees, and you are not required to have a technical major to enroll. However, some jobs either require technical degrees or give preference to those with technical degrees. Electrical Engineering is a sought after degree for the Air Force.
As far as graduate degrees are concerned, there are two general options while you are active duty. Firstly, you can apply to the Air Force Institute of Technology and Science, a very competetive program, or you can tution assistance from the Air Force to study for a graduate degree in your spare time. I'm not aware if extra commitment is required, but I would not be suprised if it was.
In short, I would encourage you to give it a try. You get two years to see if it's right for you, without incurring any commitment.
Post by: cosine on December 15, 2006, 09:27:57 AM