Does having two masters degrees give you a better chance when applying for Naval OCS or Air Force OTS?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 22:29:55 -0500

Does after getting a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and two masters in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering give you a better chance at getting selected for Naval Aviator and Air Force Pilot and/or Naval OCS and Air Force OTS?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 1:49 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 01:49:46 -0500

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 21 at 2020 9:04 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:04:19 -0500

It is a factor but not a deciding factor. They still look at whole person concept. I have seen many an aerospace engineer not get picked up. They know how to design the plane but some just don't have the aptitude to fly it. Different skill sets. Yes it will look good and may give yo a slight edge but won't be the initial deciding factor. IMHO.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 12:53 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 12:53:19 -0500

a lot depends on how well you do on their officer qualification test.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2020 1:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:50:12 -0500

The Master's degree(s) help in the consideration, but if you do not blow the AFOQT (or Naval equivalent) out of the water, it will be all for naught. I'm currently studying for the AFOQT, myself, for when I complete Tech School, so I can start building a packet in hopes of commissioning. However, I do not plan on being a pilot - I'm a little old for that to be considered. Though, I wouldn't be adverse to an RPA pilot slot, so I'm shooting for kicking the test's collective buttocks!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 21 at 2020 5:30 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 21 Feb 2020 17:30:27 -0500

Seeing the comments below, I'll offer the other side of the two edged sword. Multiple degrees can also be and indicator that the person is best qualified to be a professional student. And, what does that get you? Multiples of one single pedigree item doesn't mean much more positive, but can drift the other way. I saw that in some of the officer candidates I used to screen for the Accessions Program. Some of them still didn't know what they wanted to do when they grew up. Others thought doubling or tripling down meant two or three times credit. Still others thought the degrees yelled how rounded they were when in fact, during the interview process, it showed how lost they were.

Bottom line, there's some sage advice from folk that know more than I about the things you must do. The closest I came to your track was being a friend of Dave Brown, Flight Surgeon. Up on Adak as a LT, he said he was going to be an Astronaut. We all believed him. He wasn't snotty about it. Just quietly pursued his dream daily. It just was his ever present and focused goal. He succeeded. Unfortunately we lost him on the Columbia. Yeah, quite a different breed.

Response by LCDR Howard Tillison made Aug 29 at 2020 8:27 PM

LCDR Howard Tillison — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 20:27:24 -0400

Yes, of course. You will never use those degrees on active duty, however, unless you go to Test Pilot School ( very competitive) or become an Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer. Officers of the "line" do not serve in billets where those skills are required, however, they get your foot in the door as someone who can think and handle the academics.

Passing the flight physical is the hardest part. After that, make sure you can perform the physical readiness test (a run of more than one mile, and an obstacle course, and pushups and pull-ups, etc.)

Being smart is not really a plus in a squadron in the Navy, because you'll be smarter than most of your superior officers, and they won't like you. Don't ask me how I know.