Posted on Jun 25, 2014

Aeronautical Engineering, My son is interested

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My son has asked my opinion on the following about Aeronautical Engineering. Please share you thoughts!!
1 Officer or Enlisted?
2 Which branch provides the best opportunity?
3 He is a rising Jr in High school What could he be doing now to help prepare?

Posted in these groups: General of the army rank insignia

Posted 10 y ago

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Responses: 2

LTC Paul Labrador

Edited 10 y ago

Posted 10 y ago

What does he want to do with AE? If he wants to be a pilot then Air Force or Navy/Marines is his best bet. Either academy or ROTC, but I would suggest the academy route as those guys usually get first shot at pilot slots. If he wants to be an engineer, then likely Air Force is his best bet. But that being said, services tend not to get too involved with the engineering process beyond project management (and even that is at senior ranks). The real work is with contracting agencies (ie Boeing, McDonnel-Douglas, Hughs, etc).

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LTC Paul Labrador

10 y

BTW, being in Sanford, Embry-Riddle is only a hop, skip and jump away. That is a great AE school.

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Sgt Joel "Mike" Dunlap

10 y

At this time he is open.. He loves to fly and design things.. We have thought of the ROTC at an engineering school (any ideas on schools).He is currently going to a introduction into flying course at our local municipal airport..

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Sgt Joel "Mike" Dunlap

10 y

We are looking into Embry-Riddle but I have had some pilots say it would be better for him to get a pivot pilot license. They say he would have more flight experience that way..

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LTC Paul Labrador

10 y

Well as a Junior, he needs to decide soon. Flying and Designing in the military tends to be two different career tracks (some crossover with pilots though). If he is applying to the Academies, he's already behind the power curve. ROTC at an Engineering school is a good option (again, Embry-Riddle would be the first I would suggest you look at). Also need to start looking at whether he is physically qualified for military aviation. That is one of the biggest things that derails a potential aviation career.

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Sgt Joel "Mike" Dunlap

Posted 10 y ago

Any Advice would be appreciated. As a former Marine Recruiter I have info from the late 80s to early 90s so I feel that my info is outdated!!

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Aeronautical Engineering, My son is interested

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