What is the most common path that an AFROTC candidate would take to obtain a PhD in engineering? I have heard of the Air Force Institute of Technology, but I am not sure if AFIT is the most common path taken by officers. Can anyone comment on this subject and provide some insight?
AFIT is the most common path for engineering PhDs in engineering. The reason is that getting a PhD in 3 years is tough and AFIT understand that and works to make sure that the student makes it through on time but civilian institutions don't typically understand that. In a civ school PhD students are normally looked at as free labor for the staff and spend their time teaching low level classes and doing research/publishing papers for their advisor. There is no incentive to get you graduated since it only makes their lives harder trying to find another slave.
I went to AFIT and got my MSEE and there were a bunch of PhD candidates. VERY low wash out / incompletion rate there. The people who get sent to AFIT CI (civilian institution) have a much spotty success rate for the reasons I mentioned.
First, I would like to thank you for your insight. I really appreciate it. I have a follow up question.
Did you get attend AFIT for your MSEE right after your undergraduate school? I'm trying to gauge whether most officers work in a 62EX job then go AFIT, or if they go directly to AFIT after and undergraduate education. It seems that a student would better understand their research interests by working in a developmental engineering job, than by going directly to AFIT.
Let me weigh in here. I'm a Maj PhD 62E, but I got mine while a civilian (long story), so I'm an outlier. There are many different ways to get a PhD for 62Es. But I'd like to know why you want one. Do you want to teach at the USAFA or at AFIT? I just enjoyed fluid dynamics research, I kept getting funding, so I kept going to school-- when I ran out of degrees, I joined the military (again). I have lots of friends with PhDs that the AF paid for. Most folks bounce between jobs and school. Right after getting a BS, most Lts do an engineering job for four years, then go to AFIT for an MS. Then it's off to work another job (payback for the MS). At this point, you can apply for an AF-funded PhD, usually funded by the USAFA or AFIT. There is another PhD path sponsored by the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS), but you have to be a graduate to get that (I went to TPS and strongly encourage all 62Es to apply). If you want a PhD, the AF can help you get it, especially if you are flexible on the exact course of study (needs of the Air Force come first). Hope this helps.
Thanks a lot for your knowledge. I really appreciate it. I was interested in the PhD because I thought most officers go directly to graduate school. But it sounds like this is not the case. I've been looking at graduate schools, but I would like to work in 62E first, then go for an advanced degree at one of the schools you mentioned. In any case, thanks a lot!
One thing you'll find out about the 62E field is that there is no "one right way" to build a successful career. Like you said, some folks do go straight to grad school as their first assignment. If I were king, that wouldn't be the case. I think new 62Es need to get out there and do operational work (i.e., be near planes, spacecraft, etc.) for their first tour and experience the real AF. There is plenty of time to get a PhD -- I know senior Majs who are going to school now. Good Luck and Welcome to the 62E World!
Originally posted by glo08: Thanks a lot for your knowledge. I really appreciate it. I was interested in the PhD because I thought most officers go directly to graduate school. But it sounds like this is not the case. I've been looking at graduate schools, but I would like to work in 62E first, then go for an advanced degree at one of the schools you mentioned. In any case, thanks a lot!
Only a VERY small % of Lt's go straight to grad school from their undergrad. In my class at AFIT last year, of the 100 or so Lt's running around there were only 5, yes 5, that came straight out of undergrad. And 3 of those were Academy grads.
In the AF a PhD is really unnecessary. As a 62E you aren't expected to get one, but you are expected to get a technical MS. A PhD can and will be a discriminator but while you are grinding away at your PhD for 3 years the other Capts/Majs/LtCs are all having mission impact and pumping out competitive OPRs, stratifications, awards etc... It DOES have an impact on your career and most will warn you that you risk not making rank if you go for your PhD at the wrong time in your career.
Obviously there are plenty of PhDs who make rank, but it's tough to populate your PRF with bullets from a single training report from school. Others with 3 years of job time won't have that hard time.
Thank you for your insight. I really appreciate it. I guess a PhD in the Air Force is good for teaching and conducting high level research. I have a follow up question: Is a technical MS required for a promotion? How long does a technical MS usually take?
A PhD is a great thing to have as a 62E. It opens doors (I believe my PhD got me into TPS, which led to a DP for Maj, which led to attending Air Command and Staff College) and will absolutely pay huge dividend$ after your AF career -- companies just love to spout out how many PhDs they have on staff (e.g., a retiring 62E PhD LtCol I know just took a job in DC for $160K without much trying).
In the AF a tiny percentage of officers have PhDs, less than 3 percent. As far as promotions go, I haven't seen a 62E PhD that didn't make LtCol, but my experience is limited. Just recently the AF has "unmasked" advanced academic degrees when considering officers for promotion (they used to ignore it). Of course, job performance is crucial, but a PhD shows you can handle the toughest academics and can stand toe-to-toe with contractors when they try to baffle history majors with technical BS....
Since advanced degrees are unmasked for promotion, you really need a masters to be competitive for Major; however, some 62E officers choose to pursue an MBA rather than a technical masters. Eventually, some MBA 62Es become 63s (Program Managers). The important thing is to get your Masters! It'll take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 years. I think AFIT only allows 1.5 years for their technical masters.
Originally posted by Flight_Test_Dude: Let me weigh in here. I'm a Maj PhD 62E, but I got mine while a civilian (long story), so I'm an outlier. There are many different ways to get a PhD for 62Es. But I'd like to know why you want one. Do you want to teach at the USAFA or at AFIT? I just enjoyed fluid dynamics research, I kept getting funding, so I kept going to school-- when I ran out of degrees, I joined the military (again). I have lots of friends with PhDs that the AF paid for. Most folks bounce between jobs and school. Right after getting a BS, most Lts do an engineering job for four years, then go to AFIT for an MS. Then it's off to work another job (payback for the MS). At this point, you can apply for an AF-funded PhD, usually funded by the USAFA or AFIT. There is another PhD path sponsored by the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS), but you have to be a graduate to get that (I went to TPS and strongly encourage all 62Es to apply). If you want a PhD, the AF can help you get it, especially if you are flexible on the exact course of study (needs of the Air Force come first). Hope this helps.
How flexible is AFIT when considering an officer's course of study? I would like to focus on space propulsion for a master's degree, and I'm wondering if AFIT will allow me to pursue that course of study.
