I have a history BA with a good GPA (3.4) from a good school (UCLA). I'll be naturalizing soon and it has always been a dream of mine to fly. Knowing that most people who want to be pilots have studied things like aeronautical engineering etc, do I still have a good chance with a history degree?
I did study physics for two years before changing majors, so my math and general science education is strong. I also work as an engineer.
2007-05-22 11:07:00 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I'm Canadian...I don't really think anyone in the USA really holds anything against Canadians.
In fact, many Americans are surprised Canada isn't a state.
2007-05-22 11:12:30 · update #1
Wow, I absolutely had to answer this question because I too have a History B.A. from UCLA with a 3.4 GPA and am also considering joining the Air Force! From what I've been told, school/major/GPA don't really play a big role in determining pilot slots. I know several pilots who have gone through AFROTC (not the Academy) and had majors such as English, Management, Political Science, and other liberal arts. Yes you may not be as competitive, but scoring well on the tests and doing well in flight training is more important. Since you do have the math/science background, you're probably able to do better in pilot training than the average History major (myself included). Your naturalization status is not that critical either right now, except for when granting a security clearance, but that process is a long way off and Canada is a friendly nation :) I would say that your biggest challenges to becoming a pilot is that the USAF is not in great need of pilots right now and secondly, getting an officer commission through OCS or any program other than USAFA or AFROTC is not common and getting a pilot slot is even more difficult.
You should definitely talk to a recruiter, and I know the AFROTC folks at UCLA are pretty helpful too. They're in the Student Activities Center.
Good luck fellow Bruin!
2007-05-22 19:45:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing you list here should be a problem.
The only difference between naturalized citizen and a native born one is that you can't run for President.
Your college major is of no interest to the USAF. I have a college buddy that flies F-16's for his State Air National Guard, he's a Light Colonel and he was a music major in college. (We teased him unmercifully about that). The USAF cares only if you make it through pilot training or not. If you can fly, they want you to fly, if you can't fly they don't want you to fly. That's that.
The only place problems might crop up are
A) with your security clearance. Canada is a NATO nation, so that shouldn't be a problem, but it may lead to some extra paperwork.
B) I was going to say you might have a problem with the math and physics part of flight training, but you say you have two years of physics under your belt, so I'm guessing you can hack the math.
Your next move is to go talk to the AFROTC unit on your campus. If you don't have one, go a Google search to find one near you.
FYI, last time I checked, the USAF was trying to loose people. There isn't as big a call for pilots as there used to be. We don't have a credible air to air threat at the current time... the only air forces on the planet that might be capable of taking us on are on our side (IDF, RAF). This means the USAF is trying to redirect funds to things like intel and recon and UAVs. Also as planes get more expensive, the USAF can afford fewer ones, so that also means fewer pilot slots. That means there will be fewer pilot spots and competition will be tougher. The point about not being an academy grad is a good one, that will be a strike against you from the get go.
Good Luck
2007-05-22 16:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by Larry R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Take your important question to a local Air Force Recruiter. Then you will get the latest and most accurate information!
2016-05-20 03:53:29 · answer #3 · answered by daisey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Air Force is going to look at four things to determine if you get a flight training slot.
Your GPA
Previous flight hours
Your AFOQT score.(Air Force Officer Qualifying Test )
And your TBAS score. (Test of Basic Aviation Skills )
2007-05-22 23:51:01 · answer #4 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
very slim. the degree is not competetive for a pilot slot.
the Army, however, may take you, as long as you are willing to fly Helos and not fixed wing aircraft. (once you get your Citzenship, of course, can't be an Officer without it)
2007-05-22 16:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your educational background seems like it sohouldn't hold you back. But in this post 9/11 world, I'm sure you will hit some snags due to the fact that you are not a natural born citizen.
It's the nitty gritty truth, but that's what our world's ignorance has led us to depend on.
2007-05-22 11:10:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Looking at your situation, your best chance at being a pilot would be with the Army...
2007-05-22 11:11:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very Slim. Go to a US Air Force Recruiter and
they will give you better information on this subject!!
2007-05-22 11:41:34 · answer #8 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't matter what you majored in, if the degree didn't come from the Air Force Academy, your chances are slim indeed. It doesn't mean you can't fly, though.
2007-05-22 11:11:20 · answer #9 · answered by Rudy DelRojo 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I wish to ask the same question as the previous person.
2016-08-20 06:46:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋