Earning a Commission with TESC

[Chebasaz]

And there are no degrees out there that have a major in Infantry or Field Artillery tactics.

A clear case of discrimination if I ever saw one. I was horrible at math during high school. Joined the Corps and they stick me in an MOS that requires a firm grasp of trig. /sigh

I did have a FDO who had a degree in Physics with a minor in French art. Used to keep me awake on night moves by discussing black hole formations and string theory. He's now a staff scientist with SAIC, but is still a reserve artillery officer. Takes all kinds :patriot:

[jmed]

Thanks for the advice again, I'll do some asking around and see what I can come up with. I'm sure I could find other communities if NFO selection does weigh more on engineering degrees. I just have no desire for getting an Engineering degree. I'd prefer to finish my degree in technical studies and pursue a Masters in Project Management. By the time I retire I don't want to be an Engineer, I'd rather be heading projects.

That's not how it works, not always at least. Friend of mine did an engineering degree, then got a pilot slot, moved into management in the service (Naval Postgrad School MS IT Management), retired and is in management. Never was an engineer.

The engineering degree seems to be more of a weed-out tool to see if you're smart and a dedicated hard worker, as doing well in EE, ME, ChemE tends to require.

But then again, I know non-engineers (e.g., a finance major) who got NFO, as you stated. But that was a number of years ago, maybe more selective now.

[at2nfo]

jmed, you would agree that an engineering degree truly wouldn't hold as much weight in officer selection? Other than how you refered to it as a tool that essentially gauges dedication?

[MA2]

I always thought the reason they preferred engineering degrees was to make sure you were adept at physics, math, etc which all come in to play when dealing with fighter jets, motion, G forces, and so on. And also to make sure you aren't exactly a meathead too

[CLEP101]

I always thought the reason they preferred engineering degrees was to make sure you were adept at physics, math, etc which all come in to play when dealing with fighter jets, motion, G forces, and so on. And also to make sure you aren't exactly a meathead too

It's been since 2003 that I've dealt with G-forces. That was the last time someone threw my butt out of a perfectly good airplane while in flight. Probably the wrong kind of G-forces than the ones you're talking about :roflol:

[blu2blu]

I don't know about this whole focus on technical degrees. I know plenty of officers with political science, english, psychology, even one that had some kind of yachting degree.

No one with an engineering degree in the Military does any form of engineering. Believe me I am currently serving with the Navy SeaBees. These Engineering Officers don't engineer a damn thing. Even when new facilities are contracted out to civilians the civvies will draw up the plans ("engineer the building") and the SeaBee officers just look them over and say "LK this looks nice, how much? 1 Million? Ridiculous we will give you 5 and don't you dare complete this on time!"

The last bit was sarcasm but you get what I'm saying. I was in Afghanistan with these guys and it was the same thing. Even in a contingency environment the enlisted troops know how to make SWA huts etc. and any other buildings are made from pre-existing plans that have been around for ages. Zero engineering. I spoke to an Air Force Civil Engineering officer once as well and she said it was exactly the same with them, she never ever used her degree. I suspect the Army is the same way.

[MA2]

He's talking about Navy and more specifically Naval Flight Officers though, not just line officers.