<p>I was wondering what are the benefits of joining the USAF as a developmental engineer could one pursue an advance degree with most cost paid for? Could the USAF be used as a stepping stone to enter elite positions in NASA?</p>
<p>Simply put, yes. I have a good friend who is hoping to do that. It’s not an easy road by any means, but it’s doable.</p>
<p>It helps yea, but keep in mind that there have been astronauts who have been high school math/science teachers. It all depends on your passion, how well you have taken your career, and blah ablha balhl. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/crew/index.html[/url]”>http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/crew/index.html</a></p>
<p>If you like the military lifestyle, it’s a great stepping stone for your education/career.</p>
<p>what would a mechanical engineer do in the air force? What would an aerospace engineer do in the air force? After working in the air force, what are some oppurtunities that would open up for people with these majors. I am considering the ideas myself, but trying to figure out all the benefits, besides monetary.</p>
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<p>One example: troubleshoot jet engines.</p>
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<p>Lots…hired by the defense contractor industry or airlines. It is fantastic training, but a prerequisite would be a passion for aircraft if you’re going to join the air force.</p>
<p>One of my professors was working on superconductor research for the AF (he has physics and chem. degrees, IIRC). Another, (math guy this time) worked on high energy lasers. </p>
<p>You could work on a variety of projects. The AF doesn’t just work on planes. They do satellites, lasers, new materials, computers, small machines, and a whole bunch of other things.</p>
<p>You might work on more common things relating to your degree. You might work on some aspect of a different program that needs some of your expertise. You might oversee a program that has very little to do with your major. It all depends on what you are good at, and what the Air Force needs.</p>
<p>…and that’s if you are a developmental engineer. You could wind up flying, working in CE, or formulating new policies depending on what jobs you apply for.</p>
<p>as a engineer in the air force, where would you see most of your time spent? On american bases? on foreign bases: ie, iraw. In combat?</p>
<p>Your chances of being stationed in Ohio or New Mexico are pretty high. Developmental engineers do not deploy that much (I’m not sure if they deploy at all). Having a nuclear engineer leading clean-up efforts in Afghanistan is not the wisest choice.</p>
<p>I can’t make any guarantee though. I don’t know the policy.</p>
<p>The young USAF engineers I met managed electronics development programs. I was a defense contractor developing avionics systems, they were involved in technical assessments, budgetary management, etc. Sometimes they sat side-by-side with us during formal testing, sometimes they dropped in for meetings and quick assessments. In that job their role was not very technical, more managerial.</p>
<p>Just one window into what you might end up doing. I’m sure they use engineers in a variety of ways.</p>