<p>The National Defense Education Act of 1958, provided large-scale federal aid to education and was primarily aimed at producing a new crop of scientists who would apply their knowledge to bolster national security during the Cold War and beyond. It was thought that additional NDEA funding would vastly increase the number of college-educated Americans and many would be scientists and engineers. Schools that specialized in science, including the Service Academies continued to produce new scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. But, the majority of post-WWII American college students studied law, medicine, finance, and liberal arts-exactly what Ivy League grads had done for decades. </p>
<p>Why and when did the curriculum at the Service Academies change?</p>
<p>“I think the not-so-subtle bias toward more engineers is that there is a belief - perhaps founded on empirical evidence - that engineers are smarter and have a higher aptitude than non-engineers. Maybe that’s true. But as all of us older folks know, it isn’t always the academically smartest folks who wind up in the CEO’s office or with stars on their shoulders.” usna dad/grad</p>
<p>Most would agree that the academically selected elite don’t control America. I’ve even seen this group described as, “Brainy, isolated, coast-dwelling, culturally liberal, and economically less so.” Almost sounds like a description of Alan Greenspan! Heck, those hedge-fund zillionaires don’t even waste time getting MBAs these days!</p>
<p>usna dad/grad, I appreciated your comments and agree with you.</p>
<p>Also, one of the most gifted pilots I know who currently holds many soaring records (Steve Fossett broke one of his world records this year), is a former Naval aviator, current FedEx captain, and was a marginal student. Another friend just retired as a Delta capt. He dropped out of law school to attend Navy OCS. Neither had strong technical backgrounds; both were brilliant pilots. My ex had BS/MS aero engineering degrees from elite college, senior scientist at Boeing, but couldn’t hammer a nail straight.</p>