Georgia Tech ROTC or Air Force Academy

<p>I want to fly but I’m not sure I want to get up at 6:30 every morning during college. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>I have several family members who have attended the Air Force Academy and it is definitely vastly different from your standard college experience. Unless you are dedicated to serving I’m not sure it is a good option. Simply wanting to be a pilot is not really a sufficient reason to put yourself through four years of hell. Of course, it is free and some would tell you Georgia Tech is hell too, but the USAFA is unquestionably one of the hardest undergraduate experiences in the nation. </p>

<p>If you only want to be a pilot, and that is the main reason that you are considering the USAFA and the air force in general, you need to re-assess your priorities. There are other ways to become a pilot. I received my pilot’s license in 2007 and although it costs more to do it privately, I thought it was worth the money, and I’m not even interested in a career in aviation. I fly for recreation only.</p>

<p>On the other hand, no one I have known has regretted going to the academy even if they would not do it again. It is a unique experience, and if you don’t mind serving in the military it can be a great way to pursue a career in aviation, but a desire to serve your country through the military is essential.</p>

<p>If you are worried about what time you will have to get up I would say it is not for you, but that is your decision. Getting up at 6:30 or earlier will be one of the easier aspects of academy life.</p>

<p>I most definitely want to serve in the Air Force. Civilian flying doesn’t do it for me. I’ve been getting up at 6:30 every morning for the past 12 years. I guess I just question whether the different experience at USAFA is better or worse than GT. Is it worth giving up the “college experience”?</p>

<p>You are the only one who can answer that question. I will say that, generally speaking, the things we work hardest for are also the things that are most rewarding. If you genuinely want to serve and are interested in military aviation I would choose the USAFA. It is free, meets your career goals, is in line with your values, and offers what many consider one of the best holistic undergraduate education experiences in the nation. But, it is NOT easy and if you chose the USAFA there will be times when you probably will wish you would have chosen the more traditional college experience, but academy grads tend to agree that it is worth it.</p>

<p>If military aviation is truly your passion working your ass off for four years will be challenging but rewarding. If it isn’t then choosing the academy is choosing four years of hell.</p>

<p>As a previous poster acknowledge, if getting up at 6 is a problem, I wouldn’t even consider the military let alone the USAFA. If you want to be a professional pilot then the AFA is the ticket. You can graduate with a BS degree, get your pilot’s license, fly gliders and learn to handle an aircraft with hopefully the same poise as Captain Sullenberger.</p>

<p>My son attends USNA for the same reason and while it is hard, and while he turned down Tech, he states he’s impressed by the level of person and student that is attending the academy. He was well familiar with Tech as his sister graduated from there.</p>

<p>In the end though, you have to choose, and choose for the right reasons. Best of luck in your decision…it isn’t an easy one.</p>

<p>Go Navy…Beat Air Force.</p>