Expert: Rod Powers - 5/17/2007

Question
QUESTION: HI,
My names is john I am about to turn 18 (less than 13 days now) and I am preparing to join the airforce. I was wondering how I can use my decent academic record to help me when I join. I am in 8th in my class, got a 94 on the asvab, 29 on the ACT, and scored over 620 on all three sections of the SAT. I have a high GPA and am in above average shape (can easily exceed all requirements for the air force physical tests). One of the only things I have going against me is I have bad eyesight in my left eye. I want to get a job that will help me eventually get a job designing weapons systems for lockheed martin or norfolk grumman. I was just wondering if I could use my education to any sort of advantage and maybe the best way to go about joining or even what job to get because as of now I am almost clueless. Thanks for your time

ANSWER: Hi John,

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid (for enlistment purposes), the Air Force (nor any of the other services) care one wit about your high school GPA or your SAT or ATC scores, or your high school class standing.

You'll want to read my feature article, "What the Recruiter Never Told You," at: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/joiningup/a/recruiter.htm. It will give you a pretty good overview of the recruiting/enlistment process and what the different branches offer, and what they are looking for.

For enlistment purposes, what counts is:

(1) Your scores on the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

(2) Education level (in this case, high school....GPA doesn't matter).

(3) Medical Exam Results

Enlisted members don't get to design new weapons for the military. That's just not how it works.

You want to (ultimately) design weapon systems for Lockheed Maring or Norfolk Grumman? Then use your GPA and class standing to get a scholarship to a good engineering college. Engineers (those with college degrees in engineering) are the ones who get to design new weapon systems, not current or former enlisted members (of any branch).

If you want to join the Air Force (or any other branch of the U.S. Military), that's just fine. Just understand, that as an enlisted member, with a high school diploma (no matter what your GPA or class standing), you're not going to be designing weapon systems for any branch of the Military.

If that's your goal, then go to college and get an engineering degree. Certified engineers design weapon systems, not enlisted folks.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well what about my 94 overall on the asvab in what way will that help me?

Answer
Hi John,

It helps you in that it makes you a more attractive candidate (overall) to join the Air Force.

It doesn't help worth squat for job-selection.

Job selection is based (primarily) upon two factors -- the "needs of the service," and your overall qualifications.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://umilitary.about.com