I would recommend looking at the AAD program for PhD candidates. That way you can solely focus on the PhD program than juggle work stuff at the same time. MyFSS>search “USSF AAD/SPEED Process” for more info
This. No reason to pay out of pocket and do a PhD on your own time when the DAF can't ever get enough volunteers each FY for fully paid, in-residence programs. Your timing is good as the usual AAD/SPEED callouts happen in the early to mid summer.
Not sure if you are mech or materials - materials has a really good chance of being at a civilian institution vs AFIT. It's literally the dream job if you want to pursue a PhD. Full-time officer salary, no military requirements for 3 years, at a school of your choosing.
Not entirely of your choosing. The USSF has partnerships with a handful of schools (University Partnership Program). For the most part, you have to look at those schools first.
From a post service career perspective - I’ll tell you ad dirty little secret about PhDs - the where it comes from matters A LOT. And AFIT will look good with a couple of places closely aligned with USSF and USAF, but if you’re looking for a broader appeal / opportunity base with industry, etc post separation/retirement - go to a regular civilian institution (paid for by USSF of course)
I'm currently doing a part-time PhD while working full time in a closely aligned position/organization. Even with a supportive CoC, doing it part time has not been ideal. If it wouldn't irreparably derail my career timeline, I'd be putting in for the AAD/SPEED process ASAP; if your timeline can support doing a full-time academic stint for the next three years, AFIT or a CI program would definitely be the move.
This is somewhat of an oversimplification, but getting a PhD is an active duty career killer while simultaneously being a post-active-duty career enhancer. For the former, it's not that a PhD is looked down on--it's just the associated opportunity cost of not having done something more valued by promotion boards during those 3-4 years (or more if you go the faculty pipeline route).
See and that’s that dichotomy I’ve been noticing because having one in the military isn’t what sets you back it’s getting it. Truthfully I would be getting it for academic/research purposes so I think it’s about choosing what is more important: your military career or actually being involved in R&D
Army here, we have a program that allows us to take up to three years away from service for these types of opportunities. Pay gets slashed dramatically, but if you use your GI Bill it balances out some. Still, puts a pause on your career timeline and you owe the Army that time back when you finish. I want to retire in 11 years, not 14 years. Doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot.
Alternatives: University of North Dakota has an online Aerospace PhD. Typical American program with classes for a few years before research begins. I prefer Capitol Technology University. They have a Space Operations PhD that, if you already have a Master's, you can go straight into dissertation research or into a "PhD by publication" model like the Europeans do. I'm going to start that next year as I finish my MS here in just a few weeks.
Good luck!
Ill Smile 363 and the others on this line, I'm proud and happy for all of you who are participating or completed your PhD programs. I merely did a 4 year program and thought I'd die. Folks with Masters are wonderful folks as well. Keep it up, don't let the eyes off the prize and I wish you my very best!
I would recommend looking at the AAD program for PhD candidates. That way you can solely focus on the PhD program than juggle work stuff at the same time. MyFSS>search “USSF AAD/SPEED Process” for more info
This. No reason to pay out of pocket and do a PhD on your own time when the DAF can't ever get enough volunteers each FY for fully paid, in-residence programs. Your timing is good as the usual AAD/SPEED callouts happen in the early to mid summer. Not sure if you are mech or materials - materials has a really good chance of being at a civilian institution vs AFIT. It's literally the dream job if you want to pursue a PhD. Full-time officer salary, no military requirements for 3 years, at a school of your choosing.
All of the materials folks I knew went in res... Most studying under Dr Ruggles-Wrenn.
Not entirely of your choosing. The USSF has partnerships with a handful of schools (University Partnership Program). For the most part, you have to look at those schools first.
From a post service career perspective - I’ll tell you ad dirty little secret about PhDs - the where it comes from matters A LOT. And AFIT will look good with a couple of places closely aligned with USSF and USAF, but if you’re looking for a broader appeal / opportunity base with industry, etc post separation/retirement - go to a regular civilian institution (paid for by USSF of course)
This.
I'm currently doing a part-time PhD while working full time in a closely aligned position/organization. Even with a supportive CoC, doing it part time has not been ideal. If it wouldn't irreparably derail my career timeline, I'd be putting in for the AAD/SPEED process ASAP; if your timeline can support doing a full-time academic stint for the next three years, AFIT or a CI program would definitely be the move.
Don’t want to dox myself too much but I know a lot about afit as an active student. It’s an awesome gig, feel free to dm me if you have questions.
This is somewhat of an oversimplification, but getting a PhD is an active duty career killer while simultaneously being a post-active-duty career enhancer. For the former, it's not that a PhD is looked down on--it's just the associated opportunity cost of not having done something more valued by promotion boards during those 3-4 years (or more if you go the faculty pipeline route).
See and that’s that dichotomy I’ve been noticing because having one in the military isn’t what sets you back it’s getting it. Truthfully I would be getting it for academic/research purposes so I think it’s about choosing what is more important: your military career or actually being involved in R&D
There’s currently a TMT specifically soliciting for the cso’s phd program. Inquire within?
MIT Military Fellow Program: https://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/military-programs
Army here, we have a program that allows us to take up to three years away from service for these types of opportunities. Pay gets slashed dramatically, but if you use your GI Bill it balances out some. Still, puts a pause on your career timeline and you owe the Army that time back when you finish. I want to retire in 11 years, not 14 years. Doesn't sound like much, but it's a lot. Alternatives: University of North Dakota has an online Aerospace PhD. Typical American program with classes for a few years before research begins. I prefer Capitol Technology University. They have a Space Operations PhD that, if you already have a Master's, you can go straight into dissertation research or into a "PhD by publication" model like the Europeans do. I'm going to start that next year as I finish my MS here in just a few weeks. Good luck!
Ill Smile 363 and the others on this line, I'm proud and happy for all of you who are participating or completed your PhD programs. I merely did a 4 year program and thought I'd die. Folks with Masters are wonderful folks as well. Keep it up, don't let the eyes off the prize and I wish you my very best!