USAFA - United States Air Force Academy

career opportunities
Approximately 60% of Academy graduates select flight careers. Some of these aviation opportunities include
fighter pilot, bomber pilot, airlift pilot, helicopter pilot, special operations pilot, air battle manager, and astronaut.
These opportunities include flying the world’s most advanced aircraft, from fighters or bombers to heavy airlift,
to special operations, and service in NASA.
Our engineers are designing and building the Air Force of tomorrow—today! Some engineering opportunities
include: aeronautical, astronautical, architectural, civil, electrical, and nuclear.
Interested in space? Space Operators are technologically savvy-—managing people and hardware to meet
national security objectives. The space community relies on Space Engineers (astronautical engineers) and
those in other engineering areas to produce cutting edge systems. Space Aggressors design and participate in
war games to better understand system strengths and weaknesses. Astronauts command shuttle missions, and
perform extra-vehicular activities to make repairs.
Flight Surgeons—highly specialized medical officers—are doctors who certify and treat flying personnel and
their families.
Combat and Special Operations Pilots are highly specialized--flying fixed-wing or helicopter aircraft. Special
Operations Navigators are an important part of the team performing as navigators, fire control officers (FCO) or
electronic warfare officers (EWO).
As an Air Force communications and computer officer, you will be at the forefront of technology,
implementing and maintaining software, firmware, and databases to support functional mission requirements.
Missile Operations. Missile combat involves responsibility for our most powerful weapons system--
Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM).
Weather officers utilize cutting edge technology in providing timely, accurate, and relevant weather information
to our nation’s war fighters.
Supply and transportation come under logistics and each is critical to carrying out the Air Force mission.
Intelligence officers use some of the Air Force’s most sophisticated equipment to map and interpret images.
They are principal decision-makers, shaping the employment of our forces.
Public affairs is not a routine business. One day you may host reporters visiting your base. The next day you
may conduct a meeting between base officials and local business and civic leaders. It is a diversified career in
which you will use all your public relations and communications skills.
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