(U.S. Air Force photo)
For military officers who have
coupled their operational careers with advanced degrees in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM), a unique opportunity awaits.
The Air Force Institute of
Technology (AFIT), a component of Air University, offers
16 doctoral programs for these
accomplished individuals to not only achieve the pinnacle of academic success
with a fully-funded doctoral degree (Ph.D.), but to then immediately apply that expertise as a
member of AFIT's esteemed faculty.
Air Force STEM leaders who are
ready to transition from operator to educator, and have a desire to shape the
next generation of technical experts to drive the research that will define the
future of the Department of the Air & Space Force are encouraged to apply
to the Advanced Academic Degree/Special Experience Exchange
Duties (SPEED) program as a faculty pipeline candidate.
The
Mission:
AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to
innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and
USSF.
By joining the faculty, you become a direct steward of this
mission, ensuring that the future leaders of the Air and Space Forces are
technically adept and intellectually prepared for the challenges of a rapidly
evolving battlefield.
The
Pathway: Earn Your Ph.D. and Immediately Lead
AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management
provides a streamlined pathway for qualified officers to earn a doctorate in defense-focused
STEM fields. This isn't just an educational opportunity; it's a career-defining
experience. Unlike traditional civilian Ph.D. programs, the research at AFIT is
directly tied to the pressing needs of the Department of War. Upon graduation,
you will transition seamlessly into a faculty role, bringing your newly honed
expertise and operational background to the classroom.
The
Value Proposition: A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Serving as an AFIT faculty member provides a distinct and
powerful value proposition that extends far beyond the classroom. The research
conducted at AFIT is not merely academic; it generates real-world impact.
Faculty and students at AFIT are at the forefront of innovation, producing
cutting-edge research that translates into tangible military advantages.
The outcomes speak for themselves:
·
Groundbreaking
Publications: AFIT professors are prolific authors,
publishing hundreds of articles in internationally-recognized, peer-reviewed
journals. This body of work pushes the boundaries of scientific knowledge and
solidifies the Department of the Air Force's position as a leader in
technological innovation.
·
Prestigious
Awards and Recognition: The faculty at AFIT are
consistently recognized for their contributions to science and engineering.
They are recipients of numerous prestigious awards, including the Johannes
Kepler Award from the Institute of Navigation, the AIAA MDO Award, and multiple
"Best Paper" awards from organizations like ASME and IEEE. Recently,
AFIT's Center for Space Research and Assurance (CSRA) received the General Muir
S. Fairchild Educational Achievement Award for its significant contributions to
Air Force education.
·
Patented
Innovations: Research at AFIT leads to the
development of new technologies that are critical to warfighters. Faculty
members hold dozens of U.S. patents for inventions developed through their
research, spanning areas like turbine cooling systems, RF-DNA fingerprinting,
and advanced radar systems. These patents represent the translation of academic
discovery into protected, mission-critical capabilities for the Department of
War.
A
Call to STEM Leaders
If you are an officer with a passion for your STEM field and
a desire to make a lasting impact on the future of the Air and Space Forces,
the AFIT faculty pipeline offers an unparalleled opportunity. This is your
chance to earn a terminal degree, lead groundbreaking research, and mentor the
next generation of technical warfighters.
“This is more than just an educational program—it's your opportunity to
build a bridge between the battlefield and the laboratory, taking your hard-won
experience and elevating it to the highest level of academic inquiry. At AFIT,
we don't just conduct research; we forge the intellectual arsenal of the future
warfighter. We need leaders who have been there, operators who are ready to
become educators and mentors. This is your chance to build a lasting legacy,
shaping the officers and the technology that will define the future of the Air
and Space Forces," said Col. Shawn Willis, Ph.D., associate dean, AFIT
Graduate School of Engineering and Management.
The nation requires a force that is not only operationally sound
but also intellectually dominant. By joining the faculty at AFIT, you answer
that call.
Please review the following information regarding accessing the FY27 AAD and
SPEED guide and upcoming deadlines:
Application Steps for AFIT Letter of Academic Eligibility (LOAE)
1. Apply online at https://myvector.us.af.mil
2. An AFIT admissions counselor will review applications and contact applicants to submit required documents
3. Upon completion of the academic assessment process, applicants will receive an academic eligibility (LOAE) notification via email with additional instructions.
Prospective students
are encouraged to apply and submit all required documents early. In addition,
applicants should be mindful of processing times, start dates, and deadlines
for secondary application processes (such as for sponsorship opportunities) which
could impact selection/admission.
For more information
about the application steps, visit www.AFIT.edu/admissions.
ABOUT AFIT
The Graduate School of Engineering and Management (GSEM) provides in-residence and
distance learning graduate degrees and certificates in engineering, applied
science, mathematics and management. GSEM provides its students with several
significant advantages, including a more personalized educational experience,
academic programs with a defense-related focus, and research on high-priority
defense problems.
AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton,
Ohio. AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively
accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s
vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to
accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through
operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional
continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage https://www.afit.edu/or contact GSEM outreach, AFIT.EN.Outreach@us.af.mil.
