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Running Head: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
INDS 400
Synthesis Essay: United States Air Force Officer (Pilot)
Liberty University
Jordan Eubanks
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Running Head: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
Synthesis Essay
All communities of aviation are experiencing a pilot shortage. The United States Air
Force battle with the pilot manning issue has been difficult to overcome due to the increased
demand for commercial pilots and the incentives to fly for them. The COVID pandemic of 2020
will further increase the pilot shortage for the Air Force due to the inability to train new students
and meet production goals on time. My ten years of enlisted Naval service, eight of which were
as a helicopter crewmember, combined with my Interdisciplinary Degree will propel me to
commission as a United States Air Force Officer. Aviation, health science, and business were the
best areas of study to help build a foundation for an Air Force Officer and a top-performing and
professional pilot.
The business area of study was chosen for several reasons. I wanted to take classes that
would help me have better control and management of my personal finances. The understanding
and ability to properly manage my finances will be important in order to lead junior Airmen who
need wise financial counseling as they begin their career in the Air Force. The course from the
business area of study that I cherished the most is Financial Management and Retirement
Planning. This course provided the knowledge to understanding of mortgages, loans, and many
options for retirement. All the information was relevant for everyone to learn. One of the
fundamentals in business that ties into an Air Force Officer role is management of people and
leadership. In many ways, the Air Force is a business. Ethical leadership and efficient
management are some of the important attributes I learned from the business area of study that
will help accomplish the goals of the Air Force.
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Running Head: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
Health science was an area of study I felt would help set me apart for my role as a pilot.
Many health factors can affect a pilot. Some of the major factors being their sleep habits,
physical and mental exercise, and their diet. A pilot is susceptible to physiological effects due to
their unique work environment. An increase in altitude means less oxygen for the brain, flying
through mountains can cause illusions, and flying through weather such as clouds can affect the
vestibular system are just some of the major threats to a pilot. Through my years of flying as a
crewmember on helicopters, I have come to understand the importance of my health and have
personally experienced times when I did not heed to the potential affects of my health habits
during flight. Through the health science area of study, I have learned and, more importantly, put
into practice a healthy lifestyle so that I can maximize my performance in the aircraft along with
not sacrificing the safety of the crew or aircraft.
Aviation was the most exciting area of study for me. I have been fascinated with aviation
from a young age that started with the air show that came to town every year. This passion gave
me the drive to excel through a rigorous two-year training pipeline to become a rescue swimmer
and helicopter crewman in the Navy. It is was currently drives me to finish my bachelor’s degree
and pursue a pilot job. Completing the aviation area of study further increases my knowledge
needed to work in the aviation industry as a pilot. Two classes stand out among the rest for this
area of study: Aviation Safety and Human Factors. I have seen far too many aviation accidents
and lost close friends due to lack of safety and human factors within my enlisted career. This is
way I take safety and my personal efforts to do the job correctly so seriously as I continue to a
career in aviation. Aviation is a rewarding career but is extremely unforgiving.
Interdisciplinary studies was the best bachelor’s degree option for me that allowed me to
pursue three areas of study that would best fit my transition from enlisted helicopter crewman to
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Running Head: SYNTHESIS ESSAY
United States Air Force Officer and pilot. I as able to maximize my learning to be the most
beneficial for my future career instead of focusing on one specific study in which I have already
been involved with for ten years. I was able to learn more about my body and how to maximize
my performance which will translate to the cockpit with health science. The leadership and
management skill in the business area of study provides me with a foundation to become an
Officer to subordinates, after all, being an Commissioned Officer to lead Airmen will be my
primary job and pilot will be second. The aviation area of study allowed me to expand and
formalize my experience and expertise within the field of work and will aid me to becoming a
professional from the start of my next career. Interdisciplinary Studies allowed me to combine
three vitally important areas of study into one degree to maximize my learning.
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