Aeronautics Degree Helps Eagle Take His Air Force Career to a New Altitude

Having chosen Embry-Riddle for its prestigious reputation in the aviation community, Jon France (’22) has found the B.S. in Aeronautics program to be a fascinating way to explore his love of aviation.

With a minor in Security and Intelligence to complement his studies, he hopes to use his education to propel his career in the U.S. Air Force.

“My inspiration was the idea that having this knowledge would help me in my future aviation degree when it came to mission planning,” said France. “I loved this minor for all of the interesting topics I was able to research.”

Why Choose Embry-Riddle for an Aeronautics Degree?

The Aeronautics program offered by the Worldwide Campus is a multidisciplinary online program that combines previous work experience with courses of study in human factors, security, aviation safety, occupational safety and health, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance and aeronautical science.

The Security and Intelligence minor focuses on protecting aviation assets and the national security of the United States by providing students with the knowledge and practical experience to work in this demanding career field. The minor is also of value to those not working in the security profession but who may be assigned such security responsibility as a collateral duty.

Like all programs at Embry-Riddle Worldwide, it features flexible distance learning options designed to help busy working professionals or those serving in the military learn what they want, when they want, from wherever they are.

Online degree programs feature multiple start dates throughout the year and help Embry-Riddle students connect with a global network of classmates and instructors. Advisors provide personalized assistance, which includes degree planning that is tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

Boosting a High-Flying Career

Before joining Embry-Riddle, France spent eight years in the Air Force enlisted core. Now, he’s an Air Force ROTC cadet operations commander.

“With ROTC, it’s a program that I initially just saw as a necessity to the commission,” he said. “It didn’t take long for me to see it for what it really is – a great program for teaching leadership skills. Simply breathing the air in the vicinity of this program will give cadets the capability to become a better version of themselves.”

What is Project GO?

To advance his goals in the Air Force even further, he took advantage of the opportunity to participate in Project GO – an intensive language and cultural immersion program offered to qualified ROTC students. Project GO helps future military officers develop linguistic and cross-cultural communication skills necessary for effective leadership.

While Project GO offers several languages, France participated in the Japanese program to align with his Japanese language track.

“The program was incredibly challenging but just as rewarding,” said France. “When my friend and I found ourselves at our wit’s end, we always looked at how far we’d come and couldn’t help but to be impressed.”

To make his experience in the program even more memorable, all of his suitemates happened to be other Embry-Riddle cadets studying Japanese from different campuses – two from the Prescott Campus and one from the Daytona Beach Campus.

“We all had also acquired novice high ratings, distinguishing not only ourselves but the effectiveness of this program,” he said.

In the future, France hopes to push his capabilities as an aviator and contribute to the field while pursuing an aviation career in the Air Force.

Get excited about your future. Apply at Embry-Riddle today.