Which military branch is best to join if I have an engineering degree?

I'm planning to major in engineering in college, and I've considered joining the military afterward. Which branch would offer me the best opportunities to use my engineering degree?

This question could truly depend on your interests within the field of engineering and the type of work you hope to carry out, as each branch of the military has roles that utilize engineering skills.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one renowned organization that spans a variety of fields from combat engineering to environmental engineering. They have a broad mission from contributing to war efforts to aiding in infrastructure development, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance projects.

For aviation or aerospace engineering, the U.S. Air Force and recently established U.S. Space Force might be the way to go; these branches heavily rely on engineering skills for aircraft and satellite performance, safety, and innovation.

The U.S. Navy may offer unique possibilities for specialized fields like marine, nuclear or electrical engineering, with career opportunities in maintaining, operating, and designing naval ships and submarines systems, or even serving in the Navy Nuclear Program.

Lastly, the U.S. Coast Guard also offers opportunities in civil engineering and naval architecture.

While I've only touched on potential opportunities you should do further research and possibly talk with military recruiters from each branch to gain a comprehensive understanding of potential engineering roles, mission types, and career paths available. It would also be beneficial to speak to a military engineer to understand their daily responsibilities, the benefits and challenges they face, and the impact of deployment to help you make the most informed career decision.