Christina, Sacramento asked April Blackwell, NASA AddedMonday, August 15, 2016 at 6:00 PM Military Experience Did you need to have any type of military experience, as far as your career goes? Related to Engineering Skills Reset Sort By Default April Blackwell , NASA Answered Monday, August 15, 2016 at 6:00 PM Hi Christina! Thanks for your question! The "Bottom-Line-Up-Front" or "BLUF" as they like to say in the military, is no. So far I have been able to do lots of cool things without military experience - including flying aboard experimental Army helicopters. The test center I used to work at was a combination of military and civilians - we had a "commander" and each division chief was a military officer. Military test pilots were sprinkled throughout the organization, and it was not uncommon for the test pilots to retire from the military and come back as civilians. While I didn't personally pursue a military career, it may be just the right thing for you! There are lots of opportunities as a military member that you just won't get anywhere else. It is definitely a personal decision! Good luck!