Frederick Gregory
NASA
Washington, DC USA
"I think that you have to really believe. And this means having high esteem with yourself."
Career Roadmap
Frederick's work combines: Science, Armed Services, and Accomplishing Goals
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Military Information Systems Technology
United States Air Force Academy
Graduate Degree
Military Information Systems Technology
George Washington University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
When he was young, he had to choose between racing boats and going into the Air Force-one was "instant gratification," one was an "investment."
2.
Chose the Air Force, thinks he made the right choice; it was something he'd always wanted to do, paid off in the long run.
3.
Was the first African American to pilot a space flight, later the first African American to command a space flight.
4.
Says he never planned his next step; he based choices off of emotion rather than intellect.
5.
"When it was no longer fun, I quit doing it"; moved 13 or 14 times during first eight years in the Air Force.
6.
He was a test pilot for five or six years, got bored, applied to the astronaut program, was an astronaut for years, got bored, left.
7.
Now he's in an administrative position and loves it; looks back and says he loves the things he's done and learned.
8.
Says "you can't sit back and wait for something to occur...you have to go out and do it yourself."