USAF Academy or ROTC

[Boxboy]

I've never flown helos so I don't have a leg to stand on. I'm only speaking from my personal experience. I know for a fact that everyone that I've known who went to Ft. Rucker got their wings and flew operationally. As for sending UPT washouts to Ft. Rucker.... that does not happen. Once you wash out, you are done-no second chance. After primary training (T-37 and now the T-6), students track select (T-38, T-1, T-44, and Helos) was what I meant.
Getting ones panties in a wad is fine; just keep it confidential is my recommendation to all. Going commando is a better option!:beer:

 

[pilotyip]

Source of commission doesn't play a role nor does your degree. As much as the Air Force would like for you to have a technical degree, it doesn't mean jack in UPT. I have a degree in Aero Engineering and I don't think it helped jack; it did, however, help me get a pilot slot. Having some civilian flying experience is more valuable, IMO. You are either going to kick ass, do okay, suck and just scrape by, or just plain wash out. I've seen DG academy grads wash out. I've also seen students with a degree in under water fire prevention from Podunk University DG out of UPT. I've seen this as a student as well as an AETC IP

As Robert Lovett told Hap Arnold "A college degree has nothing to do with flying an airplane" and 300,000 fantastic WWII pilots proved him right.

 

[SplitBar]

deleted. Didn't realize question was posted 8 years ago.

 

[pilotyip]

oldie fits here

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force
Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine
way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some
insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a
distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more
likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run.
Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high
standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch
and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their
enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is
homogeneous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect,
what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need
to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your
head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family
events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your
wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes
(surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is
split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy
is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great,
average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before
you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on
cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of
parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you
earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid
the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead
these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands
dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over
your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long
stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather
and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends
in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force.
Yes, the Naval Aviator is the best trained and most potent weapon in the
sky. He thinks independently, and very few are in his club. And some days
when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult
into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that
someone would pay you to do it. And, the hottest girl in the bar wants to
meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore .

Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask.....pack warm and good luck in
Colorado .

 

[JimNtexas]

You're pretty close about the USAF, but I can pick a couple of nits:

You will never be put in a situation over your
head.

Ahhh no.

Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family
events.

That was pretty much true in the Cold War fighter force that I was in. I don't think it was ever true for the trash haulers.

Today's mini-force is tiny compared to what it was 20+ years ago. And our current tiny Air Force has more real world tasking than it ever did in the Cold War.

So even in the Air Force everyone is going to miss a lot family time these days. Even the fighter pilots.

Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your
wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

It'd be child abuse to encourage a loved one to marry in to the Navy!!!!!

I was in a USAF squadron once where there was a scandal that involved...well... some squadron members getting a bit too friendly with some of the squadron spouses.

The Squadron Commander was enraged. "Don't poop in your own nest! Don't you guys know there is a Navy Base an hour's drive away, and the fleet is out!"

 

[Jetdriver69]

Ah yes, the "fleet is out" PPR at Navy Oceana. You couldn't get in there unless the carrier guys were gone and then the carrier pilots wives would go to the club the night they cruised out. Good times!

We had guys in my heavy squadron tell their wife they were flying for a week and then shack up with someone else in the local area. More than a couple got busted when wifey called to see when her husband would be home and some FNG who didn't get the word told her he wasn't on the schedule. Very lively entertainment!

I missed plenty of holidays, birthdays, etc, etc. flying heavies. It was what it was. But I did get plenty of $150 a month hostile fire payments!

 

[Scrapdog]

An Academy if you can get into it...you'll never regret it once you graduate.

A fighter if able...I fly fighters in the USAF and fatties in the airline world...and it ain't even close.