OK, I had to take a deep breath before responding to this post. Why? Because yes, I was that pissed off (even if the comment was in jest) from being called a puddle jumping helo guy. You are correct that we in the aviation world bust each others balls, however - it's because we're all part of a fraternity within a fraternity. If I were to say that grunts think at 3 miles/hour, it would offend you even if I said it in jest. But I digress.
This is also not a "Marine Board", it is a board focusing on Naval Aviation. There are a great many active duty, former, and retired Naval Aviators (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) on this board, not to mention one or two Army aviators, and I think there's an Air Force pilot as well.
To answer your question, I would go pilot vice NFO. Biggest reason for this? I love to wiggle the sticks, plain and simple. Jets vs. Helos is a debate that will rage on until the end of time, and if you're dead set on Jets, don't go into the Marine Corps, go into the Air Force. I'll even help you find the various orders and regulations that apply to the interservice transfer.
As to the comments about how boring/uncool assault support is, all I can say is it's what you make of it. After inserting the grunts, I can be doing a myriad of exciting things. I've even chased down a car with my aircraft, and come into a hover in front of him with my crewchief pointing a .50 cal at the driver in order to make him stop. You're right, it's not cool. Don't speak to something as if you're an expert if you don't know what you're talking about.
"It is better to be thought of as an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Oh - and many thanks to my fixed wing (a.k.a. jet fag) brethern for defending my community in my absence!