As someone who initially wanted to be a Navy officer, and whose friends are probably 50% formal Naval Aviators, I know I would have really enjoyed a Navy career. I even tried to do an exchange to the Marine Corps (I was a finalist, but the exchange was cancelled).
I can also assure you that I believe my Air Force career was more epic than i could have ever imagined.
USAFA grads that are medically qualified are encouraged to take a pilot slot. While on active duty, I recall UPT students from USAFA quitting UPT because they didn't want to be there, but were pushed into going. This still happens.
The ubiquitous Bob Norris quote. It shows up here every 6-9 months, and is always a great read. It was written 40 years ago, so keep it in perspective. Your career won't be defined by the hottest chick in Singapore (and that's assuming "she" isn't a female impersonator), so make an adult decision on which Service will best suit your personal style, desire, and career objectives.
And as for scarves... they are comfortable and look WAY better than those cranials the Navy/Marines wear the moment they get near a flightline. I'm amazed I've avoided a head injury for so long without one! And don't get me started on the ancient ejection seat harness the Navy uses. Amazing.
Good info from Squirrel Girl. Update: no one is currently getting RPA's out of AF pilot training. I would also say that only about 15% of UPT grads are getting fighters.
Fighter options are F-22, F-35, F-16 F-15E and A-10. I'm pretty sure no one from active duty is getting an F-15C anymore since those are sunsetting.
Bombers are B-1, B-2 and B-52... though B-1 is sunsetting, so maybe not an option now or in the near future.
Heavies: C-17, C-5, KC-135, KC-46, C-130, EC-130, RC-135, E-8, C-21, C-12, E-3. With the KC-10 sunsetting, I doubt those are being offered much anymore.
SpecOps: HC-130, MC-130, AC-130, U-28, C-145, C-146 and maybe other fairly unknown stuff that they fly.
FAIP (what you would call SERGRAD): T-6, T-1, T-38
Here's the Active Duty assignment drop for Columbus' UPT class 2 weeks ago:
KC-46 x 2
C-5 x 2
C-17 x 2
KC-135 x 4
E-3 x 1
C-146 x 1
T-1 x 1
T-38 x 1
T-6 x 1
C-130 x 1
U-28 x 1
C-21 x 1
A-10 x 1
F-16 x 2
Here's the Vance AFB assignments from November:
C-130J, Little Rock
C-130J, Ramstein
HC-130J, Davis-Monthan
C-17, Charleston
C-17, McChord
C-17, McGuire
C-21, Ramstein
C-5M, Dover
C-5M, Travis
KC-135, Fairchild
KC-135, Kadena x2
KC-135, March
KC-135, Mildenhall x3
U-28, Hurlburt x2
T-6, Vance
A-10, Davis-Monthan
B-2, Whiteman
F-16, TBD x3
F-22, Eglin
F-35, Luke
T-38A, Langley (this will likely turn into an F-22 assignment after ~2 years).
I didn't include Guard/Reserve assignments on the above lists.
Disclaimer: past results are no guarantee of future performance.
