Lets rail on the new guy.
nyy is only 16, hell when I was 16 I thought all I wanted to do was fly. For some of us it takes a bit longer for the officer first, pilot second idea to sink in. No offense, for some services, I only looked at them because of flying. It wasn't until I talked to a Marine OSO that I realized and truly believed in the Marine first, officer second, pilot third concept. Everyone's different, nyy will find the best service for nyy and will most likely then understand the officer first bit.
nyy - look at what you want to accomplish in college. What are your interests? First, whatever school you go to - take classes you enjoy, don't do the "practical thing" or what your parents think is right. Invariably if you do that you wind up miserable with piss poor grades. I know pilots that are history majors.
Second, what type of culture of school are you looking for - do you want a real rigid, structured academic life, or more of one where you can make your own choices? (think Academy vs normal school) If you go to a normal school - do you want the military science classes and the opportunity to wear a uniform, or just be a normal college student?
Shop around, find out whats best for you, talk to the different recruiters and the people in that service. I was almost 25 before I realized what I wanted/where I fit in.
