Hey guys, I'm a new member in college and have always wanted to be a jet pilot in the military. I hear a lot of good stuff about the Navy so I've been reading the stuff you've got here. I won't be out of College until 2006, so I don't know if the situation will be the same... but from reading the posts it makes it sound like the chances of getting a jet slot are worse than the chance of winning the lottery. Obviously the number one guy will more than likely get what he wants but my question is this... What does it take to be that number one guy? Is it just work ethic and study habits, a natural knack for flying, flight experience... etc. The reason I ask (and I don't mean to knock the other platforms at all really) is because it almost sounds like the Navy is a big gamble if you wanna fly a jet and thats what I want to do. I have good work ethic and a near flawless gpa because of it and I would like to think that sort of effort in primary would get the job done for me. To make a long story short... are the guys (or girls) that end up in F/A 18's the ones that studied and worked their butts off in training or the guys with flight experience and/or "natural talent?"