Although I'm not a Naval aviator, I think I may be able to help you out a little on this one by giving you my perspective. I too have a love for aviation. Since I was a sophomore in high school when I took my first flight at the local airport, I have tried to soak up as much information as I possibly could about the subject. Near the end of my high school days, I decided to enlist in the Navy with the hope I would be picked up for an officer program and ultimately be selected for pilot. I somehow had to get my college degree in order to get my commission, which is a prereq for being considered for a pilot slot. So for me, my only option was enlisting and taking the chance of getting where I wanted to go. Things tracked right along as I had hoped through the years leading up to my commissioning, and even selection for a pilot slot for that matter. I even earned my pilot's license along the way since I had the funds to do it (no inference that I needed it in order to succeed in Primary).
However, when I finally got into Primary, I hated it. It was not fun for me like flying a C-172 was and I subsequently DOR'd. There are many reasons why I came to that decision, but that is not the point of this discussion. It was a hard one to make, but I think it was ultimately the right one for me. Being out of the pipeline now since June 99, I realize I didn't give the training the chance it truly deserved. Am I better off for it now? Well, who knows. I'm a Surface Warfare Officer and have had experiences in just the two years of my first division officer tour that few aviators will ever have until they make LCDR and above, along the lines of leadership, management, and responsibilities. But at the same time, I also have the option of renting a plane and flyng my wife to some place an hour or so away for lunch or down to San Francisco for the weekend. I also have the option of not flying if I don't feel like it.
If you have never taken an introductory flight lesson, then I suggest taking one. It's a little different than going flying with your dad or uncle and getting to hold the yoke during straight and level flight. At least this way, you'll get to see if you think you may enjoy flying. If you've done all this jazz and have a few hours under your belt then you're going to have to decide if you want to continue with your training. I can honestly say that there are far more opportunities to fly in the civilian world than in the military. However, the training you'd get with the military is bar none, the best. This does not mean you can not fly as safe or as professionally if you don't go the military route. Being a professional and safe pilot, whether you're flight instructor or crop duster, is entirely up to you.
If you're considering the military route even in the slightest bit, ask yourself if you want to be in the military if you were not a pilot. If the answer is a resounding, "Hell no", then you might want to look elsewhere for a job.
It's hard to give you any specific advice because I don't know what your specific goals are or where you want to be in 10 years. But to try to answer your question, of the aviators I do know, I think the sacrifice and hard work they put into getting their wings was certainly worth it for them. As for wondering if the lifestyle of a Naval aviator is for you, you'll have to ask yourself two very important questions. Do you like to sleep and do you like to play Play Station?
--Steve
