Dave,
SEASON TICKETS?!?! You lucky dog you!! Then again I had season tickets back in '96 (cough, living in the past..) I went to the Blue and Orange game a few months back, but haven't had a chance to go to one of Spurrier's open scrimage games, how are they looking?
First off, I didn't go through OCS. BUT, I don't believe you will any problems with OCS, from everything I have heard from friends that went through there, and the "horror" stories they had to tell, it really doesn't stack up that well against Dive School (with respect to PT). So yes, I think that is safe to assume, but then again I am not in bad shape now, but not the same shape I was when I went through Dive School! DOH!
Still, I am sure OCS has its moments. There is a lot of good advice floating around out here on the forum (and email) from ppl that just went through OCS, they can give you a better heads up. Anyone else have some thoughts on PT at OCS, care to shed some light on the subject?
Boy, do I hear you loud and clear on the Jets vs. P3 decision, I was in the same boat as you are right now. Fortunately I did well enough in Primary that I could pick between the two, and that there were Jet and P3 slots available at the time (not always the case). Reading some of Matt's posts about the F18 and talking with him in person kind of got the juices flowing again, and in a way (for a nanosecond) made me wish I had gone Jets, BUT I quickly snap out of it, and realize that I have the best of both worlds, I get to fly lots of hours, still be around my family (still have 6 month deployments but not to a boat), and most importantly, I think the P3 is a damn fun plane to fly. I could go into my decision a little bit more in depth, but basically, the benefits for family helped swing me in the decision to go P3s. Honestly, I don't "plan" on working for the airlines after my 20 is up (10 more to go), but it IS nice to have another door open to you. But, heck, Frumby proves the point that you don't need to fly P3s or big lumbering planes to fly for the airlines!
From where I stand now, basically right after the P3 FRS, and about to go to my first Fleet Squadron, I am very happy with my decision. Though, let me get back to you next May after I have a chance to see the community first hand! lol
Don't really know if that answered your question or not, and I am sure Matt and Frumby have some choice words to lure you to the "dark side", but basically it is just going to boil down to you and your selection sheet, and hopefully your NSS grades will help you get what you want!
Go Gators!
John
