John...
I can understand why so many people think that way, that everyone wants jets, but the truth as I have discovered is that a lot of times people don't. With Helo's you can "cash out" after two tours, a meager six years, and fly civilian. Everyone thinks airlines, but the commercial helicopter field is huge and they don't pay minimum wage either. I've met a lot of prop and helo pilots at airshows recently and whenever I asked: "Why not jets?" I expected to hear some sob story but often got a funny look instead: "Jets! Are you nuts? People get killed flying those things!"
I can't recall wether it was you or Dave Werner who said that a lot of stud's get to Primary thinking jets, TOPGUN etc...but after they actually fly the T-34, feel G's, and see the ground coming at them from their point of view in a spin, the last thing they want to do is fly any faster or have anything to do with explosive's under their wings!
I've always, and still, want to fly Jets, but if I got helo's or props I don't think I would be upset or disapointed. All you other aspiring Jet stud's might consider this blasphemy but trust me, your whole perspective changes after you've actually seen a Tomcat fly into the ground.
Good luck at the P-3 RAG John...you can update any day now
Fly Navy!
D