Both are great communities. I love flying Rhino's, but I loved my enlisted time as well. If you look into this forums numorous threads, this forum and its members can answer any question you may have about either community. If you have questions about being an NFO, ask away. There are NFO's of every flavor here. If you have questions about EOD, ask away as their are current EOD guys like Lion here that can answer your questions.
From my perspective both the EOD and F-18 communities have many similarities.
People wise: Both are type A, give me something to do, get out of my way and let me do it types.
Both pipelines are demanding. The EOD pipeline is the more physically demanding Of the two. Academically, both are tough and you will spend many hours in the books.
Once designated: (note, the EOD community is much different today than it was when I joined in the late 80's. I was enlisted, not an officer, and it was a long time ago. Talk with or PM Lion. Sounds like he is an active EODC and can give you the latest and greatest and can possibly connect you with an 1140 to answer some officer specific questions if he can't.)
1140 Special Oerations Officer.
After going through the schools, you will be a PT stud. Stay in shape. You HAVE to lead from the front (with help from a good EODC). If you are worth your salt, you will have a closer relationship with your troopers than in the aviation community. You will get to do some cool shit, but you are there to take care of your people. The enlisted guys are the true operators. As a JO, you will get to do some cool stuff and get your hands dirty. You might have to kill someone and you will see your friends die. However, the majority of the work will be done by your guys. You, with some sage advice from your EODC, will be expected to lead. You will have to learn quickly, as your guys will be watching you closely to see what your made of. If the going gets tough and you go sit your ass in a cool comfy office, things will not go well for you. As an 1140, lead from the front. When I was a young enlisted guy, I was impressed with the O's that would bleed and sweat with us in the worst of times. We all knew our O had paperwork to do, but we had some great officers that would lead us and then we had the other guys. The other guys didn't stay in the community very long. For me, during my time, it was a very close community, just like a fighter squadron ready room today. I made some great friends both O and E that I still talk to today. It was hard work. Cool as hell, but hard work.
Aviation Community 1310 / 1320
Way to many variables here and I can only talk first hand of the VFA community. After you get through the pipeline, you may or may not be a PT stud. Does it matter as much here. Nope. You need to stay in good shape because pulling g's in the front or back of a hornet Is demanding and can hurt. You also don't want to look like a bag of ass. But overall, it's no where near as physically demanding of a job as the EOD community. You will be expected to lead a branch or division as a JO. You will get to know your people. You won't have as tight of a bond as you would have with your guys in the EOD community. You will learn from your Senior Enlisted if you listen (hint: listen). You will push paper and take care of your guys. You are the operator, you are the tip of the spear. You will train and train and train. When flying in combat, you will have hours of boredom followed by minutes of excitement. You will put warheads on foreheads. You WILL kill people and you will have friends who die. You will work long hours, scare the shit out of yourself or have a pilot scare the shit out of you if you are in back and your paying attention. Please pay attention. But your job in this community is to take the fight to the bad man. As a friend once said. Air to Air or Air to Ground, it doesn't matter. There are a shit ton of people busting their collective asses to get you in a good jet off the front of a carrier to go over the beach and do some good work.
I am one of the fortunate few that have been blessed with the chance to be in both communities. I can't tell you what to do. Look into both communities and then YOU must decide what is best for YOU! As you have read from the above posts, both communities are going to take dedication and hard work. It's a tough choice. But guess what? Which ever one you pick, It will be a great choice.
