Regarding the original focus of this thread, I can tell you factually that the Air Force spends over $1 million on each pilot training graduate. That does not include follow-on training in a major weapon system such as a B-1B, F-15 or C-17. That's one reason the Air Force doesn't produce as many pilots as they use to say 20 years ago or so. I used to work at the Pentagon and would generate these numbers for generals & Congressional staffers for planning purposes.