Forgot to add: Hindsight being 20/20, without question if I knew then what I know now I would have gone the mil route. This particular situation is not even on the list of reasons why. My own children will be encouraged should they express an interest.
Sorry for the digressive rant. Thank you again to all who have served.
GB...
You should know that "to go the mil route" does not mean you would have even been flying airplanes or for that matter, living the good life gaining those post-mil bonus points. You could have been stuck with Intel, Space&Missles, ABM, etc, just to name a few.
To earn a commission, be accepted/attend/graduate UPT, graduate your multiple MWS upgrades, PME courses, higher ed, additional duties, deployments, moving your family every three years, and a multitude of other issues that come with the "mil route", it takes a selfless devotion well worth any veteran's preference points.
Regardless if mil or civ, it seems that "who you know" always pays the biggest "pref points". My goal has always been to treat others with the respect and dignity that I hope to receive in return.....that, and to be a good dude!
Good luck.