First important lesson, it's a journey. I didn't have anything like the career I dreamed of, but I like the one I had, unexpected it was.

If you are lucky, join the Guard or Reserves and let them send you to UPT. Make smart, conservative decisions--save money where you can, don't make hasty, emotional moves and hope for the best. Get a good quality physical first and look at your parents physical history (regrettably, that's your future), health is one of the hidden deciders in this business ANG every six months a FAA medical is part of life.

Enjoy every minute of it.

GF