Montey et al,

This career is a marathon, not a 100 meter dash. It sounds like everyone wants the short cut direct to B777 captain.

Look at the various paths, think about what you want to do in your 20s; then pursue a path. You can ONLY do one and you won't know how it works out until your 30th birthday.

Yes, ROTC works; ANG units prefer, but not exclusively, in-staters; AFRC is more open to anyone, the penalty being fierce competition. Ten year commitments sound like eternity, but look at the 10-year F/Os at Comair, out of work.

My old unit, while I was the DO sent probably 20 people to UPT-- Out of the state applicants, in-unit enlisted, a B744 F/O, in-unit maintainers, sons of in-unit enlisted; you name it, we sent 'em. Only two didn't come back as pilots. One from Texas (let's just say, our unit was the direct opposite of Texas), visited regularily driving and flying up with his wife just to say hello, insisted he was for us. Enlisted in a Texas unit that didn't want to send guys to UPT; he never let go until the Chief Pilot and I relented, sent to the Wing Commander for a 1-star recommendation. Damned if he didn't excel, top in his class, still a serving officer, now back in Texas. He promised 6 years up North, stuck to it.

I was a standby candidate behind a in-unit enlisted maintenance troop at a time the ANG only required 60 credit-hours of college. He finished the year with less than 60, unit had to fill a slot in weeks--I went. We're still friends, he went the following year.

Everyone's story is unique, make your story your own.

GF