I will say that I saw a video on the F-35 and 'Rooster' Schimdle (now a 3-star) was featured in it and he had some good things to say about it. 'Rooster' is a former squadron CO of mine and certainly a figure head of old in the Marine Fighter/Attack community. Actually knowing this person, though he has long since joined the ranks of the military politicans in my opinion, I do respect him greatly as an officer and as an aviator. One of my biggest beefs with the program in general is the F-35B version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ-YPy4gZdY