I've got to correct Falcon 20's post: DCAs have been sent to fixed wing assignments for a while. In my DCA class in Jun '80 there were 24 people, 12 fixed wing (C-130s) and 12 rotary wing ( H-3s and H-52s). Both those helos are long gone and now replaced by the H-65s and H-60s. Your backround will usually determine what you'll fly. If all rotary wing experience you'll probably get a helo assignment. The CG will value your experience and assign you accordingly unless they're really short of pilots in the other community(fixed wing). And vice versa; a fixed wing backround will get you a falcon, 130 or the new CASA unless the CG is really short of helo guys. You really don't know until you're sitting in the cockpit and cranking the engines to go on your first SAR case.