I second Rickair...I am a Guard baby and don't regret it one bit! However messed up those AFA guys/gals are, there is something to be said for getting paid to go to school and coming out a ringknocker with 2LT bars...best possible choice, go to the Zoo (Academy) and Palace Chase ASAP (means get off active duty before you are supposed to and get on with a Guard/Reserve unit)...that way, the govt pays for your school (and pays you) and then you get to spend a few years tasting the AD side of the house (flying is almost guaranteed as a LT and new Capt.) then when the bs factor gets high, you punch out and go to the Guard which brings you back to flying and minimizes the bs...to me, that is the best of all worlds but what do I know...