Since I want to have realistic expectations on an active duty flying career, that's the exact type of advice I was hoping for, thanks! Rank's not that important to me. I'm going to be so late rated that my career will be pretty limited. I'd be happy to retire as an O-5 if I could stay flying longer.
A friend who's a Viper driver said if I got -16's, the best I could hope for would be the 1-year remote to Korea, followed by a 3-yr ops tour, then possibly back to the B-course to instruct. That would give me about 7 years in the jet. Then maybe I could instruct T-38's or T-6's at a UPT base to finish up my career. Does that sound likely?
For the active duty heavy side, what would be the best path to stay flying? MWS tour, then teach white jets, then try to get back to the MWS?
If UAV's, ORI prep, etc is the only thing I have to look forward to, then going down the reserve path will be a no brainer.