keep in mind, the closer to your 20 yrs, the harder and harder it will be to stay in a cockpit...especially with the UAV push that will be coming in your career. Recommend you get as much time as you can, as early as possible. FAIPing will help you there.

Fighters would be awesome to fly. But the lifestyle is much more intense than in the heavy community. This may not bother you now, but it might a few years down the road.

If you dream job is:

flying a fighter, go for it...keeping in mind that there are going to be far more "detours" to the cockpit if you go that route, especially with the AF issues with the F-15, which may create a shortage or cockpits if it hasn't already.

If you dream job is:

flying boxes, get as much heavy international time as you can. Less glamorous, but more opportunities to stay in the cockpit and build hours if you want to stay to 20, IMHO.

I'll count on my "pointy-nose" friends here to correct me wherever I'm incorrect....