Originally Posted by
midwestcop
None of the other services are a serious option for me at this point in my life because I think a lengthy overseas deployment would be too trying on my young family.
The USCG has a variety of missions, and you can be deployed overseas. One of my immediate family members went to Iraq with the USCG. Your odds are better than the army, but I would not join any military service if your family situation precludes deployment.
Geographically the US is very isolated, we don't have to do much to defend the lower 48 from invasion. The fundamental nature of the US military in the 21st century is overseas power-projection...therefore most us will spend time overseas.
Originally Posted by
midwestcop
Since I don't want to take the chance of going to OCS and not getting a pilot slot,
You correct in assuming that OCS is a crap shoot for those wanting to fly...my family member did OCS with some wanna-be aviators, all of whom were sorely disappointed in the end.
Originally Posted by
midwestcop
If anyone has any experience with the Blue 21 program, what do you feel my chances for success are (I know it's a crystal ball question, but try to humor me)? I know the program is intended to attract minority candidates, so will being a white male make it a long shot for me?
As I understand it, they can't really screen people based on race, so Blue-21 is an end-run to get more minority applicants. By accepting applicants from minority-heavy schools, they hope to increase their odds of getting more minorities. I suspect you will compete on equal footing as long as you meet the blue-21 requirements.