Originally Posted by Riddler

You have several questions and I'll do my best.

1. USAFA versus normal college. USAFA is a prison camp that has the best odds of getting you into pilot training - assuming that you get good grades, stay out of trouble, and are physically qualified. I'm a USAFA grad and I know how that place works. However, I must admit that it's a hell of an education and it's opened a lot of opportunities. It just comes at a high social cost.

2. Going to Ohio State to "prepare" for USAFA. I'm not completely sold on that idea. Have you started applying for USAFA? It's a long process that typically starts with your Senator or Congressional rep. What they want: a clean cut Boy Scout type, very high GPA, high SAT scores, lots of sports, community activities, leadership, Civil Air Patrol, JROTC, etc. You don't need to have everything, but the more the better. If you are a very strong athlete or politically connected, then you might be able to work around the academics by getting into the USAFA Prep School - it's essentially a junior college designed to prepare some high potential (but academically lacking) candidates. What is keeping you from applying directly to USAFA? Think about that and think about how to mitigate that. Ohio State might not be the only pathway... maybe a couple semesters at a junior college will do the same thing for a lot less money.

3. Going military versus civilian when your end goal (at least right now) is civilian. You need to be willing to risk that you'll spend 4 years at USAFA and not get into pilot training, or get into pilot training and get a career UAV job. However, the military does offer way better pay and benefits compared to putting yourself through college, flight instructing, and getting a regional job. Keep in mind that you might eventually need 1,500 hours and an ATP to get hired.

Good luck, we're all counting on you.
Riddler