I'm 28 1/2 years old. I've gone back to school and I'm working on finishing my last few credits toward my bachelors degree. I'd like to join the Air Force as a UAV operator, but the more I thought about it, would it be worth trying for a pilot slot as my first pick and have the UAV job as a backup plan? Initially I figured I had absolutely zero chance at getting into any aircraft for any branch. I have no prior military or civilian flight experience, I messed up my first few years of college and had a garbage GPA (although a couple years later I spent some time at a local community college and squared myself away), and I honestly just figured I was too old to pursue this.

Several years ago I had enlisted in the Army and did well on the ASVAB. I got an 80 overall, but the breakdown from my ERB:

• GT: 111
• ADMIN: 116
• CMBT: 119
• ELEC: 118
• FA: 118
• MECH: 113
• FOOD: 115
• COMMO: 120
• MAINT: 116
• TECH: 118

I was separated from the Army during BCT with an EPTS (RE-3) due to knee troubles. I've found the Air Force recruiter here is really difficult to track down so I'm still waiting for him to call me back, but a Navy recruiter I spoke with said it should be pretty easily waiverable, especially since the knee condition has improved. He said the best way to proceed at the moment is to get a doctor to declare that I'm fit for full military service.

After doing a lot of Googling and reading, it seems like it's still going to be insanely difficult for me to even have a shot at this but maybe it's still worth fighting for.

So does that make sense, or is it even possible? Would I have a better chance with ANG? I still think working as a UAV operator would be a cool gig (I'm a geek, so the level of sophistication behind the drones fascinates me) and I'd have no problem doing it, but if I still have any shot at getting into a fixed wing aircraft, I'd like to give it a go.