[fish314]

Well, here's how it works in the USAF. You need to become an officer first. That means one of three routes. First, you can go to the USAF Academy, but that's not much of an option since you've only got three semesters left. It's not a place that you can really "transfer" into.

Route #2 is ROTC. I was an Academy guy, so I don't know a whole lot about it, but I think you can sign up for ROTC with some of your college already completed.

Route 3 is OTS, in which you'd already have your bachelor's degree. I think that's usually for people who have already enlisted, but you may be able to join straight into OTS.

Next step is getting a pilot slot, and there is no guarantee (that I know of) that you would get a pilot slot if you sign up through any of the three routes above. Getting pilot slots at all is difficult, and there is no differentiation between a heavy pilot slot, and a fighter pilot slot, and a helicopter slot.... They are all just pilot slots, and how you do in the first phase of training compared to your classmates determines the route you take.

Once you get a pilot slot, there are two phases, T-6's and then T-1's (if you want to fly heavies, that is). The competition for heavies is MUCH less than the competition for fighters, but either way pilot training is tough regardless of which way you track. The physical requirements are exactly the same for either track (although you won't have to do the centerfuge).


One thing you may want to think about is the Air National Guard, or the Air Force Reserves. Through those routes, you would get hired by a particular unit, and they do hire right off the streets with a guarantee of a pilot slot occassionally (depending on the unit). You would get a comission through a program called AMS, but that route may be the best option for you because there's more of a guarantee that you would get where you want to (pilot training).