What steps should i take? Any advice?
Of the three commissioning sources, you are most likely to get a pilot slot from the Academy and ROTC. I simply have not heard of many people going from OTS to Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). While the Academy has historically been the best route for wings, USAF is VERY low on pilots right now. Essentially, if you want a pilot's slot, you can get one these days. However, that pendulum swings back and forth, and I daresay that by the time you earn a commission (unless you already have a degree or are perhaps in your junior year in college?) the shortage will be a surplus. The Air Force doesn't plan very well for the long term.
Some advice? Get in damn good shape and stay that way. A maxed out PFT score looks very good when applying for UPT, not to mention that being in shape helps a great deal when dealing with high G forces. Focus on grades and earn high ones -- engineering or science is a boost as well. Maintain high personal integrity and avoid even the slightest inference of impropriety.
Don't be so exclusive about jobs, however. Keep an open mind about other positions available. The Air Force recently opened up Combat Controllers to officers as well as Pararescue, which are some awesome jobs (two CCTs were killed in Afghanistan this week, while two PJs were on the chopper that went down in the Philippines so those guys are right on the front lines). Flying transports can be great also because you literally go all over the world, whereas fighter pilots tend to be focused on their home base during peacetime. Intelligence is an interesting career choice.
PM me with any specific questions.
Go army, then you could fly an A-10. At least you would see more action that way.
The Army is expressly forbidden from flying fixed wing aircraft in combat and only has VERY limited fixed wing aircraft overall. The A-10 is an Air Force asset, currently stationed in Korea, North Carolina, Germany, and possibly a couple other locations. Great aircraft.
When I was in the Army I was a Forward Observer.
I think some of those positions are now with the Air Force actually. There are AF enlisted positions called TAC-Ps which are attached to Army units. Those guys do the terminal guidance for close air support aircraft, but I imagine that there are still Army positions -- not sure the extent of the TAC-P program. Enlisted only, however.
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