Zak,
Let me see if I can put it a little differently from Pima and JAM.
I grew up in the UK, but my family is from the "Old South." There are words, phrases, "colloquialisms" that I grew up with that in conversations with folks from those regions/country's "don't mean nuthin..." but to many OTHER folks are offensive.
Why?
I have NO idea; it's probably something in their eyes or point of view, BUT...its not my goal to offend unintentionally. Mind you, if I want to "offend" or "go beak to beak" then I will and with a full weapons package! But in a "day to day" conversation? Nah.
So I avoid them simply to avoid an innocent situation turning ugly. Your use of that word, while understood to be simply a comment and a way to say "I'm going to show him he's wrong..." isn't the best choice in mixed company.
I think a better response to Pima would have been more of: "Wow...I didn't mean anything by that, its just something we say...I'm sorry it upset you." I've not met Pima but I think I can tell the type person she is from her comments here in the forums.
It would have died there.
She's correct: "Situational Awareness" or "SA" is the lifeblood of an aviator; and in truth, of an officer/adult in the world. You're still developing it.
BUT...to get back to your original question: The AF is in need of a HUGE number of UAV pilots. We are trying to build more and more of the MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft and to get them in theater as quickly as possible. And that means we need more pilots. Yes, you could get assigned to one out of pilot training.
NO, we're not getting rid of manned fighter/ground attack/support aircraft. They're crucial to a warfighting mission. However we are moving more and more missions to the UAV. Do I foresee a day when UAV's will outnumber manned F/A/R (fighter/attack/recce)? YES and it won't be too long down the road.
But there will still be plenty of cockpits available in the future.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83