What exactly entails how one chooses the Aviation branch? I know that in order to get selected, a cadet must place Aviation in his first choice branch because of the special requirements. Aside from the flight physical, what else is an exclusive select for Aviation? If you place Aviation as your first branch, and aren't selected, does this negatively impact the rest of your choices?
Last but not least, what are the most popular airframes that folks select during flight school?
Besides passing the Flight Physical you would have to pass the SIFT (Aviation Apptitude Test)
You will need to be high on the AD OML, to have a good shot 15% or higher.
Listing Aviation will not hurt your chances for other branches on your list. your PMS will be able to counsel you on your chances for Aviation. That being said it changes every year, there have been some years when Aviation did not fill until it reached down into the 40% mark. I wouldn't count on that right now.
As far as Airframes go, it all depends on what you want to fly. Selection can change from class to class. In my son's class the Fixed wing went first, the one Chinook went next, Kiowas and Apaches went next the remaining were Blackhawks. Some Blackhawks were selected before the Kiowas and Apaches were gone.
The class after my son's had people that were forced Apaches because all the Blackhawks went first. It really just depends on the class and what's available.
Right now Chinooks are the hardest to get, there are very few slots and they go high on the list.
There is also trading that goes on, if one person received an Apache and another a Blackhawk they can switch with permission if they haven't started Advanced training. No one seems to trade out of Kiowas.
My son went in with the idea of one airframe and then changed his mind halfway through. A lot depends on the type of mission you want to fly.
There will be a lot of opportunities to explore your options before selection.
Study hard, get as close to 100 on your written exams, on some tests the average was 98. Do well at flying and keep in shape. The higest single amount of points given for one item on the OML is the final APFT before selection, 100 points. This is where a lot of people drop and a few jump up the OML.
I'm sure Scoutpilot will be able to give you some good information, being the resident Army Aviator on this board. Just thought I would pass along how it went for my son who is there now and like you was AROTC.