In all fairness to the OP, you can't play the "Someone didn't get in because you took a slot" argument. At the air force academy, there's an average of about 80 individuals who drop out or fail out during BCT. There's some that literally just don't show up on "I" day. And in the 4 year period, there will be approximately 350 who will realize it isn't for them or they get kicked out. All of this is taken into consideration by the academies. Yes, it would be nice if the academy could recruit in guaranteed cadets who knew everything about the academy and the military prior to applying. And that those they got in stayed 20 years in the military. That would be nice, but it wouldn't be practical. Plus, the classes would be much smaller than the 1300-1400 they accept now.
Individuals change their perception every day at the academies. On average, there's probably close to 80-85% of all applicant, prior to "I" day, saying they want to be a pilot in the air force. OK; fast forward 3 years. Of an average graduating class of 1000 cadets, they hand out approximately 500 pilot slots. And the slots they have reserved, they don't normally fill. This isn't because it's uber competitive. It's because people change their mind. A lot can change in 4 years.
I'm not dogging anyone here; but do you all remember "MARS BOY"? He was about the most gung-ho applicant imaginable. To the point of arrogance. Now, put all that aside, and realize that when push come to shove, he didn't want to be at the academy. Yes, he had academic issues, but it's obvious that the academy was not what he thought it was going to be.
And this is the double edge sword that this coast guard cadet must deal with. There is no guarantee at all that he can have a pilot slot. I believe that he has to get his priorities straight.
IN ORDER:
1. Want to serve your country. (This means being willing to do whatever job you wind up qualified for. NOT just the one you wanted when you were 18 years old)
2. Want to be part of something larger than yourself.
3. Want to be challenged by a top notch college and a military lifestyle.
4. Want to get one of the best educations in the country.
5. Want to be the best you can be.
And once you get to the academy, you have to realize that you have to be flexible. You might not be able to become pilot qualified. Or maybe, you don't do as well in your classes as you wanted to, and don't get the other job you wanted. Maybe you just can't handle the full time 24/7 military/academy mentality. "Maybe just not yet". Perhaps you realize that ROTC is a better choice for you. My son is getting promoted to R2D2 (C2C) in another couple weeks. "Currently he's a C-3PO (C3C). (Class of 2012). He still has over 1200 students in his class. But there is no doubt that before 1 August of this year, before the next semester starts, that number will be much less. Other than getting kicked out, this is the last chance the cadets have to change their mind, "without owing anything back to the government". And many of this cadets will take their 2 year education and transfer to another school. Many of these cadets came in with the same enthusiasm and passion that we see on this forum from all the applicants. Many wanted to be pilots. So dreamed of being a scientist. Things change. Can't tell you how many times my son has gone back and forth on what he wants to do after graduating the academy. It's still a choice between 2 things, but things can still change again.
So, to the OP, think real hard about what you really want. Realize that that passion and desire can and will change in the next few years no matter what you choose now. Things don't get better or worse; just different. You grow up. You mature. You realize that there's a "REAL WORLD" out there. You go IN and OUT of relationships. I don't know why you accepted or even applied to the coast guard. I have to assume there is something about it that interests you. If that interest is still there, then I recommend you keep that appointment and go to the coast guard academy. If you really want to fly, you can do that there. And if you change your mind in another year or two, so what. Same thing could happen in the air force academy. Anyway, I think you've received a lot of good and different perspectives. You really need to sit back and figure out what you want. best of luck. mike...