Why are you admitting defeat before the battle starts?
Didn't mean for it to come across that way, I was simply acknowledging that infantry is a tough get and that I understood that. I'm willing to work hard- I really hope no one feels that I am looking for an easy route. When I said that I didn't care about what branch I join, I meant that I wasn't gung-ho marines or gung-ho army. I do have a preference to which job I do (I would much rather be a pilot in the AF rather than a communications officer, much like I would rather be an infantry officer in the army than a military judge).
A couple of things.
1. I think you misread my aspect about the USMMA.
~ I clearly stated that yes, you can commission AF, but there is no guarantee that you will get rated. NavyHoops also reiterated that there have been years
~~ AF may say that between USAFA, AFROTC and OCS they have enough pilots for your year group and they can say we need you to go Missileers. AFROTC cadets find out in their junior year if they are going rated. So by the time you come up if it is your senior year. HQ AF knows how many more they need. There have eeven been years where they canceled the rated OCS board because they did not need more pilots.
2. Read Raimius blog about UPT
~ Statistically when you add in IFS, T6, and tracking you will see @50% of your classmates be asked to leave during those 15 months. You will be managing a desk in all likelihood.
~~ Wing and you will owe 9 more years of your life and be able to leave @33 (many kids wait 6-9 months to start IFS. clock starts at winging =10+ years)
3. I think USMMA is a great institution, but it is really sea oriented. You have to do that year at sea, and from the old threads that I have read, that year is very difficult.
As others have stated chose the lifestyle you want upon commissioning and that means whatever they decide you will have. There are so many kids that at your age state they want to be a pilot. However, the reality is they will be the minority. Wanting a specific airframe can even be a harder get. The kids that are at UPT starting class of 15-13 entered almost a year ago believing that they would fly a plane, worse case scenario would be a T1 FAIP. Now they have been informed that every base for every class in the foreseeable future will be dropping 2 RPA slots. The needs of the AF wins.
Just saying if the idea of becoming a Missileer or an Air Battle Manager gives you the shakes than maybe the AF life is not for you.