Hi!
Okay...deep breath....here's the SHORT SHORT SHORT version:
NOBODY on this board can tell you whether or not you can/will get into USAFA.
You've been given some outstanding advice; believe me, I read all the comments, etc., and they're spot-on. Or in fighter parlance: "they shacked it!"
That being said...the BEST comments I saw are really pointing to: WHY do you want to do this? If it's just to fly fighters, give it up right now. Because the odds are WAAAAY against you.
Why?
Because only "X" number of people that get to SUPT actually go on to a fighter assignment. You can be the best grad in the class but if there's no fighter available, you don't get one. Or as many have said: you wash out, you get hurt (drinking party, loss of conciousness, etc...etc...), you PO an IP and they make certain you don't go FAR track: whatever...it can happen. Then what?
I've had the great fortune to fly both fighters (the amazing Eagle) and heavies (the AS amazing KC-135A/D/E/Q/R/T) and I absolutely loved ALL of it! And I've had to "step out" of the cockpit to take non-flying jobs. Guess what, I loved them too!
Why?
Because I wanted to wear the AF blue and to SERVE. What role? Ideally it was as a pilot, but if that didn't work out, I had a LOOOOONG list of backup plans/ideas/career fields I was interested in. The short version: I wanted to serve and to contribute.
As of today (20 Sep 08 I have served 25 years, 3 months, 19 days) and will, sadly, have to take off my uniform on June 1, 2011. Unless congress REALLY screws up and promotes me one more time.
IF you want to serve...and IF you want the AFA, there are ways to "go for it." NONE are guaranteed...
The question I would ask you if you came to me would be: WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE? That would be more important to me than what you want to do in the AF.
Okay...not so short version. Sorry...I'm a bit passionate about this!
Be happy to answer ANY questions you have!!!!
Steve
Stephen E. Wood, Lt Col, USAFR
Deputy Liaison Officer Director for Arizona