>>64164066
>What is being a pilot like?
Depends, in most branches it's a little different than being a non-rated officer with respect to expectations and the amount of responsibility you have. Fleet nuggets aren't expected to do much except study and get good at their job, with some bs make-work tasks like stocking the snack-bar or using CD-ROMs to install security updates on old computers. Strong swimmers will get assigned as the division officer for a maintenance or admin shop. There is a pretty well defined career path for pilots no matter what branch you choose, and you can generally predict your trajectory after the first tour. Going to the ANG was a welcome change, in a traditional status I don't do jack shit but show up a few times a month and fly. Being a pilot itself is awesome at first, then the novelty wears off and it's just a job. There are still awesome days I wouldn't trade.

>Do you recommend it?
Only if you can't find something better to do. For me, it was a way out of mediocrity. Becoming a military officer is probably one of the surest and most attainable ways to raise yourself out of the lower middle class.

For pilots, it's
>ANG
>USCG
>USN
>USAF/Reserves
>USMC*
>Power Gap
>Army NG
>Army
in that order. Avoid the USMC unless you are one of those guys who just has to be USMC, then it's number 1 and enjoy being a moto-retard.