AF vs Navy ROTC

Hello everyone,

First post! I’ve been posting this same thread on a few different aviation forums so I can make as much of an informed decision as possible. Your input is greatly appreciate!

I’m about to enter college, and have a critical decision to make. I’ve known for many years that I wanted to be a pilot when I grew up, and have pursued my aviation interests vehemently throughout high school. I recently decided to make the commitment to the armed services after years of contemplating about civilian vs military flying. Overall, the experiences, benefits, and sheer thrill of flying jets for a country I’m honored to call myself a citizen of are undeniable.

Anyways, I’m rambling. I know a significant number of you all have experience in flying for the military, and if not, know a lot about the process. I plan on doing the ROTC route because I want to have “the college experience” while being able to graduate as an officer. My concern doesn’t lie in the difference between AF and NROTC while I’m in the program, but rather afterwards. I’m leaning towards the Air Force, but the thought of flying off a carrier is awesome as well. Which would you choose if you were in my position? From what I understand, the AF is a bit more “relaxed”, and the flying opportunities would be greater in the AF. I dont really have a problem with being on a boat for a long duration, but I’ve also heard that getting flight hours in the navy (for fighters at least) is difficult, and you’re lucky when the scheduling gods smile down on you and allow you to catapult off the deck!

So, basically, in summation, here’s what I’m looking for as far as a comparision between the two goes:

1) Flying opportunities — which service will allow me a greater chance of being a fighter pilot?
2) Flying time — pilots of which service typically log more hours?
3) Brass “consideration” (for lack of a better term) — which service typically receives more resources for flying, has better aircraft/serviceability, and support crews?
4) Quality of life — self explainatory.
5) Anything I’m forgetting which you all deem significant information in regards to my making an informed decision.

Thanks a ton! I appreciate the time you took to read this, and thank you in advance for any advice you can offer me. As you can tell, it’s an exciting, stressful, and ultimately life-changing time for me at the moment. Luckily, I have a few months to make my decision, but your input certainly helps!

Regards,

Nate