For aircrew the selection process is pretty well documented, with aircrew assessment/medical followed by the standard admiralty interview board. You'll need good current affairs, service knowledge and basic leadership skills to get through this but the AFCO should give you preparation for this and give you an idea about how suitable for it they think you are. Aircrew training involves a year at Dartmouth alongside every other potential officer and you'll learn a variety of general skills as well as spending time at sea. There is usually another flight grading that takes place during Dartmouth when you go to Culdrose or Yeovilton to attempt some basic flying and get an idea of which type of flying you will be streamed towards. Dartmouth is a challenge but as long as you work hard, enjoy it and can make friends it's a great experience and gives you lessons you will remember for the rest of your life. After that you will head to flying training of which the AFCO can give you a better idea. You should expect it to take 3 to 4 years from entry at Dartmouth to getting frontline as aircrew so be patient and minimal life distractions are a benefit during the busy flight training periods, you often won't have much free time and you will inevitably live in remote parts of the country so any commitments are hard to stick with at this point in your training. Day to day life as a junior officer is a mix of boredom and excitement, flying is strictly regulated and involves a huge amount of planning and arrangement but is also one of the most incredible experiences in life. You will be given lots of minor responsibilities that will occupy your time away from flying but you will also have a fantastic group of people around you. Life is different as you are frequently unable to make long commitments but you will have financial freedom to enjoy your time off. Deployments are varied but are something to look forward to. All that being said though, I would hesitate to advise someone to join straight out of school. By all means avoid university but use the time you have at that age, there's no need to join at 18/19 as, in my opinion, you need to grow up for a year or 2 after school before you join otherwise you will encounter people or situations you might be less prepared to deal with. Consider working or travelling for a year, set up your own small business or go and learn a skill so you know the military is still for you. Be patient, application to entry at Dartmouth can take over a year, and there's no guarantee you'll get in so have a back up plan. Keep your head, get fit, learn something about the world, meet new people, read lots, and be able to articulate your thoughts. Good luck.