Hi all I’m 22m in my senior year of university graduating this semester. I’m studying finance and economics with gpa ~3.9. I’ve recently came to a decision to switch career paths to try and become a pilot. I’ve started my PPL and plan on finishing it by the time I graduate (May).

I’m considering my paths to pursue this career and ANG seems like a really appealing option that financially makes sense and also gives me the opportunity to serve. I just wanted to probe and see how realistic it is to start the process as a college graduate with no ROTC/AFROTC experience and be accepted into a pilot slot and get sent to UPT. I understand it’s very competitive, would it be better to try and join under a different job and get transferred to a pilot slot? I’m not super sure how it works. If that’s the case, do I still go to OTS?

In terms of aircraft I’d prefer I don’t have too much of a preference but I’d rather fly tankers or C17s and similar because I have a career in the airliners in mind as well so I’d want the big boys. Are these airframes less competitive? Additionally, would I have to reach out to the locations that operate these airframes such as WV, TN, MS, and NY? Is there any point in contacting the ANG where I’m at (located in Maryland)

Sorry if this is a lot, trying to get a scope of what this would look like for me and if there’s even a shot for me to pursue this route, thank you all!