There is frequently a heated debate over which are better: Air Force or Navy pilots, with the corollary comparison of whether the US Air Force Academy or the Naval Academy is the better place to go to become a pilot.

There are legitimate arguments for each side, of course.  One of the main points for those seeking to be fighter pilots is the obvious fact of numbers; there are simply more fighter aircraft in the Air Force than there are in the Navy.

Now there’s a new point: at least the Air Force doesn’t force its new officers into submarine duty. 

That said, the needs of the military–meaning that the service’s needs take precedence over personal preferences–are preeminent in every service, including the Air Force.  Traditionally, the career field of missileer (ICBM crewman) has been the least-favored Air Force job.