I graduate UNT @ Randolph next Friday so I will pass on what I know.
First the AF we are no longer Nav.'s, we are now CSO's (Combat Systems Officers). We navigate and protect the aircraft from threats. The program is getting ready to move back to PNS and when it does there will be no more Navigator or EWO track. The first five months will be spent learning Navigation skills then the last 5 months everyone will go through the EWO program. The reason is the AF wants to be able to interchange Nav's and EWO's on the aircraft, mainly because technology is taking over the navigator role. They are also saying that down the road the CSO's who have not been through the EWO program will go to PNS and get the training.
I don't think it is a bad thing because you will be more marketable in the civilian world with that training and the security clearance, and it is cool stuff that they learn. Navigators really don't have any civilian marketable skills unless you have your ratings and you build your time at the aero clubs. However, you can always enter the corporate world and fall back on being an officer in the AF. A lot of dudes are getting good jobs in a variety of career fields just from their comission.
Finally to briefly break the role down by aircraft.
C-130 Nav's come run the low level mission. Planning the route, course control, time control, and getting over top of the target. The Nav is also responisble for protecting the airplane from threats.
AC/MC's have to Nav's The MC's Nav's back each other up and the lead Nav has one other responsibility, but I can't remember what it is. The AC has a Nav and a Fire Officer (also a Nav). The FCO aims and fires the weapons.
EC/RC/KC/E-3 Nav's basically just get the aircraft to a safe orbit for their mission. They have a few other responsibilities depending on the aircraft. KC Nav's are going away. I have only seen two people drop a KC in the last several classes, because they are getting glassed out.
B-52's also have two Nav's. One is the primary navigator to get to and from a target, and the other is a Radar Nav. He is backing up the primary Nav but the Radar Nav drops the payload.
The B-1 does not have a CSO, they have two EWO's
I am a Guard dude and going to the Herc. and low level will be my life. If you are going active I would recomend the AC, MC, B-52, C-130, then what ever is left. That would have been the order of my choices.
I had a vague understanding of the job when I started training so I want to share the knowledge.:rawk: