NSF and the 2 posts immediately above offer excellant advice.
I'm ex RAF, within the last 4 years and joined the orange empire. Personaly I really enjoy it. I work no more than 14/15 days a month and am home virtually every night so its great for family life. The pay is good and you do not have all the additional hassles that go with service life. Just pitch up do a good professional job and go home again. If you want more you can look to get invoved but there is no requirement to do so. My base is even pretty good socially and people help each other out. I moved to the left seat in 18 months and will have a shot at becoming a trainer in the next few years so progression is good too.
Like the others I would caution about any feelings of superiority you may have as they will be misplaced. I have met some very capable commercial chaps and chapesses who I have learnt, and continue to learn, a great deal from. As with most jobs its about working hard and having the right approach. If you do that you will really enjoy it and people will work hard to assist you in achieving your goals.
Good luck