can you play as one role, fighter pilot or commander?

[wheeljack12]

I have read the faqs, instructions and pretty much everything else. I need to know one thing, do you have to progress into a carrier commander/operations? The reason is that I am not a big fan of strategy and like starfighter combat only. So, is the game geared for you to become higher ranked and play as a strategy type commander or can you just play as a wing commander like game in starfighter combat and commanding your starfiighter wing?

[Melkor]

You can do whichever you want, but you don't have the option of controlling larger ships until you've been promoted.

[TheDeadlyShoe]

You can play through almost the entire game in a fighter... Doing the last fight might be problematic if you only fly fighters. Hee.