@Dginn69 Hello, Chris,
Welcome to DCS. We are happy to see you.
If you are looking for a jet to get started with, I suggest the F/A-18. This jet is user-friendly and forgiving. Additionally, the jet can be used for either land-based missions or for carrier missions. I recommend on getting the F-14 because it more difficult to fly. The module called Super Carrier is also recommended.
Here something to consider. For many virtual pilots, they create a profile on discord.com. Discord is free to use. Through discord, various virtual squadrons use this electronic platform to send messages, to talk online, or to share training sessions. For example, my profile is viper#3400 on discord. Different squadrons have different types of missions that utilize different air frames. For example, one squadron might use only the Apache chopper while the next one uses F/A-18s. The virtual squadrons usually give an interview, which costs of telling you their code-of-contact, what missions they play, which servers they use, and answer questions you ask. The interviewers ask you your flight experience, which jets/planes you own, which virtual maps you have, and where you live. Many squadrons are happy to make time to show you how to fly your jet.
MFT