C++ vs Java

[ianonavy]

This year, I am my team's new lead programmer. I've been doing some Googling about the differences between the two programming languages but I can't decide which language to go with.

I'm much more familiar with the syntax of Java, but I'm a very fast learner and should be able to figure out how to use C++. Also, all of my teammates who could help me taking the AP Computer Science, which teaches Java. I have prior experience with the FTC's RobotC, which if you aren't familiar with is basically a more simplified version of C++ and the WPILib.

I understand that compiled C machine code is more efficient than Java bytecode executed on a virtual machine, but is the performance difference really significant enough to be noticeable at all?

If any experts or mentors from other teams could give me some advice or feedback, it would be much appreciated. (: Thanks in advanced.