Airforce route

[drunkenbeagle]

Anyways TLDR - I’d research what your ROTC options are if you are currently in school at a university. If you’re willing to put up with all the BS you have to do for ROTC - you will eventually get picked up for a ROTC scholarship at some point to complete your bachelor degree. You commission as an officer. Then you can do whatever you want in terms of your own flying career whether you are an aviator in the military or not.

Air Force ROTC paid me to go to college, but probably still possible without a scholarship to do that. Way back when I was in school, you could do 2 years of ROTC with no obligation. So, I agree, I would be talking to whatever ROTC detachments are near you now. Unlike recruiters, they aren't out looking for you.

 

[zomzom]

You have a solid plan but I have one question: why get the associate degree privately and on your own dime when you can enlist now, get the associates degree while you're in the service, and even finish the bachelor degree if you can? You may or may not be able to juggle AF and college - so "practice" by knocking out your general, AS type courses before tackling the last couple years. Who knows, perhaps you do well enough you get a scholarship from AF or something. Also, not sure how it is now but there used to be clubs for General Aviation and military members could rent planes, learn to fly and it was much cheaper than civilian costs.

I’m not paying for my degree right now, so getting my associate degree is free for me. There are a few reasons why I can’t join the military right now, so while I’m waiting, I might as well get my associate degree done. I’m not doing it for a higher pay or anything like that. I’m studying business mainly as a backup, and hopefully I won’t ever have to use the degree.