Two things -
1) I took the ASVAB test when I was a senior just to see what my results were. I scored in the 90 percentile in all areas. All 4 branches of the military were hounding me, but especially the Navy. They Navy wanted me to go into their nuclear program. I was guaranteed to make E3 6 months after basic.
2) I put myself through college about 4 years after high school. Right out of college I took a non-sworn job with a city police department. I always wanted to be in law enforcement. My police chief wanted to hire me as a police officer and would have paid to put me through the academy. If I had done that then I would be Chief of Police now. Instead I am 10 years behind.