If i were in your Shoes I would study as much for the ASFAB military test to score high.. and try and strike a deal in writing with the AIR FORCE to where they will pay to continue your eduction in the mechanical engineering field or computers etc...Spend 25 years with them and retire with full benefits...So you could retire with full benefits/ insurance drawing a nice little monthly Check and then you could go out and start a 2nd Civilian Career somewhere..they even have Cilivian Jobs with the Military many retired Vet take on and make Good Money.
If Scocial security is still around...you could have 3 Nice checks coming in at 65 yrs old...Aire force retirement, 2nd Career Retirement check/ 401k, and Social Security.
Son you have a great thing before you right Now..grab a-hold of it,,,the years will go by quiker then you think...wouldn't you like 8k-10k a month rolling in as income without having to get out of bed each day when your older...with paid Insurance ????
This is the route I would take if I were you
Just to give you an idea how 401k will work for you here is a little example
401K INFO TIDBIT
Based on a 50k year salary with an 8% return with an annual contribution of $4,000 per year you will have $319,122 in the bank after 25 years...let me say 8% is modest..you could see 16% + return which would double the $319,000 to $640,000 ($4,000 PER YEAR or $83.00 per week gross off the top PRE-TAX. CONTRIBUTION..YOU WILL NEVER MISS THIS PRE-TAX DEDUCTION FROM YOUR CHECK WHEN IT COMES TO NET BRING HOME MONEY)
I wish someone would have drilled this in my head at 17 yrs old and I would be a multi millionaire today at 44 yrs old just from 401k only.
__________________
Bjuice..
"I'M YOUR HUCKLEBERRY ! "