If it's your passion, go for it. As posted, flight training costs a fair amount of $$$. Taking 10 years to slowly get your commercial license won't put you on the fast track to a job. You really don't want a $200k debt out of flight school. Always have a backup plan with piloting jobs.

Yes, ideally the military is a great option, from one of the academies to ROTC, etc.. As a long time scattergun shooter I like the shotgun approach, look into all options. Don't wait either, you could be taking a private pilot ground school course right now or this summer at little expense.

I have a close relative at Purdue, really enjoying the aviation program. Over the years I've seen people wait for things to happen, contrasted with those who 'make' things happen. When you find a wall in your path, you find a way over or around.