Excellent points from everyone.
Already have PPL through one of the expensive accelerated programs out there, through a scholarship that paid for all of it the summer before HS senior year. Did JROTC. Academies are a possibility but Embry's timeline for commitment is sooner than the academies make their offers. They have another accelerated program to get IR this summer (no scholarship), before freshman year starts, and that's the offer that expires soon. ROTC scholarships not posted yet either. Sounds like there are great opportunities to do really cool things in the summers with AFA. Landing on aircraft carriers with USNA is obviously unique.
Doesn't sound like there is any stigma against or preference for going through an accelerated program (Embry, AA, ATP) vs ANG/reserves vs Academy, which is great. Maybe that's because there's such a pilot shortage right now, no room for elitism. Have also read elsewhere that accelerated programs are available within the military route too, if the aptitude/ability is demonstrated.
Thinking if a door opens for an Academy, should go through it, because that window of opportunity is small, vs. Embry that will be there for those who can afford it for a much longer window of time. The advantages of the ANG/reserves option is worth consideration too.