Military is the best route to commercial aviation for many people. But insiders generally agree that if the airlines is your goal, air national guard or air force reserve are the better options, for many reasons.

Also all of the service academies are 4-year programs...even if you have previous college, you have to start over so if you want to go that route try to get in right out of HS. If you don't, not a big deal probably a third of academy students have prior college.

The military offers some great advantages compared to civilian training, but be sure that you have a sincere desire to serve and put up with the requisite hardships.