ANG, RegAF, Reserves?
 

I'm 20 years old, currently pursuing my private pilot license at a community college. I only have roughly 1.5 years left on my bachelors degree, maybe 2 max. I've always dreamed of becoming a pilot one day. I love everything about aviation. I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I can't decide wether or not to pay for all my flight training (private through commercial and CFI) in the civilian world. This will cost me roughly $80k. Another option would be to join the Air force reserves or Air National Guard in hopes of landing a pilot slot once I finish my bachelors. If I do get selected for a pilot slot, then all my training will paid for.

My father served 20 years in the Air Force as a loadmaster in a special operations squadron. He loved the military. I would have no problem serving 10 or 20 years then flying commercially. My ultimate goal is to fly for a legacy airline (American Airlines, JetBlue Etc.) I have one letter of recommendation from a current pilot in the business who served 20 years in the Air Force as a pilot. He told me he could try and get me into a special operations squadron who knows him by name.

As you can see I'm all over the place with this 'question'. Overall I just don't know which route to take. Is it too late for me to join an ROTC at a university in hopes of increasing my chances of getting a pilot slot. Or should I go enlisted in the AF Reserves or Air National Guard and become loadmaster, work on my bachelors. Then once thats complete, try and obtain a pilot slot?

The ANG and Reserve are good options. Active duty AF is not. Let me emphasize--do not go active duty.

Go to the ANG and reserve websites and look at which units are willing to send someone through pilot training. That being said, you will have to have your bachelors complete before you can fly for the Air Force or the Navy.

Good luck, and don't go active duty.

The sky was blue the last time you asked the same questions in other threads and it is still blue.

Continue on the path you're on now. Finish your degree and get your PPL. You have your age on your side at this point. We used to see so many older guys applying at the UPT boards who thought of joining the ANG as an afterthought and became age critical before they could score a slot. If you start applying even 6 months before you get your degree (most units allow this) it will show your desire and dedication to get a slot and will be noticed. ROTC is completely unnecessary for an ANG slot; get it out of your mind.
I was in the same boat you are currently in. Was 20, had my PPL and started applying everywhere that was open to applications and scored a UPT slot before I even graduated with my degree. Research how a board is conducted and find past questions that have been asked on previous boards and you'll be set. If you don't get selected the first time, don't worry, just keep at it and you will eventually. Good luck.