Did you ever run into Gary England? I believe he was in the AF as some type of weather man or specialistMy family refused to continue paying their contribution to my merit scholarship to a prestigious college after 2 years, so I had to drop out with 3.6 (out of 4) average, making me immediately eligible for the Vient Nam War draft. I joined the USAF, starting at Airmen Basic (E1), went through Accounting School at Sheppard AFB, DG, made E5 in 3 years. Applied for Education Commissioning Program, went to Univ of Washington (Seattle) Major in Atmos Sci (Instruments). Went to OTS, DG, assigned to Andrews AFB, supporting Special Missions Wing.
OIC of Wx Det in Greenland as 1Lt. Selected for U of I , MS in Atmos Sci (Wea Radar). Was Senior USAF rep to NEXRAD tri-agency joint program, which developed and deployed the present WSR88D doppler weather radar.
I served a full career, retired as LTC, and spent over 1/4 of my time on active duty going to school, and 3 yr teaching at the USAF weather school.
Whatever else it may be, the military is a meritocracy, and you get out of it no more than you put into it.