I wish that we were better as a nation both about pricing college and about advertising the resources available to go to college at a discounted price. It's no coincidence after all that we all know the Army's an option.
It was the only reason I joined (reserves) too. Finished college and got a good paying job in one contract and never "re-upped." It saved me from a life of factory work. I'm the only one of my workmates that doesn't have college debt.
How long ago was this? How old are you now? 39 is the age cut off for some branches so there might still be a chance if you wanted to try out Guard/Reserves even just to get that one weekend a month experience