What I would do if i was in your situation is to try and apply for the academy before I went enlisted. I am assuming that college didn't work out for you because you, like I was at one point, were possibly too immature and dropped out. The academy, like any other military institution, should be able to knock that out of you and increase your work ethic. Now if your situation was financial or something else, the academy would be able to work with that even easier. Also, if you don't get into the academy before you enlist, try applying while you are in school not just after. After school you will be assigned to a carrier/sub and will have little time to apply for it (aka life will be tougher). Remember to check the eligibility requirements of the school though, because if you are married, you can't go.