On graduating from high school, the last thing I wanted to do was go to college. I was sick of school, but really didn't have any skills that would allow me to get a decent job. At the time (1967) the Vietnam War was in full swing, and I had decided that I would join the U.S. Marine Corps as soon as I could (I was 17 on graduation, and my parents probably wouldn't have signed for me to join at that age - especially into the Marines). So, I waited until a couple months after I turned 18 and went and joined the Corps.
That action had a profound influence on my life, which I discuss here and here.