Jesus. I sent myself to a job on the railroad when I was 18... learned diesel mechanics, steam fitting, construction, heavy equipment operation...all the way through high finance and public relations... and they paid ME... and I put myself through Engineering School with that money. I think the 4 year B.S.M.E. cost less than 50 grand. This was in the late ‘90s.
Dang, you’re an unusual one from New Jersey, being a conservative, huh?! My background sounds similar to yours. Except I joined the Navy at 17..on subs, got out and worked for a few years...ended up with a contract job at an Arkansas nuclear plant documenting as-built piping systems. Saved my money and went to Univ. of TN, Knoxvile, BSME, on my own dime...I think it cost me around 40K all said and done.
Your work ethic will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Trust me, I know.