FlyingEventually

I'm looking to join the ANG in college and fly (hopefully) after I get my degree. I'm still in high school and working on my PPL and plan on majoring in Professional Aviation in college. I'm going to do everything in my power to make myself as competitive as I can be (high GPA/PCSM, leadership roles etc.) but I was wondering just how much joining early would benefit me later down the road? I plan on enlisting as a crew chief to work as close as I can to pilots. Thanks for the help.