I was not much in the way of college material, had the grades but not the interests, and am very debt averse.

I joined the USMC, did 6 and matured fast, and then worked various skilled trades, reaching journeyman status in two. IF.........you are good at what you do, and what you do is in demand, there is a near guaranteed path to good wages, benefits and long term financial stability. The trades can lead to other technical employment, and also allows one to be much more self reliant than some one who can only perform in some narrow specialty. There is the added benefit of the immense sense of personal accomplishment day in and day out.

As long as you get off your butt and do it, otherwise it just gets tougher.

Military is good. Trade school is good if you really know there will be jobs at the end of it. Otherwise, you could just start out working at entry level. A lot of companies have room to move up; you just have to prove 1] that you can show up for work and do the job every day, and 2] that you can learn new skills. Tech related companies often will not require college; you can move up as you learn, or stay at a low level if you don't learn.

Community college isn't the only choice but you should consider the other two options, college isn't for everyone. It doesn't make you lower than anyone or higher than anyone just because you don't go to college. You make your life and decide what you want to do. People may mock you and laugh but just stay consistent