As falconchic mentioned, the academies (And Ivy League Schools) are not members of the NLI (National Letter of Intent) program. As such, anyone can sign a Letter of Intent with a school; E.g. Ohio State; and then change their mind and decide to go to the Air Force academy; or any military academy..... OR, to Harvard or other Ivy League school. With NO PENALTIES whatsoever. And the same in reverse. You can have an UNOFFICIAL commitment to the academies; or even a commitment to Harvard and the day before going to basic training or starting at Harvard; Ohio State could recruit you with absolutely no penalties. And the reason the academies and Ivy's aren't members of the NLI, is because they don't offer athletic scholarships. PLUS; membership in the NLI is strictly VOLUNTARY.
So, the NLI is a voluntary agreed upon program among participating schools. (Basically ALL schools except Ivy and academies). If an individual commits (On Paper - National Signing Day); and they change their mind later, they are basically out of college sports for a year. Unless the school they chose NOT to attend and had the NLI says it's ok. Rare, but it does happens if you're nice about it. I.e. a friend of mine was recruited, signed, accepted, etc. to USC. 3 months before school started, his mom had a stroke. He wanted to change his school to Georgia Tech and be a "Walk-On" so he could be close to home. (They are from Atlanta). He explained it to USC and they let him "Out of his NLI Commitment".
So, this is why I have no ethical or moral problem with applicants being accepted to a school and accepting it; THEN changing their mind later and deciding to go a military academy. The academies take so long to give out appointments that an individual would be foolish to NOT apply and get accepted to a school in the HOPES that they'll receive an academy appointment. Likewise, I have no problem with an individual accepting a military appointment, and after getting accepted to their #1 Traditional School, turning down the appointment. Even if they accepted it and was sitting on it for a month or two.
This isn't "Community College" or the "University of Whereverthehell". Nothing against those types of schools, but they are generally AUTOMATIC admission for ANY STATE RESIDENT. So, an individual that can get accepted and given an appointment to a military academy is EXCEPTIONAL. They aren't the basic student getting accepted to community college or their home university. These individuals have busted their A$$ for at least the last 4 years to get accepted to the academies and/or other prestigious schools. As such; it is my opinion that they have EARNED THE RIGHT to do what they believe is best for them. Whether they get to a school or academy based on athletics, academics, both, or other attribute. ACCEPT whatever you can, and then decide when you have to. For the OP of this thread, there's no penalty to accept an athletic scholarship for a traditional school and turning it down later if you get an appointment. There's nothing morally or ethically wrong with that. You've EARNED that right. it's YOUR LIFE. Do with it what's best FOR YOU. Same if an individual has an appointment to the academy. If May/June comes along, and you're accepted late from the wait list for your #1 school, then by all means turn down the academy appointment and accept the other school. Even if it's the day before leaving for basic training. You EARNED that right. it's YOUR LIFE. Do with it what's best FOR YOU.