IMHO,
the previous posts are right - If you can get Aunty Betty to pay for your flying training, do so.
You will have to make your own personal judgment about whether you would be happy with the "military life".
The flying will be likely to be interesting too.
I too have gone down the civy route - I started flying far too late to join the mil as a pilot. I love the flying but it does not make any financial sense to pay your own way. Civilian helicopter flying is so marginally viable; there is no real money in it for anyone.