When we wet-behind-the-ears Flight Cadets were told in 1968 that 'They' had decided that as many people as possible should go to University, we were told that "The self-discipline developed as an undergraduate to complete academic studies whilst completing military obligations will benefit both the Service and the individual". Or words to that effect.
With school academic standards plummeting, I find it astonishing that people are being encouraged not to go to University.
Why do they want more non-graduates to join the RAF? Simple - they won't need to pay them as much and they'll get more productive service out of them. It'll also give them an even greater opportunity to put the skids under the UAS system to save a few pounds for Greedy Gordon (or hopefully his opposite in another party).
However, joining younger means that the magic 2000hrsTT/1500PIC will be gained earlier, so young Bloggs will have his ATPL or CPL/IR in his back pocket sooner and wil be able to escape to the airlines sooner.....