Many moons ago, I did my aerodrome training at the origina Dundrige College in Devon, alongside a fast track course of some 10 ex - mil atcos, all of whom had been recruited by NATS to do aerodrome/approach procedural and approach radar in about 12 weeks.
As I recall, 9 out of the 10 passed with flying colours, and I have the utmost respect for those guys, had they failed, they would have been sacked by NATS and had nothing.
The difference between them and the vast majority of the current Mil ATCOs who desire to work in the civilian world, is that they had the balls to leave the "comfort zone", and risk everything.
If you're prepared to do that, good for you, you'll have the respect and support of nearly everyone in the Civillian world, if not, by all means pursue your military career, but don't blather on about what might have been until you have the courage to venture into the real world.