Hi Neil
Just a quick one from here. I also was RAF AATC and wanted FLight Dispatch after leaving 8 years back.
As there a very few courses for this subject, it is possible to get an FAA course in USA as your resettlement. Myself and 2 others did this at same time. It does depend on your family situation, as its 6 weeks full time, but I think it was worth it, but then I am single so no family to worry about.
The course fees were paid, accom, plus rate 1s for 6 weeks and if memory serves me, there was also something towards travel, but not full cost of flight ticket.
I did it in Minneapolis, which is a very good school. Also, there is a military part to the airport there, and as a serving member, you can arrange accom there. It was about 6 US a day when I went thru.
If you are sure that this is the direction you want once you leave, then I can say that having the licence was a good investment for me. It got me a job working for an airline dispatch office at LHR, and also I'm onto my 3rd airline overseas. All of them wanted some sort of qualification to show at least a certain level of knowledge. The licence is great for that, works all over europe.
You'd also be advised to polish up on some subjects before going, but that you can decide later
If you want more info, let me know.
Regards Chris