It could be worse. I did an exchange with a Foreign & Commonwealth Defence Force a few years ago, and their military recruits do not even know which arm of the Defence Force they will end up in after basic training. Their Officers are trained by the UK at one of our Officer training establishments, but a Sandhurst Course followed by helicopter pilot training (Air Wing) is quite pheasable. Bit of a bummer if you want to fly aeroplanes and get a job with the Navy/Coastguard though. It is a 3 year minimum sentence post training even if you hate the job, with no option to PVR.
Those sitting on the fence may wish to research the 'voluntary withdrawl' options should life turn against them. I have no idea what the present state is on that one, so throw the subject in amongst the pack for you to fight over.
Rude: Long time - Hope all is well.