Use this as an advantage when going to the board - if they question your decision asto becoming a Defence Force Pilot, I'm only 18/19, still young, and becoming a pilot for the defence force is a major decision in life, especially with the 11yr contract, the void, 7month gap was for me to take a step back and reflect on my life-path before going through with these big decisions.
I know you're trying to help here, but I reckon that approach will be taken as being indecisive. "Indecisive" could be interpreted as a lack of motivation.
Believe me when I say you will need 100% motivation for this course.
If you really want it, then there is no decision.