Super Cecil,
I'm ATC but hold PPL fixed wind. Started rotary but ran out of money. I thought about MIL pilot, but at the time was too old, so got a gig in ATC instead.
My priorities don't lie with either, I prefer to pass on what I learn't from flying to others I have trained in ATC and also when I control. I am one small part of a system, whose job is to provide a service to pilots using the current rules and procedures. I have posted many times that ATC need to get out and go flying as much as they can and aircrew need to make the effort to visit ATC.
Many questions get answered and people get to understand each others issues, etc.
A bit of mutual understanding can go a long way.