Future career advice.
Buzzy, I like you am in a similar position. I have a PPL and am going to work my way through the modular route whilst still in the RAF. I intend to start ATPL ground school next year following a visit to the desert. Following that, a CPL/ME IR will hopefully be on the cards with resettlement money and savings. Although I can't really offer any advice as such, I would echo what people above have said. RAF Flying clubs will get you through the PPL, night and hours building stage in a "relatively" inexpensive way and the use of ELCs helps even more. There is a lot of negativity surrounding career change at a later age, but if it's what you really want to do and you can fund it without getting into major debt, then you should go for it. You'll never know unless you try.