Travis,

Work towards your ratings in your spare time. Fly as much as your schedule and pocketbook will allow. If you only get so much as your private pilot and instrument rating done, fine- enjoy flying for flying while building valuable time and experience. If you can knock out other ratings, great!

You actually have an advantage- you are gaining valuable life-experience and have a steady income (as well as most of your living costs covered). It might take you a bit more time in the long run to make your first paycheck as a pilot, but hey- the industry sucks right now anyway! I don't know how hiring differs in the UK from the US, but it really doesn't matter how long it took you to get your experience, as long as you have the required minimums for hiring and are relatively current/proficient when you apply.

Fly on the side- and do it for fun! The added benefit is that many military bases (at least US ones) have flying clubs that service members can join for relatively reasonable rates (and get decent rates too). I would look into some of those opportunites for your training. Regardless of what you choose to do, start networking NOW! The contacts that you make now could very easily lead to jobs later in life!

~Josh