army in a trade leading to decent quals, preferably a degree, is a viable option as you can solve money and training in one hit. eg REME or maybe even RAF. I guess its mechanical engineering you want???

dont fuck around with infantry as youll come out with skills that are readily available in the job market already. Especially in USA they have a quite large turnover of people in the US forces coming out into job market with military weapons skills etc already, so youd have to be able to offer something special to compete other than just being a brit!!

Statistically speaking dont worry too much about getting fucked up. Its more important that you know how to deal with shit before you join up and dont believe all the bottling stuff up macho bullshit cos it makes things worse. Its not what you experience thats the problem but the way you deal with it. Obviously you need to be honest with yourself how much this stuff bothers you.

Id say uni would have been a safe option in the current recession as its 3 years out of the main job world, BUT if chips right and you cant stick it out then theres no point.