Here's an even better idea. Find out where your nearest local R/C club is and pay a visit to the field on a sunny Sunday afternoon (or even at lunchtime on Wednesday). Talk to some of the old timers that are hanging around, tell them you are interested in flying, and that you are fixing to go into the military in a few months.

I'd bet you that someone will have an old trainer that they will make you a really good deal on, and they will happily teach you how to fly it.

Opjose is absolutely right. The cheap park flyers can be a very frustrating waste of money, and have probably driven more folks from this hobby than they have attracted.

Good luck.