RE: Recurve or Compound?
Having learned to shoot on longbows and recurves, I would say that there is such a difference between them and compounds that learning both couldn't hurt. Form IMO, is much more crucial to the recurve bows. Since there is no letoff, you'll have to build muscle strength with the recurve.
The compound will initially be much more accurate since you will have sights and the arrows will be traveling a flatter trajectory. If you're like me, you'll like the compound for hunting and 3d type shoots, but enjoy the recurve as a hobby. I just don't feel comfortable aiming at a deer with the recurve just yet, though I've always been a poor instinctive shooter.
Get both if you can afford them! Archery is so much fun and each style bow offers so much.
Whatever you do, enjoy yourself!