Author Topic: Guys, I really need some advice about joining. Badly. (Read 47305 times)

PMedMoe · « **Reply #25 on:** April 25, 2008, 12:39:56 »

There's lots of threads here that cover the same issues you have, more or less, if you do a search.
Also, it's not necessary to post the same thing twice.

TylerSnap! · « **Reply #26 on:** April 25, 2008, 12:41:16 »

Well dj, I'm not in the forces ( I leave for boot on Sunday) I have a few suggestions. Get your GED! I was down the same road you travelled for a while and it also took a while for me to clue in as to what is important. And your GED is it. It's also a sign that you want to leave your past troubles behind you and begin a more responsible life, which you can tell your interviewer when you apply. Don't listen to friends who are 9 times out of ten talking out of their a$$e$. Especially if they are the friends you got drugged up with. It also sounds like your torn between keeping your civvie job and going into the military. It is a life style change and you'll have to think long and hard about it. Don't jump into it and remember that it is your choice. And the last thing I tell everyone who I talk to about joining the forces, go talk with a recruiter! The have all kinds of info just laying around waiting to get handed out. Just don't sign anything until your sure.

Yrys · « **Reply #27 on:** April 25, 2008, 12:44:16 »

Quote from: PMedMoe on April 25, 2008, 12:39:56

There's lots of threads here that cover the same issues you have, more or less, if you do a search.

Search as in :

Quote

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Quote from: PMedMoe on April 25, 2008, 12:39:56

Also, it's not necessary to post the same thing twice.

Not necessary as it's a big no - no

here

.

TylerSnap! · « **Reply #28 on:** April 25, 2008, 12:45:53 »

And here I went to all the trouble to reply on the other thread. grrrr.

PMedMoe · « **Reply #29 on:** April 25, 2008, 12:48:06 »

Don't worry, I just asked the Mods to merge the threads.

MrBlue · « **Reply #30 on:** April 25, 2008, 12:53:40 »

Tyler are you in the US Army, because in Canada, there is no such thing as Boot.

Fireball · « **Reply #31 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:03:01 »

Hi Dj,

First of all congrats to you for wanting to clean up your life. Well we are not that different. My wife/friends think it is crazy what I want to do but I know in my gut that Pilot is the life for me.

The same should be for you. If you TRULY believe you were meant to be in the Combat Arms then by all means go for it regardless of the nay-sayers. it's your life buddy - not theirs. Your son will grow up to be proud of a dad that had the guts to follow his own convictions. The military will offer life lessons that cannot be gained out here in the civilian world. Not to mention the pay would be comperable or better. You'd also have educational opportunities to pursue a diploma/degree later in your career. You will also have job stability which is much more than I can say for anyone in the civilian world (unless you work for the government). The army is a life less ordinary.

As for your personal issues. Get that GED, build up your physical fitness and learn that you can change from an angry fellow to a disciplined soldier with a son to care for. You are doing this for his well-being also.

CPL Jay

TylerSnap! · « **Reply #32 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:05:54 »

So sorry. BMQ. Terribly sorry for using the wrong slang. Whatever.

Kat Stevens · « **Reply #33 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:13:06 »

Quote from: Biggoals2bdone on April 25, 2008, 12:53:40

Tyler are you in the US Army, because in Canada, there is no such thing as Boot.

Funny, I seem to remember going to boot camp around 79ish.

TylerSnap! · « **Reply #34 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:17:18 »

"Boot Camp". It's just slang for BMQ right?

Kat Stevens · « **Reply #35 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:18:26 »

Eye In The Sky · « **Reply #36 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:22:22 »

I think there has been many slang names for it (we called it boot camp in '89 when I did it) but I think there is a more 'funky' name for it now

Moody · « **Reply #37 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:27:11 »

Quote from: Eye In The Sky on April 25, 2008, 13:22:22

I think there has been many slang names for it (we called it boot camp in '89 when I did it) but I think there is a more 'funky' name for it now

Hell?

TylerSnap! · « **Reply #38 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:28:27 »

oh yeah! "Basic Up!". Where all your instructors tell you,"good job", "we're proud of you", "do you need some help?" HAHA. Oh, and they never use the F-Bomb. It's "Frig" or "Friggin!". Man I can't wait for my Basic Up, it's gonna be a walk in the park!

Note: TylerSnap!'s post is heavily laced with sarcasm.

Blackadder1916 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:37:33 »

Quote from: TylerSnap! on April 25, 2008, 13:17:18

"Boot Camp". It's just slang for BMQ right?

While a "slang" term for anything does not have to have official recognition to be used, sometimes there are consequences for using the wrong slang. I've most often heard "boot camp" used in reference to USMC basic recruit training. Way back in 1976 (when I attended CFRC Cornwallis) the commonly use term was "basic". One of my fellow recruits once used the term "boot camp" in the presence of an instructor (and he may also have called him a DI, another no-no). The instructor, to reinforce his lesson about nomenclature, made the recruit wear both pairs of his boots, one pair on his feet, one pair on his hands and had him walk on all fours around the barracks 100 times.

TylerSnap! · « **Reply #40 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:39:51 »

Well if anything will convince dj to join the forces that should be it.

MedKAWD · « **Reply #41 on:** April 25, 2008, 13:41:29 »

Hi there.

This is just my opinion, cause its similar to yours. I am a session bass player, and I'm currently on the road in North America. This life, its great it really is, I get to meet lots of great people such as Finger Eleven, Goo Goo Dolls, Faber Drive, Jimmy Eat World. And all the other great bands I've got to meet while touring. The money is good, not many expenses due to the tour bus and riders (meals and drinks) at shows. Now, despite all this, I'm home in 4 days and when I get there I am re-activating my application and going to be merit listed again (how do I know?, because the Capt. at Toronto CFRC told me he would do it for me after I talked to him). I thought to myself the same thing you did, I want to have a stable job with a stable income, now I could go to Fleming in Peterborough ON for their Paramedic program, but the opportunities, benefits, and yes money are too plentiful in the Forces to pass up. Its an exiting, and demanding job, and that is very appealing to me. There is no money to be made in music anymore. People do not buy albums, everything is downloaded. And the only age demographic with enough money to spend on music (age 14-18 & its their parents money :-p) just don't care enough to buy the album, they will just Limewire that catchy song in their head. I'm leaving for something better, no doubt.

You appear to have been making a big effort to reach your goal here, good for you. As for what you should do, by what you have told us, CF sounds like a wise choice. And if you really are passionate about it and willing to do what is necessary to get in then thats half the battle won. Just remember (as I'm sure you are fully aware), what you want to go into is dangerous, things happen, and as you said, you have a son and a girlfriend to look after.

Good luck to you, Kyle

Mr.Blakey · « **Reply #42 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:10:14 »

Hey guys, read some post on here for the last few months but i am faced with a decision and i figured who better to ask then people in the forces.

*sorry about my life story*

Now Ive had a pretty rocky childhood, i don't have any formal training or education, my folks split up when i was 12 and my moms went nutty dragging me and my sister all over Canada so i never had the same opportunity's as others my age. We never stayed in one place too long so i didn't even have the chance to graduate high school. the highest i achieved was some grade eleven courses, but i am not stupid, before all this i had A's, and high B's in school so i know what I'm capable of intellectually. I am now 21 and some people have recommended the army to me as a structured environment that will give me skills in life, but is not having my GED going to greatly hamper my lifestyle there? Ive been told to go for officer training, but obviously i need schooling for that, so i guess my question to all you guys is this:

Should i go back and get me GED (yeah i realize I'm old and it embarrasses me, but its better late than never) and look into post secondary and go officer or is it worth all the trouble? Maybe i should just go NCO like some have told me.......I'm sick of dead end jobs.

I really need a direction in life and a career path to look ahead to, a goals to set and eventually achieve, this has been on my chest for along time, so i welcome all opinions whatever advice you can give i will listen to because this crossroad may shape the outcome of my entire life!

Thanx for your time

Mr.Newf · « **Reply #43 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:34:38 »

The highest level of education you have, the better.

Go and get your GED, then join up.

Pretty blunt answer I know, but it is the best option. Also do a search of the site, since there have been questions like this asked before.

Good luck.
-Deadpan

Jaydub · « **Reply #44 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:35:34 »

You may be able to join right now, depending on how many credits you have, but I highly reccommend getting your GED first. It leaves you with more options in the Military, and it makes you a better candidate for selection.
Your background is nothing to be embarrassed about. What's important is that you're going for it.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Sigger · « **Reply #45 on:** July 09, 2008, 12:39:22 »

If you have your grade 10(with enough credits), you could also join now, and whilst in, get your GED through the CAF paid for...

That's what I would do.

WrenchBender · « **Reply #46 on:** July 09, 2008, 13:01:06 »

Don't sweat the age thing with taking your GED. I challenged the exam last year at the age of 46. I dont think I was the oldest in the room either......

WrenchBender

Loachman · « **Reply #47 on:** July 09, 2008, 13:50:13 »

What you need most, you seem to have already, and that is motivation.

You do not need to apologize for your life story - and you kept it short anyway.

As for age, you're not old. You have thirty-nine years to go until CRA (Compulsory Release Age) yet. Joining as an NCM is certainly an option, and you can improve your education once in as has been mentioned. You will need a degree to become an officer at the current time, in which case there is a programme (UTPNCM) designed to provide NCMs the opportunity to gain a degree and subsequently be commissioned that would be available to you later on should you join as an NCM.

Have you talked to a recruiter? You will get a far better picture of the opportunities open to you that way.

Good luck.

baac · « **Reply #48 on:** July 09, 2008, 14:50:32 »

Quote from: Mr.Blakey on July 09, 2008, 12:10:14

Should i go back and get me GED (yeah i realize I'm old and it embarrasses me, but its better late than never)

Just my 2 cents, but something twigged for me in your comment. To pass on some hard-earned wisdom: screw other people's opinions. (If you pardon the expression...) That's their life, not yours. Your GED is good for you. If you want it, go get it, and forget what anyone else thinks.

If you decide to join the Forces, good for you. But always make the best decision for you and yours.

Anyway, it sounds like you've got good sense, so you've got nothing to worry about... And 21 is so far from old...

Brendan

kincanucks · « **Reply #49 on:** July 09, 2008, 16:01:29 »

Forget the GED if you want to take post secondary, anything worthwhile that is, anytime soon. Finish your high school. Talk to you local high schools/community colleges about classes. GEDs are worth as much as the paper they are printed and are designed to make people happy they at least accomplished something in their life but couldn't quite handle the high school courses. My 2 cents.

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Author Topic: Guys, I really need some advice about joining. Badly. (Read 47305 times)