So I joined the Military...

[Deadfire]

As some of you know, I myself have finished school for ever and launched myself into the job world with a head full of dreams. I applied at a few places and got a little of promise however nothing really came out of it or anything. I went to Montreal for a trip for about 4 days it got me thinking on what I really wanted to do as a job and such.

It wasn’t till the ride home I was talking to a (cute) girl from New Zealand who was on an exchange program in our Air force that I got in to thinking about it. We chatted about it but I really didn’t think much into it.

The next day I woke up to me still thinking about it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I thought about the pros and cons about it and when thought them. Looking though the list of positions I found almost the prefect one for me

http://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/jobs...?id=291&bhcp=1

Looking at that I came up with a list

Pros

Job Experience
Education
Pay (Start: $30K/yr After 5 Yrs: $50K/yr)
Pension
Travel
Everything I need is taken care of (Housing and food)

Cons
I could be killed in a war my country didn’t start, nor will end. (Canada is a peacekeeping nation)
I start with basically nothing, and will only be finally posted at my official job in about 2 years. (It appears there is a lot of training involved in the position I wish to get.)
My Job requires me almost to be in combat (About 80%, so I’m told)


Looking at these I decided it was worth the shot at doing something with my life. I had been part of Army Cadets for 7 years, so I had a taste of what to expect. So I went down and got myself signed up (However I’m missing a few things which I will have into them tomorrow)

I want also everyone’s thoughts on this be it good or bad I want to prepare myself to do not do this.

~DF

[Kraco]

Good luck! Give 'em bastards some serious deadfire once you get to the hot spots!

I've known some people who are/were employed by the military here and also in the US (different people), and they all seem pretty happy with their choices. So, you aren't going to get any "bad call" lamentations from me. And I doubt comm personnel are going to get too close to the actual fighting in your army. Of course anything can happen, but the chances are you won't be the one taking AK-47 fire or receiving hand grenades without pins and handles.

The only drawback here is that this is likely going to take you away from Gotwoot more than a civilian job...

[Yukimura]

Wow Deadfire, I didn't think you'd actually do it. But good luck and take care of yourself if you get deployed (which probably won't happen for a while). I'm sure we'll all miss you if you end up stuck somewhere with no internet for a while for training though.

The only advice I can think of is...follow directions and try not to smile too much.

[Winged Dancer]

Wow.
Now this is kinda shocking.

Well, no "don't!" from me. I'm a realist; I don't completely like armed forces but I realize they're needed - very needed! - in this world.

But it's still very strange for me... this is the first time I've met someone who willingly joins the army. I guess I can understand it, as the pros you listed didn't sound bad, and Canada is a pretty peaceful country so with some luck you won't be in many dangerous situations. (or at least that's the image Canada has, could be wrong?)

I wouldn't count the two-years training as a con, by the way. It sounds lenghty, yeah, but you'll learn a lot. By the time you're done with just the training, you'll probably be among the best in your area... at least in my country, it's common knowledge that military people are usually the best engineers, surgeons, trainers, planners and advisors.

So, my final thoughts? Go ahead. Sounds like a great opportunity, evenmore so because you chose it, instead of just being drafted.

Afterthoughts - post a pic of yourself in uniform as soon as you can! Me loves men in uniforms!

[Psyke]

As some of you might realise I have a military career as well. It's not just about weapons and jungle warfare on the tactical level, but actually more on psyops on the operational and strategic levels. It does have a lot of pros and cons to consider about, as I'm constantly asking myself whether this is the best for me as well.

In the end, I think it's still a pretty much rewarding career. Training as a cadet gave me a lot of insights into how valuable and yet fragile life is, and I've become a better person through opportunities in leadership and management only the military can offer.

So, for those who only see a career in the military as one who fights in war and goes around holding M16s, it's really not, and there is whole spectrum of different job and learning opportunities within its doors.

Good luck on your new found career DF, and do post pics!

[yallo]

To be honest, I don't really have the best of impressions of a career in the military. Mainly because I've come across high-ranking officers who treat their men like dogs with no respect, and yet there's nothing anyone can do about it because in the military, having the higher rank simply beats all reasoning.

But I wish you best of luck in your chosen career. The job description doesn't sound like one that requires you to kick down doors and wave around machine guns, but more intellectual (electronic warfare?) kinda position, so I guess it can't be that bad.

Would you get to choose which service (Army, Navy, Airforce) to go to? Can't imagine being holed up in one tiny dark room on a ship, getting all sea-sick but still forced to analyse some obscure signal, that'd be terrible heh.

[?igma]

There's only one remedy against joining the Army..watch Jarhead ..understand the message and understand that nothing changed. Except for being shot to death oO

[Kraco]

Oh. So, to sum it up, you got your chance to throw hand grenades and try a HMG? All is well, then.

[Death BOO Z]

DF, I don't get it.

are you considering a military career (say, 15-20 years in service?), or is it an investment towards the future that if you serve for a few years, you're granted some special privileges from the state?

(long and misspelled question short- is there a specific date that your army days will end at?)

[Deadfire]

Oh. So, to sum it up, you got your chance to throw hand grenades and try a HMG? All is well, then.

More then a few times

DF, I don't get it.

are you considering a military career (say, 15-20 years in service?), or is it an investment towards the future that if you serve for a few years, you're granted some special privileges from the state?

(long and misspelled question short- is there a specific date that your army days will end at?)

It's a option more or less to continue after my contract, again fate may do odd things to me from now till that time.

There really isn't anything that's special given to you to continue, however with current issues with the job market I'm in one of the safest fields as they don't just fire soldiers. The pension after about 25 years is awesome as well, basically setting me up for life after. However again I have to make the best with what I have. I'd have to weigh my options when that time comes.