So I joined the Military...

[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.

[Inazuma]

Deadfire, I would think you would good at the CiC.
No bullets, screens, coms and headache.

"
- Sergent Deadfire why is there a manga like wallpaper on the Tactical Command display ? You tell me know how I can visualize the battelfield like that ....
- But sir it's ... Saber ... It's ... she can save us all you know she'll come and ...
- Brig ... now ...
"

[Assertn]

Well, most of this had been discussed with me and some others over IRC, but basically....

1) Make sure it's something you actually want to do, and not just something that's convenient for you due to the lack of any other opportunities your town is offering you. (Many people seem to join for this reason)

2) Make sure it's the fastest way to realizing whatever your true career goals are. The military doesn't offer too much lee-way for relevant potential growth unless it's specifically for something like getting into political/government type work.

3) Make sure it's a good fit for your personality. I myself have little patience with the type of commitment that I can't back out of. I get too antsy staying on one path, and so something like a long-term military career would probably drive me insane.

[Psyke]

I checked out the site DF linked to, and it seems more of a technical job, which is also good as it gives you to chance to build up some experience which might be valuable in the private sectors, such as defence science or engineering.

On a separate note, the Singapore Armed Forces focuses a lot on recuitment drives. Just look at some of the commercials. They always make me feel "patriotic" and want to sign on (if I haven't already)....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMSPTVApgZs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5rvx8mZJi4

[mage]

On a separate note, the Singapore Armed Forces focuses a lot on recuitment drives. Just look at some of the commercials. They always make me feel "patriotic" and want to sign on (if I haven't already)....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMSPTVApgZs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5rvx8mZJi4

American military commercials try to make it seem like you get super powers just by joining by showing things like a guy climbing a sheer cliff bare handed with no ropes, etc.

This begs the question: What super power will DF get by joining the military?