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| Should I join the Canadian Military? http://www.canadaka.net/forums/canadian-military-f23/should-i-join-the-canadian-military-t3471.html |
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| Author: | Laconfir [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Should I join the Canadian Military? |
Hey all, I hope we have alot of vets and current Canadian (And Foreign) soldiers here.. I am now in Grade 12 and have to start looking ahead for my future (GOD That sounds so corny) and well, I have thought of a couple of things. Go to University or College is one choice, probably my #1. There are other numerous ones, but the one choice that ranks up there with going to Uni. or Coll. is joining the Canadian Military. I have always wanted a career in the military, and possibly Special Forces (JTF-2) if I am 'suitable' for it. The reason I am wary of this is the way the media portrays our military, like the Seakings and the recent incident with the HMCS Chicoutimi.. Now, is our miliary in as bad a situation as everyone says it is? Is the pay worth it? I have been told by a couple Canadians in our army from playing CS with them, that our military isn't as bad equipment wise as the media says, and that the training makes up for it... I have also thought of joining the US Military should it have an administration change, as well as joining the French Foreign Legion, or going over to Germany and trying my hand at the Border Police and later on with the Border Police's GSG-9 unit. Anyway, any suggestions? |
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| Author: | Rev_Blair [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:53 pm ] |
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Go to university, then join the military later if you still want to. I'd stay away from the militaries of foreign nations. |
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| Author: | Munner [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Edited. |
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| Author: | Ralph [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
You could combine the two and go somewhere like the Royal Military Collage. But if I were you I would finish my education first. Then doors will open for what ever you want to do. |
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| Author: | RoyalHighlander [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:17 pm ] |
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Join the reserves is one idea, but join with the intention of becoming an officer.. You can go into reserves and become an officer that way too.. also if you do like that life, you can get a top notch education with the military at RMC in Kingston.. all you have to do is give them 5 years but in exchange you will get a top notch education... |
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| Author: | Scape [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:28 pm ] |
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Seeing as how your still deciding but are inclined to find out more try the reserves and see how that goes, it's lower intensity and will not require the extensive commitment or training level and you will get an idea what the real deal is like as well it can help you with your university education. You could go ROTP if your grades are high enough and they will pay for you. Going south is a guaranteed deployment so if you want to mix it up that where you want to be but the risks outweigh the benefits in my mind. You are Canadian so you don't have to go foreign legion you could join the British Army instead if you want to travel and have a chance at some action as well as you are a commonwealth citizen. The most elite of the Canadian Armed Forces by far are the SAR TECH's if you want to aim high, they are the best, bar none. |
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| Author: | Laconfir [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:42 pm ] |
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Thanks for the suggestions. I had planned on trying the reserves first but yeah most of the posts here help. As far as JTF2 goes, I had figured it would be hard. I like to be optimistic though  But yeah it was more of a career goal then the reason for joining. Also ranked 1-10, who would be the best Special Forces/CT group? Like Delta, SEALs, JTF2, GIGN, GSG-9, SAS, etc? I have always heard SAS is the best.
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| Author: | xerxes [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
First of all the best group for SF/CT is the SAS. Just watch "SAS- Are you tough enough?" on the History Channel to see what their training islike (in a word unpleasant). As for joining the army. Don't be afraid to join the regular army. I know a guy who enlisted at 18. He served almost 30 years, was sent to every shithole on earth where people kill each other, retired a Warrant officer, gets a good pension, and doesn't regret a day of it. Furthermore, army service is a good way to get into law enforcement, if you want that kind of life. But it sounds like most of the moderators here have some sort of military past, so listen to their advice more than mine. |
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| Author: | F/sgt Cam [ Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:16 pm ] |
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I sugest 2 things: 1) www.jointheforces.com 2) don't join the french foreign legion they beat you if you don't understand french in 1 month and they have something like 40% casualty stats! |
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| Author: | -Mario- [ Wed Oct 13, 2004 4:48 am ] |
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Definitely finish University. Go and talk to your local recruting officer. See what you need to get in. They also pay for you to attend University. Military college is also a good idea. Go Officer... settle for nothing else. Airforce is a good go. If you desire to go JTF-2... you need to be in the forces for a while before applying... You need to be in top shape. I know a young Capt. who applied 3 times, before getting in. He went through military college, and was in the Rugby team. I have friends with martial arts background, who didn't make it. I am not lying or exagerating here, You need to be in great shape. Try this link |
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| Author: | Laconfir [ Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:23 pm ] |
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I never expected that applying for JTF2 would be easy, or quick. I am aware that there is at least a 2 year Full Service requirement, and 3 years for Reservists. |
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| Author: | TheLetterX [ Mon Nov 29, 2004 8:16 pm ] |
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Hey Laconfir, here's a little heads up if you're gonna try out for JTF2. Just finished reading "Canada's Secret Commandos: The Unauthorized Story of Joint Task Force 2" and here's what the author described as the first PT they screen new applicants with: To get 100% on the PT, here's what an applicant had to do: -1 1/2 miles under 8 minutes and 45 seconds then, -58 continuous push-ups then, -58 sit-ups within 1 minute then, -14 overhand pull-ups with full extension then, -a bench press of about 110 kilograms! No break in between exercises! In 2001 that is....... |
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| Author: | spoonman [ Mon Nov 29, 2004 9:35 pm ] |
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I heard that there was some reservists from B.C. that joined the Rangers training program in the U.S. Part of a training exchange program Canada and the U.S. has. When the the course was completed the two Canadians ranked 1st and 2nd place. Kinda sweet eh!! |
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| Author: | HeatSink [ Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:40 pm ] |
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I spent 12 years or so in the Militia (Army Reserves) in Calgary and then the last three of my military career in the regular force Navy. I don't regret a second of it, my life has been extremely interesting. I've travelled all over, seen lots of good and bad stuff, and generally have a well-balance perspetive on the world now. Here's my thoughts if I was in your place. 1. I agree with the members who suggest going reserve first. The military is a total mind f*** culture shock. No amount of talking to people or watching movies or reading can prepare you for the drastic mental change you will go through. The military recognizes this and gives you an out after you finish your basic training. This is fine for most folk who, if they decide the mob isn't for them, can just go try something else. You, however, have school registration and application timings to think about. It will take months to get in and then an indeterminable amount of time for you to get loaded on and finish your basic recruit training. You will have to put a lot of stuff on hold to get to boot camp. If you find it isn't for you - then you've wasted a lot of time with which you probably could have completed a semester or two. If you go reserve, at least you can do it part-time, and do your schooling. If it doesn't pan out then you haven't lost a whole lot of time. If it does pan out - you can get school money from them... 2. If you decide to go reserves - go with a plan. I've seen too many people who joined the reserves to get a taste of the military, or to help with school, or whatever, and it has turned into a full time job when it was neither intended nor designed to be. The nature of Canada's comittment to operations world wide has increased dramatically in the last decade. Our forces are working hard, and now it is common practise to augment regular force units with reserve force personnel to the tune of 50% of the unit strength or better. A decade ago it was almost unheard of for a reserve soldier to have any medals other than perhaps a CD (long service medal). Now it's not uncommon to see reserve force corporals with 3, 4 medals or more. Reserve soldiers are pulling their weight like at no other time in history. Unfortunately, the benefits they receive are less than the regular force soldiers. The young reservist who is doing his or her best for the country can easily turn around and wonder where the last 10 years went. Because of his or her comittment to the forces (volunteering to deploy or take in-country taskings), he or she may not be able to hold down 'good' civilian jobs or stay on a civilian career path. Therefore many of this type of reservist have diffculty supporting themselves when the budgetary axe falls like it does time and time again. In short - if you're going to go reserves - 'use' them for something and look at staying with them no more than about 5 years before either leaving to pursue a civilian career or go regular force if you like it. 3. JTF-2 - go for it. Yup, it's elite but who cares? I personally know three people who made it to some point within the selection process and one who made it. We need those bad boys, hell - the world needs those bad boys. When they come looking, apply. I'm sure as hell not going to try and dissuade you - you might turn out to be the best commando yet. That's just my 2 cents. Hope it helps 
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| Author: | Indelible [ Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:26 pm ] |
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well, well, well.... i can't say that i have been part of the military because i haven't. but when i was younger i was in army cadets. i joined when i was 13 and stayed in as a cadet until i aged uot when i turned 19. when i aged out i was a CWO, the RSM of my cadet corps. i had summer camps and staffing summer camps, i had qualifications up the yahoo. i had medals (2 of them) and the D of E award. in that time i got to see the system that cadets has which is actually quite similar to reg and reserve army units... there were many times i got to see what it was like. when i had just started out, i had the mentality of "sure this is a load of bullshit but i am gonna be tough and push through it and go as far as i can" and i did. but by the time i aged out and had all this qualification, the CO of the 18th AD reg't at the time had his eye on me and he wanted me to join up when i aged out. but by then my attitude had changed. why should i subject myself to all that shit? is it really worth it to be put through all that? i guess the point is that if you think this is something u want to do then by all means do it but you'd better be completely absolutely sure you do, before you join up. |
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