I failled at life, thinking of joining the army .

[krazykidd]

Not to say that people in the army are people that failed at life. I have nothing but the utmost respect for our soldiers.

That being said, i am a 23 year old male , that has dropped out of university, work a dead end job, and have more problems than i can handle. I have made quite a few ( too many ) mistakes in my life and i am thinkng that i need a fresh start. I live with my girlfriend and we have just barely enough to get by . Not a Glamorous life but we do manage to get by .

Now a thought crossed my mind a few months ago about joining the army . I do believe that joining, would help my self-esteem , confidence and lack of maturity. It would allow me to experience certain things that i might not get the chance to otherwise. Now i know it isn't the easiest think to do , but i am pretty confident i could pass the initial test ( medical and fitness and whatnot ) so that isn't the issue. I am curious about the "life in/during/after the army" .

I am a canadian citizen , and would obviously join the canadian forces. Basically what i am looking for in this thread is for people to tell me their experiences in the army ( not necessarily canadian of course ) , what's it like, what should i watchout for , how this may affect my life with my girlfriend ( it's a serious relationship ). Basically how shit would go down , if i decide to take the plunge into this .

I do hear a lot of people who go through the initial training don't make it through, but i'm not really interested in discussing the physical requirements for going into the army , but more about how it will affect my life in general. The good and the bad.

So if you have been in the army, if you are in the army, if you personally know people that are in the army, i would like to hear from you . Thank you in advance.

 

[Saladfork]

Holy shit dude, I'm in the exact same place! I'm even Canadian too! I've put in an application to the CF more than 3 weeks ago and I've yet to hear back, unfortunately.

I'm actually trying to join the police, though. They seem to want 2 years of continuous employment beforehand though so I'm considering joining a security company.

 

[Floggo]

Try and get yourself into the trades like an apprenticeship or something, you'll get plenty of money once you're a fully qualified tradesmen, plus if you get sacked or something, it won't be too hard to get a new job at a new company cause you'll have all of the requirements and etc.

 

[Saladfork]

I live near a military base and know a considerably large amount of people in the military. I'll write the pros/cons

Pros:
Respect
Waving your military card gets you military discounts (Not sure if it works in Canada)
An average amount of money.
Free housing if you're a high rank.
Shops in military bases have no taxes whatsoever

Cons:
You can't get really rich, you'll have the money to get by and if you're above average in the ranks, FREE HOUSING AND LOTS O' MONEY. But it's hard to get high.
The government will make you relocate to a military base, if you join, say goodbye to whatever town you live in.
A second job may be needed such as construction worker, lifeguard, whatever...


These are all based on observing an American military base. I'm not so sure if Canada's system is exactly like or similar to the American system.

I had heard that American soldiers get paid very, very poorly, at least in the lower ranks. I remembered because I thought it rather odd that a nation that so idolized its' soldiers would pay them like McDonalds workers. Is that true?

 

[Lionsfan]

Just a warning, I don't know about the Canadian Military Forces, but in the US forces, there's a lot of peer pressure. Like douchey peer pressure, a lot of frat-boy mentality, "we're better than these civvies" so fuck them, etc. etc, at least among the younger guys[footnote]Note, this is all based on personal experience, and not an indictment of all military members[/footnote]. So my warning if you join is not to lose yourself. No career advice per say, but I've seen way too many guys go off, then come out like real douches[footnote]Again, all personal experience[/footnote]

 

[MasochisticAvenger]

But it's hard to get high.

I've got some stuff that can help with that...

As for the original topic: don't expect this to be the thing that magically makes your life better. Think about what you really want, and remember whatever you choose you're going to have to put a lot of effort in to get any results.

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, CUT THE CRAP ABOUT HOW YOU FAILED AT LIFE! The ONLY time you've failed at life is when YOU decide you failed. You're twenty-three, and you expect things to be perfect?! Try focusing on the things you do have. You have a stable relationship, and you have enough money to be able to live with your girlfriend and get by. At the age of 23 that's two pretty big positives if you ask most people.

You want to know something? I am 23 as well. I completed university, but discovered I didn't actually want to use my degree. Right now, I am on government money and when I do get a job it will more than likely be something really basic like a call centre or a warehouse job. I still live with my parents, and right now it's looking like moving out won't be an option for a long time.

If you want to join the army, that's great, but don't just do it because you think it will somehow make your life magically better.

 

[BeeGeenie]

I'm 30, no girlfriend and my job(s) suck. I've always considered the military a necessary evil (I come from a long line of guys that joined and hated it, and because of the douchebag macho bullshit) and even I've considered joining the military just to have a steady job that might help me get ahead.
Plus, with modern tech and so forth, statistically, we actually tend to have very few casualties nowadays (As long as we're invading some other country: America, F*** Yeah)
Like I said, I hate everything the military stands for, but for a steady paycheck even I've thought about it.

Consider this: The Military is the only employer I can think of that, in this economy, still has to not just post the job, but actively advertise to get people to apply.

 

[Zoe Castillo]

--

 

[keideki]

I am in more or less the same place here in America. 24 years old, living with parents, dropped out / took a break from college. Can't find a job AT ALL. I had always thought of the military as my last fallback but I found out quite recently that the military here in the states wont accept diabetics (Which I am).

I know how you feel, at what seems to be the lowest point in your life. Have you considered trying online classes or night school? Maybe giving it another go could be your best chance instead of just settling for the military (Not to say it is a bad profession, but it is obviously not your first choice).

 

[Zeren]

Let me get this straight. You have failed at life and instead of trying to make it better, you would rather join the military? I hope you like to get yelled at and treated more like a piece of gear than as a person.

 

[cyxceven]

Even my army doesn't respect it's soldiers. And that's deplorable. They're all FIRED.

Good luck, dude. At least you have a job.

 

[Tuxedoman]

Let me get this straight. You have failed at life and instead of trying to make it better, you would rather join the military? I hope you like to get yelled at and treated more like a piece of gear than as a person.

Thats a little.. Harsh.

Anyway, on topic.Ish.

This is probably quite useless as its about the New Zealand Armed Forces, which is pretty much a tiny but very well trained team that couldn't defend shit.

The military will pay for you to go to University as well as pay of any student debts you have, as long as you pass all the tests that is, both at Uni and to get in. Also, it seems many of our guys are more community friendly and dont seem to look down on civilians. Nearly all of them have seconds jobs as you dont get assigned to military bases unless you're being trained or doing training, and you don't get paid unless you're in active service. This is due to our military usually only being deployed in small numbers overseas to train people, or so that our politicians can say that they're helping out the Middle East, as well as the government being quite poor at the moment, with some $15 Billion being put into Disaster aid on top of our economy being shit.

However, you can requestion shit if you give good(ish)reason for it. A mate is going camping soon with about 7 other people, so he contacted some guys up North to see if they would lend him a truck, a couple of tents and other assorted gear. Of course, he's quite high up the Hierarchy, but still.

So yeah. Not really too helpful for your predicament, but there be some information about our armed forces.
Well armed, well trained, well equipped, but small. Very small. 10,000 men small.

 

[wintercoat]

I live near a military base and know a considerably large amount of people in the military. I'll write the pros/cons

Pros:
Respect
Waving your military card gets you military discounts (Not sure if it works in Canada)
An average amount of money.
Free housing if you're a high rank.
Shops in military bases have no taxes whatsoever

Cons:
You can't get really rich, you'll have the money to get by and if you're above average in the ranks, FREE HOUSING AND LOTS O' MONEY. But it's hard to get high.
The government will make you relocate to a military base, if you join, say goodbye to whatever town you live in.
A second job may be needed such as construction worker, lifeguard, whatever...


These are all based on observing an American military base. I'm not so sure if Canada's system is exactly like or similar to the American system.

I had heard that American soldiers get paid very, very poorly, at least in the lower ranks. I remembered because I thought it rather odd that a nation that so idolized its' soldiers would pay them like McDonalds workers. Is that true?

The lowest rank enlisted personnel make roughly $1500 a month, or about $18,000 a year[footnote]Projected pay for 2013 [http://www.navycs.com/2013-military-pay-chart.html][/footnote]. Compare that to Canada, the OP's home country, where the lowest paygrade makes ~$2700 a month, or roughly $32,000[footnote]Military pay in 2012 [http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dgcb-dgras/ps/pay-sol/pr-sol/rfncmr-mrfr-eng.asp][/footnote]. Now granted, according to wikipedia, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Pay] Canada and the U.S., along with the U.K., make up the top three payed military personnel, they did use lowish grade officer's for their analysis, and different countries have different policies when it comes to the differences in pay between their enlisted and officers.

OT: Now, I'd never really try to dissuade someone from joining the military, but i will caution you: research what will be asked of you before making that decision. Military life isn't for everyone, and far too often people rush into service thinking it'll enrich their lives, when it just became hell for them.

 

[Yopaz]

I'm not sure I would eve recommend anyone going into the military because it's not for everyone (me included), the thing is that it could be helpful in the future. Having this on your resume while looking for a job will look good, you might have the chance to specialize in a certain field and gain experience that will be needed for a future job.

Do some research, think this through on your own, talk to some personal friends, family and your girlfriend. Make up your mind based on who you know and what kind of person you are, not what a bunch of people you've met in an online community says.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

I feel for you dude, during a worse time in my life I tried to join the United States army. I had an ASVAB score high enough to pick whatever job I wanted. I decided to be a Staff Sergent CBRN Specialist. Long story short my recruiter lied to me and my eyes were too bad to be in the Army.

I now have a good job and a great wife.

My point is don't join the army for hopeless reasons, its a bad mix that could get you killed in combat. Join to become a better person, a more confident person.

I wish you good luck.

 

[Tyler Byrne]

Not too long ago I was 24, had my bachelor's degree but no job prospects, and was generally not exactly lighting the world on fire.

Now I'm a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, and I love it. My only regret is that I didn't join sooner and now I'm a little old to be at the bottom of the totem pole.

The military may not be for everyone but I think the vast, vast majority of people would benefit from at least one enlistment.

It will bring you all kinds of skills, memorable experiences, and enhance your life in ways you can't even imagine (plus, y'know, free housing and healthcare and whatnot). It will also bring a whole truckload of annoying bullshit. But c'est la vie.



Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

 

[A Username Not In Use]

Not to say that people in the army are people that failed at life. I have nothing but the utmost respect for our soldiers.

That being said, i am a 23 year old male , that has dropped out of university, work a dead end job, and have more problems than i can handle. I have made quite a few ( too many ) mistakes in my life and i am thinkng that i need a fresh start. I live with my girlfriend and we have just barely enough to get by . Not a Glamorous life but we do manage to get by .

Now a thought crossed my mind a few months ago about joining the army . I do believe that joining, would help my self-esteem , confidence and lack of maturity. It would allow me to experience certain things that i might not get the chance to otherwise. Now i know it isn't the easiest think to do , but i am pretty confident i could pass the initial test ( medical and fitness and whatnot ) so that isn't the issue. I am curious about the "life in/during/after the army" .

I am a canadian citizen , and would obviously join the canadian forces. Basically what i am looking for in this thread is for people to tell me their experiences in the army ( not necessarily canadian of course ) , what's it like, what should i watchout for , how this may affect my life with my girlfriend ( it's a serious relationship ). Basically how shit would go down , if i decide to take the plunge into this .

I do hear a lot of people who go through the initial training don't make it through, but i'm not really interested in discussing the physical requirements for going into the army , but more about how it will affect my life in general. The good and the bad.

So if you have been in the army, if you are in the army, if you personally know people that are in the army, i would like to hear from you . Thank you in advance.

I work in a military museum and I have to say that when I've interviewed former soldiers to get material for the archive collection yours is one of the more common reasons why people said they joined up. If your wondering other reasons include getting away from the area they came from and following in family footsteps.

 

[M920CAIN]

But it's hard to get high.

I've got some stuff that can help with that...

As for the original topic: don't expect this to be the thing that magically makes your life better. Think about what you really want, and remember whatever you choose you're going to have to put a lot of effort in to get any results.

Also, and I cannot stress this enough, CUT THE CRAP ABOUT HOW YOU FAILED AT LIFE! The ONLY time you've failed at life is when YOU decide you failed. You're twenty-three, and you expect things to be perfect?! Try focusing on the things you do have. You have a stable relationship, and you have enough money to be able to live with your girlfriend and get by. At the age of 23 that's two pretty big positives if you ask most people.

You want to know something? I am 23 as well. I completed university, but discovered I didn't actually want to use my degree. Right now, I am on government money and when I do get a job it will more than likely be something really basic like a call centre or a warehouse job. I still live with my parents, and right now it's looking like moving out won't be an option for a long time.

If you want to join the army, that's great, but don't just do it because you think it will somehow make your life magically better.

This is exactly the position I am in. I'm 22, soon to be 23, I graduated last month, currently been scouting for good jobs and unemployment offices. That said, OP listen to us, you haven't failed, you just have to be strong. ALWAYS be strong, and whatever you decide ask yourself "do I really want this?", and if the answer is "YES", do it.