I want to enlist.

[Urgh76]

the only thing i know is my mother and my uncle joined it, my grandparents paid big bucks for them to enlist and then they just dropped out

 

[Del-Toro]

I see no downside to joining the military... except, you know: Getting shot at.

Yeah but given that it's the Canadian Military, and that our government doesn't go around stirring shit up like the world's only remaining superpower, that's not really something you have to worry about all that much. Although if you're in Afghanistan if anything is going to happen it's an IED. Although considering that we take the same casualties in 2 years that the US in Iraq has encurred in a month (or a week) I don't think you can apply the same standards. Oh yeah, the benefits, like being able to retire fairly early with a pension to supplement your future salary, if you should choose to retire into civilian life.

 

[Smagmuck_]

I see no downside to joining the military... except, you know: Getting shot at.

Also getting yelled at.
Also getting ordered around.
Also shitty food and shittier locations.
Also shitty pay.
Also shitty clothing.
Also lots of loud noises.

Becuase you fucked up.
It's called order.
Not really, my brother is stationed in Okinawa, he says it isn't that bad, the food, I don't know...
Depends if your an officer or not.
So I guess your saying that kevlar is unfashionable?
Thank you captain obvious. We would have never figured it out ourselves.

OT: DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!

 

[Supreme Unleaded]

Canada doesn't fight in any wars, so I guess you don't have to worry about that ...

If they help pay for college like ( i think) the American military does than it may be a good way to get a good, free college education so you can be a winner in life!

Canada fights more wars than you may think, they just get no publicity. Plus their snipers are some of the best in the world.

O.T. Joining the Military doesnt really have anything wrong with it. It mkaes you a better person and helps if your trying get a job in the futer. Of course if you die then it all goes down the drain.

 

[RAMBO22]

Personally I'd like to say you'd be doing your nation a great service by enlisting in the military and it's a thing few would be willing to do. Second of all, I do worry that my nation, the US, would somehow drag you into a war your country has nothing to do with and you'd get killed, so be weary of us pro-war Americans.

 

[nezroy]

I was thinking of enlisting into the Canadian Armed Forces when I'm done with high school. Think it's a good idea? What do you guys know about the military? Any of you in it? I'm not sure which branch I want to join, but I want to be in the reserves.

Just remember this; almost everything you might want to do in life, you can do at almost any age. Go to university? Sure, start working on your bachelor's when you're 30, why not? Lots of people do. Start a career? Heck, some people are starting their 3rd or 4th careers by the time they're 40. Wander the world with a backpack? Just as feasible at 55 as it is at 18.

But military service has a narrow age range, and if you don't enlist by the time you're about 21, (or about 25 if you go for OCS/ROTC/DCO), then you will never get another chance to try it out.

Just something to keep in mind... if you think you might regret NOT doing it later on, it's not one of those things you can just make up for later in life. Of course that's assuming you aren't throwing away a university scholarship or some equally amazing one-time post-high-school opportunity in order to sign up.

That out of the way... as far as what you can expect, one of the biggest things to remember is that you will be surrounding yourself with some of the most conservative, sexist, redneck, backwater men in this country. I don't say that as a bad thing... some of my most loyal and often hardest working friends are back-country hicks. And of course not everyone in the Canadian Forces is like that, or meets all of those stereotypes. But don't lie to yourself about the type of person military service attracts. Especially if you enlist as opposed to going officer, you are going to be surrounded by men of a particular mentality. If that doesn't bother you, then no problem. But if you don't think you'd be able to find many friends in that kind of atmosphere, your military life might be a living hell. Camaraderie is the primary difference between an enjoyable military term and a nightmare experience.

 

[Puzzles]

I've always thought the military is where I'd end up if I lost all my friends, and wanted to go for an adventure. It sounds kind of fun.

Pity they don't take mentally unstable people, I think, so I can't anyway.

 

[silentsentinel]

Remember to duck.

 

[duckfi8]

does the Canadian Army have reserves?, or something equivalent to the American National Guard reserves?

 

[Hazy]

Remember to duck.

This advice.

Follow it.

Also: If the event ever arises and you end up with a grenade at your feet, find the closest match to a Red Shirt available, and get him/her to chuck it back.

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

I see no downside to joining the military... except, you know: Getting shot at.

Also getting yelled at.
Also getting ordered around.
Also shitty food and shittier locations.
Also shitty pay.
Also shitty clothing.
Also lots of loud noises.

So, it's your standard office job, but with guns.

*applauds* +1 internet for you, sir.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

I was thinking of enlisting into the Canadian Armed Forces when I'm done with high school. Think it's a good idea? What do you guys know about the military? Any of you in it? I'm not sure which branch I want to join, but I want to be in the reserves.

Just remember this; almost everything you might want to do in life, you can do at almost any age. Go to university? Sure, start working on your bachelor's when you're 30, why not? Lots of people do. Start a career? Heck, some people are starting their 3rd or 4th careers by the time they're 40. Wander the world with a backpack? Just as feasible at 55 as it is at 18.

But military service has a narrow age range, and if you don't enlist by the time you're about 21, (or about 25 if you go for OCS/ROTC/DCO), then you will never get another chance to try it out.

Just something to keep in mind... if you think you might regret NOT doing it later on, it's not one of those things you can just make up for later in life. Of course that's assuming you aren't throwing away a university scholarship or some equally amazing one-time post-high-school opportunity in order to sign up.

That out of the way... as far as what you can expect, one of the biggest things to remember is that you will be surrounding yourself with some of the most conservative, sexist, redneck, backwater men in this country. I don't say that as a bad thing... some of my most loyal and often hardest working friends are back-country hicks. And of course not everyone in the Canadian Forces is like that, or meets all of those stereotypes. But don't lie to yourself about the type of person military service attracts. Especially if you enlist as opposed to going officer, you are going to be surrounded by men of a particular mentality. If that doesn't bother you, then no problem. But if you don't think you'd be able to find many friends in that kind of atmosphere, your military life might be a living hell. Camaraderie is the primary difference between an enjoyable military term and a nightmare experience.

Thank you for the advice; I will certainly consider this.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

does the Canadian Army have reserves?, or something equivalent to the American National Guard reserves?

Yes, it does, and it's what I plan to join.

 

[Akai Shizuku]

Personally I'd like to say you'd be doing your nation a great service by enlisting in the military and it's a thing few would be willing to do. Second of all, I do worry that my nation, the US, would somehow drag you into a war your country has nothing to do with and you'd get killed, so be weary of us pro-war Americans.

Always have been. Thanks for that, I'll try to remind myself of this when it's critical.

 

[stevenrkorea]

I'm Canadian and I applied to the military after high school. I was going to go to Royal Rhodes university and at the last minute I opted out. I honestly feel it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I am SO happy that I didn't get locked up in the military. As you get older you'll see that life as a civilian is far superior to that of a soldier. Far superior.

To paraphrase Chris Rock "I'm not going to fight anyone, so you can call me a pussy! I'll be the pussy with 2 legs when the war's over."

 

[Frankydee]

I'm actually about to go through processing in a few days for the US National Guard (where you get questioned and molested by doctors). And it's kindah weird when you really think about it. You're basically giving up some of your basic human rights to work for the government.

I'm won't really know what to tell you about the guard until I get in and experience it but I've got a bro in the navy and he seems to enjoy it. He keeps himself busy and gets all of his basic needs taken care of (food, housing, health care so on) and he makes his paycheck.

My only real suggestion though is to live lightly once you get in.

 

[coldshadow]

I want to take sniper training (and no I'm not a 12 year old CoD player, I was into snipers since I was 5) just in case my country needs me and I'm the only one qualified for the job or something. You should too, its ideal, no interaction with people, just you the scope and the gun.

Its a lot harder than that but still its better than being the minuteman.

I wouldnt want to be a sniper, mainly cause you get to see another human being just before he dies. and I tend to feel to much compasion for people to be able to pull that trigger.