The Army (Specifically the Canadian Forces)

[Niniux]

I've been thinking about signing up for a while but I don't know if it's something I'd actually enjoy so I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone has any experience with their national army and what they thought of the experience.

I've got a daughter on the way and my current job probably pays more than the army does so it's really a hard thing to justify but I've always had a desire to enlist. I guess just having a feeling that I want to do something that makes a difference to someone.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Gahars]

I've been thinking about signing up for a while but I don't know if it's something I'd actually enjoy so I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone has any experience with their national army and what they thought of the experience.

I've got a daughter on the way and my current job probably pays more than the army does so it's really a hard thing to justify but I've always had a desire to enlist. I guess just having a feeling that I want to do something that makes a difference to someone.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Well, if you want missing limbs, post tramautic stress disorder, and possibly even death, there's nowhere else to go.

But realize that by signing up, you're basically throwing away your life.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

I've been thinking about signing up for a while but I don't know if it's something I'd actually enjoy so I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone has any experience with their national army and what they thought of the experience.

I've got a daughter on the way and my current job probably pays more than the army does so it's really a hard thing to justify but I've always had a desire to enlist. I guess just having a feeling that I want to do something that makes a difference to someone.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Well, if you want missing limbs, post tramautic stress disorder, and possibly even death, there's nowhere else to go.

But realize that by signing up, you're basically throwing away your life.

Methinks you exaggerate. A great deal. it would be more accurate to say that you are putting your life at risk- and even then, who can be sure that the sum risk is greater than that of everyday life.

I've never donw it, but I have friends and relations who have. It was either absolutely fantastic or hell for them. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[Niniux]

Well, if you want missing limbs, post tramautic stress disorder, and possibly even death, there's nowhere else to go.

But realize that by signing up, you're basically throwing away your life.

Well, my girlfriend does find prosthetic limbs somewhat of a turn on... Hah. Yeah, I'm well aware of the dangers involved. All three of those things actually are dangers of my current job, just not as much. I currently work for the railway and chance of injury or death is definitely not non-existant. Same for PTSD as my father works for the railway too and has been off work for a while for hitting a kid on the tracks.

Keep in mind, I'm 24, I'm not exactly brand-new to the world. These opinions, are they based on personal experience, if I may ask?

 

[Gahars]

I've been thinking about signing up for a while but I don't know if it's something I'd actually enjoy so I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone has any experience with their national army and what they thought of the experience.

I've got a daughter on the way and my current job probably pays more than the army does so it's really a hard thing to justify but I've always had a desire to enlist. I guess just having a feeling that I want to do something that makes a difference to someone.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Well, if you want missing limbs, post tramautic stress disorder, and possibly even death, there's nowhere else to go.

But realize that by signing up, you're basically throwing away your life.

Methinks you exaggerate. A great deal. it would be more accurate to say that you are putting your life at risk- and even then, who can be sure that the sum risk is greater than that of everyday life.

I've never donw it, but I have friends and relations who have. It was either absolutely fantastic or hell for them. Draw your own conclusions.

Maybe I do exxagerate, but the point remains.

The current war is pretty brutal for all fighting in it, with many soldiers who went to fight the good fight returning scarred, physically, mentally, or both, or in a body bag.

I just, however, can't condone anything where the purpose is to end the life of another human being. Call me a pacifist.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

I guess just having a feeling that I want to do something that makes a difference to someone.

If you want to make a difference to someone, make it your daughter.

 

[Robert0288]

don't listen to the fail troll. If its something you really want to do then do it, though with a daughter on the way and already having a well paying job, I sugjest joining the reserves instead. Do some research about the units that are in your area and go talk to some of them on their meeting nights (it should have it up on their respective websites).

Personally I am also thinking of joining the reserves, I know alot of people who have and others who are fully timers and they really enjoy their work.

 

[Gahars]

Answer above.

 

[fix-the-spade]

I've got a daughter on the way and my current job probably pays more than the army does

So if you sign up, you'll be less able to support your daughter financially AND be separated from her and her mother for long periods of time, possibly permanently.

Surely this is a no-brainer, you shouldn't sign up for their sake if nothing else.


Besides, you'll be fully occupied when the little one arrives

 

[CanadianWolverine]

I don't think he exaggerates at all. I once convinced an Canadian Army recruiter to give me a no shitter by bugging him endlessly about Somalia, where some Canadians had tortured someone, when it came to the question part of the presentation:

"I'm not allowed to talk about it."
"Seriously, I'm not legally allowed to talk about politics as a soldier."
"No, I'm not kidding, I signed away my civil rights when I joined."
*draws me to the side when others are leaving*
"Look kid, you want the truth? Soldiers are trained to kill."

That was the biggest favor that military man could have ever done me. Don't ever kid yourself, joining a military means you must kill other human beings, you risk having the same done to yourself, and you absolutely must follow orders, your freedoms you enjoyed as a citizen no longer exist.

So from one parent to another, as someone who was interested in the military once as well, think of your daughter and stay in civilian life with the bigger pay check, so she has a better chance of growing up with a father in her life. Of course, in the mean time, you can still remain a civilian and get a lot of the training, only it will cost you what the government would have otherwise paid.

 

[cainx10a]

fix-the-spade has a good point here, if you want to make a "difference", consider law-enforcement or something that allow you to help your countrymen while giving you a fair chance at enjoying the arrival of your baby etc ... etc ... Good luck with w/e decision you take, I just hope you take the right one, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to live with their families and kids; be it Soldiers, or even people involved in wars (Iraqis etc...)

 

[Sgt. Gunlock]

Ya I would Join if the cause was Right like a World War III or something
but as of now no I want a future and something in me tells me I'd be a good Solider but then I think I don't want to take another mans life If i'm doing it for Ify reasons

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Point: Sign that line, take that Queen's Shilling, you are now goverment property. You are now a state-owned killer. Remember- when you kill for the goverment, it's just as bad as killing for yourself.

 

[crepesack]

i got a friend in the USAF and he seems to enjoy it.

 

[Niniux]

Yeah, I think you all are right. My daughter is going to be a huge priority. I think I will look at the reserves though. I'm not sure it will work well with my current work, seeing as I'm on call 24/7 currently. I guess it's something I might want to talk to the recruiter about.

 

[BaronAsh]

Gahars should go to a history class so he can realize this is one of the least bloody wars ever fought. (that is if you mean The War on Terror)

Oh and 94% of all Air Force personnel are support.(learned that in ROTC)

 

[cleverlymadeup]

I've got a daughter on the way and my current job probably pays more than the army does so it's really a hard thing to justify but I've always had a desire to enlist. I guess just having a feeling that I want to do something that makes a difference to someone.

ok well since i do know a few ppl currently in the army, i'll help out here

1 since you have a kid on the way DON'T enlist
2 follow point 1
3 reread point 2
4 hope you like afghanistan cause that's probly where you'll be statationed

all my friends/family in the army have either been to afghanistan or are heading over there. yes the army can be fun but it can be messed up.

as cool as some of the stories are and sound the point is driven home when your friend says "hey dude when i come back i might need someone to talk to about the fucked up shit i saw, mind if we chat then?"

thing is cause you'll be going into a combat zone, figure you're going to die, hope you don't but plan on not coming back and when you leave pretend it's the last time you'll see you gf and kid.

tho if you join up with princess pat's i'm going to laugh at you, even tho they are a bunch of crazy psychos

 

[Evilbunny]

fix-the-spade has a good point here, if you want to make a "difference", consider law-enforcement or something that allow you to help your countrymen while giving you a fair chance at enjoying the arrival of your baby etc ... etc ... Good luck with w/e decision you take, I just hope you take the right one, not everyone is lucky enough to be able to live with their families and kids; be it Soldiers, or even people involved in wars (Iraqis etc...)

Actually, with the level of violence currently in Iraq, Police officers have a better chance of being shot on the streets of New York than soldiers do in Baghdad. But if you mean he simply won't be in the country, then yeah, he has a better chance with the police or reserves.

Anyway, my cousin joined the marine corp and he is a different man now because of it. He is a stronger, more disciplined individual. He has a son now and he says he is a better father and husband because of it. I don't know if that's true, but it's what he says.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

Canada has an army? Since when? (I kid, I'm Canadian and studied Canadian Military History)