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DO a search! There are enough threads on the age of people joining and how many numbers are applying. For crying out loud!!
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Good day readers,
First post. While I hope and trust that I have done so properly, – I am happy to be corrected if I have not. There are a few threads that this could be applicable for, but I think this one is not a bad destination.
Usually it’s best to get to the point. But I believe that in this case, the responses I (hopefully) receive will be better guided if I provide a little background. I’m sure I’m not a unique case, but the queries over the choices I will confront if my CF DEO application is successful relate to my background – so please allow me to expand on that a little.
The basics: 38 years old, male, single, dual Canadian/British citizen (born and resident until 1998 in Canada - the latter nationality comes through my dad). Functionally bilingual (I can speak and read French quite well, but my writing skills are usually only good for emails, not memos) – smattering of other languages from time abroad, physical aspects - . 6,5 ft, 200 pounds, good health – relatively fit for my age and working towards being in appropriate shape for BOTP should my application be successful.
Education: MA International Affairs full scholarship, eleven different scholarships including national awards - research assistantships at CIC and NDHQ, House of Commons when I was in graduate school.
I have an application for DEO currently being processed, all my paperwork is in, so I'm currently waiting out the security check (the long one...). It’s been ten years now that I have been abroad working for the United Nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I’m the Number Two in our Office currently, my work in my career has mainly involved running teams of specialists in countries in conflict (I'm basically a generalist, the proverbial “Jack of all Trades, Master of None” – I deal with the political, security and administrative aspects of the mission so the specialists can concentrate on doing what it is they are supposed to be doing). It’s been a great career, allowed me to see and experience many different cultures – I’ve being doing what I loved and am fully aware of my good fortune in life thus far.
I won’t claim that the physical aspects of my work are tough by CF standards – they’re not – but the nature of my work is less separated from the military than are other trades – because I work in the same sort of environment – countries like Iraq and Somalia. Being in the field, I have to deal with the bureaucrats, the “ministers” of whatever transitional government happens to be in place, the other agency representatives and the baddies – to go where the guns are and talk to the people with guns To deal with the usual stress that comes from managing multi-million dollar budgets and people from all sorts of cultures to mold them into teams to reach the desired results - and then every two years or so I uproot my whole life and go somewhere else and start the entire process over somewhere else. And all that is the stuff I love. I enjoy responsibility, I enjoy forging teams and I enjoy leading those teams and seeing to their security. Most of my subordinates are much older than me. But I believe that transparency and consistency in decision-making, respect for the individual and personal integrity iare key – no matter what culture people are from, they recognize and respond to these elements.
But a couple years ago that little voice that we all carry with us began to voice his discomfort with where things were heading. The more I stay in, the more I’m getting away from the above aspects (more hands on) to work with other managers from other agencies on policy, etc. And unfortunately, although I maintain my respect for the principles and ideals of the UN, this is in far too many instances not a system where the good rise to the top. Because it’s so hard to be suspended (you practically have to kill a colleague with an axe and be unlucky enough that someone was filming you in the act) – “problems” are transferred with promotion. So, you end up in meetings and on missions to deal with ever-more important subject with ever-more incompetent people who, not being confident in their own abilities, substitute instead petty-politics for logic/reason and fall all over each other trying to all say something more important than the previous speaker – while the few competent people in the room roll their eyes and plan for a smaller meeting later where they will sort the issue out in a discreet and quiet way. I haven’t lost my faith per se, but I may have lost my place.
So, early last year while I was pondering what to do about all this, I ran into a couple ex-CF officers working with the UN. They being brethren Bluenosers and the venue a party, we got into a good chat about life, I voiced my concerns and they both asked whether or not I had considered the Forces.
This suggestion didn’t take very long to start to work its way into my system. I’ve worked a lot with the military in my career and have met and been friends with some fine individuals from the CF so it’s not completely unfamiliar territory to me. And like the UN (or what the UN represents to me anyway) – it’s a hell of a lot more than a trade, it’s a calling, a cause. Having been abroad for so long, I know very well what Canada means to me – because I see how people react to me as a Canadian. An institution that protects and represents to the high standard the same ideals and values which most of the people I meet in my travels would love to live under is an institution I want to be part of. And concretely, if I do want to continue, challenge and better both my leadership and personal limits, well there’s not really a better place, is there?
Ok, apologies all for taking up your time, now we’re getting to the gist of this.
I put down three preferences as DEO applicant – Infantry, Intelligence, and Armor since they asked for three. But really, it’s between the first two. I ran into a Air Force Captain at the CFRC whom I knew in high school and undergrad the day I dropped off my paperwork while I was on leave in Canada last spring, so we chatted for a while in his office - I told him I wanted Infantry but he suggested that I reflect on this a bit - he thought intelligence was the way to go for me due to my experience and background – plus he (quite rightly I imagine) said that running around with the young 20-somethings full of piss and vinegar through all the various training phases might be a bit much – coming in a later age as I would be, he suggested that its probably best to concentrate on my strengths.
What he said does seem to make sense. But I would love have the informed opinion of those of you who might offer some advice on this one – is pursuing Infantry Officer a reasonable choice or more a Quixotic tilt at the windmill considering I will likely be 39 when I hit BOTP (fingers crossed that the security check doesn’t go over 18 months)? To prepare, train and lead men and women (who are someone’s sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters) might not be the ultimate responsibility but if there’s a bigger one I have trouble seeing it. I believe that I do have the maturity, intelligence and integrity for this which comes from my life experience to date - strengths I feel I can bring to command - and I know when I do something my standards are high – I fail at times like we all do – but I always give my best. Part of my success in the UN has been in how I just seem to naturally adapt well with other cultures, I genuinely enjoy this and I would like to be able to apply it in my work with the CF – I assume I might get to apply this more with the Infantry in dealing with civilian populations (i.e. winning minds), be it at home or abroad than with Intelligence – since they are by definition frontline and in greater contact with local populations, be they foreign citizens encountered while patrolling or Canadian when assisting in disaster relief, etc.
Of course, at the end of the day I’ll have to decide what I want to push for myself – but it never hurts to better informed. So if someone has a pointer or two, they will be well received.
I hope I haven’t exceeded any posting length requirements here…thanks for sticking with me. And two thumbs up to Army.ca; it’s a great site and a great resource.
Mike
PS: The “Expat” in Expat Mike is a reference to “Expatriate” and not “Ex-PPCLI” – I hadn’t thought of this connection when first joining. Let me know if this is an unwritten breach of protocol, and I’ll be happy to change my username.
First post. While I hope and trust that I have done so properly, – I am happy to be corrected if I have not. There are a few threads that this could be applicable for, but I think this one is not a bad destination.
Usually it’s best to get to the point. But I believe that in this case, the responses I (hopefully) receive will be better guided if I provide a little background. I’m sure I’m not a unique case, but the queries over the choices I will confront if my CF DEO application is successful relate to my background – so please allow me to expand on that a little.
The basics: 38 years old, male, single, dual Canadian/British citizen (born and resident until 1998 in Canada - the latter nationality comes through my dad). Functionally bilingual (I can speak and read French quite well, but my writing skills are usually only good for emails, not memos) – smattering of other languages from time abroad, physical aspects - . 6,5 ft, 200 pounds, good health – relatively fit for my age and working towards being in appropriate shape for BOTP should my application be successful.
Education: MA International Affairs full scholarship, eleven different scholarships including national awards - research assistantships at CIC and NDHQ, House of Commons when I was in graduate school.
I have an application for DEO currently being processed, all my paperwork is in, so I'm currently waiting out the security check (the long one...). It’s been ten years now that I have been abroad working for the United Nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. I’m the Number Two in our Office currently, my work in my career has mainly involved running teams of specialists in countries in conflict (I'm basically a generalist, the proverbial “Jack of all Trades, Master of None” – I deal with the political, security and administrative aspects of the mission so the specialists can concentrate on doing what it is they are supposed to be doing). It’s been a great career, allowed me to see and experience many different cultures – I’ve being doing what I loved and am fully aware of my good fortune in life thus far.
I won’t claim that the physical aspects of my work are tough by CF standards – they’re not – but the nature of my work is less separated from the military than are other trades – because I work in the same sort of environment – countries like Iraq and Somalia. Being in the field, I have to deal with the bureaucrats, the “ministers” of whatever transitional government happens to be in place, the other agency representatives and the baddies – to go where the guns are and talk to the people with guns To deal with the usual stress that comes from managing multi-million dollar budgets and people from all sorts of cultures to mold them into teams to reach the desired results - and then every two years or so I uproot my whole life and go somewhere else and start the entire process over somewhere else. And all that is the stuff I love. I enjoy responsibility, I enjoy forging teams and I enjoy leading those teams and seeing to their security. Most of my subordinates are much older than me. But I believe that transparency and consistency in decision-making, respect for the individual and personal integrity iare key – no matter what culture people are from, they recognize and respond to these elements.
But a couple years ago that little voice that we all carry with us began to voice his discomfort with where things were heading. The more I stay in, the more I’m getting away from the above aspects (more hands on) to work with other managers from other agencies on policy, etc. And unfortunately, although I maintain my respect for the principles and ideals of the UN, this is in far too many instances not a system where the good rise to the top. Because it’s so hard to be suspended (you practically have to kill a colleague with an axe and be unlucky enough that someone was filming you in the act) – “problems” are transferred with promotion. So, you end up in meetings and on missions to deal with ever-more important subject with ever-more incompetent people who, not being confident in their own abilities, substitute instead petty-politics for logic/reason and fall all over each other trying to all say something more important than the previous speaker – while the few competent people in the room roll their eyes and plan for a smaller meeting later where they will sort the issue out in a discreet and quiet way. I haven’t lost my faith per se, but I may have lost my place.
So, early last year while I was pondering what to do about all this, I ran into a couple ex-CF officers working with the UN. They being brethren Bluenosers and the venue a party, we got into a good chat about life, I voiced my concerns and they both asked whether or not I had considered the Forces.
This suggestion didn’t take very long to start to work its way into my system. I’ve worked a lot with the military in my career and have met and been friends with some fine individuals from the CF so it’s not completely unfamiliar territory to me. And like the UN (or what the UN represents to me anyway) – it’s a hell of a lot more than a trade, it’s a calling, a cause. Having been abroad for so long, I know very well what Canada means to me – because I see how people react to me as a Canadian. An institution that protects and represents to the high standard the same ideals and values which most of the people I meet in my travels would love to live under is an institution I want to be part of. And concretely, if I do want to continue, challenge and better both my leadership and personal limits, well there’s not really a better place, is there?
Ok, apologies all for taking up your time, now we’re getting to the gist of this.
I put down three preferences as DEO applicant – Infantry, Intelligence, and Armor since they asked for three. But really, it’s between the first two. I ran into a Air Force Captain at the CFRC whom I knew in high school and undergrad the day I dropped off my paperwork while I was on leave in Canada last spring, so we chatted for a while in his office - I told him I wanted Infantry but he suggested that I reflect on this a bit - he thought intelligence was the way to go for me due to my experience and background – plus he (quite rightly I imagine) said that running around with the young 20-somethings full of piss and vinegar through all the various training phases might be a bit much – coming in a later age as I would be, he suggested that its probably best to concentrate on my strengths.
What he said does seem to make sense. But I would love have the informed opinion of those of you who might offer some advice on this one – is pursuing Infantry Officer a reasonable choice or more a Quixotic tilt at the windmill considering I will likely be 39 when I hit BOTP (fingers crossed that the security check doesn’t go over 18 months)? To prepare, train and lead men and women (who are someone’s sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters) might not be the ultimate responsibility but if there’s a bigger one I have trouble seeing it. I believe that I do have the maturity, intelligence and integrity for this which comes from my life experience to date - strengths I feel I can bring to command - and I know when I do something my standards are high – I fail at times like we all do – but I always give my best. Part of my success in the UN has been in how I just seem to naturally adapt well with other cultures, I genuinely enjoy this and I would like to be able to apply it in my work with the CF – I assume I might get to apply this more with the Infantry in dealing with civilian populations (i.e. winning minds), be it at home or abroad than with Intelligence – since they are by definition frontline and in greater contact with local populations, be they foreign citizens encountered while patrolling or Canadian when assisting in disaster relief, etc.
Of course, at the end of the day I’ll have to decide what I want to push for myself – but it never hurts to better informed. So if someone has a pointer or two, they will be well received.
I hope I haven’t exceeded any posting length requirements here…thanks for sticking with me. And two thumbs up to Army.ca; it’s a great site and a great resource.
Mike
PS: The “Expat” in Expat Mike is a reference to “Expatriate” and not “Ex-PPCLI” – I hadn’t thought of this connection when first joining. Let me know if this is an unwritten breach of protocol, and I’ll be happy to change my username.
Expat Mike said:
Just because you have three spots does not mean you have to fill them all (unless something has changed very recently). If there is a trade you are not motivated to perform, take it away. You can even have only one choice if that is what you want to do.
Since you have traveled a lot, it may take some time before your sec clearance goes through so be patient.
Good luck with your application, you seem to be a great candidate.
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Cheers Arc - I would imagine that come interview time, they want to see a candidate that knows what they want. I would.
As for the security clearance, yes, I think I might need to be patient. I've been to a lot of funny places, and most of them aren't tourist destinations. I figure if I was doing security checks, I'd find them quite boring in general, so when I came across an "interesting" file, I'd have some fun with it.
Hopefully they'll keep it under 2 years though.
Mike
As for the security clearance, yes, I think I might need to be patient. I've been to a lot of funny places, and most of them aren't tourist destinations. I figure if I was doing security checks, I'd find them quite boring in general, so when I came across an "interesting" file, I'd have some fun with it.
Hopefully they'll keep it under 2 years though.Mike
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Expat Mike said:
You can easily drop the third choice. Just call your CFRC up and tell them. I have done it myself few weeks ago. I had them remove the choice I wasn't sure about from my application. They had no problem with that. It is better to do it at the beginning of the process than being offered a job you are not sure you want to do.
GOOD LUCK with your application process!
mdh
Sr. Member
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Ex-Pat Mike,
Keep in mind that you're going to start at the very bottom as a junior officer. That's okay when you're in your early 20s - it's a lot less okay when you're heading toward 40 and you've presumably established yourself in a civilian career with solid experience and a highly developed sense of your own abilities and accomplishments and individuality. With a rather exotic background like yours that might be a tough transition.
In that sense, your physical abilities are probably less of an issue than the potential culture shock of transitioning to military life. Negotiating with armed "baddies" in Somalia is a long way from being the duty officer for the night in garrison or doing mundane paperwork or some other dreary secondary duty. (And please note that the CF can be just as bureaucratic as the UN.)
You might want think long and hard about what you're really trying to achieve and what your expectations are -- especially if you don't have any prior military experience. It might be some time before you're doing anything close to what you're doing now on tour with the CF (if ever).
As a rule, the Combat Arms are a young person's game, and Int is tough to get into off the street (search the site...there's lot of info here on all the careers you're considering).
ps... You may want to consider public affairs officer too. Good luck.
Keep in mind that you're going to start at the very bottom as a junior officer. That's okay when you're in your early 20s - it's a lot less okay when you're heading toward 40 and you've presumably established yourself in a civilian career with solid experience and a highly developed sense of your own abilities and accomplishments and individuality. With a rather exotic background like yours that might be a tough transition.
In that sense, your physical abilities are probably less of an issue than the potential culture shock of transitioning to military life. Negotiating with armed "baddies" in Somalia is a long way from being the duty officer for the night in garrison or doing mundane paperwork or some other dreary secondary duty. (And please note that the CF can be just as bureaucratic as the UN.)
You might want think long and hard about what you're really trying to achieve and what your expectations are -- especially if you don't have any prior military experience. It might be some time before you're doing anything close to what you're doing now on tour with the CF (if ever).
As a rule, the Combat Arms are a young person's game, and Int is tough to get into off the street (search the site...there's lot of info here on all the careers you're considering).
ps... You may want to consider public affairs officer too. Good luck.
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Ex-Pat,
I have just come from working in an infantry Battalion. There are two "new" officers there that are 36 and 37 respectively. The former is extremely fit, and the latter I would judge to be of average fitness. Both will make the most of their command opportunities while they have them, and no doubt have useful, productive and fulfilling careers. The key difference between them and you is that their work experience to date consisted of the Reserves - and much of that full time - but it sounds like your work experience is relatively applicable. So is it doable? Yes.
One factor you may want to consider is the eligibility for a pension. The pension these days kicks in at 25 years of service (and at that point is is worth 50% of your annual salary) - but it is impossible to stay in beyond 60. As such, you will not be able to fully benefit from a pension - you will however receive a lump sum gratuity on retirement (and I may have this wrong - someone will sort me out if I do...) that is based on the contributions that you have made to the program.
Having said all of that, you are old enough (and more importantly experienced enough) to know that life is too short to take a pass on something that you really want to do. I would say go for it!
Dave
I have just come from working in an infantry Battalion. There are two "new" officers there that are 36 and 37 respectively. The former is extremely fit, and the latter I would judge to be of average fitness. Both will make the most of their command opportunities while they have them, and no doubt have useful, productive and fulfilling careers. The key difference between them and you is that their work experience to date consisted of the Reserves - and much of that full time - but it sounds like your work experience is relatively applicable. So is it doable? Yes.
One factor you may want to consider is the eligibility for a pension. The pension these days kicks in at 25 years of service (and at that point is is worth 50% of your annual salary) - but it is impossible to stay in beyond 60. As such, you will not be able to fully benefit from a pension - you will however receive a lump sum gratuity on retirement (and I may have this wrong - someone will sort me out if I do...) that is based on the contributions that you have made to the program.
Having said all of that, you are old enough (and more importantly experienced enough) to know that life is too short to take a pass on something that you really want to do. I would say go for it!
Dave
Have to agree with MDR, he and I were in similar positions. You'll find the maturity and experience that you bring to the job will help you. You may also find the physical training part of the job a bit challenging, but it is do-able provided you work at it. On the down side you will be a junior officer for quite some time and you will have to get used to taking orders from 20somethings that are (sometimes) still getting used to exercising authority.
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MDH and Majones – sorry for the late reply to your posts – busy week. The two of you pretty much hit the nail on the head of what I anticipated would be the major issue – namely the difference between my current level of responsibilities and those I would be dealing with as a junior officer. Having read quite a few posts on the site, when let’s say individuals who might not have well researched beforehand breeze easily past all those minor items like basic and phase training and their first few promotions to headfirst jump into “so, tell me, when I’m company commander and we’re surrounded on the hill, can I still use a bayonet?” and then of course get politely but firmly slapped down for it, I was a bit leery of just jumping in and starting off with the whole “so, when I’m an officer” speech. But there it is, you nailed it.
Dave (PPCLI Guy) made a good point about the pension – which is to be considered but he rightly pointed that life is too short to take a pass on what you want – I agree and it’s worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow is no reason for standing today if you’ve already weighed your options. But the question of whether I can handle the responsibility “culture shock” is certainly a serious issue. I am sure I will be far too concerned with other things during basic and the following trainings to even notice, but it will likely hit during the first posting. I guess the best I can do now is just let that question sit in my craw for a bit, I’ll chew on it and reflect on it and see what the inner voice has to say – he’s usually pretty good about such things . I believe I have a lot to give, and while I realize I have to jump through the same hoops like everyone else, it would be unfortunate if want of a role commensurate with my experience became an issue down the line. Maybe this favours more my second choice INT (notwithstanding MDH’s point that it’s tough to get into off the street) in that it might keep my mind more occupied, but I might be off base on thinking that.
Thanks for the pointers guys.
Dave (PPCLI Guy) made a good point about the pension – which is to be considered but he rightly pointed that life is too short to take a pass on what you want – I agree and it’s worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow is no reason for standing today if you’ve already weighed your options. But the question of whether I can handle the responsibility “culture shock” is certainly a serious issue. I am sure I will be far too concerned with other things during basic and the following trainings to even notice, but it will likely hit during the first posting. I guess the best I can do now is just let that question sit in my craw for a bit, I’ll chew on it and reflect on it and see what the inner voice has to say – he’s usually pretty good about such things . I believe I have a lot to give, and while I realize I have to jump through the same hoops like everyone else, it would be unfortunate if want of a role commensurate with my experience became an issue down the line. Maybe this favours more my second choice INT (notwithstanding MDH’s point that it’s tough to get into off the street) in that it might keep my mind more occupied, but I might be off base on thinking that.
Thanks for the pointers guys.
mdh
Sr. Member
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Expat Mike,
Don't forget Public Affairs Officer (PAO) as a possible choice too. I don't know if you've had any experience with media, but if you do, your background might be a very good fit for PAO. Have a look at this recruiting link below and click on the media video - it's a bit dated but it gives some useful information.
http://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/jobs/jobs.aspx?id=66&bhcp=1#
Cheers, mdh
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Stephenville, Corner Brook and Grand Falls are 2nd Batallion or the RNR. St. John's is first Batallion. Paramedice service in NL is different from other provinces. As far as I know the one's I've seen home aroun the Stephenville, Corner Brook area are not run by the government, they seem to be run by "private" companies. Here in NS it falls under the provincal Government I assume Emergeny Heath Services I think EHS. In Stephenville the Ambulances I've seen were Russell's - scary part is the garage they operate out of is attached to the Russell's Funeral Home 
..
Just a few facts and good luck if you join the RNR. A very long and proud history to the Regiment.
..Just a few facts and good luck if you join the RNR. A very long and proud history to the Regiment.
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Hello there everybody, this is my first post so i might as well start off by telling you guys and girls a little about myself.
I am 16 years old, i live in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, i dropped out of school with 5 credits (the min required to join army), i knew that i wanted to be in the army ever since i started army cadets at 11 or 12, and i love my country.. CANADA ALL THE WAY BABY!
btw please don't tell me about how i should have stayed in school.. i know i should have but i got caught up in drugs and partying and it f***ed me up big time.. but now all that is in my past and i can all ways go back to school if i feel like i need to.. drugs are bad, mmkay
so its my birthday on the 21st and im pumped to go to the local recruiting office and sign up for the infantry but i have a few questions..
1) I'm really worried about failing the CFAT.. i did the practice test that is on the forces website and only had a little bit of trouble with the math section.. everything else was pretty easy.. but im no good at math (like.. stupid when it comes to math lol) so should i be worried about failing? i have a feeling questions are going to be a lot harder on the real CFAT.
2) this is a follow up to my first question.. i have no grade 10 math and ill tell you why.. in grade ten my math was going to be in the second semester but at the end of the first semester me and my family ended up moving across town and therefor i had a new school... so when i went to register and pick courses for the new school they told me that the grade 10 math courses were all filled up so i was going to have to take grade 10 math and grade 11 math next year when im in grade 11.. is this going to affect me getting in to the army? if so i would like to know if anybody knows of anything i can do to get my grade 10 math without going back to school...
3) I'm a little out of shape (i think im around 165-175 pounds and 6 feet tall).. if i got on the floor right now i can force myself to do 20 push-ups and i can do around 30 sit-ups.. also im getting a pair of running shoes within the week so ill be starting to run soon which shouldnt be that much of a problem because i love to bike and in the summer i do it all the time.. should i start getting more serious about getting in shape? if so what do you suggest i start doing.
i really want to make a good impression on my recruiter because i don't think they like dropouts with the min requirements very much
thank you for taking the time to read my post.. any comments would be very helpful to me
I am 16 years old, i live in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, i dropped out of school with 5 credits (the min required to join army), i knew that i wanted to be in the army ever since i started army cadets at 11 or 12, and i love my country.. CANADA ALL THE WAY BABY!
btw please don't tell me about how i should have stayed in school.. i know i should have but i got caught up in drugs and partying and it f***ed me up big time.. but now all that is in my past and i can all ways go back to school if i feel like i need to.. drugs are bad, mmkay
so its my birthday on the 21st and im pumped to go to the local recruiting office and sign up for the infantry but i have a few questions..
1) I'm really worried about failing the CFAT.. i did the practice test that is on the forces website and only had a little bit of trouble with the math section.. everything else was pretty easy.. but im no good at math (like.. stupid when it comes to math lol) so should i be worried about failing? i have a feeling questions are going to be a lot harder on the real CFAT.
2) this is a follow up to my first question.. i have no grade 10 math and ill tell you why.. in grade ten my math was going to be in the second semester but at the end of the first semester me and my family ended up moving across town and therefor i had a new school... so when i went to register and pick courses for the new school they told me that the grade 10 math courses were all filled up so i was going to have to take grade 10 math and grade 11 math next year when im in grade 11.. is this going to affect me getting in to the army? if so i would like to know if anybody knows of anything i can do to get my grade 10 math without going back to school...
3) I'm a little out of shape (i think im around 165-175 pounds and 6 feet tall).. if i got on the floor right now i can force myself to do 20 push-ups and i can do around 30 sit-ups.. also im getting a pair of running shoes within the week so ill be starting to run soon which shouldnt be that much of a problem because i love to bike and in the summer i do it all the time.. should i start getting more serious about getting in shape? if so what do you suggest i start doing.
i really want to make a good impression on my recruiter because i don't think they like dropouts with the min requirements very much
thank you for taking the time to read my post.. any comments would be very helpful to me
- Reaction score
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Here are three links from the Recruiting FAQ to start your reading adventure:
CFAT
Fitness
Education
We also have an effective Search Function. Explore the features that let you search in specific forum sections relevant to your search and for newer posts.
CFAT
Fitness
Education
We also have an effective Search Function. Explore the features that let you search in specific forum sections relevant to your search and for newer posts.
- Reaction score
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The minimum credits required to join the reserves is ten, not five.
We do accept that people make mistakes in the past, and I applaud your honesty. You must remain honest, however, be honest with yourself... Is the past really the past at your age? 16 is a time where we do occasionally go out, and mess things up.
If things do not go well at the recruiting centre, do not lose hope... Instead, ask "What can I do to make myself a better candidate?". Ask this question of the recruiter, follow his/her advice, and then come back and try again.
For your questions... One at a time:
I take off my boots to count past ten. I still got the Aptitude test down no worries (16 years ago, but alas, there it is, I passed... Despite my lack of acumen in math). Practice your math more, and see if you can do a little bit better on the math portion. I myself hate doing math, but hey... I still practice, and force myself to learn it the best I can.
You need grade ten math I am afraid. Going back to school is the prefered way... But I am not a preacher, so I will eave it at that... Other ways of gaining highschool credits include "night schools" or adult learning centres. They can be found in the yellow pages. An example from Toronto would be Shore Centre for Learning, I am afraid I can not help you with your area, I did a quick 411 search and came up empty... This does not mean they do not exist (you may approach your former high school counsellor for this information, they are usually knowledgeable about these things).
Do a site search here for fitness programs. There are lots of them here, some designed by very knowledgeable people who can take a person from not being able to do one push-up, to doing 50-100 push-ups... Lots of other programs as well to address all your fitness needs here. Follow them, and in no time, you will be in the shape of your life.
Good luck... If you have the patience, and the willingness to follow direction, I am sure that you will get in. You may not make it this year, but do not lose hope. Stay on it, stay on yourself, and do what it is you want to do for yourself.
We do accept that people make mistakes in the past, and I applaud your honesty. You must remain honest, however, be honest with yourself... Is the past really the past at your age? 16 is a time where we do occasionally go out, and mess things up.
If things do not go well at the recruiting centre, do not lose hope... Instead, ask "What can I do to make myself a better candidate?". Ask this question of the recruiter, follow his/her advice, and then come back and try again.
For your questions... One at a time:
I take off my boots to count past ten. I still got the Aptitude test down no worries (16 years ago, but alas, there it is, I passed... Despite my lack of acumen in math). Practice your math more, and see if you can do a little bit better on the math portion. I myself hate doing math, but hey... I still practice, and force myself to learn it the best I can.
You need grade ten math I am afraid. Going back to school is the prefered way... But I am not a preacher, so I will eave it at that... Other ways of gaining highschool credits include "night schools" or adult learning centres. They can be found in the yellow pages. An example from Toronto would be Shore Centre for Learning, I am afraid I can not help you with your area, I did a quick 411 search and came up empty... This does not mean they do not exist (you may approach your former high school counsellor for this information, they are usually knowledgeable about these things).
Do a site search here for fitness programs. There are lots of them here, some designed by very knowledgeable people who can take a person from not being able to do one push-up, to doing 50-100 push-ups... Lots of other programs as well to address all your fitness needs here. Follow them, and in no time, you will be in the shape of your life.
Good luck... If you have the patience, and the willingness to follow direction, I am sure that you will get in. You may not make it this year, but do not lose hope. Stay on it, stay on yourself, and do what it is you want to do for yourself.
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First let me say that this seems like a great site and that I have nothing but the deepest respect
for the brave men and women that serve our country. I am 53 but in great shape - finished my last ultra-marathon in third and would shoot for going the 2.4 km run thing in way under 10 minutes and can do more than 50 pushups. I also thrive on excitement. I much prefer climbing over golf. My last major vacation was 2 months of travel up remote reaches of the Amazon jungle. But more importantly, I would like to do a little payback to my great country. While left of centre in politics, I detest brain dead liberals that somehow think that social progress can be achieved by slandering our honourable generals as war criminals. I liked when some of the posters said that it is the soldier that gave us freedom of speech or ridiculed the delusional idiots for thinking it was possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. I could not agree more that it is so wrong for 40% of Afghangani children to die by age 5 or for women to be stoned to death for peeking out from under that black veil. Being a man and doing something about it means more than just watching a Michael Moore film.
I do have a degree and a strong science background so feel fairly confident about being able to meet any of the educational challenges of medic training. I would also be happy to go the officer route in the infantry or armour. I certainly do not want to look like an idiot with a mid life crisis. Any info or helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
for the brave men and women that serve our country. I am 53 but in great shape - finished my last ultra-marathon in third and would shoot for going the 2.4 km run thing in way under 10 minutes and can do more than 50 pushups. I also thrive on excitement. I much prefer climbing over golf. My last major vacation was 2 months of travel up remote reaches of the Amazon jungle. But more importantly, I would like to do a little payback to my great country. While left of centre in politics, I detest brain dead liberals that somehow think that social progress can be achieved by slandering our honourable generals as war criminals. I liked when some of the posters said that it is the soldier that gave us freedom of speech or ridiculed the delusional idiots for thinking it was possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. I could not agree more that it is so wrong for 40% of Afghangani children to die by age 5 or for women to be stoned to death for peeking out from under that black veil. Being a man and doing something about it means more than just watching a Michael Moore film.
I do have a degree and a strong science background so feel fairly confident about being able to meet any of the educational challenges of medic training. I would also be happy to go the officer route in the infantry or armour. I certainly do not want to look like an idiot with a mid life crisis. Any info or helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
George Wallace
Army.ca Dinosaur
- Reaction score
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- Points
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Your only problem if you wait a couple of years, is to complete all your training and still have time to serve before you reach CRA. If you wait until you are 57, that only leaves you three years to complete BMQ, SQ and then a Trade before CRA. If you are 53 and want to go the officer route, you may find that you will not be accepted, as you have not got the years left to complete all your training, before being employable and do your obligated service time.
ArmyRick
Army.ca Veteran
- Reaction score
- 2,329
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I have to disagree with some of what I have seen so far. I am involved in the trg system on the side of 031 Infantry and I'll tell you what I have seen, no PC BS.
Most of the guys over the age 35 that join the infantry don't get through training and usually end up with some sort of TCAT or PCAT situation. I said most not all. It is too bad but the reality is that the body don't bounce back as well as you get older. I am finding this out as a 35 year old sergeant (hopefully I will be a WO within the year).
Alot of these TCAT/PCAT Infantry candidates that are sitting in the system are not weak or out of shape either. Remember in a simple situation like rolling your ankle or bruising your knee, I have seen it countless times where the 20 year old gets 3-5 days to recover and he is good but the older guy needs 2-3 weeks.
On a flip side, one of the most fittest soldiers I ever put through DP1 infantry was 38 at the time and after giving her on the course during the day (even during CQC Trg) he would be in the gym pumping iron at night.
You really have to evauluate your own situation and be brutally honest with yourself. If you have suffered any injury that may bite you again and your an older troop, stay away from the combat arms. Thats my 2.3567 cents.
Most of the guys over the age 35 that join the infantry don't get through training and usually end up with some sort of TCAT or PCAT situation. I said most not all. It is too bad but the reality is that the body don't bounce back as well as you get older. I am finding this out as a 35 year old sergeant (hopefully I will be a WO within the year).
Alot of these TCAT/PCAT Infantry candidates that are sitting in the system are not weak or out of shape either. Remember in a simple situation like rolling your ankle or bruising your knee, I have seen it countless times where the 20 year old gets 3-5 days to recover and he is good but the older guy needs 2-3 weeks.
On a flip side, one of the most fittest soldiers I ever put through DP1 infantry was 38 at the time and after giving her on the course during the day (even during CQC Trg) he would be in the gym pumping iron at night.
You really have to evauluate your own situation and be brutally honest with yourself. If you have suffered any injury that may bite you again and your an older troop, stay away from the combat arms. Thats my 2.3567 cents.
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If you plan to join, I would suggest that you step on it.... IIRC there has to be room for at least 5 years of service before mandatory retirement age... which can go to 60 if you are fit enough & there is sufficient need. For those who are interested, you can eek out another 5 years while working for the cadet movement.
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Well to the 27 year old "kid" , I went in to the recruiting office to see what the age limit for the reserves was. The recruiter told me that basically that there was no age limit even in the regular forces. A second recruiter told me the same thing. I am 53 and have nothing but the greatest respect for the men and women in the forces. I seriously hope these recruiters are not wasting my time in the name of political correctness. It is not some mid age crisis thing - I am serious about going regular. I guess I am in better than average shape. I would not be surprised if I was below 8 minutes on the run . The last time I tried one of those step test things at the Y, the guy gave up and said he could not really chart me since my pulse would not change. Two years ago I could bench 100 pounds over my body weight and break 100 on push ups. I also have a degree with some pretty outstanding grades. Getting paid (albeit not a huge amount) to stay fit and do crazy exciting things is one of the appealing things about the Forces. Just who in the hell made that rule " You get old. you get fat, you sit on the chair and watch TV"?
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