"We will re-role people that are in the training system right now but who are designed to be something else," Hillier told the Commons defence committee.
"We'll say, 'For the next two or three years, you'll be infantry, and then go back to your primary role.'"
Taken from;
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/10/23/rerole-afghan.html
Wow. Am I reading this right? I 've seen multiple threads pop up about this all over army.ca recently and I have to say that I am quite disappointed with what I just read. I havn't actually accepted a job offer yet and I'm still in the "processing" stage. However, I AM STRONGLY CONSIDERING NOT JOINING THE FORCES after reading above quoted text.
I am interested in becoming a NavComm and I've devoted a lot of time on my own learning the skills of the trade. I've learned Semaphore, International flags and Morse Code. A+ and Network+ curriculum and some other misc. things that directly relate to this trade. I don't know how many hours I've spent learning all of this, but after reading that little blurb in an article tonight "We'll re-roll the people in the training system right now AND possible commitment of 2-3 YEARS??!!!", I'm asking myself "Do I really have to be an infantry soldier?!"
"Screw that!" I'm thinking.
I really dislike the idea of being infantry. I chose Navcomm because it's on a ship! Something I've always wanted to do. I like the sea. Last I checked, Afghanistan was VERY landlocked! I don't understand why I would have to waste a couple years of my life doing a trade I hate, only to be 2 years behind in training after I complete this re-rollment!
This may seem more of a rant, however I actually would like my question to be addressed and clarified. Will all new recruits have to become infantry? Even people who chose a Navy or Air force trade?
Here's a big question for all the new hopeful recruits... If knowing you would HAVE to be infantry for a couple of years, would you still go through the process and join the Armed Forces or would this deter you from signing up, knowing you can't do what you originally wanted to do?
Mods, I request this topic not be locked or moved as I'd like to see this thread focused on the new recruitment aspect of this article only.