Update <few months until it's been a year after my initial post>:
Hello everyone! I thought I'd update you on my current standing in life. In about 90ish days I will be 19. I've read this entire post again and I'm thankful such advice was given to me. I'm in the process of obtaining my final credit to graduate high school. Right now, I can't say I'm living a terrible life, but I'm definitely not satisfied with the progress I'm making with life. I've made some changes to my diet, some changes to my attitude about getting my final credit, and surely some changes about who I want to be.
When I first posted this message, I was excited about this. I had all my paperwork soon filled out, I was running daily with thoughts of significicance and meaning thinking I'm going to make a difference in the world. Basically I was motivated because I was about to realize what I had to offer. (I read the posts you guys made, I agree you can get the same thrills in in the army as in civilian life, however the Army seems to be a different approach, a disciplined approach, a structured approach -- which is what I feel I need to do)
I read and understood that it's my choice in life to do whatever I want. The army was something I want to do. However, for a brief period, my mother (whom I don't live with), I think helped contribute to the scared, guilty feeling about joining the force. She was hesitating on signing her information (household etc,) on my application to the Canadian Army because of her personal thoughts toward war and fighting. She watches CNN way too much and was basically telling me that I'm going to die or take a big risk doing PART TIME - RESERVE. She thinks I'm going to be shipped off into another country without being asked, yes or no. (Can someone please confirm this for me on the board, I've read you can't be forced to, and to always read what you sign, obviously.) So my thoughts shifted severely (I know they shouldn't have) in the following few months after she had this conversation with me. That was in June-July-approximately. I don't know why, but even though I have a lack of a relationship with my mom, I still tend to believe most things she says. (This could be a deep personal issue, but let's not go there.)
I had a lot of time to think this through and it makes sense to me to join, because I want to, and I'm not going to hesitate one bit because someone is scared. Maybe my mom is scared of losing something she never really had. Who knows, that's another subject.
Everything makes sense to me (regarding this decision) and my geographical advantage couldn't get any better because the following is within walking distance of me:
-school
-my part time job
-the gym
-and the local infantry reserve.
Because I didn't initially go with my gut feeling (regretting not joining right away), I've done the following:
- Worked crappy hours at a factory.
- Worked my part time job with full time hours. (I applied for manager roles, however, 3 years of seniority is nothing compared to some of the lifers I'm competing against.)
- I am currently running a successful business, however, I've lost motivation for technology based careers being as I lived a good chunk of my life on the computer.
- Not really interested in college because I don't know what field I want. My parents whom I live with wanted me to go to college, wanted me to get the high paying job etc etc. But going to school for something I didn't want to do wasn't what I wanted, thus I now pay rent.
I want to go out of my comfort zone, I want to be able to adapt, lead and be successful as a person. I'm still confident this is what I want.
Everyone discouraging me, out of my way please.
) Being that I am interested in being a pilot, or an MP ( thats just what really peaks my interest, im sure I could be happy in other professions) getting my degree is even more important.
