- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
(warning- don't expect a lot of continuity in this post- I'm just writing down my various thoughts and such)
Howdy folks,
Been awhile since I posted here last. Have been living it up in St. Jean for the past month and a few weeks- finally got some time off what with the school being closed for the holidays to write down my thoughts on this whole process so far. As some of you may know from my previous posts, my enrollment process was quite long- it took nearly a full year from the day I went into the CFRC and got my paperwork to getting sworn in and getting my train ticket. In that year I had plenty of time to dissect my decision to join, think it over, come to a final decision on it. Needless to say, as the days turned into weeks and weeks into months as I awaited my call, my resolve to join never faltered. To say that the long wait made the day I got sworn in even sweeter is a total understatement. My swearing in day was perhaps the most proud day of my life- to have my father swear me in made it that much more special and will forever be a day that will remain a significant point in my career with the military, for however long that career may be.
On my way to St. Jean in late October, I was filled with a million different emotions. Fear, excitement, a sense of absolute pride, a feeling of isolation and separation....the whole gamut. Seeing the mega for the first time, seeing the other recruits marching around looking smart in their uniforms (most of them- there are always a few screws with the pizza-hat thing going on) definitely made me feel like a fish out of water, even though I've been around military most of my life. The first week was like being eased head first into a pool of water. Being 25 and having lived on my own for a bit before getting to St. Jean as well as familiarity with military culture made the transition fairly smooth for me. Others in my training platoon did not take the transition well though. Within a few weeks we went from a platoon of 70-odd down to 40-odd. The release rate was discouraging to say the least. The same questions went and still go through my head to this day "How can I still be here when these other guys who are better than me at this or that aren't?" When you see guys releasing who are physically more robust than you and who seem to have that 'toughness' quality about them certainly made me consider how I'm still there. I only know that's where I want to be, and I'm doing exactly what I want to do and couldn't ever fathom voluntarily leaving it all behind.
So far the experience has been very positive and quite eye-opening. You do learn quite a bit about yourself- about the kind of person you are physically and mentally. The staff pushes you to your limits and asks you to give just a little bit more. You can see the stress on the faces of your platoon-mates- some manage it well, others collapse in on themselves. There have been moments when team unity breaks down and anarchy ensues within the section, but then the next day we all come together again to support one another when faced with a challenge. It's a roller coaster ride.
Our staff is excellent- a good mix of the three elements. They can be pleasant and funny when appropriate, but are generally fairly strict and run a tight-ship which is expected and appreciated by someone like myself who lacks patience when it comes to bullshit. As in any platoon or unit, there are the occasional shit-pumps who seem adamant to drag others through the dirt with them. Most of these people are the 'have no business in the military' types who with any luck will release or be 'encouraged' to release by their section mates, or by their staff in various ways, or suffer enough PO-failures or receive enough councillings that they'll be handed their walking papers. In general though, the lads (and two girls) in my platoon are good people who have their shit together and are of generally good character- the kind of people you want to see succeed. I only hope that my mates see me the same way.
Anyway, that's how things are so far. I'm on leave now- although its hard to break some of the habits (such as getting out of bed at 5 and instantly getting ready for PT or starting to make your bed and getting ready for inspection- I've already caught myself twice doing that!) I'm looking forward to getting back and completing my basic and graduating (albeit it will be with a new platoon since I suffered an injury and was placed in PAT platoon shortly before my leave). To those just beginning the process or who will be off to basic in the new year, good luck. Don't give up, don't quit, and when you get to St. Jean or wherever, give it a chance. Don't sweat the small stuff and don't stress yourself, but pay attention to the details because they are important. And most importantly, have fun!
Rico out
Howdy folks,
Been awhile since I posted here last. Have been living it up in St. Jean for the past month and a few weeks- finally got some time off what with the school being closed for the holidays to write down my thoughts on this whole process so far. As some of you may know from my previous posts, my enrollment process was quite long- it took nearly a full year from the day I went into the CFRC and got my paperwork to getting sworn in and getting my train ticket. In that year I had plenty of time to dissect my decision to join, think it over, come to a final decision on it. Needless to say, as the days turned into weeks and weeks into months as I awaited my call, my resolve to join never faltered. To say that the long wait made the day I got sworn in even sweeter is a total understatement. My swearing in day was perhaps the most proud day of my life- to have my father swear me in made it that much more special and will forever be a day that will remain a significant point in my career with the military, for however long that career may be.
On my way to St. Jean in late October, I was filled with a million different emotions. Fear, excitement, a sense of absolute pride, a feeling of isolation and separation....the whole gamut. Seeing the mega for the first time, seeing the other recruits marching around looking smart in their uniforms (most of them- there are always a few screws with the pizza-hat thing going on) definitely made me feel like a fish out of water, even though I've been around military most of my life. The first week was like being eased head first into a pool of water. Being 25 and having lived on my own for a bit before getting to St. Jean as well as familiarity with military culture made the transition fairly smooth for me. Others in my training platoon did not take the transition well though. Within a few weeks we went from a platoon of 70-odd down to 40-odd. The release rate was discouraging to say the least. The same questions went and still go through my head to this day "How can I still be here when these other guys who are better than me at this or that aren't?" When you see guys releasing who are physically more robust than you and who seem to have that 'toughness' quality about them certainly made me consider how I'm still there. I only know that's where I want to be, and I'm doing exactly what I want to do and couldn't ever fathom voluntarily leaving it all behind.
So far the experience has been very positive and quite eye-opening. You do learn quite a bit about yourself- about the kind of person you are physically and mentally. The staff pushes you to your limits and asks you to give just a little bit more. You can see the stress on the faces of your platoon-mates- some manage it well, others collapse in on themselves. There have been moments when team unity breaks down and anarchy ensues within the section, but then the next day we all come together again to support one another when faced with a challenge. It's a roller coaster ride.
Our staff is excellent- a good mix of the three elements. They can be pleasant and funny when appropriate, but are generally fairly strict and run a tight-ship which is expected and appreciated by someone like myself who lacks patience when it comes to bullshit. As in any platoon or unit, there are the occasional shit-pumps who seem adamant to drag others through the dirt with them. Most of these people are the 'have no business in the military' types who with any luck will release or be 'encouraged' to release by their section mates, or by their staff in various ways, or suffer enough PO-failures or receive enough councillings that they'll be handed their walking papers. In general though, the lads (and two girls) in my platoon are good people who have their shit together and are of generally good character- the kind of people you want to see succeed. I only hope that my mates see me the same way.
Anyway, that's how things are so far. I'm on leave now- although its hard to break some of the habits (such as getting out of bed at 5 and instantly getting ready for PT or starting to make your bed and getting ready for inspection- I've already caught myself twice doing that!) I'm looking forward to getting back and completing my basic and graduating (albeit it will be with a new platoon since I suffered an injury and was placed in PAT platoon shortly before my leave). To those just beginning the process or who will be off to basic in the new year, good luck. Don't give up, don't quit, and when you get to St. Jean or wherever, give it a chance. Don't sweat the small stuff and don't stress yourself, but pay attention to the details because they are important. And most importantly, have fun!
Rico out
