So I want to be an officer, an engineer

[MC]

Now I just need to decide which element, heh. I actually have no serious prejudice against any and think all have their advantages. Being an Electrical Engineering student, I'm hesitating between being a Combat Systems Engineer in the Navy, an Electronics engineer in the Airforce, or a Comm Officer in the Army.  I'm not expecting anyone to tell me what to do, I'd just like to know if there is anything I've left out in my assesment of the situation.. if not, then I guess I'm on my own!

Navy

Pros : Travel a lot, the actual field of combat systems engineering interests me the most. Would be an easy choice if not for the cons.
Cons : Travelling a lot, hehe, and also the working environment. Unfortunately heard mostly negatives about life at sea and the current state of the Navy's equipment. Here is where I'm hoping to be corrected.

Airforce

Pros: Being a former air cadet, it would be the most natural choice, I guess. The impression I get is its more laid back - don't get me wrong, I'm not a slacker and I don't believe the air force are slackers, its just I guess staying up 20 hours a day during training exercices or being 6 months away in the middle of the ocean must get old.
Cons: Just get the feeling its going to be a desk job more than anything else, as opposed to actually being where the "action" is happening in the navy or the army. And yes, I know regardless of the branch I'll be doing desk work most of my time . The field also interests me less than both others.


Army

Pros: Communications seems pretty cool. I like that in the Army I'd be doing hands on stuff from time to time. I also hear the Canadian Army is very well equipped in this department.
Cons: I have to admit the Army as a branch doesn't interest me as much as the other two, its not like that would really play into my choice, though, heh.

Thanks for any replies!

 

[Gouki]

Here is a bit of feedback..

I recently changed my element to Navy.. I was originally scheduled for air force. I had decided that the Navy would be best for me (big reason - travel) and I called my recruiting officer who switched me to Navy. No going back now.

As someone who has asked, both here and in person to many people, about their feedback, in the end man you just gotta decide on your own. I know I know, you want feedback nothing wrong with that. But, I've been through this before and had I listened to everyone else I'd still be going blue. It comes down to this:

"what do I, untainted by anyone elses opinions, want for myself? Am I willing to take the good with the bad?"

Yes, life at sea can be rough. Yes, many sailors have told me some not so pleasant stories about sea. But I have found that a lot of people tend to propagate some myths about life on a ship, exagerrating things to make them worse than they really are.

You visited the Navy site yet? Cause they got some profiles written by the sailors themselves and I found it extremely beneficial to make up my mind.

I chose Navy, because I have a sort of wanderlust. I would love to see Rome, the Vatican, Indonesia, Dubai, Egypt - hell just about anywhere... and am willing to put up with a few months at sea on a ship to visit them.

What about you?

 

[MC]

I understand exactly what you are saying.

I guess being at sea CAN be as bad as I've heard for some people, as well as being the total opposite for others. Just wish I had prior experience to have an idea what its like - definately not hoping to be one of the people who are just not cut out for it. If the navy exists, that must be a minority though, so I may as well take my chances, considering that if not for that small concern the Navy is clearly my first choice. Like I've said, I'd enjoy the travel and the field I'd be working is the one that seems most interesting to me.

Thanks for the reply Steve,

 

[Bobby147]

Hi... Sea can worst for those people who have sea sickness....  I am not sure whether I have it or not...  otherwise it should be OK....  Recent submarine tragedy also discouraging.....  :crybaby:

Pros: Nice uniform and travel 

I would like to see comments from real army/navy/ air force personnel.....