Update on Career Progression
Private's log Stardate 29 June 2009. ( I know it's cheesy, I just couldn't resist).
It has been nearly two years since I completed my Sig Op occupation training back in Sept of 06. I was posted to CFB Petawawa, where I joined the unit that typically holds all the new Sigs when they arrive in town. I spent the rest of 2007 learning the ropes of Petawawa, was added on to the tour group in Sept 2007 and spent a full year working up for tour.
I have recently returned from my first tour in Afghanistan. It was mind blowing. Some of my highlights included getting a ticket on base for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign (I was filled with shock and awe, as I had just returned from outside the wire and was in no mood, I politely asked the MP to go find some Taliban and leave me alone, he did
. I later received a speeding ticket for driving 30kph on base (the speed limit is 16k), frustrating beyond belief. I would describe my tour experience as a lesson in self control and politics. The most difficult part of the entire tour was keeping my emotions in check. As stress rises, the temptation to take matters into your own hands is very tempting. Unfortunately I did find myself jacking up several people of higher rank for what I considered to be blatant incompetence that put my life at risk; a very risky course of action as a Private. Not the type of thing one should engage in unless you are willing to suffer the consequences. And sometimes, it's worth it.
I had intended this post to offer some insight into what a tour in Afghanistan is like, for those who are about to go on tour; just as I've tried to offer insight to those who came through the training system after me. But this experience is different. Amongst my colleagues who were at the same rank level (Pte-Cpl) and same trade, we all had completely different experiences. The only advice I can give is, as you prepare for tour, DO NOT BURN BRIDGES! Regardless of what you are told your tour position is, it can change in a heartbeat (as mine did the minute I hit the ground). You will need all the friends you can get, or at least, as few enemies as possible.
Officers make decisions (it's their job). How those decisions filter on down to the lower ranks is not always their first concern, and as a result, life can become down right strange. I expected to be fighting (or at least assisting in the fight with) the Taliban, and indeed I did. But I spent much more time covering my ass and that of my friends, from the COC. This I did not expect. Naive on my part to be sure. I witnessed brave young Canadian men and women who risked their lives everyday searching ditches for explosives that could kill them at any moment (and had killed some of their friends), get jacked up in the performance of said duty for not having their boot bands on, others were publicly reprimanded for "walking too aggressively" while on base.
I have met many senior CF members who (releasing or not) have stated that this is the worst tour they have ever been on. The bureaucracy seems to be at an all time high. I met people who were afraid to pull the trigger (for warning shots) out of fear that their superiors would punish them because it would cause too much paper work. I know it's not pretty, but it's what I experienced.
On the upside, the legendary spirit of the Canadian soldier has not diminished. Despite the above mentioned self inflicted frustrations that come with army life, I can't count how many times I've heard people (just in the past week) say they can't wait to go back. The money, the action, the chance to test one's self against adversity never gets old for those who have been bitten by the green bug. For all the bitching and complaining (which eventually turns into laughing and joking) it is the experience of a life time.
To put it in the simplest terms I can, all the things that make up my home are sweeter to me now having had this experience. And yes, my hand will go up the moment they start looking for volunteers to go back.
Because i came to play, not sit on the bench.