I totally agree. Besides, from what i‘ve heard and seen, the Canadian army is the way to go in a matter of training and safety. I know that any Army is dangerous, but the CND Army seems to steer clear and avoid any major combat.
I don‘t even know where to begin with the latter portion of that statement. "The CDN Army seems to steer clear and avoid any ‘major‘ combat?" I wasn‘t aware that there was such a thing as ‘minor‘ combat. 4 dead, 8 wounded is better somehow than 40? I‘m being literal here and I know that will leave me open to criticism. I understand your underlying point, that we avoid large scale operations. Steering clear is an understatement, we do not have the resources to commit to such tasks. We are still, and I have to stress this, a fighting army. We always have been. These are poor years, but overall (in Canada) they are peaceful years. You just have to understand that when you sign on with the CF, there is no guarantee that you will be able to avoid risk to your personal safety. No one is (hopefully) in a rush to waste your life, but if the situation calls for it, then you better recall your PWT and fulfill your mission. In a worse case scenario, even the cooks need to be able to defend themselves. Do you understand?
As for the criticism of those who choose to go to the US/AUS/UK/France/China/Brazil or Eritrea. That is the individual‘s decision. They are making a life decision that they feel is appropriate to them; if they remain Canadian citizens or hold a kinship with Canada. Fine. I don‘t begrudge them any more than I would a pilot flying for Quantas, an MCSE working for Microsoft in Redmond or a nurse in a California hospital. Bear in mind, others come to Canada and join the CF. How many CF personnel are perusing this site right now were born in another country? Maybe a quick poll would surprise some. I had people in my platoon from Macedonia, France, the Ukraine, the UK and a Croatian. Out of 37. They had become Canadians and now serve. Are they traitors to their former nations also?
And for the record, some may feel that they do not have another option. Personally, I‘m going into my 5th year of fighting for reinstatement to the CF on the grounds that I am fit for service. It‘s a stupid situation and one that I should not be in. I‘ve considered other nations over the past few years and I‘m getting fed up with this beauracracy. If I don‘t find an acceptance back into the CF by the time I finish my degree, then I very well may take my over qualified self down to a nation who will allow me to apply my skills. And by skills I do mean that taking my Canadian Infantry trained, Commercial flying, Commercial diving, College educated self. If the Yanks will allow me to fly something more than a Griffon or actually go in the field, it something to consider. If my own nation doesn‘t have the interest, then I may as well go somewhere that does. I‘m not ready to settle for a 9-5 lifestyle just yet.
Where does the onus lie? Don‘t judge those who choose to make the best that they can with the cards that they are dealt.