16 year old in desperate need of help (info)

[[G8D7]]

Alright i'll just get to it, i'm warning you now aha, this might be long.

I don't know if this matters much, but in the US (yes this is Canada.. bear with me here), Marines and US army are very very interested in people that play paintball as I sport. Well I did, but this is my last year. I've done very well for myself, and my dream was to become pro one day, sure the pay's not great and for some one to really get pro in paintball you have to work your *** off. I currnetly play for a sponsored team in Pickering in Young Guns (16 or lower) called Lockdown, at Next Paintball. But I don't want to brag or anything I just want to say I was good, definitely for my age and was going to play in the CXBL level (which is pro in Canada, or the highest you can go, in the US "pro" is "pro") in the CXBL series. But I turned down the offer as I wasn't in a good place at the time and for people that have done or thought about paintballing (particularly speedball) for a sport, not a hobby, it's expensive, very expensive. So now i'm quitting as I know i'm not going to continue it after high school to become "pro", since I want to join the forces, therefore don't see the meaning for me to continue. Will this raise my chances a bit? I know in the US it definitely would, but Canada?

So I turn 16 in June, I do how ever have ADD and suffer from Depression from my dad, so some-what genetics. I have only recently been very interested in the CF, and by very I mean working out finding info, contacting people talking to recruiters etc. I also have Asthma.

I will be talking to my talking to my main doctor soon (the one that diagnosed me with depression, ADD, and put me on medication etc) to go off the meds as I think i'll be fine, or at least try it and get a little taste of what it'll take for me to join the CF.

I have on medication for both (I don't really think ADD is as much of a concern as the depression), so for depression i'm on Prozac (sorry if I spelt it wrong...), but as i've been doing research on the forces, i've been feeling much much better. My social worker (as we spoke today at school) said I (mood wise) can be feeling a lot better that i've found a goal in life and want to pursue it.

So we'll get on with what I want to accomplish. I want to join the regulars after high school, do my 'needed' amount of qualification training so I can apply for JTF2, and so-on-so-forth. (If I start talking about how badly I want to get into JTF2 it'll be a very very long topic).

I want to join the reserves this summer, but don't know how to or what is best, I live in Eastern Scarborough area (fine you can call it Toronto too, but i'm still using Scarborough),  basically on the border line of pickering-scarborough. I want to know if there are any events happening out in my area, all of the recruiting centres are down town and 25-45 minutes away. Sure it's not long, but for my parents that already don't like what i'm pursuing, it's a journey.

So also if someone can tell me the best way to go about pursuing this dream of mine and going into the JTF2 i.e. should I go or try to get into the RMC, or university in that matter? (I'm a hands on guy and can't stand writing and doing so etc.) Or should I just join the regular after high school? But what's the best thing to do and join to even get the JTF2 to show interest in me?

I think i've mentioned everything I want to say so please help me out and give me some good "legit" info.

Feel free to email me aswell.

Thanks.

 

[Michael OLeary]

Since some people have been having trouble with the site's search engine, try using Google.  Put "site:army.ca" in your search criteria to limit results to the site.  That will help you find the many threads that already talk about JTF-2, depression, ADD and everything else you can think of .... plus many things you haven't thought of yet.

 

[1feral1]

I don't know if this matters much, but in the US (yes this is Canada.. bear with me here), Marines and US army are very very interested in people that play paintball as I sport.

I would be keen to see a link that the US wants paintballers as soldiers. Can you provide one?

Being a paintball guru does not make you special (its a game and a toy), but only might get you laughed at. Take it from someone who's been around the block a few times, a word or two on some advice would be to keep that 'I am a paintballer specialist' info to yourself.

Regards, and good luck,

OWDU

 

[[G8D7]]

Michael O'Leary: Thanks, i'll get right on it too.

Overwatch Downunder: As much as I appreciate your reply, i'm not one to brag, and simply stated it as a general question if the CF is interested in paintballers, as it's not a bunch of hill billies running around in the woods shooting each other it's more like a game of chess, and each move counts, it's strategic. So i'm sorry if I offended you, and yes I will be glad to link you videos, pictures and reports of the US military being attracted to paintballers. I'm not a liar and I know you didn't say it out loud and clear, I don't appreciate being called one. Paintball is about trusting the guy next you you, you make a move your buddy better better be watching you or your going to be sent straight to the dead box for an incompetent move...

-With respect

 

[mariomike]

I saw this about US Army paintball.:
http://www.usarmypaintball.com/

 

[1feral1]

Mate, you did not offend me, I am just being realistic. I am just trying to give you some decent advice, how you either take it or accept it, well thats up to you.

Please show me in my post that I am referring to you as a liar? If you got issues like this already, you won't go far in the real world.

Like you said, its a game (a chess game), its different in the real world, believe me.

Regards,

OWDU

 

[[G8D7]]

Short but sweet: http://www.defencetalk.com/paintball-passions-10988/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1545396/Paintballers-targetted-by-US-army-recruiters.html

US military and paintball, will get more on demand, or simply search "US military recruit paintballers" on google.ca

Again, OWDU when someone says they are good at something or are a part of something people are spectacle and even more when it is over the internet, that's why I mentioned I am not one to brag and simply say this as a statement.

 

[1feral1]

Seems like your 3 year old link they are seeking target age groups through this avenue because of their age and fitness, nothing really to do with 'strategic chess game paintball specialist skills'.

It's another avenue for potential recruitment (10.4 million participants), and thats fair enough. Similar as when the CF goes to highschools on career days, but a larger scale. The old, we'll thow an event, bring the recruiter van, and a few trinkets to see if we can lure a few lads to sign up.

OWDU

 

[[G8D7]]

Okay we'll stop right there.

I don't want this topic to be filled with random stuff.

So sorry I didn't realize it was from 3 years ago... I just read the one you posted while I was posting that one, and I appreciate your just letting me know from someone that is experienced. Well I really appreciate it, and I just wanted to get it straight that I posted that i'm not bragging or offending anyone etc, I just get quite defensive when people as it's under-estimated, I know it's just a game and show no reality what so ever to real fighting.

Again, thank you and sorry. When did you start your career in the CF? And all paintball related topics aside, what do you think I should go about joining the forces with applying for JTF 2 in the future?

Thanks, BT.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Your questions have all been addressed before and you can find the answers by following Mr O'Leary's instructions.

Milnet.ca Staff