A bit of a pickle....

[CamUrai]

I'm 18 years old and finished high school about half a year ago.  i was recently chosen for a few scholarhips, and i thought i had my life on track for business school. however, i began doubting what i wanted to do with my life, and recently have been reverting back to the desire to do something totally exciting and adventurous with my life. i have absolutely NO experience with the army (cadets, etc.) but i have always been interested in it. when i mention this to friends and family they tell me that i would be wasting my life, and that my brains could be better used to make more money in more white collar professions. because i am 18, the decision is mine, but i really want someones experience opinion on this matter. from many of the posts i have read on this forum, the army seems to be a last resort for some people who can't handle school or their troubled lives. is this a misconception or a common trend? i am also curious as to what military life is like: and yes i have searched for days on end about this. where do we live, what is our daily routine, how much do we really get to travel etc. i realize these are broad questions, but any response would be a great help. thanks a lot- you guys are machines! :rage:

 

[yot]

it depend on ur interests. My parents also disagreed. However, this is my dream, I join the reserve unit and keep going to school. I have no reason to see that army is wasting time or life. If you enjoy that just go ahead and do that. But you can choose the reserve unit, and keep continuing your post-secondary. Until you graduate, and choose ur career.

 

[Chalcey]

CamUrai, you wrote "the army seems to be a last resort for some people who can't handle school or their troubled lives" for the majority of people this is not true. I am going into my fourth year of university and decided to join because it will help pay for part of my schooling but most importantly I joined because of the experience and the relationships that I will gain. If you don't know what you want to do in regards to school that's okay but I would maybe try the reserves first and see if you like it before you decide to make the army your career. I think with the regular force you are committed to stay with them for a few years so really think about what you want before you apply, best of luck!

 

[Tracker]

I don't see the Army as a waste.  People choose the Army for many different reasons.  I joined because I was bored and wanted to try something new, just for a few years then settle down into a normal life.  That was almost twenty years ago.  I've jumped from airplanes, fired guided missles and machine guns, been overseas four times, made a difference in the world, had a chance to educate myself and now I'm able to retire with a pension.  I've learned a lot about myself and the human race that most people don't get the chance to learn.  Loved it and hated it at the same time, I'd do it all over again.

 

[koach]

CamUrai - Have you looked at the ROTP program?  Look at your options carefully and make a decision that is based upon your interests.  The Primary Reserve will provide you an opportunity to experience the military without having to leave your local area and it would allow you to continue your post secondary education.  The Regular Force is a full time commitment which has its perks and its drawbacks when compared to the P Res.  As a member of the Reg F, I have lived in 1 US State, 4 Provinces, and have travelled to places like Moscow, England, Portugal, Morocco, Japan, Hawaii, San Diego, and Vladivostok.  So many stories! :  I am sure that Tracker has his own experiences.

Tracker - I agree 100%.  I joined the navy 14 years ago looking for something different do with my life; I have never looked back.  I have learned so much over the years and I feel that I have a better realization of the world around me.  I have seen and done things that I never thought I would be a part of, both good and bad.

 

[bossi]

No matter what your career choice, you'll go farther and higher if you're well-educated
(both in the Army, and afterwards ...).

Yes, when I was in recruiting I was disappointed to hear so many applicants say the Army was "their last resort".
It used to break my heart when somebody would quit their job, put all their stuff in storage, their friends/family would give them a huge going-away party ... and then they'd slink back home with their tail between their legs when they didn't make it in the Army ...
It happens.
However, there are also tons of soldiers who are motivated, intelligent and having the time of their lives.

Keep in mind that you would probably test drive a car before buying it - you might want to do the same with your career
(i.e. you can stay in school, and join the Army on a part-time basis - then, if you really like it, you can make an informed decision whether to go full-time AFTER you graduate!  While in the Reserves, I've been to Afghanistan, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Austria, the US, and made some of the best friends you could ever have! )

 

[chriscalow]

I can tell you that joining the army is certainly NOT a last resort for me and for anyone I've ever talked to about it.  It's all I ever wanted, and all the other guys I asked about it absolutely LOVE what they are doing, several of them started out doing a CO-OP with the reserves just because it looked like more fun than another semester behind a desk, now they have done tours in Bosnia, taught on courses, moved on to the regulars, (one even made JTF 2), definitely not a last resort.

 

[yot]

Keep in mind that you would probably test drive a car before buying it - you might want to do the same with your career
(i.e. you can stay in school, and join the Army on a part-time basis - then, if you really like it, you can make an informed decision whether to go full-time AFTER you graduate!   While in the Reserves, I've been to Afghanistan, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Austria, the US, and made some of the best friends you could ever have! )

I agree with that, however, ttransferringto Reg will take longer time to process.

Right now I have 2 choices. 1st: Continuing to wait getting in nursing program, and keep my reserve job in army. 2nd: Join army as my full time job instead continuing my education.

What I know is nursing degree is not ez to study, and many people quit after they few weeks.... that is the thing I concern. I am not a smart person, but my parents told me to keep staying on the nursing program until I find out that it is too hard for me. Then I can transfer to Reg. I have read some topic about the Rev to Reg. And the ssummarizeis the process usually take 1 or 2 yrs, also I may need to redo the training stuff. Which one should I choose?! I can't see my road in the future.   :crybaby:

 

[Tracker]

Yot

Have you considered ROTP Nursing?

 

[yot]

no, I applied as Med A.

besides, I don't have degree, and still on the waitlist of nursing program.

 

[bossi]

Okay - this isn't "official" career counselling ... but ...
If you get accepted to a nursing program, then you'd be in the driver's seat
(i.e. you could do it as a civilian, or apply to the Army and get your education subsidised - in which case your experience as a Med A should come in handy ... as compared to somebody straight off civvie street).

And, the processing time for the Reg Force nursing application should in theory be the same for somebody off the street (i.e. timings would have more to do with school semesters, etc.)

Whatever.  Just don't make a hasty decision you might come to regret later.
And, as far as the parental suggestion to stick with it until it gets too difficult ... maybe it's their way of saying "you can do it, as long as you try - but you'll never do it if you don't try ..." (yikes - is that a Lotto 6/49 commercial, or what?)
Good luck.
Don't sell yourself short.
Go for the gold, and even if you have to settle for the silver or bronze medal ... you're still ahead of the ones who never tried, and won nothing.

 

[yot]

I have one question, if when I were in the program, and I also apply the ROTP... however, around 3 months and I decide to give up.. what do I have to pay back?

 

[bossi]

(chuckle)  Sorry - there are some questions you'll simply HAVE to ask at the recruiting centre ...

 

[yot]

o.. ok

but thanks... 

 

[Ex Ranger Instructor]

CamUrai, here's my advice for you: get a taste of as many different things as you can so as to make a better decision as to what you want in life.  That applies to school, work, life in general, everything.  If you can, I'd advise that you take a year off and travel around and party it up, either right now, or at some point during your degree, though that might not jive with the scholarship thing too well.  I'd also advise that in your first and second years of university that you take as many electives as your program will allow, and take them from a broad range of disciplines.  If your university will let you take a guitar or theatre course for credit (sounds stupid but it's kind of fun anyway, and lots of universities have such courses) then do it.  You'll get exposed to a lot of new things that way, and get all kinds of new ideas about what you want to do.  Lastly, if you're still interested in the military, then as a bunch of other people here have already said, I think it would be a good idea for you to join the reserves.  You can do that and go to university at the same time, and it'll let you get a taste of what the military's all about.  Plus, from experience, I can tell you that it pays quite a bit better than most other jobs that you can have while in school, and you get to do cooler stuff. 

Hope that helps.

 

[LaRo]

Your story is like mine except I was in the last year of my undergrad in Accounting when I realized I wanted to do something different. That was after I spent the summer with 17 people from everywhere in Canada (and USA, England and Germany) cycling across Canada Coast to Coast.

The trip was really the trigger so as someone said, travel and have fun. You live only once.

When I announced my choice to my relatives and friends, they were all thinking I was wasting my life but I didn't care. It's my life and if I don't live it my way, I wouldn't be happy and that's what really matter.

 

[Army_Deej]

you can go to many sites to find ALOT of information on what army life is like. 

http://www.army.force.gc.ca
http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca

The army wasn't a last resort for me, it was a dream of mine.  ;D

 

[combat_medic]

Some people do join the military as a last resort, and for others it's their lifelong dream. Some people enter without so much as a high school education, and others have multiple degrees, MDs and PhDs. Some people join to piss off their parents or to find direction, and others have a genuine desire to serve their country. Everyone is different. You need to figure out what YOU want. Write down a list of all the questions you have, then call your local recruiting centre and ask them everything. Once you have all the information, you need to make the best decision for you. No one here can tell you what you should or shouldn't do. However, nearly everyone here is a serving soldier, so everyone will probably tell you that it's worthwhile and rewarding.

Do your homework on your career options, call a recruiter, and figure out what it is you want out of your life. Once you know that, you'll be in a far better position to decide if the army is for you, and we'll all be in a better position to help you.