CF vs. random post-secondary

[deej96]

I have searched for answers throughout the website with no luck, so sorry if this has already been asked...

I'm basically confused as to what I should do.  I'm graduating high school in June, and my ultimate goal is to become a Combat Engineer.  I do, however, also have the option of getting a free university degree before that happens.  Now, I don't think [please correct me if i'm wrong] that any university degree will help my chances at becoming an NCM engineer, but I do have reservations about if something goes wrong if I go into the military right away.  Like, what happens to soldiers that are injured or become permanently disabled during their career?  Do they get fired?  
If I don't have to go to university, I don't really want to, but I want to have a secure enough future...so basically I just want to know if I should be worrying about this or not...and if i should just 'take the plunge' and screw the what if factor.

 

[Rowshambow]

when I was graduating high school, I thought the same type of things, didn't want to go to post secondary etc, now I am trying to do Uni, plus my military career, and family, wish I could go back and talk to myself!!

The Combat Engineers will always be there...will your free schooling?
Do school, that way at the very least you have that, just in case the Army doesn't work out for you!!

 

[Dog]

when I was graduating high school, I thought the same type of things, didn't want to go to post secondary etc, now I am trying to do Uni, plus my military career, and family, wish I could go back and talk to myself!!

The Combat Engineers will always be there...will your free schooling?
Do school, that way at the very least you have that, just in case the Army doesn't work out for you!!

+1

However... don't go to post secondary school just because you think you have to.... I did that, and now wish I hadn't, because I ended up changing majors and programs and eventually schools, and wasted a lot of time figuring out that I didn't like what I was doing. Figure out what program you can finish... take a year and work and join the reserves and give yourself a chance to clear your head and if you decide in a year that the army is for you, then go for it.... but as a wise man once said:

"Figuring things out for yourself is the only freedom anyone really has. Use that freedom." Sgt. J. Rasczak..... Starship Troopers  :warstory:

 

[deej96]

Thanks for your help.  I'm still unsure of what I will be doing, but now I have more to consider.  This deffinately isn't something I can figure out over night...

 

[Shamrock]

The reserves or ROTP can give you the opportunity to do bth.

 

[deej96]

Isn't the ROTP program for people who are wanting to become officers?  I have nothing against officers or becoming one, I just think I'm more of a hands on type person and that the NCM route would be more for me...
Is there any program that allows NCM people to go to RMC?  If that was possible, my problems would be solved, but some how I don't think that is common though...

 

[dimsum]

There are lots of Reserve NCMs who are university/college students.  Remember, that post-secondary degree/diploma can help you in all sorts of ways (military or not)...who knows, you might want to Commission From the Ranks at some point in your career?

 

[Shamrock]

Yes, ROTP is for officers.  ROTP is also (mostly?) limited to universities -- if you wanted to attend a technical school, you'd be SOL.

RMC, I can't comment on.  I've heard of a few reserve NCM's taking a couple of courses there, but I don't know about full-time enrolment.

 

[axeman]

:threat:war story  one of my old sections of 6 had 2 B.A.'s one MA one JOURNEY MAN [4yrs collage tech training] and mine 3 yrs trades training  plus the officer.  we were all happpy to be on the blunt end of the stick as opposed to having the tea and crumpet crowd tell us we were doing something wrong because we knew we were smarter nd better trained then they are

 

[deej96]

There are lots of Reserve NCMs who are university/college students. Remember, that post-secondary degree/diploma can help you in all sorts of ways (military or not)...who knows, you might want to Commission From the Ranks at some point in your career?

As for the reserves...
I would rather go into the Regs because, judging from the time reserves are in BMQ/SQ...etc, it seems as though they get the short end of the stick.  I noticed they get cut from the training aspect to do the same job, albiet less often.  It just doesn't seem as benificial. 
My idea is to go through the NCM ranks...and then see if I want to change into an Officer type setting. And I agree that post-secondary would help me...it's just that the school that I can get the free education, doens't have the exact program I want- Civil Engineering...it does have stuff like math, physics, and kinesiology; things that I think would benifit an engineering/ military career...so that is why I'm a little hesitant of going there, and wondering about if RMC has an entry plan for NCM members...

if you wanted to attend a technical school, you'd be SOL.

um...what is SOL?  You said technical trades, but I don't know if engineering is considered that...

we were all happpy to be on the blunt end of the stick as opposed to having the tea and crumpet crowd tell us we were doing something wrong because we knew we were smarter nd better trained then they are

nice!
and that proves my prediction of why NCM is better then '...having the tea and crumpet crowd telling us we were doing something wrong...'

 

[omgLiam]

As others have said, don't go to university just because you feel pressured into it. The degree is beneficial, yes, but if it isn't what you want to do, you're going to have a tough time slogging through it.

If you really want to join the forces, then I suggest you join the forces.

 

[deej96]

ya...I just don't want to be that 45 year old university student whos military career had a fall out and now doesn't have something to fall back on...[not dissing those who are in that situation]

 

[Command-Sense-Act 105]

because we knew we were smarter nd better trained then they are

And modest, too  :  Too bad all that education didn't lead to better spelling and grammar.

Tea and crumpets?  Not sure what Army you're in...

 

[omgLiam]

And modest, too  :  Too bad all that education didn't lead to better spelling and grammar.

Tea and crumpets?  Not sure what Army you're in...

My favorite part was about the soldier with 4 years collage training.

You just know he was a wizard with the popsicle sticks.

 

[brian_k]

Deej, some schools have a day where you can follow one of the students around to get a feel for the university. Also talk to some of the students and profs about the programs. If you get into a program that suits you university can be a great time, but if you are in the wrong program it will be a long and painful 4 years.

 

[deej96]

can you do that at RMC?

 

[Command-Sense-Act 105]

Call your nearest CF Recruiting Centre and put that question to the experts.

 

[blacktriangle]

Rowshambow/anyone else,

Is it unrealisitc for an NCM (say an RMS Clerk) to earn a degree part time? I've heard of many doing it, but want to know if its a good idea. I don't have a wife/kids and hopefully wont during my career...I want to use my spare time to do PT and take university courses even if it takes a long time to get the degree. I understand work comes first, so is this a bad idea?

Thanks.

 

[retiredgrunt45]

Bettering one self is never a bad idea. But you have to balance your career with other commitments, just remember your commitment to the CF always takes precedence. If your not being deployed or on any courses, use that time to pursue a part time college degree. I've known chaps when I was serving who have taken night courses spread over a few years and have managed to obtain degrees. But again back then we weren't being deployed to Afghanistan either.

Correspondence courses are another way to go.

 

[deej96]

Does that mean a full time NCM member can get an undergraduate degree without having to upgrade to officer?  Because I've been looking and everything hints that, yes the CF will pay for your education, but you have to be an officer for a certain amount of years afterwards.  I understand why you have to work so many years once you get your degree, it's just if they believe in bettering everyones education why do they only let officers/ reserve [part-time] go to RMC?  Shouldn't it be open to everyone with the right prerequisites?