Deciding my trade...

[ShadyBrah]

Hi all,

I've always wanted to join the forces, and I've finally got my family on board. I have an 8-month old son with my girlfriend of 4 years, so they are just as much a part of the decision making as anything.

I've researched everything I can find online and still have a few questions about the trades, and what to expect. I've found 2 possibilities so far that appeal to me and hope to put in an application soon!

1. Combat Engineer

The minute I read about this I was attracted. I've always dreamed of joining a combat trade, and everything about it sounds amazing. I'm aware of the risks that come with deployments as a CE, but I'm wondering how often deployments would happen? And when deployed,what are the chances it would be to somewhere hostile, and how often would it be for disaster relief and non-combat related missions? Though I'm not afraid of combat, and not terrified of the major risks, the thought of leaving my son without a father horrifies me.

2. Electrical Distribution Tech.

Before getting the family on board with the military route, I was trying to begin an apprenticeship as an electrician, so it seems fitting this trade attracted me. I can't find very much info about the life of an ED Tech. in the forces. Do they get deployments? What type of deployments? As for postings, I would assume that I could be sent to pretty much any base in the country? Also, I know this trade is for the Army as well as Air Force... After basic training, do I have a say on Army vs Air Force, do they assign it, or would I kinda work for both?

Finally, do any certain trades see more or less deployments than the others? And would any see less relocating than the others?

Thank you in advance for any helpful answers!

 

[MikeL]

Though I'm not afraid of combat, and not terrified of the major risks,

You're not afraid of combat, or of major risks? You say this now, but if the time comes you will be changing your mind on that.

the thought of leaving my son without a father horrifies me.

I'm sure every father/mother who has deployed has wondered the same, unfortunately this has happened to some families.

1. Combat Engineer
but I'm wondering how often deployments would happen? And when deployed,what are the chances it would be to somewhere hostile, and how often would it be for disaster relief and non-combat related missions?

No one can tell you how often you may deploy and on what kind of deployment it may be; we don't have a crystal ball that looks into the future. If you join, depending on what is going on, you may deploy, you may not.. it could be a combat mission, or it could be humanitarian.

2. Electrical Distribution Tech.
Do they get deployments? What type of deployments?

They can deploy. As for type of deployments.. any type that requires them.

After basic training, do I have a say on Army vs Air Force, do they assign it

When you get your job offer, you will find out if you will be in a Army or Air Force uniform. As for where you will be posted, you would find that out at some point during the QL3/DP1(your Electrical Distribution Technician course).

Finally, do any certain trades see more or less deployments than the others?

What are you looking for here? If someone says X trade doesn't deploy much or at all, would you go for that trade over what you said you were interested in?

And would any see less relocating than the others?

Do you believe you will be moved across the country every couple years? Or go some place you don't know/like?

Relocating is part of being in the Military, you may not get moved around often, but it will happen(depending on how long you stay in).

 

[The_Falcon]

Hi all,

I've always wanted to join the forces, and I've finally got my family on board. I have an 8-month old son with my girlfriend of 4 years, so they are just as much a part of the decision making as anything.

I've researched everything I can find online and still have a few questions about the trades, and what to expect. I've found 2 possibilities so far that appeal to me and hope to put in an application soon!

1. Combat Engineer

The minute I read about this I was attracted. I've always dreamed of joining a combat trade, and everything about it sounds amazing. I'm aware of the risks that come with deployments as a CE, but I'm wondering how often deployments would happen? And when deployed,what are the chances it would be to somewhere hostile, and how often would it be for disaster relief and non-combat related missions? Though I'm not afraid of combat, and not terrified of the major risks, the thought of leaving my son without a father horrifies me.

2. Electrical Distribution Tech.

Before getting the family on board with the military route, I was trying to begin an apprenticeship as an electrician, so it seems fitting this trade attracted me. I can't find very much info about the life of an ED Tech. in the forces. Do they get deployments? What type of deployments? As for postings, I would assume that I could be sent to pretty much any base in the country? Also, I know this trade is for the Army as well as Air Force... After basic training, do I have a say on Army vs Air Force, do they assign it, or would I kinda work for both?

Finally, do any certain trades see more or less deployments than the others? And would any see less relocating than the others?

Thank you in advance for any helpful answers!

If you researached as you claim you did, you would see there are already exsisting threads/subforums for these trades.  Post in one of the numerous EXSISTING THREADS.

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Hatchet Man
Army.ca Staff