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It's been awhile since I've been here. I guess I needed a break. For any who followed my rantings last year, I'll pass along the final installment. Here's the short version.
I walked away from school in December. I hated it. I'm just not an academic and I was an awful student. I have a bit of an attitude problem, so it wasn't fair to others in the room to endure my submerged rage at the system, etc... (insert whatever works here).
I finally was able to find an orthopaedic surgeon to perform the medical test (informally through a friend of the family, who said nepotism was behind us). He concluded that I was absolutely fit for duty, my conditiona and health are excellent and that I should not have to waste any more time than I have (going into year 6 soon, technically 5 depending on who you ask).
Submitted and now processing. So, if I can recall whatever trade I was interested in, maybe I will return to the CF... one day.
Not bloody likely, unless someone takes their heads out of their asses.
Y'see, I wasn't content to remain in Canada as I have been (soured by the incredibly shallow bureacracy and the pathetic run around) and I'm not prepared to return to the wonderful world of diving (my liver won't handle that lifestyle, and I'm getting too old to run around with teenage girls on foreign beaches) so I opted for something I've been avoiding for a few years. An option that has both pros and cons, and one which I wasn't certain I should enter into. The thing of it is, I want to be a soldier. That is all I've ever wanted. I regret leaving the CF after my initial injury, but at the time, it seemed to make the most sense. 6 months out for rehab and then return via a (R) unit, some school and then a return to the CF; or, 18 months at Meaford sitting in skills while others signed my work wondering if I'd be allowed to return to that which I enjoy the most (never let an officer know that you can type and use a computer).
Which brings me to the latest choice I have to make. The CF is now processing me and as my "medical" is no longer in question, we need to discuss my career. (Here's the thing to watch out for kids) I lived in another country a couple of years ago. Seems a pre-security clearance takes roughly 2 years when you work/study abroad (as it has been explained to me). So, as my last pre-secure is coming to fruition (funny enough, not CFRCs department) I should not head off for more training overseas, specifically to a country that does not cooperate with Canada when it comes to such matters. And now, I have a choice to make. Wait in Canada while the processing is completed and return to the CF (I've been informed that I would have a good chance at being returned to training (something I need as I've been "out for so long" - how do you say that without laughing) in about a year. Maybe less if I'm fortunate. But, if I go abroad for training as I am going to do next week, then it will take another 2 years at least to clear me.
And there it is. Nice choice. A shame I didn't have more time, but I am on a path I have to follow. To be clear, this is not my first choice, I truly do miss the uniform and what it stands for, but I cannot sit by for another year. I'd rather go overseas, train and work in the security field (as so many have opted to recently before me, thank GB for really giving the CP field that much needed shot in the arm) and take my chances with the bureacrats upon my return. If ever, Costa Rica's looking really good.
So, I'm not a patriot, for one of those would wait the year and then dive back in with gusto. I'm a selfish individual looking out for myself and turning my back on the system... to a point. I'll still pursue the CF as a point of honour. But as it will take years to process me (never truly ending as I'll be bouncing around the globe too much for anyone to verify if I'm a security risk or not, regardless that I now work in that same field) as I will never remain in one place long enough to pass that test. (Honestly, if you want to monitor my movements, ask Visa, they seem to always know)
I don't know where I'll end up or how it's going to go for me. But this is pathetic. Write your MP; CFRC and the current mindset need a kick in the ... In this day and age, it should not take years to process an applicant (nice to know, according to the OM that I'm not alone, seems that there are well over a hundred currently complaining who have been in the system, I didn't bother myself as the OMs office told me a few years ago that there wasn't anything that they could do, I wonder how many others were like me and haven't been included?), nor should it take years to train a new recruit. The system ladies and gentlemen, is not working. If you doubt that statement, then as an example take a tour of Naden (or a facility of your choosing) and see how many ships are ready to go, this week with a full complement of trained and experienced crews, along with the support that they deserve. Whatever, not my responsibility to argue that, the job always manages to get done, whatever the cost.
And therein is the update. I rant, to alleviate my stress and absolve myself. I feel that I have done my part. If a realistic offer was on the table, then I would take the drop in pay, the increase in taxes and the return to training in order to do that which I have always wanted to do. But there isn't one. Just empty words from people who lack understanding, yet sleep well at night knowing that they've accomplished a job well done. Way to wear that CADPAT to the office folks ... although I can't help but wonder when they were last in the field wearing it.
I walked away from school in December. I hated it. I'm just not an academic and I was an awful student. I have a bit of an attitude problem, so it wasn't fair to others in the room to endure my submerged rage at the system, etc... (insert whatever works here).
I finally was able to find an orthopaedic surgeon to perform the medical test (informally through a friend of the family, who said nepotism was behind us). He concluded that I was absolutely fit for duty, my conditiona and health are excellent and that I should not have to waste any more time than I have (going into year 6 soon, technically 5 depending on who you ask).
Submitted and now processing. So, if I can recall whatever trade I was interested in, maybe I will return to the CF... one day.
Not bloody likely, unless someone takes their heads out of their asses.
Y'see, I wasn't content to remain in Canada as I have been (soured by the incredibly shallow bureacracy and the pathetic run around) and I'm not prepared to return to the wonderful world of diving (my liver won't handle that lifestyle, and I'm getting too old to run around with teenage girls on foreign beaches) so I opted for something I've been avoiding for a few years. An option that has both pros and cons, and one which I wasn't certain I should enter into. The thing of it is, I want to be a soldier. That is all I've ever wanted. I regret leaving the CF after my initial injury, but at the time, it seemed to make the most sense. 6 months out for rehab and then return via a (R) unit, some school and then a return to the CF; or, 18 months at Meaford sitting in skills while others signed my work wondering if I'd be allowed to return to that which I enjoy the most (never let an officer know that you can type and use a computer).
Which brings me to the latest choice I have to make. The CF is now processing me and as my "medical" is no longer in question, we need to discuss my career. (Here's the thing to watch out for kids) I lived in another country a couple of years ago. Seems a pre-security clearance takes roughly 2 years when you work/study abroad (as it has been explained to me). So, as my last pre-secure is coming to fruition (funny enough, not CFRCs department) I should not head off for more training overseas, specifically to a country that does not cooperate with Canada when it comes to such matters. And now, I have a choice to make. Wait in Canada while the processing is completed and return to the CF (I've been informed that I would have a good chance at being returned to training (something I need as I've been "out for so long" - how do you say that without laughing) in about a year. Maybe less if I'm fortunate. But, if I go abroad for training as I am going to do next week, then it will take another 2 years at least to clear me.
And there it is. Nice choice. A shame I didn't have more time, but I am on a path I have to follow. To be clear, this is not my first choice, I truly do miss the uniform and what it stands for, but I cannot sit by for another year. I'd rather go overseas, train and work in the security field (as so many have opted to recently before me, thank GB for really giving the CP field that much needed shot in the arm) and take my chances with the bureacrats upon my return. If ever, Costa Rica's looking really good.
So, I'm not a patriot, for one of those would wait the year and then dive back in with gusto. I'm a selfish individual looking out for myself and turning my back on the system... to a point. I'll still pursue the CF as a point of honour. But as it will take years to process me (never truly ending as I'll be bouncing around the globe too much for anyone to verify if I'm a security risk or not, regardless that I now work in that same field) as I will never remain in one place long enough to pass that test. (Honestly, if you want to monitor my movements, ask Visa, they seem to always know)
I don't know where I'll end up or how it's going to go for me. But this is pathetic. Write your MP; CFRC and the current mindset need a kick in the ... In this day and age, it should not take years to process an applicant (nice to know, according to the OM that I'm not alone, seems that there are well over a hundred currently complaining who have been in the system, I didn't bother myself as the OMs office told me a few years ago that there wasn't anything that they could do, I wonder how many others were like me and haven't been included?), nor should it take years to train a new recruit. The system ladies and gentlemen, is not working. If you doubt that statement, then as an example take a tour of Naden (or a facility of your choosing) and see how many ships are ready to go, this week with a full complement of trained and experienced crews, along with the support that they deserve. Whatever, not my responsibility to argue that, the job always manages to get done, whatever the cost.
And therein is the update. I rant, to alleviate my stress and absolve myself. I feel that I have done my part. If a realistic offer was on the table, then I would take the drop in pay, the increase in taxes and the return to training in order to do that which I have always wanted to do. But there isn't one. Just empty words from people who lack understanding, yet sleep well at night knowing that they've accomplished a job well done. Way to wear that CADPAT to the office folks ... although I can't help but wonder when they were last in the field wearing it.
