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getting started late

Originally posted by Wesley H. Allen, CD:
[qb] Just did a BFA on Tuesday in the pouring rain [/qb]
lol at first glance all I think of is BFA...hmm...that yellow thing that goes on the end of your rifle (ie. Blank Firing Attachment) :)
 
Thanks a bunch Freight. Yeah, I‘ve searched just about everything. These aptitude tests though, hmm, I dunno. I wonder how accurate they really are. One wrong move may influence the opportunity to learn the trade that you have your heart set on. Unless you‘re mentally challenged, one shouldn‘t have a problem learning a new trade. So I‘ve searched all that I can, looked around the book store, you know, that sort of thing, and came up with a whole lot of things to practice. If you do enough of them, they become as repetitive as a crossword puzzle. So do as many practice tests as you can, I suppose, and ace every section.
 
Hi Cath,
I am 35 and trying to get in. I have applied for RMS clerk but seems like I have been waiting forever. Wrote my CFAT last May, had interview and medical end November and completed my PT in January. I have been told that everything came back okay and I just waiting for an offer of employment. Feel like I‘ve been waiting forever. I was nervous applying at 35 but have received alot of positive feedback on people joining later in life. Good luck with everything.
Barb
 
On my basic and infantry courses, I had a handful of "experienced" folks... which made me feel better because at 28 I thought I‘d be one of the oldest.

One lad was in his early 40s, a big stocky fella who owns a farm literally bordering LFCATC Meaford (he‘s with the G&SF). He had no prior military experience, and stuck through SQ (although he bailed for the infantry course, something about the cows needed to be milked -- I dunno how they waited 3 weeks ;) )

Another, from my unit, is in his late 30s. He was in 12 years ago, and was about to be made up to MCpl when he decided he‘s had enough and quit. Then he came back, picked the same regiment, same trade, and even with the extra years and smaller, smoke-filled lung capacity, he trucks along just fine.

Whats amazing is guys who were half their age, 17 to 19, were falling out all over the place on short morning runs, and there were these two, keeping up with the runs, the section attacks, everything. Made me feel bad, because I don‘t think my performance last summer was particularly worthy of any medals, although I did my best to put the effort in to it (I admit I seriously slack off on the physical side of things and end up paying for it later).

No worries at all. You may have to work a bit harder at the physical side of things, but pain is only temporary, pride is forever. With age comes experience and the right attitude to get the job done with a minimum of fuss.
 
If you‘re in a good enough physical shape and you‘ve got the motivation, well go for it!

It‘s better having a 45 year-old that‘s motivated than a 20 year-old that‘s not.

Good luck. ;)
 
About the other traditional type of BFA‘s. Our‘s are red. For the rifle they screw on. for the Minimi, and MAG 58, they have a BFB (Blank firing Barrel) with a BFN (Blank Firing Nut) attached. Minimi Also has a red plastic carrying handle.

If ya wanna see pics of Aussie weapons, I posted some (and more) under weapons in the photo area.


Hey Cath,

As for your run times, thats great! Here male and females her have different times and different PUs and SUs too.

What your DS/PTI will be looking for is motivation, willingness to help others, overall fitness improvement over time, high morale, and a good healthy ‘never surrender‘ attitude.

On my first Australian CFA (Combat Fitness Assessment in Feb 1995(a 15km foxtrot walk run w/ pack, patrol order, and personal wpn [mine at the time was a 13kg M60 7.62mm GPMG]in 2.5hrs) which started at about 0500 due to the hot Feb summer days. We were Company strength, and it was on the hilliest place ever (Singleton Military Area, Hunter valley region of New South Wales). Many Heartbreak Ridges!

Anyways, cutting a long story short, with my new black GPs, I had blisters bad, and yet completed the march mid stream with the others. The medic at the end of it watched in shock as I sat down, and I rung out my OD socks with blood! He said "Why did you not stop and give in". I just glared back, and he said "you Canadians are mad".

I was new to the Army here, and on my first posting to a unit, so although I was sore, there was no way I was going to embarrass myself, and my former service in the CF. My image would take a lot longer to heal than my feet!

At the time I should have worn my CF black C/B boots as the Australians were going from black to tan at the time. I still have thoe black GPs and I have NOT worn them since.

Cheers and beers,

Wes
 
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