I need some advice

[mckee19]

hello everyone, i am posting this because i need some advice/direction

I have been in the reserves for almost a year now, but i have not completed any training. i had to drop off my BMQ because my step dad passed away and had some personal issues to deal with. this winter i cant do any weekend courses due to my job and the way its looking i will be leaving next September for fire fighting school in brandon which erases any training opportunities there and even my ability to parade all of next winter (08/09). that only leaves this up coming summer (2008) to do any training and i will most likely only get in my BMQ and at most my SQ. then i am not sure what would happen once Ive completed fire fighting school, I'm not sure if i would be able to return to my home unit or if the job would lead me elsewhere in western Canada.

my original plan when i joined the reserves was to become fully trained, apply for Afghanistan and serve one tour there, then go to fire fighting school and see where my military career stood then.

i guess what i want to know are peoples thoughts on what i should do. Should i release now and not waste the army`s time and money on me? then just come back when i know i can commit 110%. I am caught between a rock and hard place here because i love the army and after a year couldn't imagine not being a part of it, even with out being fully trained.....i could only imagine what its like when your fully trained.

 

[Deleted member 9665]

this is the hard fact of life for the reserve, people have life outside.

What you should think is Which is more important to you...Your Job or the reserve? because you are saying that you wont be able to go for winter training because of your job....the reserve will be paying you to do you course part time...so if its a money issue, the issue is solved either way.

As for leaving the reserve and come back after you have done your school, well it is a possibility. You can ask for a leave of 180 day at your OR. I you think you will need more then, perhaps you should leave. I am not in your shoes so I cannot tell you what to do. but, I think the reserve is a good experience. and personally I would choose the reserve over any thing.

If you need guidance, perhaps go and talk with some one at your unit. they might be good advice.

 

[armyvern]

We do have plenty of civilian fire fighters serving in the CF Res Force. If you wish to do both, it is indeed possible.

If your goal in life is to become a firefighter -- go for it. There should be no question in your mind. Look after that first and foremost.

After you succeed there, then you can revisit whether or not you wish to continue with the Reserves.

Talk to your Unit, explain what is going on in your life and your civilian career; believe it or not, we do understand.

There are ResF Units across the country so transferring to one of them should not be an issue if you finds your dreams and your primary career moving you elsewhere.

No one here can decide what is best for you. Ask yourself what you have always wanted to do, first and foremost, and just go for it; the rest will follow.

Good luck to you.

Vern

 

[Scott]

I was still in the PRes when I started firefighting. It was never easy to balance the two but I found a way and for a while it worked well (I only gave it up when it became clear to me that firefighting was going to be my career and that I would be moving far away)

A big part of the ease I had with it has to do with those that were in charge of my unit at the time. They never batted an eyelash when I had to go away to school and always wanted to be kept up to speed. When I was home they'd always want me in to help out but would never give me shit if I had to decline due to something school related. Don't get me wrong, it could have been much different, I was very lucky.

Fire school can be intense for some. I was lacking alot of the science background and thus had to study my arse off for some things.

My advice:
-Take what they will give you for the time being, maybe you'll get your BMQ...at the very least you'll get some cash.
-Go to fire school, study your arse off, be the grey man there (yes it works in civvy life too)
-If you do a practicum then make that your sole mission in life, concentrate on it
-Graduate and look into the job world
-Now, take a look at the hiring schedules for wherever your little heart wants you to work, then take a look at your PRes commitments. Maybe you'll get lucky and be able to do some courses between recruitments. Trust me, the civvy HR guys will love the looks of it.

 

[mckee19]

thanks for your opninion guys, i have thought about quiting my job and just doing the reserves but the part time factors in to not enough money for rent,food and other day to day expenses.

i am going to have a talk with some of the officers in my unit and see what they suggest, im sure they will all support my choice to go to school but it is up to us to find something that works for not only me but the army as well.

the only thing im really worried about is the fact my job after the school is done will take me to calgary or edmonton, im not worried if it takes 3 years to get me fully trained because i honestly planed on being in for awhile anyways.......i just dont want to cause any frustration or look like im running away from something i committed too here.

Armyvern, thats some of the best advice i have recieved on this forum..thank you.