Infantry

[Avor]

I need some help sorting some stuff out.

I don't know how or why, but my back is all fucked up. The other day I go to the MIR to get something to help with the pain, next thing I know, the doctor is telling me I need to change trades. I'm not surprized, about the 8th time in for the same problem/pain, and already was sent off to physio. I got an appoitment with the doc on the 24th, to get things properly sorted out, but when any doctor says if I stay infintry I'll end up on crutches it's a bit of a downer.

This is something I on the inside already know, I can't go around ignoring what I know my own body is telling me. But I don't know what to do.

If I go Infanry, I know, and I got almost everybody telling, by the miricle I make it through BIQ, I know I woun't make more than 3 years as infantry. But is that three years worth it? Or should I be swtiching trades to something like Navy, that's not so hard day to day, so I can stay in the forces longer? I just don't know.

I can't figure it out. Is it selfish to go Infantry, I want to fight even if I end up a cripple in three years? Or it selfish to go something else, to not fuck my body totaly and get more years in the military?

 

[GAP]

Of what value are you to the team you are with if your back gives out at a critical time.

You can do more good in a support role that allows you to support that same team, and be around longer to do it.

 

[Michael OLeary]

Avor,

You may want to tough it out "even if you end up a cripple", but the CF isn't going to allow that to happen.  If you've been into the MIR repeatedly for you back and haven’t even made it through BIQ, is time to start planning for a new trade if you want to serve.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Or should I be swtiching trades to something like Navy, that's not so hard day to day,

You do realize there is a lot of heavy lifting, line handling etc in the Navy don't you? Not to mention rough seas that cause your body to move all over the place....

 

[Avor]

You do realize there is a lot of heavy lifting, line handling etc in the Navy don't you? Not to mention rough seas that cause your body to move all over the place....

What kills my back is sharp impacts on the spine, things like running. Heck, I can ruck 6K, when I can only run 1.

And honestly, in the Navy, sitting infront of radar screen, your not much lifting in that.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Not much lifting but the Navy is one of the worst enviroments for those with sore backs....your body is in constant motion and when there are heavy sea states out there its even worse. Next line handling, have you ever handled a hawser on a ship, not to mention humping stores onboard. If your looking for an easy ride the navy isn't for you.

Then again what do I know, I have only been Navy for 13 years.... :

 

[Avor]

If your looking for an easy ride the navy isn't for you.

Compaired to Infantry, the navy IS easy.

So, Avor, what happens when the ship's company is doing damage control, firefighting, shoring up, putting you over somewhere on a jackstay or you have a wounded or injured comrade who needs you to help him?  Not much lifting in that?  I think you need to check out Navy requirements a little more - from what I know, everyone on ship has to be a sailor first, to include all the jobs that keep the ship alive, and a tech or operator second.

Those things, I know I can do, but I just can't preform like that on a day to day basis, like infantry do.

 

[Donut]

Over the years I think I've treated members of just about every trade in the CF, with perhaps a couple of hard sea trade exceptions (never done time on a Naval base)

There are few, if any, trades that are suitable for someone who has a bad back.  In fact, thinking back to the Generic Task Statements, I think you might be hard-pressed to stay in, if you're going to be a cripple in 3 years in the Infantry.

I'm not trying to be an A@$hole about it, but that might be something you need to consider.

What kills my back is sharp impacts on the spine, things like running. Heck, I can ruck 6K, when I can only run 1.

And honestly, in the Navy, sitting infront of radar screen, your not much lifting in that.

If you've got, or are developing, one of several dozen types of back conditions, a trade that requires you to sit still for long shifts may very well be the worst possible thing that can happen to you.

DF

Compaired to Infantry, the navy IS easy.

and you'd know...how exactly?

 

[Avor]

Over the years I think I've treated members of just about every trade in the CF, with perhaps a couple of hard sea trade exceptions (never done time on a Naval base)

There are few, if any, trades that are suitable for someone who has a bad back.  In fact, thinking back to the Generic Task Statements, I think you might be hard-pressed to stay in, if you're going to be a cripple in 3 years in the Infantry.

I'm not trying to be an A@$hole about it, but that might be something you need to consider.

Honestly, Im willing to be a cripple if it means I can honourably do my time. Nomatter the personal cost, this is someting I must do, I simply can't live with myself unless I do.

If you've got, or are developing, one of several dozen types of back conditions, a trade that requires you to sit still for long shifts may very well be the worst possible thing that can happen to you.

I accualy held onto a chit that says "no prolonged standing sitting, it's a good for a laugh still.

and you'd know...how exactly?

I know people in the Navy.

I know in itself, the Navy is not a easy a job, but maybe I can get more years out the Navy than I can Ifantry.

 

[Donut]

Honestly, Im willing to be a cripple if it means I can honourably do my time. Nomatter the personal cost, this is someting I must do, I simply can't live with myself unless I do.

Well, since the CF is liable for any injury or disability you might suffer as a result of your service, I suspect my colleagues may have a different opinion of your service.

Anyway, all the best, hope it works out for you

PMT

 

[Avor]

VICTORY!...well sorta...

After an MO and BPSO appointment, I got what I need. The doc explained to me what's all fucked up, and going Infantry will not permently fuck me up for life, but the pain doing it will be crippling. But other than that, I get my shot at BIQ.

If I pass it, I pass. If I fail I join the Navy as a some tech job.

But here's the neat part, it's the new BIQ enhanced, the first 4 weeks are SQ. So if I make it past week 4 but still fail later on, I can OT to something else where I can still get shot at for a living.

 

[BernDawg]

My, how things have changed.  ???

 

[x-grunt]

If you have a bad back, "honourable service" may include considering making room for someone who isn't predisposed to injury when the physical stress level is high - which is likely when your team needs you most.

Compaired to Infantry, the navy IS easy.

I love people who make armchair assumptions about everyone else's job.  :

I'm not purporting to be anywhere near the expert some here are, but I do have some time in both environments.

At sea, just standing still can be constant work-for days on end. Add to that the daily physical off-watch work and drills that aren't "sitting in a chair". On really bad days, do all this while dizzy and fighting to not puke your guts out. It's a different kind of hard.

 

[safeboy43]

Honestly, Im willing to be a cripple if it means I can honourably do my time. Nomatter the personal cost, this is someting I must do, I simply can't live with myself unless I do.

Obviously, the CF is liable for your injuries so they will be very cautious in accepting you to start. Second, as many members have said here, the navy can be a very tough job at times. What's going to happen when you are reported walking around like a crippled old man? There are many horror stories about this type of injury here on Army.ca (being assigned as a janitor on a ship or base).

It's just my humble opinion, but I wouldn't call it "honorable service" if you are going to be a liability to the team. I'm not trying to be an ass, just offering my opinion.

Good Luck 

 

[stealthylizard]

There might be alternatives in the Air Force as well.  Not being an expert of course, I wouldn't be able to offer any suggestions as to what in that element might be easier on your body.  It all depends on what your interests are as well.  It would be a bad idea to get into something you absolutely despise, just for medical reasons.

Edited for speil shekc.

 

[aesop081]

A bad back aint gonna feel any better in the AF.......

 

[DirtyDog]

What kills my back is sharp impacts on the spine, things like running. Heck, I can ruck 6K, when I can only run 1.

Statements like this would suggest to me you should carefully re-think whether the Infantry is for you.  Rucking 6k is nothing and only being able to run 1 is nothing short of diastrous.

Now, I've ran into my own problems so far this early into my training (shins splints from hell and weak(ish) cardio) but these are probaems I'm trying to be as pro-active on as possible and completey believe I can overcome.  I don't beleive my current state is acceptable for the Infantry, and I'm my own worst critic.  DP1 (BIQ 10 week) will sort me out one way or another and from my inexperienced stand point I think any instructor would loathe to send someone in your (apparent) condition off to Battalion.  It just ain't gonna happen if what you say is true.  BMQ is nothing to what you'll do on BIQ and A-Stan should you possibly end up there will be FAR from anything in BIQ and that is the last place anybody wants your body to start falling apart.

 

[Avor]

Course Start Date, May 14.

As for the pain,

"Pain is an illusion brought on weakness, I am soldier of Canada, there is no pain."

Being a soldier is everything to me, there will be nothing I can hold back for this. BIQ, bring it on. I know that the course 2 IC, was my section commander on basic. He's tough, doesn't take crap but not an asshole. I know if I can't do Infantry, I will be taken off course. I think I said it before, I'm going to let the course decide what I should I should do in CF. If I can honestly pass this, I may not be the best Infanteer alive, but I'll be Infantry. If I fail, I know that I failed becasue it means I will end up failing my comrades.

I love people who make armchair assumptions about everyone else's job.

Do people shoot at you, is there a real chance you will get blown up up, are you likely to use your first aid skills to in a real situation, do you have to ruck 35 K in a wasteland, do you have to run fo to make an a life and death supply drop/pickup?

If you answer no, your job easy.

 

[Blakey]

You have a lot to learn Young Jedi...BTW, you aren't going PPCLI by chance, are you?

 

[Journeyman]

I've been trying to avoid this type of thread, yet I get more baffled with each comment you add.

You start with,

I need some help sorting some stuff out.

....and then you procede to ignore each and every respondent's advice. Why even post this? Were you hoping for a pat on the back, "oohh, he's willing to cripple himself to be infantry -- now that's the kind of high-speed ninja warrior we're looking for."

As you may have noticed, it's not happening. Why? Because this is our world, and we know that infantry patrolling, fighting a warship, crewing or supporting air operations -- pretty much every trade/classification in the CF -- is not the same as it may seem on XBox.

Blithely thinking that you'd be happily crippled for life pretty much tells us how little you know about thinking, crippling injuries, or life.

Good luck on your SQ/BIQ. I hope you find what you need out of it.