Looking for advice on my future with the Army.

[mhdk818]

I am 26 years old, I was recently married, and my first child was born 10 months ago.  I have worked in construction for nearly a decade.  Due to the current recession and housing crisis, my job has hit a stand still.  I am unemployed and having trouble finding decent employment to support my family.  We have lost our house and currently going through a bankruptcy.  The Army has always been an interest of mine, but I got caught up with a family and missed that boat.  Now it feels like my only option.  I am most interested in an infantry position, it is a good fit for my qualifications and skills.  But I cannot help but follow the media and notice the amount of deceased soldiers lately.  I am looking for the best way to support my family, and this is a job that would make me happy, but I feel that I cannot risk leaving my family perminently.  I would appreciate any and all suggestions, advice, or even experiences that relate to this.

Also on a side note, just curious about after service with the Army Infantry is it likely to be hired by Canadian police of any kind?

Thank you.

 

[aesop081]

Since you have construction experience, why not join one of the construction engineer treades ?

 

[JBoyd]

As a family man as well I understand your need to provide for your family while knowing you will be around, there are many trades within the CF. As CDN Aviator just said, the Construction Engineer trade would suit your previous experience. I suggest you take a look at the different trades available on the forces.ca website. Each one will also list potential civilian job equivalents to give you an idea of what you could try to do after your military career.

Good luck on your journey. If I can be of any help PM me.

 

[geo]

mhdk...
Going from the Infantry to Police service ?
Going from a disciplined force to another disciplined force is bound to give you "some" brownie points BUT, you will still have to go thru the complete police academy process - you might still have to go thru a police technology program at your local community college prior to that... brownie points will only get you so far.

WRT your current capabilities & qualifications, as Aviator has suggested, you might be a better fit within the Canadian Military Engineer branch in one of the CE trades OR as a combat engineer... consider growing what you know VS doing infantry training which will have only limited marketable skillsets to show for your time in the CF.

Lots of work for Plumbers, electricians, heavy equipment operators - and people who know how to build things.

 

[ComdCFRG]

mhdk818,

I would echo the earlier posts.  You have experience in a particular area - if you enjoyed the work, there are occupations in the CF that would allow you to conitinue in the same areas and even expand your training/capabilities.  There are also experience bonuses (ie cash on enrolment) depending on your accredited skill levels for particular trades for which you may qualify.

On the issue of deployment and risk, this is something that every military member must work within with their families.  Some find themselves more at risk because of their particular occupation due to enemy threat (infantry for example) others more often due to the work that they do - Search and Rescue or working at sea for example.  Having a good discussion with recruiters and other military officers/NCMs about the danger, and with your family, is an important step if you wish to pursue a military career.

MKO

 

[lennoj]

mhdk818,

just to add to what the others have mentioned, make sure your family is 100% behind your decision to apply to the CF. You can't leave her hanging or pissed off at you when she's taking care of your 10mth old while you are attending courses. You're a team, communicate your options with her first and build upon that before applying.

As per the risks involved with deployment or anything within the CF, they are mitigated through training.

Ubique

 

[JBoyd]

mhdk818,

just to add what the others have mentioned, make sure your family is 100% behind your decision to apply to the CF. You can't leave her hanging or pissed off at you when she's taking care of your 10mth old while you are attending courses. Your a team, communicate your options with her first and build upon that before applying.

As per the risks involved with deployment or anything within the CF, they are mitigated through training.

Ubique

I think lennoj nailed it on the head. When I brought up the forces to my wife she definitely had opinions and views with regards to the trades that I should pursue (luckily enough it didn't counter my views).  CF or not your family should always come first in your decision making process, your a husband and a father and those are full time jobs in themselves