Hello Everyone,
I’ve been lurking these forums for a while and this is my first post of any consequence. First off, as an outsider trying to gain information on the Canadian Forces, I have to tell you how impressed I’ve been by the responses to posts. Sure, there are the short and direct “use the search function” type of responses to a question that have been asked multiple times and that’s more than fair. What’s really struck a chord with me are some of the posts people have made on entering the CF at a later stage in life and how supportive and helpful people have been. It’s encouraging to see how willing people are to share their experience and opinions with those who are trying to learn. That’s also the reason for this post.
My main intent here is to try and get some feedback and suggestions on something that’s been running through my head for a while. First perhaps I’ll give you a bit of a description of me to form a basis of where I’m coming from.
Currently, I’m in my early 30s and through a series of events in life, have ended up working in the corporate world as a soon-to-be-designated accountant. This career path was something I chose out of necessity years ago when I became a single mother and was looking for a stable source of income; at that time, I figured the only two absolutes in life were death and taxes and I didn’t want to be an undertaker so accountant it was! In all seriousness, this choice has provided exactly what it was intended to: a stable source of income that provides for my little family.
However, when I was young, I never wanted this sort of a career. I actually laughed at a friend who had mentioned it as a possible career path. What I wanted was excitement, adventure and challenge. Specifically, I had seriously considered enlisting before life pulled me in a different direction.
Lately I’ve been catching myself saying things like “if only” or “in another life”. I don’t like saying these things. If there’s something I want I know it’s up to me to get it. Due to the financial realities, I don’t think that it’s very reasonable that I could go through the regular enlistment path, and I’m unsure if reserves are really something I want to pursue. If I do end up going the regular or reserves route it couldn’t be for another eight to ten years due to custody reasons.
In the mean time, I’ve been wondering if there are other ways to contribute. One thread that I found particularly helpful was a lawyer who seemed to be in a similar position to the one I’m in. In the end, there was the suggestion that he provide pro-bono work as a way of contributing to veterans. I’m wondering if there are any sorts of organizations that CF members use or would like to see that aren’t directly run by the CF. Perhaps this would be a way I could contribute while I’m unable to be a part of the actual CF.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this as I didn’t realize it would end up being quite so long. Any comments or suggestions are very much appreciated.
I’ve been lurking these forums for a while and this is my first post of any consequence. First off, as an outsider trying to gain information on the Canadian Forces, I have to tell you how impressed I’ve been by the responses to posts. Sure, there are the short and direct “use the search function” type of responses to a question that have been asked multiple times and that’s more than fair. What’s really struck a chord with me are some of the posts people have made on entering the CF at a later stage in life and how supportive and helpful people have been. It’s encouraging to see how willing people are to share their experience and opinions with those who are trying to learn. That’s also the reason for this post.
My main intent here is to try and get some feedback and suggestions on something that’s been running through my head for a while. First perhaps I’ll give you a bit of a description of me to form a basis of where I’m coming from.
Currently, I’m in my early 30s and through a series of events in life, have ended up working in the corporate world as a soon-to-be-designated accountant. This career path was something I chose out of necessity years ago when I became a single mother and was looking for a stable source of income; at that time, I figured the only two absolutes in life were death and taxes and I didn’t want to be an undertaker so accountant it was! In all seriousness, this choice has provided exactly what it was intended to: a stable source of income that provides for my little family.
However, when I was young, I never wanted this sort of a career. I actually laughed at a friend who had mentioned it as a possible career path. What I wanted was excitement, adventure and challenge. Specifically, I had seriously considered enlisting before life pulled me in a different direction.
Lately I’ve been catching myself saying things like “if only” or “in another life”. I don’t like saying these things. If there’s something I want I know it’s up to me to get it. Due to the financial realities, I don’t think that it’s very reasonable that I could go through the regular enlistment path, and I’m unsure if reserves are really something I want to pursue. If I do end up going the regular or reserves route it couldn’t be for another eight to ten years due to custody reasons.
In the mean time, I’ve been wondering if there are other ways to contribute. One thread that I found particularly helpful was a lawyer who seemed to be in a similar position to the one I’m in. In the end, there was the suggestion that he provide pro-bono work as a way of contributing to veterans. I’m wondering if there are any sorts of organizations that CF members use or would like to see that aren’t directly run by the CF. Perhaps this would be a way I could contribute while I’m unable to be a part of the actual CF.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this as I didn’t realize it would end up being quite so long. Any comments or suggestions are very much appreciated.
