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Greetings all.
My name is Samuel Shepherd, and I'm looking to become a para infantry officer as my career.
A little bit of my background which will probably effect your much appreciated advice is my cadet career. I've been in for 5 years, retiring as a MWO. Most significantly though would be my completion of the Basic Parachutist course at CFLAWC in the summer of 2011. (If you feel that the course offered to cadets does not count as the actual military qualification then you are mistaken). I was captain of the highschool rugby team, as well as head coach for the grade 7 & 8 team, so I have some leadership experience already from cadets and rugby.
Now, the real issue is that I have two options which have been offered to me, and I need to choose fast which one I wish to take.
First option: Join the QOR in Scarborough as an NCM while attending Trent University in Oshawa.
Second option: Join the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada as an Officer (a position is open and I have been offered it) while attending McMaster Univesity.
Now the way I see it both options have benefits.
Option 1 Benifits:
- Joining as an NCM gives me experience as a troop, such as the ones I will one day lead in the future. This means I can look at the system from a different view, watch officers as my leaders and see what is good and what is bad. This, in my opinion, is a huge factor in learning how to be a good leader.
- Another factor of this would be respect. I am very much aware of the dislike many NCM/NCO's have for Officers and I was wondering if being an NCM for 5-10 years would help my future troops to understand I'm not some officer who bought his way through University and/or doesn't know what he's doing or what it's like for them.
- Another factor for joining the QOR is that they are a parachute reserve unit, and this means I'm already affiliated with a jump unit, will already get more parachute training with connections to get on more parachute courses, as well as on day transfer to a regular forces jump company (havn't decided who yet, should I have).
Option 2 Benefits:
- It is hard, especially now, to receive a position as an officer when hiring is at a minimum. I have been offered a spot with them as an Officer Cadet starting in January 2013, with (so I'm told) the ability to already be on course by the end of the month (so long as the paperwork is not messed up).
- I will already be an officer, and will be getting officer training right away. The Argylls as I've been told have good funding, which means they easily get their members on courses easily. Is this true?
- I will have more experience as a leader because I will have been an Officer longer, and as a young officer I will be very humble, learning from anyone and everyone I can as to what is the best way to lead.
I understand that being a young officer is often frowned upon as many of them can be cocky young kids with very little experience, and I can assure you I would never wish to be like that. Anyone who knows me knows I learn well from everyone, and am quick to learn.
If anybody knows any information I have overlooked regarding these two units, or would simply like to offer their opinion on the matter, please respond soon, as do not have long and this window of oppertunity regarding the officer position is closing fast.
Also, all individuals have a bias, either conscious or subconscious, so please give your rank and unit history if you wish to help me out with your personal imput, this way I will be able to tell what kind of bias you have. (In talking about biases I don't mean to be insulting it's just a factor of humanity).
Thank you all!
Sam Shepherd
My name is Samuel Shepherd, and I'm looking to become a para infantry officer as my career.
A little bit of my background which will probably effect your much appreciated advice is my cadet career. I've been in for 5 years, retiring as a MWO. Most significantly though would be my completion of the Basic Parachutist course at CFLAWC in the summer of 2011. (If you feel that the course offered to cadets does not count as the actual military qualification then you are mistaken). I was captain of the highschool rugby team, as well as head coach for the grade 7 & 8 team, so I have some leadership experience already from cadets and rugby.
Now, the real issue is that I have two options which have been offered to me, and I need to choose fast which one I wish to take.
First option: Join the QOR in Scarborough as an NCM while attending Trent University in Oshawa.
Second option: Join the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada as an Officer (a position is open and I have been offered it) while attending McMaster Univesity.
Now the way I see it both options have benefits.
Option 1 Benifits:
- Joining as an NCM gives me experience as a troop, such as the ones I will one day lead in the future. This means I can look at the system from a different view, watch officers as my leaders and see what is good and what is bad. This, in my opinion, is a huge factor in learning how to be a good leader.
- Another factor of this would be respect. I am very much aware of the dislike many NCM/NCO's have for Officers and I was wondering if being an NCM for 5-10 years would help my future troops to understand I'm not some officer who bought his way through University and/or doesn't know what he's doing or what it's like for them.
- Another factor for joining the QOR is that they are a parachute reserve unit, and this means I'm already affiliated with a jump unit, will already get more parachute training with connections to get on more parachute courses, as well as on day transfer to a regular forces jump company (havn't decided who yet, should I have).
Option 2 Benefits:
- It is hard, especially now, to receive a position as an officer when hiring is at a minimum. I have been offered a spot with them as an Officer Cadet starting in January 2013, with (so I'm told) the ability to already be on course by the end of the month (so long as the paperwork is not messed up).
- I will already be an officer, and will be getting officer training right away. The Argylls as I've been told have good funding, which means they easily get their members on courses easily. Is this true?
- I will have more experience as a leader because I will have been an Officer longer, and as a young officer I will be very humble, learning from anyone and everyone I can as to what is the best way to lead.
I understand that being a young officer is often frowned upon as many of them can be cocky young kids with very little experience, and I can assure you I would never wish to be like that. Anyone who knows me knows I learn well from everyone, and am quick to learn.
If anybody knows any information I have overlooked regarding these two units, or would simply like to offer their opinion on the matter, please respond soon, as do not have long and this window of oppertunity regarding the officer position is closing fast.
Also, all individuals have a bias, either conscious or subconscious, so please give your rank and unit history if you wish to help me out with your personal imput, this way I will be able to tell what kind of bias you have. (In talking about biases I don't mean to be insulting it's just a factor of humanity).
Thank you all!
Sam Shepherd