Darkmachine said:
Hello everyone.
I am posting in hopes of getting some assistance from more experienced personnel. I am 35 years old and my entire life have been extremely fascinated with the military, representing my country, and fighting for the good of mankind. I have had lots of extensive training in close quarter combat, weapons training (have my PAL but have trained additionally with experts), I have also had the priviledge of knowing and training with individuals that served overseas for the CAF from 3RCR and were deployed to Afghanistan in both the 2003 Kabul deployment and Kandahar in 2008, have also trained with individuals who trained and taught the counter terrorism courses for the IDF, I did this because I was involved in a hostage situation where I was actually a hostage myself, held at gunpoint etc, and was able to get out of that situation, thankfully. At 35 I have secured myself financially so I am not joining the army because of the money, I could care less if I was paid or not, I just want to represent my country and do something that helps the lives of others.
Darkmachine said:
I recently (last week), completed my aptitude test and according to the recruiters scored extremely high in every department so I was told every trade is open to me, however, NCM trades as 18 years ago I decided not to do University - now my objective was to in the long run join CANSOFCOM and be a member of the special forces. At this point I am torn because I don't know what the best route is. I was initially interested in Intelligence but was told it will be almost impossible to go from intelligence to CANSOFCAM as they look for battle ready personnel.
That's completely untrue. Any trade in the CAF can try out to be an Operator/Assaulter. As well, there are Int Op/Int O positions within CANSOFCOM. At this point, don't think to much about CANSOFCOM, as it is not in your immediate future. Pick a trade you will enjoy doing, as you may not make it into CANSOFCOM or your feelings about doing it might change once you get in.
Darkmachine said:
So here is my question, if I do Infantry, it's basically 14 months of training (what level of training will I get? How extensive will it be?), and am I losing anything by not getting my Uni degree and becoming an Officer? Do we really lose anything by not being an Officer? What is the core difference between NCM Infantry and an Officer? And also, if I was to join the Reserves, would I still get all of the same equal level of training as Ref Force?
Infantry is not 14 months of training to be fully trained. As for what level/extensive it will be, I'm not quite sure what you're asking for here. You will be trained to the standard set for DP1 Infantryman or Infantry Officer(DP1.1/DP1.2), which is the basics of your job required to be employable once you arrive in battalion. You will gain more experience and skills while at your unit. As for NCM or Officer, its really what you want to do, both are good options. Officers are immediately placed into a leadership position, where as NCMs can work their way up to leadership. The Reserves would not get an equal level of training to the Regular Force(they do different courses initially, part time, etc), however there are opportunities(not always) to go on exercise with the Regular Force, as well as deployments(if any are available).
Darkmachine said:
Just looking for some help here, I am not doing this for money at all, I am doing this because I want to protect my country, be the best I can be, and have the best combat training possible, was even considering doing the entire course at Tundra or Academi as well. Essentially I want to become a solid soldier, one that can make a heavy difference for his platoon and save lives. So my question is, Reg Force or Reserve? Is there any difference in the training provided? And NCM or do I do the Uni degree and become an Officer? I heard Officers are really not in the trenches and NCM are the door kickers - any help would be appreciated, and I sincerely apologize if I have asked any stupid questions.
You've mentioned the money thing a couple times already, no need to be repetitive. Also, Tundra and Academi do not offer Infantry training, what I assume you meant was their various driver/shooting/Close Protection type courses offered. As for Regular Force or Reserve, this is an easy one, do you want to be full time or part time(and do a civilian job for your career). Yes, there is a difference between Reg Force and Reserve training.
Officers, are in the fight with the NCMs, although their time doing that is more limited compared to an NCM due to their career progression.
Also, if you are this motivated/gung ho to be a Soldier, serve, save lives, etc you missed out on quite the opportunity as we were involved in quite a long lasting conflict up until a couple years ago.
