Alot of you guys need to give your own damn heads a shake. Some of you have been in the CF for many years now, and so I am forced to assume you likely hold some position of leadership. Since when does leadership involve being a complete rude prick, especially to new people that dont know any better?
These new people come to this site looking for help and for information. They are relying on people of experience to provide guidance and mentorship, not lectures, sermons and lashings. In many cases, these people are guilty only of being new, or young. We were all both at some point in time. Instead of pushing people away and casting judgement on them, why dont we attempt to assist and mentor, lets allow the people at CFRC the task of passing judgement on who should and should not be a member of the CF.
Now, as to the question at hand.
The truth is, for anyone that has a decent education, and is not the ripe old age of 18, the $30,000 per year start salary is not very attractive. However, it is important to understand a few things. The first is that the Canadian Forces is one of the highest paid militaries in the world. So, though the start salary is not anything to celebrate over, it is for the most part miles better then most other countries offer.
The other factor is pay rate increases. Within 5 years you could reasonably be making $50,000 per year as a Corporal. Still a relatively junior rank, and relatively little time in, but you will still be earning more then the national average. Thats not too bad. Add another 5 years or so and you could find yourself as a Seargent, and I beleive they are in the $60,000 per year range. Again, not too bad at all.
A few other things to consider. Early on in your career, you will have very little change to waste or spend your money on things that typically drain most peoples accounts. If you run your affairs right and you are displined you may find yourself financially better off then you otherwise would have been on civy street.
So, the start pay isnt great, but you certainly dont stay in that range very long. Before you know it you will likely be making better money on the military side then you could make civy side in alot of different vocation. And, your doing something important that matters, not just trying to put food on your table. To me thats the most important aspect.
For those considering joining as an officer, much of what I wrote above is the same, only the money is more lucrative. Withink 5 years you can reasonably expect to be making well into the $60,000 range. At about 12 years in, you likely have maxed out your Captain's IPC or are close to it which is just shy of $100,000 per year. Not bad for ony having to have a university degree.
As others have mentioned though, there is more to consider then just the money. This is not simply a job you are looking at, its a lifestyle. Many things for you will change. You need to make sure it is what you really want and go from there. And dont let some of these old farts scare you away. Some of them are no doubt cynical, as, for every decent thread started by someone like you, there are some pretty rediculous ones as well.
Good luck.
