April 19, 2009
As always, my intent for this post is to illuminate for newer members what life is like in the CF. Experiences may vary
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Three years since my last post on this thread, I had honestly forgotten this record was here. It was fun to re-read.
What to say, I am not a newbie anymore. Recently returned from PLQ (the Master Corporal Qualification course) on the east coast, I am merited/posted/promoted. (I’m assuming that there are new guys out there wondering what the heck that means. I shall explain.
Merited - there is a ranking system after you become a Corporal, kind of like a “leaderboard” in video games. It’s called the Merit Board. Your accomplishments give you a ranking. If you rank high enough you get promoted).
Posted -every year the army has APS – annual posting season, where personnel find out if they are being moved to a different unit. Sometimes it’s down the street, sometimes it’s across the country.
Promoted - I won’t insult your intelligence
So there you go, for the new guys. Now when I say I’m merited/posted/promoted this APS, you know what I’m saying. I can say without hesitation that joining the Canadian Forces has been the best professional decision I have ever made. I have met so many new friends, and the old ones who were with me during Basic, SQ and my 3’s (trade training) are still around. A little advice for those venturing off to basic - if you have the sense that you are going to stay in the trade you are in now, be cool with everyone most certainly, but be especially considerate to those on course with you who share your trade. It's a long road and some people (like me) have a very good memory when it comes to accounts with contemporaries. And as your career continues you will discover that I am not alone in this “way of thinking”.
For those who are newly posted to a unit I strongly suggest you talk less and listen more. You have no idea how much you don't know. In addition to the usual suspects of the work place like politics, cliques and favourites, there are also Merit boards, illegal boards, course nominations, CFTPO taskings (seemingly random jobs that seem to drop out of the sky that can last anywhere between a couple days and several months, and can have you chilling in the Arctic (pun intended), or driving some General around Washington and anything in between (like filling sandbags just down the street). There is also Nijmegen (Google it), the annual Iron man competition (and subsequent training which can dramatically change your work schedule should you be permitted to take part). My point is that all these things and more are dispensed with great care by those above you. Respect, diligent completion of tasks and a willingness to receive correction without letting it affect your morale are the attributes that will see you through to a career where you are respected, rewarded and preferred when the chips are down.
In an earlier post while I was in SQ, I shared some insight passed on by our course WO in Meaford (winter 2006). That man's words resonate stronger with me today than any other advice I have heard since.
He said "Your career in the Canadian Forces is a relationship built on trust. Do what you are supposed to do, when no one is looking, and you will go far." He went on to explain that at the WO level he was entrusted with many things including the responsibility to ensure we and many like us were trained properly, and that at his level, no one was looking over his shoulder. He was trusted to fulfill his responsibilities on a daily basis and in the end he would be rewarded or punished as the fruits of his labour became known.
Do what you are supposed to do when no one is looking. In life and most certainly in the CF, I have found over the years that this is sound advice, worthy to be passed on. But enough preaching.
Career Update- to continue the timeline I began back in 2005 (and forgive me, but a wise man named Bruce from the Wal-Mart building has reminded me that I should be far more careful about pers details online, though somehow with this thread I suspect its waaay too late
. 2012, 7 years after joining, I will be a Master Corporal in a matter of weeks ( a year later than I would have liked, but such is life). My responsibilities on a daily basis are just turning the corner. I am certainly still hands on with whatever tasks come down the line, but more and more I am “trusted” with the responsibilities of delegation and instruction. I love it. Seeing the new guys come in and watching as they grapple on to their new environment is very educational. I learn from them and see from their example, where I went wrong and on occasion, I identify behaviours I still have that should be changed. The new guys teach me and they don’t even know it. Having been in there shoes already, it doesn’t take long to see their strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify their individual sense of pride in their uniform (or lack there of).
Most surprisingly, and I can honestly say I have no idea where in my training I picked this up, I identify that each and every one of them want to work hard, be part of the team and enjoy coming to work. Often inspite of themselves. They need help to get to that place of professional fulfillment, and their leaders (and by leaders I mean WO's, Sgt's, Mcpl’s and some Cpl's) are the ones in the position to bring it all together through guidance, mentoring and ....occasionally ..a strategic dose of anxiety
. It is navigating these waters that are the new adventure I find myself embarking on at this stage of my military career.
I had the honour of serving as a BDE CMDR's Sig not long ago where I learnt a great deal about leadership by watching it in action at the highest levels. We have all observed that the ranks of Lt Col and above have taken some big hits in the news not long ago, so I thought this next bit worth sharing. I have witnessed first hand the sacrifice, passion and pathological dedication of Col Wayne Eyre. Obviously I’m not an “inner circle” guy when it comes this rank level, but I will say I did observe a dedication that I have only seen in those who dedicate their lives to religion. It’s the same type of “feel” if you know what I mean. That silent personal “integrity check” seems to come before every choice, knowing that your actions radiate and can very easily be “shouted from the rooftops” at any moment. I’ve seen some hard working people in my life, but I have never seen anyone work longer hours with such a high standard (which he demands from both himself and expects it from those around him), again, I love it LOL. It was inspiring to be around.
Well I think that about raps it up for this time around, I’ve talked less about who I am and what I do, and more about it how I see it at my current rank level and place in time. As always the purpose of my sharing these thoughts is to continue to illuminate the path for those who are just starting out, and for those who may be coming along behind me. I still remember that overwhelming sense of frustration I felt when I was just starting out, and how it seemed so hard to learn about military life, what the secrets to success are and at the very least, what should be avoided. I hope this helps.
I’ll check back in in another 3 years