Too old for combat trade?

[rgr.john.b]

I’m 42 and joined CRPG because I have a big regret of not serving in my younger years. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Rangers are scratching that itch.

I have been thinking about talking to CoC about a transfer to P-Res. I have the option of gunner, sigop, or infantry locally.

I’m in mediocre shape but I’m borderline eligible due to hearing loss, I also had a lower disc injury in my 20s which still acts up very rarely.

Am I just asking for problems? Maybe just mid life crisis? Would like be some input from others who have been there

 

[Harris]

IMO, you are borderline on suitability as you currently are (given the limited information). Combat Arms are typically a young man's game and Basic can be tough for some.
But.
You can likely do this if you put the effort in. Others here may have some additional/better suggestions, but I would recommend:

• If you pass the recruiting process, choose the trade you think you would like to do. Research is your friend here. Hell, if you approach the Units they should have someone who can talk to you about what they do.
• Fitness is key. It's a lot easier to focus on learning your new trade if your fit. Start some cardio and weight training now and keep at it. No need to go crazy, but try to increase your weight carrying capacity and your ability to run for a few km. If your having lower back issues work on your core. Talk to a professional for ideas on exercises to do. IMO the three trades in physical fitness requirements would be Infantry, Artillery, then SIGOP, although from time to time all trades can involve heavy manual labour. Heck, this will benefit you even if you don't join.
• Attitude is also important. Don't give up. Don't take things personally. Don't get upset at younger leaders telling you what to do.
• Can you be away from home for 4-6 (or more) weeks at a time to take courses? If not the Reserves might not be for you. The CAF needs you to take courses and depending on trade they can be fairly long, but once you are trade trained, we also need you to be staff on these same courses to train the new batch of recruits/soldiers.

My recommendation? Give it a go if you really want it and can put the effort in. Don't bother if you just want it to be a hobby. A career (part or full time) in the Reg, Res, Rangers can be very rewarding in itself. You have a chance to go places most don't, meet great people from across the planet, and test your own personal limits.

 

[rgr.john.b]

IMO, you are borderline on suitability as you currently are (given the limited information). Combat Arms are typically a young man's game and Basic can be tough for some.
But.
You can likely do this if you put the effort in. Others here may have some additional/better suggestions, but I would recommend:

• If you pass the recruiting process, choose the trade you think you would like to do. Research is your friend here. Hell, if you approach the Units they should have someone who can talk to you about what they do.
• Fitness is key. It's a lot easier to focus on learning your new trade if your fit. Start some cardio and weight training now and keep at it. No need to go crazy, but try to increase your weight carrying capacity and your ability to run for a few km. If your having lower back issues work on your core. Talk to a professional for ideas on exercises to do. IMO the three trades in physical fitness requirements would be Infantry, Artillery, then SIGOP, although from time to time all trades can involve heavy manual labour. Heck, this will benefit you even if you don't join.
• Attitude is also important. Don't give up. Don't take things personally. Don't get upset at younger leaders telling you what to do.
• Can you be away from home for 4-6 (or more) weeks at a time to take courses? If not the Reserves might not be for you. The CAF needs you to take courses and depending on trade they can be fairly long, but once you are trade trained, we also need you to be staff on these same courses to train the new batch of recruits/soldiers.

My recommendation? Give it a go if you really want it and can put the effort in. Don't bother if you just want it to be a hobby. A career (part or full time) in the Reg, Res, Rangers can be very rewarding in itself. You have a chance to go places most don't, meet great people from across the planet, and test your own personal limits.

Thank you for the thoughtful reply.

I have been speaking with a recruiter, though, if I do proceed I won't be dealing with him as it ill just be a transfer (I am told).

I enjoy rucking, hiking, hunting, field craft, and I have hiked west coast trail twice so these sorts of activities will not be foreign to me. I am more concerned about the running, pushups, etc.

I have no problem with young leaders telling me what to do, and it could be a good learning opportunity for everyone. During training I intend to be eyes and ears open, mouth shut, but once I am settled, if the opportunity presented itself, I would be happy to quietly mentor some of the young leaders too. I don't have a degree and just want to be a grunt but in my civilian life, I have over a decade of managing projects worth tens of millions of dollars, leading multidisciplined teams, dealing with challenges, and overseeing complex tasks.

Locally, I can do my BMQ and CASFC, but would have to go away for DP1. This is the challenge. I have been fairly successful in my career and am fairly senior in my company so time off is hard. I am almost certain that the 8 weeks for DP1 would be doable as a one off but likely not able to do it again.

The other concern is I have a 3 and 4.5 year old and my wife is concerned about me being away for so long.

I am not wanting to join as a hobby (I have lots of those), but I am also not wanting to join as a career (I make more in a day at my regular job than I would in a week as a Pte.). I am wanting to do it out of a sense of duty and regret for not doing it sooner (and I want to do cool stuff like kick in doors, shoot guns, and blow shit up)

 

[Jarnhamar]

Being too old for a combat trade isn't really applicable when you're joining the reserves. Working is voluntary.

Only being able to leave once for 8 weeks means you won't be deploying overseas, and you'll be limited to what you can do and where you can go being deployed in Canada.

I make more in a day at my regular job than I would in a week as a Pte.

If you're making around $1000 a day at your regular job then that means you'll be loosing $8000 by spending 2 weeks working with the reserves - better run that by the Mrs.

 

[rgr.john.b]

Being too old for a combat trade isn't really applicable when you're joining the reserves. Working is voluntary.

Only being able to leave once for 8 weeks means you won't be deploying overseas, and you'll be limited to what you can do and where you can go being deployed in Canada.



If you're making around $1000 a day at your regular job then that means you'll be loosing $8000 by spending 2 weeks working with the reserves - better run that by the Mrs.

My earnings fluctuate based on a number of factors and a good chunk of it is bonuses but if you break my salary down I make $85-$95/ hour. But I do also get 5 weeks of vacation time. At the end of the day, it isn't about the money for me, I would honestly do it for free.

I hated school, not because I couldn't do it but because it was boring and got bullied a lot so I dropped out in grade 10 but hadn't finished grade 10. Then I just coasted for a few years working at McDonalds etc...

I talked to a recruiter when I was about 20 and was told I didn't meet the educational requirements.

Then I wrote a bunch of equivalency tests and got into a carpentry apprenticeship. Once I finished my apprenticeship I reached out to a recruiter to see if I could join the Navy as a hull tech as it seemed that my red seal trade had a lot of transferable skills but was still told no because I never formally did anything to upgrade my high school.

Being young and cocky and thinking I was God's gift to humanity, I took the "your loss" approach but always regretted it. Then in my 20s-30s I had a lot of friends both American and Canadian who deployed during GWOT and felt that I really missed out and that is something I was supposed to do but failed. Funnily enough, my education was never a roadblock for anything else except the military.

Fast forward, met my wife who is very well educated and intelligent, she made me finish high school at age 36 or 37 and we had 2 amazing kids.

I feel like I missed out on a part of my life I was supposed to do, and I also want to teach my kids that it is never too late. I feel compelled to serve my country in a bigger way than with just the Rangers. Now don't get me wrong, the Rangers are great and I have the utmost respect for what we do, and after I serve my time in p-res, I would plan on rejoining but I just feel something is missing.

That said, if this is just a pipe dream then I would rather not waste the CAF's time or money.

Lastly, if there was a major conflict and I was really needed to deploy, I absolutely would, but my preference would to be operationally ready without having to deploy.

 

[Jarnhamar]

I'm always humbled by guys and girls in the reserves who have professional careers (like yourself) that lose money and family time to support the CAF.

If you're not enjoying the Rangers and It's something you want to do then just do it. Don't live with regrets.

 

[KevinB]

42 isn’t too old. Especially in the reserves.

I taught a PRes Basic many decades ago in Petawawa and there were two 50+ candidates on it.

 

[KevinB]

Biggest issue will be fitness and injury.
- I say this as a 56yr old has been who is currently sitting with his right leg elevated due to an Achilles injury, and looking at fairly lengthy recovery period.

The better overall fitness level you have going in will help prevent injury. It will also help you deal with the requirements from the courses as well.


You mentioned a lower back disk injury - which can/could be aggravated by things one would do on a basic or basic trade course.
I would talk to a doctor about that, and work on exercises to strengthen that area - as well as thinks that will help you get into better shape all around.

 

[rgr.john.b]

Biggest issue will be fitness and injury.
- I say this as a 56yr old has been who is currently sitting with his right leg elevated due to an Achilles injury, and looking at fairly lengthy recovery period.

The better overall fitness level you have going in will help prevent injury. It will also help you deal with the requirements from the courses as well.


You mentioned a lower back disk injury - which can/could be aggravated by things one would do on a basic or basic trade course.
I would talk to a doctor about that, and work on exercises to strengthen that area - as well as thinks that will help you get into better shape all around.

Agreed, I will talk to the Dr. and if I decide to pull the trigger, I might work with a trainer to really strengthen the area. I Hike and hunt with a heavy load, 50-70lbs plus rifle sometimes and the back gets achy but nothing serious, but every year or two I lift something wrong and throw it out for a day or two. Nothing a little rest and muscle relaxants don't fix