Pusser
Army.ca Veteran
- Reaction score
- 32
- Points
- 530
I was commissioned as an officer over 30 years ago. Before that, I served as a Reserve NCM. One thing I will say without a single doubt in my mind is that officer and NCM jobs are different, but neither is "better" than the other, both in terms of social status or the actual job. It's really a matter of what is the right fit for the individual. Some folks who are amazing NCMs in all respects, including leadership and organization would make terrible officers and would fail miserably if they attempted it. By the same token, there are amazing officers who wouldn't last a day as an NCM (and this has nothing to do with their technical competence). The point, as I said is all about what is the best fit for the individual. Having said that, there is tremendous benefit for an officer to start his/her service as an NCM, if for no other reason than to learn to understand the people he/she will expected to lead.
The OP has implied that part of the problem may be his father's perception that he should be an officer and that to be otherwise is some sort of failure. Nothing could be further from the truth! One can easily have a very successful career as an NCM and if money is an issue, it's worth noting that officers' salaries don't really start to exceed NCM salaries until they reach captain rank and it won't be until you reach major that an officer's salary exceeds that of every NCM pay level.
Although it does sometimes seem necessary to release from the CAF and then to re-apply in order to get the program you want, this can be a very risky course of action, particularly if you had difficulty enrolling in the first place. Consider this, could it may have taken such a long time because you were not the strongest candidate to start with? If that's the case, releasing now, particularly without having anything substantial on your service record, may not strengthen your file. In fact, I would argue that it could weaken it (i.e. releasing prior to OFP is not a significant accomplishment). Maintaining your current course, however, gives you an opportunity to prove yourself and convince your CO to recommend you for commissioning. Note that for the type of commissioning plan you're likely looking at, there is no obligation for you to continue in the infantry (e.g. you could become a pilot if you want - and meet the criteria). I would also argue at this point that releasing and reapplying is not necessarily going to speed things up. It may be a little faster (or it could fail), but if you don't release and apply internally, you will still bet paid while you wait. If you release, you don't.
You need to do what's right for you. If you can't deal with your father's disappointment, then maybe releasing is the best course of action, but are you sure that that is all there is to this? If you being an officer will make him happy, you can tell him without a word of a lie, that you are on that path. Things like this do not necessarily happen overnight, but they can happen if you apply yourself and are patient. That degree that your father paid for will help in the process. In the meantime, you're employed and that's a good thing.
Good luck and GET THEE TO THE BPSO! He/she is the best source of information on the commissioning programs available to you and the best way to get there.
The OP has implied that part of the problem may be his father's perception that he should be an officer and that to be otherwise is some sort of failure. Nothing could be further from the truth! One can easily have a very successful career as an NCM and if money is an issue, it's worth noting that officers' salaries don't really start to exceed NCM salaries until they reach captain rank and it won't be until you reach major that an officer's salary exceeds that of every NCM pay level.
Although it does sometimes seem necessary to release from the CAF and then to re-apply in order to get the program you want, this can be a very risky course of action, particularly if you had difficulty enrolling in the first place. Consider this, could it may have taken such a long time because you were not the strongest candidate to start with? If that's the case, releasing now, particularly without having anything substantial on your service record, may not strengthen your file. In fact, I would argue that it could weaken it (i.e. releasing prior to OFP is not a significant accomplishment). Maintaining your current course, however, gives you an opportunity to prove yourself and convince your CO to recommend you for commissioning. Note that for the type of commissioning plan you're likely looking at, there is no obligation for you to continue in the infantry (e.g. you could become a pilot if you want - and meet the criteria). I would also argue at this point that releasing and reapplying is not necessarily going to speed things up. It may be a little faster (or it could fail), but if you don't release and apply internally, you will still bet paid while you wait. If you release, you don't.
You need to do what's right for you. If you can't deal with your father's disappointment, then maybe releasing is the best course of action, but are you sure that that is all there is to this? If you being an officer will make him happy, you can tell him without a word of a lie, that you are on that path. Things like this do not necessarily happen overnight, but they can happen if you apply yourself and are patient. That degree that your father paid for will help in the process. In the meantime, you're employed and that's a good thing.
Good luck and GET THEE TO THE BPSO! He/she is the best source of information on the commissioning programs available to you and the best way to get there.
