Heh.... I love how this place works
I talk to my recruiter and the former armored soldier and they both say that NCMs get more field time and more of the "in the trenches" stuff on exercises and such, and I'm looking for that, so I change my application. AS SOON AS I do that, everyone that I have told about my switch that originally suggested that I go NCM is now saying go officer.
I know that I want a career in the CF. That much is not confusing. I am confused because I am trying to research from those that are there and those that have been there as to what will best suit my personal goals in my career, which is to find the job for me that is challenging and rewarding, but still FUN. If I don't love the job, will it be worth doing? After talking to many people, armored sounded like a good place to be. Armored vehicles, a little maintenance work here and there
, get to be part of an important part of the combat arms.... I guess I bought into the bunph about it 8)
I'm not putting armored down, not at all. As I still don't have my final reference in yet, as the guy I asked to provide it is out of town until the 4th of January, I can still change my application again, as it is an electronic application and most importantly it IS NOT SIGNED yet. I'll tell you my goals, and from those that have been out there and done both the officer and/or crewman roles, please respond as unbiased as possible
My goals: I want a career in the CF that gets me out into the field, but involved with vehicles in some fashion. I've always loved armored vehicles, and maybe a mechanized infantry brigade is what I really am looking at, but that is beside the point. I want a job that will keep me fit, allows me pride in my position and regiment, and will see me deployed in a manner close to the bunph, ie "a third of the time." I want the challenge of leading troops, but I also want the whole "new family" aspect as well, because any good combat group gets along well together. Money is NOT a driving factor for me... a challenge, comraderie and some amount of fun once in a while is a career I want.
I am mostly fluent in french, so second language training is not that much of a huge obstacle for me. My education is in the human sciences (aka social sciences), with a major in Anthropology/Archaeology, and a minor in military history, and I will graduate in May with what I am expecting to be a 2.5 to 3.0 GPA (on a 4 point system). My fitness is not massively good yet, but it is quickly going that way. I am an experienced hiker and outdoorsman, with what many have described as a "second nature" navigation sense (I am very fluent in the map and compass language ;D). I have experience in automotive mechanics as I maintain my own car, including replacing parts, engine mechanics, electrical systems and minor repairs (replacing impacted fender on my buddy's car, for example). I am EXTREMELY skilled in computer operation, with a typing speed averaging around 80-120 wpm depending the task. I am not that skilled in computer programming, but I am skilled in hardware installation and troubleshooting (I do not hold an A+ technicians certificate, however).
So there ya have me.... I just want to get out there and have the time of my life in a rewarding career with the Canadian Forces. Have I made a mistake by going armored (first choice) over infantry (second choice)? Or am I on the right track? I haven't been in the military so I don't know. I would appreciate any advice given on top of advice and personal stories already encountered :warstory: