why should i join the infantry?

[thimot]

it's fun.
but it has no future value to it, unless you want to a mean mall security guard

 

[Michael OLeary]

it's fun.
but it has no future value to it, unless you want to a mean mall security guard

I am continually amazed at how narrow a view so many people take of future opportunities following service in the infantry. This is not a new topic of discussion on the forums:

If you mean hard skills easily transferrable (eg heavy equipment, computers, driver, etc.) then no not really. I think the CF official web site lists only a couple of post military careers that are applicable to Infanteers such as security.

You're better off maybe looking at a trade to start.

However it's the soft skills that are also important to a potential employer. Such aspects as discipline, including self discipline, abilty to work under severe pressure, react to rapidly  changing situations, problem solving skills, and just plain maturity are something all employers value.

Not many places really teach this stuff when you think about it. That is outside of a tour in the combat arms.

If it came down to two equally qualified job candidates as regards their technical skill sets, then the one with a three year tour in the Army as an Infanteer might be more attractive to the employer.

Of course that presumes that the employer is aware of such attributes either because he is ex military or more likely because you've managed to convey it properly in your resume and more importantly during the interview.

"I can fire a machine gun" is probably not a good thing to say in an interview. "I'm capable of performing my job under very adverse conditions and can quickly adapt to changing circumstances"
works a little better.

In addition providing one stays in and advances, then there's the possible leadership training which again is something of value in the "real world job market."

As it states on the DND website Http://www.Dnd.ca

There isn't any directly related civvy job that goes with infantry.

BUT..

MANY employers see past military experience as an incredible and indisposable commodity among applicants. It shows you have dedication, are a HARD worker, can take orders and get a job done!

Not to mention the certifications you can get while in the Infantry like: First Aid+CPR Level C for one, Military Vehicle Liscences, etc....

There are also country/world wide organizations dedicated to finding ex-military people jobs.

For an example, look up the Legionnaires of Canada, a security guard company. Very reputable.

Hope that helps,
Joe

If you remain in long enough to achieve NCO ranks and get some leadership and instructional experience, then how about:

      leadership
      method of instruction
      public speaking
      development of instructional material
      personnel management
      resource management and scheduling

      opportunities for continuing education through RMC Correspondence courses
      opportunities to pursue other training through the Personal Enhancement Program

And don't forget:

      development of personal discipline
      a sense of timing and punctuality
      responsibility for self and others
      development of habits of personal appearance and presentation

While the popularly conceived technical skills of the infantry soldier (firing machine guns, throwing grenades and bayoneting people) do not have direct civil equivalents, there are plenty of skills picked up through military training that will assist in follow-on career aspirations.

At this point your Mother may think she'd prefer you spending a few years flipping burgers, but you won't build your future resume anywhere near the extent that a few years or more of military service can offer. Think outside the traditional job description offered by the Recruiting Centre. And plan for your own future.

 

[Island Ryhno]

You can't beat experience like the Infantry, there is not a more stressfull job in the world and if you could handle yourself in the situations that these folks find themselves in, well then a paper jam in the photocopier doesn't seem all that big a deal now does it. About the bantering between Gaisford and Kincanucks, that's interesting, I qualified for everything also but I have a large desire to go combat arms (armoured) when I could and probably should go LCIS, Sig Op etc. I wonder what drives us that way, perhaps the idea that in the future we could OT to a different trade if we want, I be that would be an interesting study. CFAT scores and distribution of trade choices.

 

[baboon6]

" The Infantry, the Infantry,
  With dirt behind their ears
  they can lick their weight in wildcats
  And drink their weight in beers
  The Cavalry, the Artillery,
  The lousy Engineers,
  They couldn't lick the Infantry
  In a hunderd thousand years."

- 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion marching song, 1942

 

[wack-in-iraq]

alrighty, time for my opinionated opinion.....
to the guy in the CscotR, i used to be in that unit a long time ago before i went reg, if i believed everything some of those guys told me about their qualifications and such.... well i wouldnt be bragging about it.
to the guy who said security guard is the best a guy who was in the infantry could hope for, well you might want to tell that to some of my friends here in iraq, average salary is about $12000 US a month, pretty good for a 'security guard'

join it or dont, no one will give a rats ass, if you are asking this question, chances are you might want to look somewhere else, there are lots of places to be happy in the CF.... damn i cant wait to get back to a cushy infantry regiment.....

 

[the burkalator]

Dont waste ur time witht he air force or navy. Infantry is the shit. U run around and blow shit up and watse stuff with ur MG and u wont do that in the other 2. Be a Gangster and join the infantry.

Trust me.

 

[Island Ryhno]

Dont waste ur time witht he air force or navy. Infantry is the crap. U run around and blow crap up and watse stuff with ur MG and u wont do that in the other 2. Be a Gangster and join the infantry.

Trust me.

Umm No, what are you on dude, smack? Be a Gangster OMF   :

 

[Gouki]

Dont waste ur time witht he air force or navy. Infantry is the shit. U run around and blow shit up and watse stuff with ur MG and u wont do that in the other 2. Be a Gangster and join the infantry.

Trust me.

I guess missles and bombs that make a rocket launcher explosion look like a tiny speck of dust don't matter.

I also guess that torpedoes, turrets and the weapons in the NBP don't count either.

 

[DogOfWar]

Dont waste ur time witht he air force or navy. Infantry is the crap. U run around and blow crap up and watse stuff with ur MG and u wont do that in the other 2. Be a Gangster and join the infantry.

Trust me.

Really? Then why did you say-

I have just joined the reserves in an infantry regiment and i am also going to school for fire fighting..personally i would be a full time fire fighter before an infantry soldier..it is fun...but do you wanna do it full time? if you get in to fire fighting do it because so many guys are trying for it ull be lucky to be a fire fighter in a civi department before you are 30..so the fire dept i did my co-op with tells me.

Oh and by the way- you must have really impressed the f.d. you worked with. If they told you to wait until you are 30. It certainly isnt lucky to get on before 30. Its completely normal.

And as for being gangster. I guess me and all the guns and fast moving boat work I do in the navy arent gangster enough LOL....

 

[paracowboy]

Dont waste ur time witht he air force or navy. Infantry is the crap. U run around and blow crap up and watse stuff with ur MG and u wont do that in the other 2. Be a Gangster and join the infantry.

Trust me.

:
thanks for that, you've really helped the cause.

 

[B.McTeer]

Dont waste ur time witht he air force or navy. Infantry is the crap. U run around and blow crap up and watse stuff with ur MG and u wont do that in the other 2. Be a Gangster and join the infantry.

Trust me.

be a Gangster eh? Which form did i not read i must have missed that

 

[aesop081]

Oh and i guess that flying at 400 knots only 200 feet above the waves ( can't wait till i start doing that) chassing a sub or surface contact isnt very exciting either.  I mean, i should know..i used to be a ground pounder ( 043) myslef and i would have remustered sooner if i knew had know how shit hot this trade is !!

 

[DogOfWar]

Oh and i guess that flying at 400 knots only 200 feet above the waves ( can't wait till i start doing that) chassing a sub or surface contact isnt very exciting either.   I mean, i should know..i used to be a ground pounder ( 043) myslef and i would have remustered sooner if i knew had know how crap hot this trade is !!

Sure its exciting Aesop- but is it "gangster"??

 

[Gouki]

You just know that he wears his beret on his head at an angle and holds his C7 sideways at the range.

 

[aesop081]

Sure its exciting Aesop- but is it "gangster"??

hummm.........gangster...i'm sure thats what the CF needs !!

I'm sure that he came up with his advice in between games of socom II  ;D

 

[Inch]

Sure its exciting Aesop- but is it "gangster"??

Pfft. Sea King AESOps get to shoot the C6 from the cargo door, now that's gangster!

 

[aesop081]

Pfft. Sea King AESOps get to shoot the C6 from the cargo door, now that's gangster!

;D

Inch, you took the words right out of my mouth...too bad i'm a fixed-wing fag hey !!!

 

[TCBF]

Shouldn't it be "Gangsta"  ?

 

[LMN]

Get some, get some!

 

[B.McTeer]

Him on the range " I straight up just shacked that target yeaaaah"