Yup - Lineman/Cable Splicer to be precise. That's how I was able to walk into the phone company. But - I opted for Central Office only to find out I was happier out in the weather.
Canadian Forces Questions
- Thread starter asvpak47
- Start date
To the OP,
I'm in the same boat as you. I finished my application, and have completed the force fit training for the SALH in Medicine Hat. Eventually being trained as a Crewman, they are a Armored Reconicense Unit, part of the 41 Brigade Group. I am currently employed as a Medevac Pilot in Medicine Hat working week on week off schedule. I'm not really sure what to expect either.
I think one thing that hasn't been mentioned, is to be open about it with your employer. I'm lucky because mine is ex Reg Force he's been supportive.
In my interview with the Sergeant Major, he mentioned they weren't interested in messing with my full time job either. As earlier stated the Reserves doesn't pay well. But they do want to see commitment.
If anyone wants to share some experiences from Basic, and BMQ Land I'd be interested in hearing.
I'm in the same boat as you. I finished my application, and have completed the force fit training for the SALH in Medicine Hat. Eventually being trained as a Crewman, they are a Armored Reconicense Unit, part of the 41 Brigade Group. I am currently employed as a Medevac Pilot in Medicine Hat working week on week off schedule. I'm not really sure what to expect either.
I think one thing that hasn't been mentioned, is to be open about it with your employer. I'm lucky because mine is ex Reg Force he's been supportive.
In my interview with the Sergeant Major, he mentioned they weren't interested in messing with my full time job either. As earlier stated the Reserves doesn't pay well. But they do want to see commitment.
If anyone wants to share some experiences from Basic, and BMQ Land I'd be interested in hearing.
Armor crewman, a fine choice.
- Location
- land of f-cktards
Tee hee hee! I knew it only a lineman would talk like that Har har!
Seriously lineman is probably the best trade in the sigs branch
Deplorable , job when you get out , and there is so few of you that nobody f-cos with you , the glen
Take care
This and also the fact that not everybody want to reach the top. I opted out on promotions and I couldn't be happier. I do the job I love and don't have to worry about being posted after every promotion. My wife can focus on her career without worrying about being posted every 2-3 or 4 years. Career Cpl's, Sgt's or Capt's are often valuable experienced members who brings a lot to DND. Ok, some are not being promoted because they f*** up or because they're dumb as a rock but it's not the majority.
^^^ Agree.
I remember looking around at all the positions open to Warrant Officers thinking I wasn't really interested in any of them. And yes, knew lot's of guys that were happy just "doing their job" with no aspiration to move up in the ranks. Nothing wrong with that, not everyone can or should be a Chief. Some just don't want the responsibility.
No different then the guy who spends 30 years on the production line at an auto-maker.
After I retired I knew I didn't want another job where I had to deal with "subordinates" - too much hassle - don't have to worry about manning levels or evaluations or counselling poor performance or listen to the whining
There is something attractive about just going to work, doing your job and going home without have to chase half a dozen Tums with a shot of Mylanta
I remember looking around at all the positions open to Warrant Officers thinking I wasn't really interested in any of them. And yes, knew lot's of guys that were happy just "doing their job" with no aspiration to move up in the ranks. Nothing wrong with that, not everyone can or should be a Chief. Some just don't want the responsibility.
No different then the guy who spends 30 years on the production line at an auto-maker.
After I retired I knew I didn't want another job where I had to deal with "subordinates" - too much hassle - don't have to worry about manning levels or evaluations or counselling poor performance or listen to the whining
There is something attractive about just going to work, doing your job and going home without have to chase half a dozen Tums with a shot of Mylanta
infideleggwelder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
LOL. I hear you. not that its far to go for me! PER/PDR stuff sucks
What I really want back is a field unit on a kitchen trailer, no better job satisfaction for me than that.Id go back Cpl tomorow. This PER/ PDR ch!t drives me up the wall.
16 years and counting. Supply Tech wearing the RCN uniform. Sailed for 10 years 6 years with the Army and now back at sea on the Fredericton.
Its been a good ride but I imagine I will get out as a PO1 at 20 years. Trying to raise a family is almost getting to be incompatible with life in the CAF.
Too many sick, lame and lazy around now. And they have the strongest union.
I dont regret it though. I mean look at it this way, I will be 40 years old with a pension and bennies for life; and whole other life ahead of me to look forward too.
Not going to lie my wife being a teacher also makes my decision allot easier. I thank god every day I didnt marry that waitress from Sassys
Its been a good ride but I imagine I will get out as a PO1 at 20 years. Trying to raise a family is almost getting to be incompatible with life in the CAF.
Too many sick, lame and lazy around now. And they have the strongest union.
I dont regret it though. I mean look at it this way, I will be 40 years old with a pension and bennies for life; and whole other life ahead of me to look forward too.
Not going to lie my wife being a teacher also makes my decision allot easier. I thank god every day I didnt marry that waitress from Sassys
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Interesting thread. Enjoying reading of different experiences.
A relative who's not a CGN member (although gun nut) has been expressing interest lately in joining. He's 50 in good shape, bright guy, motivated. Married, child. Talking about joining Reserves, job allows a fair bit of time off when home (which is often) zero time when away. He's also expressed a real change in career and joining regulars. Kinda threw me for a loop with that one.
Told him to go to a recruiting office for a chat. Keep an open mind and don't believe everything he's promised.
He seems sincere about it. Any advice you guys can give Res. or Reg. direction I can pass on to him ?
(sorry if this is a thread hijack OP. Seemed like a good add on to the discussion).
A relative who's not a CGN member (although gun nut) has been expressing interest lately in joining. He's 50 in good shape, bright guy, motivated. Married, child. Talking about joining Reserves, job allows a fair bit of time off when home (which is often) zero time when away. He's also expressed a real change in career and joining regulars. Kinda threw me for a loop with that one.
Told him to go to a recruiting office for a chat. Keep an open mind and don't believe everything he's promised.
He seems sincere about it. Any advice you guys can give Res. or Reg. direction I can pass on to him ?
(sorry if this is a thread hijack OP. Seemed like a good add on to the discussion).
Joining in your 50's may be difficult; like you said go talk to recruiting.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Not really. When I did basic in 2001 I had a 52 year old women on our course. She wanted to prove that age meant nothing and she could do it. Part of her bucket list. She passed basic and did her remanding years in.
I say try.
There are a lot of things you can research online but this isn't one of them. Policies and application procedures change regularly and the CAF of 5 or 10 years ago is not the same as today. You really want to go in and talk to a recruiter in person sooner than later because the average processing time for applications start at 4-6 months but can drag on for several reasons. The stereotype that a recruiter will lie to you may have been true 20-30 years ago but rest assured nobody in the recruiting world looses any sleep over percieved quotas.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
You may not want to join another huge bureaucracy after leaving the CF, but the Conservatives passed the Veterans Hiring Act before the Boy Genius took over... I work for the Feds and we're now "compelled" to consider Vets who qualify for our positions before others. I, for one, couldn't be happier... I did 9 years in the Militia from '90-'99 and consider those some of the best years of my life. I learned more between 17 and 26 than many do in a lifetime.
The son of an IDPA pal recently joined the Engineers. He recently was accepted for Airborne training. He thinks he's died and gone to heaven! This kid had a work ethic and was as fit as hell, inherited from his rancher mother and helicopter pilot father.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
As a former Duke (BCR) I fixed it for you!!!!
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Yep. For years I judged people by how I thought they would do with 6 months of infantry basic training. Most fell short.
When I re-entered civy life, it was a trial to work with clowns with no work ethic, no self discipline, no self respect, etc. I carried a lot of dead wood that would not have had a job were it not for the union. Management and I clashed many times as the military taught me how to deal with sh!theads and petty power trippers. They couldn't fault my work ethic or productivity, so I got away with it.
When I re-entered civy life, it was a trial to work with clowns with no work ethic, no self discipline, no self respect, etc. I carried a lot of dead wood that would not have had a job were it not for the union. Management and I clashed many times as the military taught me how to deal with sh!theads and petty power trippers. They couldn't fault my work ethic or productivity, so I got away with it.
One thing I will offer from experience: there is a huge variety of things you can do in the military and some of the jobs are just cool. One word of warning for aspiring officers: all jobs after making 2 and a half eventually put you in Ottawa/NDHQ/Puzzle Palace and it's tough to leave once there. Most people don't mind, since by that point you'll usually be married and have kids and Ottawa is a great place to raise kids in both official languages - something that more than anything else will open options and doors for them one day.
YMMV.
YMMV.
