Army Highschool?

[gun plumber]

I'm surprised that none of our older and keener EME types haven't jumped in here yet.
At one point in time,the Canadian Army had a program for its aspiring technitions.This was to be a academic/military school in which its students would not only preform in a academic(read highschool/trade school) and at the same time complete general military training.
This was the day of the "Green Monsters" as they were called,due in part to the green stripe that they wore to identify them(a tradition that still exists today at CFSEME),and many a fine crafty graduated their ranks,only to carry on and serve with great distinction.
So,it could be done in todays world and be done correctly.But,with all the manpower shortages and the general cost of running an army home and abroad,I doubt it could ever get out of the "drunken talk at the mess"phase.
stay in school,and pick your trade well.

 

[Glorified Ape]

There's already a program to do your last year of highschool in the CF at Campus St. Jean. It's called Prep Year, though I believe it's only available to people continuing on to RMC. My friends that have done it seemed to have liked it alot - if you're really gung-ho about the military and don't mind the 5 year mandatory service after you get your degree, give it a shot.

 

[Kat Stevens]

The educational requirement is there for a reason...

Not saying that education=intelligence (necessarily), but having at least grade 10 (better yet, your highschool diploma) shows that you are at least halfways mature and somewhat educated.

If you can't stick with school, what makes you think you can stick with the military?

Join the reserves and finish high school, if you don't want to finish high school...go ahead. Its your future, not mine.

I'm going to say this just ONE more time. I didn't finish high school.  I served 23 years in the Engineers.  Most of the "smarter and better educated" pups that came through in the last 10 years or so couldn't wait for their BE to expire, let alone be a lifer.  No, I didn't finish very high in the food chain... That is attributed to being opinionated and outspoken, not stupid...Again, who needs a diploma to lift heavy things and put a round downrange.  I apologize if I've offended any of much smarter people than me...

Kat

 

[48Highlander]

I'm going to say this just ONE more time. I didn't finish high school.   I served 23 years in the Engineers.   Most of the "smarter and better educated" pups that came through in the last 10 years or so couldn't wait for their BE to expire, let alone be a lifer.   No, I didn't finish very high in the food chain... That is attributed to being opinionated and outspoken, not stupid...Again, who needs a diploma to lift heavy things and put a round downrange.   I apologize if I've offended any of much smarter people than me...

Kat

Things are a bit different these days.  Back when you joined, you could also probably have gotten any number of civiian jobs without a highschool diploma.  Now your options would be more limited.  Nobody's suggesting that you're stupid just because you didn't finish highschool, however, these days it would be stupid not to.

 

[Sh0rtbUs]

Hence me saying education does not necessarily confer intelligence upon someone. However, as was pointed out to you, these days MOST employers will not even look at you if you do not have at least a highschool diploma, especially if you are in the 20-30 age bracket. Including the CF, often people with only a grade 10 education will be advised by their recruiters to finish high school (same advice given by many people on this site). 

Like my grandfather always told me when i was younger, "you can give a man an education, but you cant make him smart"

 

[Kat Stevens]

There were many of us in my basic training course who were "uneducated, violent louts", to quote from another of my favourite threads.  The unfortunate truth is that we were not all brought up in loving, nurturing homes that placed any importance on education.  The army once upon a time offered a home, and a family that many of us never had before.  That loyalty was returned in kind, by spending 20+ years in the service.  I never got the memo where the army became a corporation. Since corporate mentality took over, IN MY OPINION, there are far fewer well educated types that are willing to devote their lives to the service.  Unfortunately, for many, "it's not an adventure, it's just a job."

Kat
P.S  Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I am a huge advocate of education for my kids.  I would never want them to face the obstacles in life that I have.  However, the requirement for a diploma in the army is unnecessary. IMHO...........fire away!

P.P.S    It has always been the uneducated, the slow, and the stupid that have made up the bulk of the worlds armies in the last few thousand years.

 

[Gunner98]

Kat Quote, " It has always been the uneducated, the slow, and the stupid that have made up the bulk of the worlds armies in the last few thousand years." 

Let's not forget the conquered, the criminals and the delinquents who were not necessarily stupid or slow, but were offered the choice between jail/prison and military service.  Many of our finest (read hardworking) senior NCMs were in the latter category.

 

[Kat Stevens]

Agree 100%....

Kat

 

[Matt-Z]

hehe.. I had this same problem. I was a single credit short of making it onto the Co-Op course and on top of that I was 15. They wouldn't let me sign up because i was too young even though when i took the course i would be the proper age. I found the knowledge of my passing would lead to the start of my career in the Canadian forces was enough encouragement for me to pass my grade 10. Not only that but once your in and are considering a Reg force career you will learn that there other classes you need to take to get into your chosen career. For instance, I suck at math but now learned that in order to become a Combat engineer like I dream I must get grade 12 calculus  ;D

A lot of people in my SQ course some Ash of C and some Rihleys both agree that one of the biggest challenges of the reserves is balancing your military life with your social life, Just think of highschool as your earliest example of this. But in the end it dont really matter because being part of the CF will be one of the best jobs you will ever have.

 

[Sh0rtbUs]

I find the Army IS the majority of my social life...

 

[x-zipperhead]

Grade 12 calculus to become a combat engineer ?  Just curious where you heard this.  I'm not saying you're wrong, it just doesn't sound right to me.  Are you talking MOC 041 or Engineer officer?

 

[Blunt Object]

If there were an army high school you could teach things like tactics and strategies longer so they become like a second nature to the soldiers.Training could be more "in-debth" and there could be an even greater selection in training.

 

[Michael OLeary]

If there were an army high school you could teach things like tactics and strategies longer so they become like a second nature to the soldiers.Training could be more "in-debth" and there could be an even greater selection in training.

How do you perceive the current training system for soldiers to be deficient in these respects?

Who do you see attending this high school? Every potential soldier, which would be a pretty big effort to sustain? Or just the ones who think they don't like regular high school and maybe an "army" high school would have fewer classes and more machine gun ranges?

If you want to learn soldier skills, finish high school and join the army. If you want further academics focussed on the military; finish high school and apply to RMC in a Military Arts and Sciences degree program.

 

[Gunner98]

If our youth are going to be able to learn tactics and strategies at a high school, then maybe we should call it Mercenary Junior College.  

 

[WannaBeFlyer]

Life is FULL of things that you don't want to do. Get them done in the least amount of time and move on to what you enjoy.

I think the CF has done an excellent job of providing opportunities through both the Cadets and Reserves that can combine with High School or, in the Reserves case, post secondary institutions to produce a well rounded individual. I think also that most, not all, Canadian parents are more likely to enroll their children in standard high schools combined with the Cadets rather than a private military institution, costs aside.

Finish school. If you hate school you should make it a personal goal to not only finish it but, excel in it. Imagine the pride you can take in knowing that you tackled something you hated and mastered it. You certainly won't been given options on doing only things that don't "suck" while at BMQ.

 

[infamous_p]

As previously mentioned in this threat, Robert Land Academy.

I attended Robert Land Academy for a year - it is a private military boarding school (grades 6 - 12) for boys. You say you would like basic military knowledge and skills as well as a high school education combined, this is what this school offers. You will learn drill, basic dress and deportment, rank structure, have an opportunity to earn your way up through the ranks and be put into leadership positions, etc. Many people who attended Robert Land Academy have decided to join the CF upon leaving the school and have turned out to be great soldiers.

Knock yourself out: www.robertlandacademy.com

 

[jerrythunder]

i know that this has already been said but YOU CAN be in the army while you are in high school. its called the Reserves. lol and if you cant pass high school ( and im not talking about taking all academic classes and getting the good grades im talking about just plain passing with mediocre marks and applied and open classes) then i doubt that you would be much use to the canadian forces or even society.

 

[Forgotten_Hero]

I was actually talking about something similar in another forum... except in that case it wasnt a high school, but rather, a high school course. Something like gym class... like a mix of fitness gym class and out door adventure gym class, where they do stuff more militarily... like try to instill discipline, have a good pt regime, do certain things outdoors that would also help them out in a possible military life, etc.

 

[GO!!!]

Various high schools used to have Cadet programs like this as late as the 1970s, but they were discontinued as a result of a lack of instructors and (surprise) budget cuts.

To echo - once again - those on this site - you need to finish high school. Yeah I know. Some guy at home dropped out in gr 10 and now drives an Escalade. So did Bill Gates. But MOST dropouts are flipping burgers, changing my oil and driving 86 rustangs. I plan to retire early and wealthy. An education is a means to an end, and it is unlikely, though possible, that you will go anywhere fast in this day and age without high school as a minimum. Even the skilled trades demand it now.

Buck up, it's only 2 more years.

 

[bled12345]

Jesus... in debth? you REALLY need to go back to highschool man.  I have no sympathy for dropouts who just "don't like school" and think they will become succesful by sitting around smoking pot all day long. In fact I fully support this idealogy, for without it who would pump our gas, flip our burgers, and clean our carpets?

Like it was said earlier... your comment about "some of my friends would make really good soldiers but just can't stand school" You know what? Thats B.S.!!! mark twaine (sp?) said it best, "don't let school get in the way of your education" All of the valuable things I have learned in life were for the most part outside of school. Highschool in all reality isn't really a test of intellect, but a test of CHARACTER! If you don't have the CHARACTER to tough something you don't enjoy out, then you have no hope in hell at being able to tough out the military!!! That kind of thinking is just ridiculous. If you want to do things in life that you enjoy? Guess what buddy, you have to ***EARN*** them. Nobody brings you everything you want in life on a silver platter. This thread truely infuriated me. I am not flaming those who have to drop out to work and have a house or food etc, there are circumstances I understand... but once you get yourself settled it doesn't mean you have to sell yourself short and just never go back.


And just for the record, I was a highschool dropout too.... But I went back and graduated, and damn was it ever a good feeling.