I was once asked by a very close girlfriend "why not leave it to someone else. Why not let someone else do it? Why YOU?" In serving in the Canadian Forces, I will tell you exactly what I told her:
First off, why me? Because I am no better than any other so why not me? I am not too good, nor do I think it is possible to be ‘above‘ serving your community, your society and your beliefs.
The Canadian Forces serves what I believe is a proud and strong tradition of national service. Traditions and values we shaped ourselves, that our land molded us into, that our diversity forced us to come to grips with, and that were handed to us from the British Empire as well. Now although I don‘t feel the connection as strongly as say, my grandparents or great grandparents did, I do beleive that it affected our culture deeply and for the better. I serve in that tradtion, and in the trust that we are there to make Canada, and the world a more stable and secure place.
I want to get into law and politics when I am older (too old to hump my gear on a long patrol), and would feel like a hypocrite if I was ever to cast my vote to send people to war if I had never been willing to go myself.
I also feel that I wanted to make a difference in the world. My main support in the job comes from those around me that do the same thing, and from the fact that I know that I am willing to lay my life down not only for them, but for people both unwilling and unable to defend themselves. I don‘t like the purpose of the weapons we use, but admit they are fun to fire, and am willing to protect others as well as my self. I take on the responsibility because most Canadians don‘t or won‘t.
I found out two years in when I met my father for the first time (2 years ago now) that every single male member of my family had been in the military all the way back into Scotland in the 19th century...at least as far back as my Grandmother had told me. It was shocker to me, but I also take pride in that. The only person to have broken that tradition was my father, and I joined without even knowing about it. So I take pride in picking up the ‘dropped torch‘ from my family. Well, that almost sums it all up except for Wes‘s comments:
The sensation of accomplishing things whhich most peiople cant comprehend, and doing so much more than others could imagine, and being invloved in a team environment, with all the hard work and social fun.
The pride, honour, confidence, leadership, tradition, and self discipline came with it all, as did weapons handling, and all the soldiering skills one learns through his time in.
Wes, I couldn‘t have said that better myself. And the 4 years has passed like a weekend exercise. (that trend doesn‘t seem to be changing) So ya, time does fly when you‘re having fun.
Weeze, as for being a good reason, everyone has their own reasons, and they are good enough for them. The reserves is a great opportunity to serve. It is a good opportunity for a change. It is a good opportunity to travel. It is a good opportunity to make some very close friends. Finally, if you are going into the ranks, just do your job and you won‘t have to worry about any of the internal politics of your chain of command. For a while anyhow. EDIT: Actually, just focus on doing your job and let the politics take care of itself no matter whether your are going for a commission or not.
Best wishes and thanks to all for signing up, whatever your reasons may be.
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