Is Infantry a Waste of Time During Peacetime?

[obama17]

I feel like everyone knows that the combat arms in general are far more 'exciting' (however you may put it) in wartime than in peacetime, and that deep down, most combat arms do hope that one day their skills and expertise will be needed and used in a time of conflict.

As someone interested in serving in the CAF, should I join as Infantry right now? I know that there's still plenty of training and hard work to do in peacetime, and the application process is very competitive, but is it worth it if I likely won't see, to be blunt, 'real combat'?

I do not plan to serve overly long-term. (eg. <5 yrs.).

 

[CountDC]

In my not so humble opinion - yes. The world is very much in an upheaval and no one can truly predict what may happen at any point. It would be better to be in, trained and ready rather than wait for something to happen and join hoping for the action only to have it end before you are considered deployable. Even if you do the less than 5 years and something happens you could most likely get back in easier as already trained than someone that is raw.

 

[daftandbarmy]

I feel like everyone knows that the combat arms in general are far more 'exciting' (however you may put it) in wartime than in peacetime, and that deep down, most combat arms do hope that one day their skills and expertise will be needed and used in a time of conflict.

As someone interested in serving in the CAF, should I join as Infantry right now? I know that there's still plenty of training and hard work to do in peacetime, and the application process is very competitive, but is it worth it if I likely won't see, to be blunt, 'real combat'?

I do not plan to serve overly long-term. (eg. <5 yrs.).

Infantry: only if you want the Prom Queen/King to keep bugging you.

Otherwise you can try one of the other arms or services...

 

[OldSolduer]

Yes - even a small corps is needed to keep the skill set. And Infantry are the ones who take and hold ground.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

The infantry, as the rest of the combat arms, are not just cannon fodder. They are specialists in their own right.

You cannot magically make 5,000 specialists, in any trade, on the day the balloon goes up.

 

[Baz]

The infantry, as the rest of the combat arms, are not just cannon fodder. They are specialists in their own right.

You cannot magically make 5,000 specialists, in any trade, on the day the balloon goes up.

Which means we as a nation have a social contract to equip, pay, and train them as the specialists they are, if for no other reason to retain them, which we haven't done for many years.

There are ways to convert your infantry experience, especially leadership, management, and organization, into a follow on career.

As an aside, I always thought (I was only reserve infantry for a short time) that the primary purpose of the military is to always be at the top of your game, thereby providing a credible deterent; combat should always be the last resort.

 

[brihard]

I feel like everyone knows that the combat arms in general are far more 'exciting' (however you may put it) in wartime than in peacetime, and that deep down, most combat arms do hope that one day their skills and expertise will be needed and used in a time of conflict.

As someone interested in serving in the CAF, should I join as Infantry right now? I know that there's still plenty of training and hard work to do in peacetime, and the application process is very competitive, but is it worth it if I likely won't see, to be blunt, 'real combat'?

I do not plan to serve overly long-term. (eg. <5 yrs.).

Peacetime can change to wartime at the drop of a hat. Not sure if you’re old enough to remember 9/11?

When the bad day comes, you show up with what you have, not what you wish you had. Infantry outside of wartime train, build their skills, develop their knowledge of tactics and equipment… I was PRes infantry from 2004-2019. There was always some sort of mission on deck (Afghanistan for much of it) needing troops. Outside of my one deployment, I got to occasionally have a lot of fun and do some interesting exercises and courses to get better at what I did.

 

[mariomike]

I do not plan to serve overly long-term. (eg. <5 yrs.).

What if you like it, and decide to stay in for the whole ride?

As someone interested in serving in the CAF, should I join as Infantry right now?

Couldn't say. I was in a different PRes trade. But, considered one job important as the next.

We were / are all on the same team.

 

[vonGarvin]

I feel like everyone knows that the combat arms in general are far more 'exciting' (however you may put it) in wartime than in peacetime, and that deep down, most combat arms do hope that one day their skills and expertise will be needed and used in a time of conflict.

As someone interested in serving in the CAF, should I join as Infantry right now? I know that there's still plenty of training and hard work to do in peacetime, and the application process is very competitive, but is it worth it if I likely won't see, to be blunt, 'real combat'?

I do not plan to serve overly long-term. (eg. <5 yrs.).

Yes, it's a complete waste of time. Please do not join; I'm sure McDonalds is more up your alley.

 

[obama17]

Peacetime can change to wartime at the drop of a hat. Not sure if you’re old enough to remember 9/11?

When the bad day comes, you show up with what you have, not what you wish you had. Infantry outside of wartime train, build their skills, develop their knowledge of tactics and equipment… I was PRes infantry from 2004-2019. There was always some sort of mission on deck (Afghanistan for much of it) needing troops. Outside of my one deployment, I got to occasionally have a lot of fun and do some interesting exercises and courses to get better at what I did.

What was the best part of your time in the Infantry? Or what was the most fun?

 

[vonGarvin]

What was the best part of your time in the Infantry? Or what was the most fun?

It's not fun. See what I said above. Don't join the infantry, whatever you do.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

.

 

[obama17]

It's not fun. See what I said above. Don't join the infantry, whatever you do.

 

[OldSolduer]

What was the best part of your time in the Infantry? Or what was the most fun?

Many fun things. Using High Explosives.

Live fire ranges.

Not so fun: sentry duty at zero dark buffalo in -25 C

Hypothermia. Not fun

 

[vonGarvin]

Many fun things. Using High Explosives.

Live fire ranges.

Not so fun: sentry duty at zero dark buffalo in -25 C

Hypothermia. Not fun

The first time I saw someone drop with hypothermia was in July in Petawawa. The soldiers had just gone through some pretty gross swamps and this guy just dropped and did the funky chicken. Fun times. (Not)

 

[obama17]

Many fun things. Using High Explosives.

Live fire ranges.

Not so fun: sentry duty at zero dark buffalo in -25 C

Hypothermia. Not fun

Then again, the high explosives and live fire ranges are 1% of your total time in the Infantry. What about the other 99%? What's the funnest 'normal' thing you do?

 

[vonGarvin]

Then again, the high explosives and live fire ranges are 1% of your total time in the Infantry. What about the other 99%? What's the funnest 'normal' thing you do?

To be honest, sitting around with your mates, as you wait for the next great thing (whatever that is; you're told to wait. A lot.)

In spite of my snark, infantry really is a great vocation. Suffering through adverse weather and other conditions with your friends really is something that binds us.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Then again, the high explosives and live fire ranges are 1% of your total time in the Infantry. What about the other 99%? What's the funnest 'normal' thing you do?

Ho hum...

 

[obama17]

 

[sarahsmom]

View attachment 90892

And that's the reason enlightened people go Air Force.