Joining The Infantry

[Old Sweat]

I think the only question we really ever need to ask to confirm we are still G2G is "Can we successfully invade and occupy Haiti with little to no difficulty?"

If the answer is yes, all is well in the CAF :rofl:

You would have been bemused at how slovenly the Haitian military was. It's only demonstrable capability was in shaking down civilians. One of the few areas of concern was that the villa of BGen Cedras, the Haitian dictator, was only a few hundred metres from the Canadian ambassador's residence, which doubled as the emergency embassy. Yes, dealing with that was part of the plan, or at least it was when I retired. Obviously by 2003 Cedras was in exile, but there may have been other security factors.

 

[observor 69]

Sounds like you want to become a firefighter, paramedic or Work for an NGO.  The military is the government's tool of last resort and will be called upon when crap hits the fan and there is no other option.  We are a security tool, pure and simple, and will use any means necessary to maintain security at home or abroad.  Dependent on the situation, we will adapt our approach but the spectrum is anywhere from handshakes and teddy bears to shooting someone right in the face at the extreme end. 

In other words, be prepared for anything  ;D

Reminds me of this quote from Gen.Mattis "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet. .."
and many more of the same tone:
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/James_Mattis

 

[Loachman]

Oh, you have no idea how much we revel in that 'brand'

Here's an example of our Infantry 'Poster Boy' at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxFgSmR0i3A

Fond memories of the Irvine brothers in summer 1979...

 

[mariomike]

When I told my mother that I was thinking of joining the military she encouraged me to do so if I wanted (which surprised me greatly) but one of her comments was that she did not want me to “just be a grunt” because it won’t give me useful skills for later in life.

Your mother may be thinking of, "Related civilian occupations".

eg:  For Infantry, "Although this occupation has no direct related civilian job, the experience, skills and leadership abilities developed in this position are highly valued by employers."
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/caf-jobs/career-options/fields-work/combat-specialists/infantry-soldier.html

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

I thought it was your mother's term, according to your first post? 

If so, you should both try to incorporate the terms "zipperhead" (Armour) and "thumperhead" (Combat Engineer) more often in your daily chats.  :nod:

I may have worded something wrong, sorry, I have a horrible head cold and have been trying to get some rest throughout the day. My mother did not say the part about the half-brain, that I got from non infantry personnel making fun of the infantry (you could say). My mother just said she didn’t want me being a grunt.
Sorry for any confusion.

(To MarioMike: Yeah, I had seen that a few months ago, I understand why she says that but it is just that being in the infantry would be something I would enjoy greatly (I imagine, I mean really “Close with and Destroy the enemy”) haha)

(To Loachman: haha, great video, thanks!)

Thank you all for the continued replies, any more current information you would be willing to offer up on the infantry would be great.

Also, another question came to mind that I had not been able to find an answer to last I looked (like two or three days ago): Why do people complain about Shilo? What is actually “wrong” with it? And same with Petawawa, why do people seem to dislike it? I have only ever been to Shilo (I live in ‘Toba) and that was when I was like 3 or 4, but I thought it looked amazing (my little brain going “ooooooooh big cannon(artillery)! Ooooooooooh lot’s of trucks(APCs)”.

Wow I just got off topic, anyway, thanks.

 

[mariomike]

Why do people complain about Shilo?

Opinions vary on the bases,

Shilo
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&q=site%3Aarmy.ca++shilo+&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca++shilo+&gs_l=psy-ab.3...11402.12286.0.13152.6.6.0.0.0.0.288.865.0j4j1.5.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..1.0.0....0.BrCkYXX-KcU

And same with Petawawa, why do people seem to dislike it?

Petawawa Thread- Merged 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/40540.25
13 pages.

Comparing the Regiments (PPCLI, RCR, and R22eR) and thier bases
https://army.ca/forums/threads/25214.0

 

[Loachman]

(To Loachman: haha, great video, thanks!)

'Twas not I who posted that, but daftandbarmy, with whom I was on course in Gagnam in 1979. I was merely responding.

I had two postings to Petawawa. I like the place, but the male-to-female ration is not favourable to the average single military member. That's true of most Army bases - which are not normally located close to major urban centres. That also makes it somewhat trickier for spouses to find suitable employment as well.

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

Opinions vary on the bases,

Shilo
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&q=site%3Aarmy.ca++shilo+&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca++shilo+&gs_l=psy-ab.3...11402.12286.0.13152.6.6.0.0.0.0.288.865.0j4j1.5.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..1.0.0....0.BrCkYXX-KcU

Petawawa Thread- Merged 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/40540.25
13 pages.

Comparing the Regiments (PPCLI, RCR, and R22eR) and thier bases
https://army.ca/forums/threads/25214.0

Most of the reasons that people don’t like Shilo is because it is in the middle of nowhere and has the normal Manitoba problems. Basically, there is no problem.

Same with Pet I guess, middle of nowhere, but also (thanks for that petawawa thread, I had seen it before but never got to the last pages (newest) because I thought it was all quite old stuff (hence I asked for new information) ) roads not getting plowed and steep real estate, those are really small problems, my area in Mantioba doesn’t get plowed (like ever) and houses are expensive (I’ve never had to buy one of course, lol)

I guess most the stuff I saw was complaining. (I am used to the Skeeters and our ‘Toban winters because I have lived here all my life)

I had read through that HUGE thread on “the Regts and Their(lol, the spelling) bases” before most of it seemed like vague complaining about not much.

(Thanks to Loachman for the reply: I had heard that about Petawawa, I don’t know what to think, does that matter that much, most people seem to be able to find a spouse if they want.)

Thank you for the info!

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

The Young British Canadian Soldier

Now, if you must marry, take care she is old -
A troop-sergeant's widow's the nicest I'm told,
For beauty won't help if your rations is cold,
Nor love ain't enough for a soldier.
'Nough, 'nough, 'nough for a soldier . . .

If the wife should go wrong with a comrade, be loath
To shoot when you catch 'em - you'll swing, on my oath! -
Make 'im take 'er and keep 'er: that's Hell for them both,
An' you're shut o' the curse of a soldier.
Curse, curse, curse of a soldier . . .
http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_youngbrit.htm

I am officially confused.

 

[mariomike]

I had heard that about Petawawa, I don’t know what to think, does that matter that much, most people seem to be able to find a spouse if they want.)

I am officially confused.

It's an old poem about young soldiers getting married.

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

It's an old poem about young soldiers getting married.

I understood that, just didn’t understand what I was supposed to learn from it.

 

[mariomike]

I understood that, just didn’t understand what I was supposed to learn from it.

It's just a famous old army poem I have read on here many times.
What you posted about finding an army spouse reminded me of it. It was not intended to be educational.

We do post poems on here sometimes,
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&q=site%3Aarmy.ca++poem&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca++poem&gs_l=psy-ab.3...5887.7818.0.8412.4.4.0.0.0.0.171.655.0j4.4.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.SL0LdGVljyE

Not everything you read on here is meant to be a learning experience.

 

[Loachman]

most people seem to be able to find a spouse if they want

Mostly imports.

Find somebody with a universally-in-demand occupation. I recommend medical people.

 

[tomahawk6]

You cant marry without the consent of the CO. It saves time if you marry before you enlist and you both then can join the CF

 

[RocketRichard]

You cant marry without the consent of the CO. It saves time if you marry before you enlist and you both then can join the CF

Steering a young Canadian lad wrong, tsk, tsk. You do not need your C.O's permission to marry, nor do we 'enlist' into the C.F.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

You cant marry without the consent of the CO. It saves time if you marry before you enlist and you both then can join the CF

Is this true? In Canada? (Reason I say this is you have an American flag and I would hope that no current member of our military would use an American flag to represent themselves)

We also don’t use the term “enlist”, we just don’t, maybe you are an old guy who now lives in America, but then your information is outdated.

Any way, I do not think this can be true, there are too many problems with your post.

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

Steering a young Canadian lad wrong, tsk, tsk. You do not need your C.O's permission to marry, nor do we 'enlist' into the C.F.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You got there first I see, well, thank you for clarifying what I thought.

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

Hello again,

I figured I will build off of this post (because this applies the same to it), I want to talk with my Mother about my desire (you could call it, I am 15 though, so nothing is set in stone of course) to be an Infanteer. She has been very very reasonable and accepting of my want to join the CAF, and that has made me very happy, but I want to be honest with her. I feel kind of bad telling her I want to be the one thing she asked me not to be, so

I want to know some things that the infantry teach you that applies to civvy life after the forces.

I also would like to know about your personal experience as you transitioned from life as an infanteer to a civvy.

Thank you in advance!

(P.S. I have not done a great deal of searching for answers for these questions as I want your personal experiences and stories and things like that, sorry for my ignorance, I simply don’t have time tonight but want to get these questions answered as soon as possible, if you know there are these questions specifically answered previously (but fairly recently) feel free to tell me to get a life and search it myself, or to leave links if you are feeling especially generous, sorry again for my laziness I just have more things to do before school tomorrow other than research hopeful careers.

 

[mariomike]

I want to know some things that the infantry teach you that applies to civvy life after the forces.

See Reply #20.

Why not stay in for the whole ride?

 

[Loachman]

Some transfer to other occupations for various reasons - they decide that they do not like the Combat Arms, want to do something different, see better opportunities elsewhere, or develop minor physical problems.

Some further their education, through various methods, and the CF will generally reimburse at least some of the cost (you can research that on here; I do not know the details). There are many NCMs with degrees.

Wise people begin planning for retirement right from the start. The pension is good, but one should make the maximum possible contributions to one's RRSP every year as well. If you buy a house early, you can most likely have it paid off by the time you retire. There are pitfalls to be considered, though - some people do very well when they sell, and some lose money. Research the area to which you are being posted.

When you marry, make sure that your bride also has a well-paying career and builds her RRSP. That'll set you up really well if you stay together, and minimize your financial pain if you split.

There are quite a few ex-military real estate agents, insurance brokers, and car salespeople etcetera especially near bases.

You've got a couple of years to go before you join. Take the time and make the effort to learn as much as you can, and build your fitness level.

And, at the very least, finish high school - and with the best marks possible.