New and several questions

[Sebas2012]

Hi, I am new here.  I starting reading this forum and could not resist registering.  I have read a lot of information on the Canadian Forces websites but I still have some questions.

I am thinking more and more of sending an application to the army.  I mean, my career is going nowhere.  I am 30 years old and earn 20 000 per year in a dead-end physical labor job with no possibility of avancement and very small infrequent payraises.  I would say that I failed my life financially.  I would like a real career.

I happen to live near the Saint-Jean place where the BMQ take place.  I looked several times and for some reason I wish I was inside.  The place looks cool.  I also talked with two former soldiers who suggested me that I should apply.

The only reason why I am unsure yet of applying is because I am used to the comfort of my home.  You know, having high-speed internet and HDTV and stuff like that.  I would need to make sacrifices in this area if I want to be in the army, but maybe it's worth it?

I am single, don't have children and no girlfriend either.  In fact I was single most of my life and have been living alone for nearly 10 years.  I have a high school diploma (finished secondary 5 in Quebec).

I am not fat, but not skinny either.  I don't have impressive muscle mass but can easily do push-ups and chin-ups.  I am not really an athlete though.  I am not sure if I could pass all the physical requirements.  I think I could improve my running with practice however I heard about a grip test and I have no idea at all how hard is it to grip 50kgs.  I am a bit small and not very strong.  I mean, I can't really bench more than 150 pounds.  I have better agility.

I wonder, do the army accepts a lot of people full-time, or do they have to reject a ton of people?  Also I am not sure if it's possible at my age (30), but what really interest me are the sponsored education programs.  I would like to be a technician.  So the army gives a salary to student while they are at school?  Sounds like a good idea.

More in next post...

 

[Sebas2012]

If I could be paid while I study for the job, this would be a great thing.  This is something I always hated about college, and the reason I dropped out : spending tons of money for unsure results. 

However I only have a high school diploma.  Is higher learning experience required for jobs like technician?  I would like to be a technician for either vehicles, boats, buildings or anything else.  I am not really sure yet.  So do you think I can have good expectations of being accepted with my history and all?

Another thing that made me hesitate to apply before is that I am a bit scared of "bullying" or being abused by superiors.  I mean, I saw the movie GI Jane and the training conditions are awful in this movie.  Is this like this in real life?

Also, is the army job as good as the Canadian Forces make it out to be?  Or are there hidden bad stuff that they don't talk about before you apply but that you learn after you applied?  Also how many hours per week do soldiers usually work?

So in the end, I basically always thought of joining the army, but now I am starting to think about it seriously.  I am 30, my life kind of sucks right now and I am poor, so I would finally achieve something I feel is important.  Oh and I am a male by the way.

 

[readytogo]

all questions have been asked and answered....search function will do wonders for you :nod:

 

[gaspasser]

http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/95021/post-950382.html#msg950382

perhaps this would help as your first post....

I'm sure I speak for others here with T.I...we didn't have army.ca or the internet or cell phones or question and answer sessions

WE just joined and knew nothing of what we were getting into...looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing...been a blast ...


{who remembers this one}

"There's No Life Like it, and I won't regret the day..."
   

 

[Nauticus]

If I could be paid while I study for the job, this would be a great thing.  This is something I always hated about college, and the reason I dropped out : spending tons of money for unsure results. 

However I only have a high school diploma.  Is higher learning experience required for jobs like technician?  I would like to be a technician for either vehicles, boats, buildings or anything else.  I am not really sure yet.  So do you think I can have good expectations of being accepted with my history and all?

Another thing that made me hesitate to apply before is that I am a bit scared of "bullying" or being abused by superiors.  I mean, I saw the movie GI Jane and the training conditions are awful in this movie.  Is this like this in real life?

Also, is the army job as good as the Canadian Forces make it out to be?  Or are there hidden bad stuff that they don't talk about before you apply but that you learn after you applied?  Also how many hours per week do soldiers usually work?

So in the end, I basically always thought of joining the army, but now I am starting to think about it seriously.  I am 30, my life kind of sucks right now and I am poor, so I would finally achieve something I feel is important.  Oh and I am a male by the way.

I don't want to sound disrespectful, but if you're done so little research that you're basing your impressions of a movie, I don't suspect you'll be getting a lot of us to bend over backwards to help. At least show us that you tried to search it. Many of your questions are answered on the CF website (www.forces.ca) or on stickied threads here.

 

[Alea]

If I could be paid while I study for the job, this would be a great thing.  This is something I always hated about college, and the reason I dropped out : spending tons of money for unsure results. 

However I only have a high school diploma.  Is higher learning experience required for jobs like technician?  I would like to be a technician for either vehicles, boats, buildings or anything else.  I am not really sure yet.  So do you think I can have good expectations of being accepted with my history and all?

Another thing that made me hesitate to apply before is that I am a bit scared of "bullying" or being abused by superiors.  I mean, I saw the movie GI Jane and the training conditions are awful in this movie.  Is this like this in real life?

Also, is the army job as good as the Canadian Forces make it out to be?  Or are there hidden bad stuff that they don't talk about before you apply but that you learn after you applied?  Also how many hours per week do soldiers usually work?

So in the end, I basically always thought of joining the army, but now I am starting to think about it seriously.  I am 30, my life kind of sucks right now and I am poor, so I would finally achieve something I feel is important.  Oh and I am a male by the way.

Hi Sebas,

To answer a few of your questions:

- The Canadian Forces pays you during the Basic Military Qualification as well as during the courses you'll have to take to qualify for your trade.

- Higher diplomas may be required and this all depends on the trade you choose.

- The job you choose to do in the army will be as good as YOU MAKE IT... like any other job in the civilian with a bit more rules

- Soldiers work full time. I don't know any of my military friends who have part time jobs... unless you want to join the Reserve, then you'll have to work at least 1 night a week and some weekends. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

- By all means, do not base your decision on movies. This is a serious decision that you'll have to make for yourself, based upon reality and information that you'll gather through the recruiters and other experienced members of the CF (a lot of them are members here).

Enough answered now  :nod:

I suggest that you go meet a recruiter with a list of your questions. You will get answers. And before you do this, maybe search a bit more about the trades you're interested in? As previous posters said: use the search function of this forum. You will for sure, find a lot of answers to your questions.

Oh... and the fact that you are a male... irrelevant! You'll be treated equally, the same way as women are. Which means that along your enrolment process, you'll have to:
- Pass CFAT
- Pass medical exam
- Pass background check
- Pass interview... and everything else that I'm forgetting.


I'm sure you'll find your way and answers,
Alea