Hey everyone, for the past year or so I've really been thinking hard about joining the Air-Force and I would appreciate some input. I figured it would be good to ask here 8)
Background:
I'm 19 and in my first year of University at U of T studying computer science, this first year has been a real eye opener for me in rethinking what I would like to do with my life. I've realized University is not for me, I hate it here and would rather be doing practical hands on work instead of being stuck behind a desk.
So I've been running through my options and the best I have come up with is either trying to get an apprenticeship in the trades, joining the air force, or some other less desirable options. If I were to drop out of University and join the air force, my most desired position would be to work towards becoming a pilot, although that's probably a long shot. Jobs as a technician would be my second choice, which is probably more realistic than a pilot (since apparently you have to be pretty damn lucky to become a pilot).
One thing I want to know is how flexible full time military work really is. Will I have to relocate permanently to a remote air force base somewhere in Canada (I live in Toronto now)? Or does it work something like a couple months on at a base, and one month off? The reason I'm asking this is because I would also like to use some of my free time running a small mainly-online business and I am not sure if I would be able to do so at a remote air force base. I want to know if I'll have the ability to pursue other aspirations in life if I join.
Another question I have is for the pilots here (if there are any that read this) since becoming a pilot would be my most desired choice, how to I get on the right track to becoming a pilot in the Canadian Air Force? I do not have a pilots licence, and do not intend on getting a bachelors degree if I join the air force. What I do have is the skills and abilities needed of a prospected pilot (from what I've found out so far), I just need to learn how (which obviously the military does train possible pilots).
Thank you for reading!
Background:
I'm 19 and in my first year of University at U of T studying computer science, this first year has been a real eye opener for me in rethinking what I would like to do with my life. I've realized University is not for me, I hate it here and would rather be doing practical hands on work instead of being stuck behind a desk.
So I've been running through my options and the best I have come up with is either trying to get an apprenticeship in the trades, joining the air force, or some other less desirable options. If I were to drop out of University and join the air force, my most desired position would be to work towards becoming a pilot, although that's probably a long shot. Jobs as a technician would be my second choice, which is probably more realistic than a pilot (since apparently you have to be pretty damn lucky to become a pilot).
One thing I want to know is how flexible full time military work really is. Will I have to relocate permanently to a remote air force base somewhere in Canada (I live in Toronto now)? Or does it work something like a couple months on at a base, and one month off? The reason I'm asking this is because I would also like to use some of my free time running a small mainly-online business and I am not sure if I would be able to do so at a remote air force base. I want to know if I'll have the ability to pursue other aspirations in life if I join.
Another question I have is for the pilots here (if there are any that read this) since becoming a pilot would be my most desired choice, how to I get on the right track to becoming a pilot in the Canadian Air Force? I do not have a pilots licence, and do not intend on getting a bachelors degree if I join the air force. What I do have is the skills and abilities needed of a prospected pilot (from what I've found out so far), I just need to learn how (which obviously the military does train possible pilots).
Thank you for reading!