I also vote go for it, you're at a good age where you have the maturity (hopefully) to make a wise choice. As it stands you can leave pretty well whenever you want with no repurcussions. I think it is a great opportunity for you to get healthy and fit, learn some new skillz and potentially protect our massively underpowered country.
armed forces?
- Thread starter the virgin gary
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Oh? The NDP and Liberal MPs aren't busily calling for military heads on pikes, right now?
Or maybe you think that the military on site should have ignored international law and the inability of themselves to hold prisoners?
The reality is that it's not an isolated incident. It's the norm. The Canadian government wouldn't talk about the Medak incident in Yugoslavia until other nations were on record as admiring what 2PPCLI had done there.
It all reminds me of the CBC reporting of Ben Johnson. "Canadian runner Ben Johnson is world's fastest man", "Jamaican runner Ben Johnson found to have taken drugs"
Or maybe you think that the military on site should have ignored international law and the inability of themselves to hold prisoners?
The reality is that it's not an isolated incident. It's the norm. The Canadian government wouldn't talk about the Medak incident in Yugoslavia until other nations were on record as admiring what 2PPCLI had done there.
It all reminds me of the CBC reporting of Ben Johnson. "Canadian runner Ben Johnson is world's fastest man", "Jamaican runner Ben Johnson found to have taken drugs"
Way to take one isolated incident that involved a couple dozen people, tops, nearly a decade ago, and use it as an analogy for an entire organization. Baby killer?? Good grief. Vietnam was an American war, you know, over 30 years ago. Drop by drop?? You've got issues. Whatever your personal experience was or wasn't, it doesn't represent the experience of the other 99.8% of people in the CF who never pull a trigger in anger, and get a lot of positive experience out of their military stint.
Reserves
You should do it, toughs you up mentally and physically.
They will make you do those aptitude test to see what trades you are qualified to perform. Which mean, you don't necessary have to pick infantry, but Infantry is the coolest!
Be sure to be in high physical condition before you go on your basic or trade training. Be mentally prepared to get yelled at during the first 2 weeks, but don't take it personally. Do not expect to leave once you are at camp, they own your ass!
I don't think people go to reserves to make money. When you are at camp, there is nowhere to spend the money you earn, so you will get a couple of grand at the end of your course.
I am pretty sure you have to volunteer to go to war, as a reservist, nothing to worry about.
Also, you get use weapons you would never get to touch in civilian life. When you are there, you will experience the "spirit d'corp", that you probably will never experience anywhere else. Plus side, it's co-ed, some chance of hooking up if it is a non male-oriented course(service battalion). No pooning while on base, you may get lucky and score a day or weekend eventually to go off base to town.
Have fun!
You should do it, toughs you up mentally and physically.
They will make you do those aptitude test to see what trades you are qualified to perform. Which mean, you don't necessary have to pick infantry, but Infantry is the coolest!
Be sure to be in high physical condition before you go on your basic or trade training. Be mentally prepared to get yelled at during the first 2 weeks, but don't take it personally. Do not expect to leave once you are at camp, they own your ass!
I don't think people go to reserves to make money. When you are at camp, there is nowhere to spend the money you earn, so you will get a couple of grand at the end of your course.
I am pretty sure you have to volunteer to go to war, as a reservist, nothing to worry about.
Also, you get use weapons you would never get to touch in civilian life. When you are there, you will experience the "spirit d'corp", that you probably will never experience anywhere else. Plus side, it's co-ed, some chance of hooking up if it is a non male-oriented course(service battalion). No pooning while on base, you may get lucky and score a day or weekend eventually to go off base to town.
Have fun!
Sorry, I didn't see that Gary said Reserves, I thought he was talking about the regular forces. I'm glad you corrected me.
I do know that members of the National Guard in the US, were sent to Iraq, and many of them didn't know they signed up for that....it was in the fine print in some tricky wording, so read your contract thoroughly (word for word) before you sign up.
And I still don't see how if you are against your country's mission in Afghanistan that makes you unpatriotic? I think it makes you more patriotic, standing up against your government.
And don't compare the illegal occupation of Afghanistan to WWII.
It seems like there are too many on the board have the mentality of George W Bush "You are with us or against us" .
Some freedom.
I do know that members of the National Guard in the US, were sent to Iraq, and many of them didn't know they signed up for that....it was in the fine print in some tricky wording, so read your contract thoroughly (word for word) before you sign up.
And I still don't see how if you are against your country's mission in Afghanistan that makes you unpatriotic? I think it makes you more patriotic, standing up against your government.
And don't compare the illegal occupation of Afghanistan to WWII.
It seems like there are too many on the board have the mentality of George W Bush "You are with us or against us" .
Some freedom.
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Presumably while soldiers fight for our way of life, they are also fighting for our ability to crack wise too. So go for it I say. On the other hand, how do they feel about thread hijacking here?can we start with the George Bush jokes now?
When I was younger, I considered military service. However, I saw that I would be subject to the whims of the yahoos in Ottawa. I decided to pass.
While the service is unquestionably honourable, our political leaders (the military's absolute masters) are not.
Govern yourself accordingly.
While the service is unquestionably honourable, our political leaders (the military's absolute masters) are not.
Govern yourself accordingly.
The National Guard in the USA is the standing army. It's actually set out in the Constitution and is the reason that the second amendment is there.
The only force the President can use without the consent of Congress is the Navy and Marines. Even then, Congress authorizes the number of ships the Navy may have and the number of non-commissioned officers the Marines may have. Congress also confirms the appointment of every officer in the Navy and Marines.
Officers in the Army and Air Force only need Congressional approval for LCol and above.
Officers in the National Guard only need Congressional approval if they are being appointed as a General Officer, before that the State's Governor appoints them.
The founders viewed the Navy and Marines as the force that the President would deploy to hold an enemy until Congress could debate and authorize activating the Army.
When Congress authorized the war in Afghanistan in 2002 and the war in Iraq in 2003, the National Guard units automatically became active. What each Congress Representative and Senator knowing voted for was the committal of their state's National Guard.
The reserve force in Canada is not treated the same way under law. However, they also don't get the training that a National Guard member gets in the USA. Since the National Guard is the American's standing army, they are trained to a fairly high degree. Certainly equal or better than most of the world's full-time military forces.
The only force the President can use without the consent of Congress is the Navy and Marines. Even then, Congress authorizes the number of ships the Navy may have and the number of non-commissioned officers the Marines may have. Congress also confirms the appointment of every officer in the Navy and Marines.
Officers in the Army and Air Force only need Congressional approval for LCol and above.
Officers in the National Guard only need Congressional approval if they are being appointed as a General Officer, before that the State's Governor appoints them.
The founders viewed the Navy and Marines as the force that the President would deploy to hold an enemy until Congress could debate and authorize activating the Army.
When Congress authorized the war in Afghanistan in 2002 and the war in Iraq in 2003, the National Guard units automatically became active. What each Congress Representative and Senator knowing voted for was the committal of their state's National Guard.
The reserve force in Canada is not treated the same way under law. However, they also don't get the training that a National Guard member gets in the USA. Since the National Guard is the American's standing army, they are trained to a fairly high degree. Certainly equal or better than most of the world's full-time military forces.
Sorry, I didn't see that Gary said Reserves, I thought he was talking about the regular forces. I'm glad you corrected me.
I do know that members of the National Guard in the US, were sent to Iraq, and many of them didn't know they signed up for that....it was in the fine print in some tricky wording, so read your contract thoroughly (word for word) before you sign up.
And I still don't see how if you are against your country's mission in Afghanistan that makes you unpatriotic? I think it makes you more patriotic, standing up against your government.
And don't compare the illegal occupation of Afghanistan to WWII.
It seems like there are too many on the board have the mentality of George W Bush "You are with us or against us" .
Some freedom.
Actually the national Guard gets about the same or less training a year then the Canadian Reservist. The typical Guard soldier does one weekend per month and an anuual two exercise per year. Most soldiers in the Guard are ex-regular though and had Guard service written into their contracts. ie: 3 years regular and 2 reserve.
Our reservists typically train one night per week, one weekend per month and we have an annual concentration exercise, sometimes two (last year). Our soldiers also can get full-time employment in the summer months taking courses or instructing. All overseas deployments for us our voluntary, as opposed to the National Guard who get activated.
One big difference between our Reserves and the Guard is the amount of equipment they have, their units are fully equiped but maybe with slightly older stuff. ie M1A1 Abrams instead of the newest models. We don't have that luxury in Canada.
Our Reservists can be activated or 'called out' under the War Measures Act or for an emegency or natural disasterlike the floods, fires or ice storm.
Our reservists typically train one night per week, one weekend per month and we have an annual concentration exercise, sometimes two (last year). Our soldiers also can get full-time employment in the summer months taking courses or instructing. All overseas deployments for us our voluntary, as opposed to the National Guard who get activated.
One big difference between our Reserves and the Guard is the amount of equipment they have, their units are fully equiped but maybe with slightly older stuff. ie M1A1 Abrams instead of the newest models. We don't have that luxury in Canada.
Our Reservists can be activated or 'called out' under the War Measures Act or for an emegency or natural disasterlike the floods, fires or ice storm.
I'm not in the military myself, nor have I ever been, but know many people who serve. One of my favourites of Winston Churchill's quotes (and there are many) is:Has anyone here ever served in canada's armed forces? I'm thinking of joining the reserves. To be honest I'm 25, I work construction, and have no real ties here (gf, home ownership). Physically I think I could do basic but I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Any discussion would be great.
I also have no plans for post secondary education which seems to be a big selling point. I have my first two years of carpentry.
"We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us."
I only wish others who enjoy the relatively sheltered lifestyle we live here would remember that armies are a necessary evil, and will be as long as there are people out there who want to kill all those who don't share their beliefs.
Lol. Merry Christmas and God Bless.Q)Why does Florida Guy have such a light-hearted & supportive outlook towards belonging to the military?
A)Florida Guy has the outlook of a REMF(Rear Echelon Mother Fucker)
ps. have YOU seen the Colonel? Has anyone?
I believe that is a George Orwell quote....I'm not in the military myself, nor have I ever been, but know many people who serve. One of my favourites of Winston Churchill's quotes (and there are many) is:
"We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us."
I only wish others who enjoy the relatively sheltered lifestyle we live here would remember that armies are a necessary evil, and will be as long as there are people out there who want to kill all those who don't share their beliefs.
