I love this, so much interesting info and so many interesting people. So to address some items here.
Hajdut777
Huggy,
I went through something very similar to what you are describing. Hang in there and show your parents your rationale for joining the CF. Start with Money and your ability to support yourself if you get in as a Line Tech in the CF versus Industrial Electrician..
About the myth of your starting wage at 40k-45k -- I am assuming that you live in Hamilton area since you attend Mohawk? To become an electrician or at least get signed on as an apprentice in the area -- 9 times out of 10 (unless you have an uncle or contact in Dofasco's Electric Utility Dept.) you will have to go through the IBEW 105. They will peg you at 40% of a journeyman's wage which when I was in my first period amounted to 10.76$/hr. and you are capped at 40 hours a week...(do the math, you are going to have to struggle with far less than 40k$ a year!!! There is little growth in the area asides from the project at the new continuous tandem mill at Dofasco which should dry up all the local jobs in the area around May 2005....And also expect to do nothing related to your trade at least until you hit your 3rd period -- this system is not the most conductive (no pun intended) for learning -- for 2 months straight I was directing a stupid all terrain forklift as opposed to learning about electricity....
Also, if you do go through the 2 year Electro-Mech Tech program at Dofasco the wonderfull IBEW and all its wisdom will credit you absolutely nothing towards your apprenticeship (regarding hours) forcing you to start as a first period apprentice...(You are only exempt from taking the Beginner and Intermediate classes during your release)... Also explain to your father about the long periods of unemployment while on the wait list at the Union Hall after finishing a job (some people wait 6-9 months on EI) none of this time is taken off your 1200hours per period....Unlike the CF you will have constant employment....A better starting wage, without the sneaky union politics....You will be contributing to something positive as well -- representing your country.
See I learn something new all the time. With all the research I did before entering into this process (Mohawk college) I never asked any questions that begged a response like that. I would like to think info of such is IMPORTANT!!! And would be expanded to new students, BUT NO!! Mohawk is a business that really don't care what happens to you after the fact, they have your money and that's all they ever wanted. NUTS!!!! Thanks for heads up. If its possible and if you have the time could we maybe meet up on MSN or something like that. If your in the Hamilton area maybe give you call??? PM me let me know please.
Wizard of OZ
The CF itself has sneaky politics, and you will not always be doing something that you may want to be doing. Yes you will be contributing to your country and yes you will make a fair wage but it does come with a price, as do all things in life. I hate to use the American saying but the army is not just a job it is an adventure. To this i mean it is a way of life. To all who read this you may or may not agree, but in my opinion it is. It is engrained into us. Not a bad thing and it is not always negative.
I do encourage you to look into the CF it can be a great place for you. But i hope it is not to run away from problems as the CF is not a real good shield it is more like a strainer when it comes to that sort of thing.
I'm 23 and I know there is no way to elude politics its all over. I'm not running away from anything, people seem to bring this up all over the place. I look at it as I'm starting a life becoming my own person. 23 years of banging my head against the wall and know with a big bump on my head and a hole in the wall I see myself needing (not wanting) something but just not sure how to make it happen.
Bossi
Huggy,
Your decisions, and the reactions that happen as a result of your actions, are something that YOU will have to live with.
Therefore the main thing that matters (to YOU) is whether or not YOU can live with your decisions, actions and possible reactions.
We're all strangers here - do you have a close family friend, or relative, who could and would stand by you during this?
(i.e. it's okay to do stuff alone - sometimes necessary - but having backup or reinforcements can be a good thing ... especially in the context of a situation where you're writing a letter ... and even more so in the context of a situation where you may believe that a letter is necessary ...)
Whatever you decide, good luck.
This is my decision and trust me I'm willing to live with the possible reaction but I'm trying to avoid as much as possible the likely reaction, from fear of making family life ever more difficult not only for me but others.
My love my life
This post really got to me, its so true and yet its just so hard to bring myself to suck-it-up and sit down to talk with my dad.
I'm going to play cut and paste with your post just so I can highlight points
I strongly recommend that people read her post as a whole not just my clips
What I got from your letter was that like most parents, yours love you very much and want better for you than they had for themselves. That's what all parents want. College and/or University isn't for everyone. Some are cut out for it and some aren't.
your right or that's what my dad keeps saying any ways, but he's been instilled with a particular outlook on life which I imagine is, that there is one way to be successful in life, and that's getting the best education you can (school), and once your successful your happy because your education will lead you to a successful career, and all the rich you need in life. I guess it's the 1960's perception. So to try dealing with that would be a futile effort.
You are old enough to make your own decisions and if your heart is telling you that the military is what you would like to try then I say go for it. I do hope that you feel a little better just putting your thoughts on paper and I hope you do give that letter to your parents
I feel that I am old enough to make my own decisions but the way I was brought up, was in a fashion of, If in doubt don't, which works to a point and keeps one out of trouble but later in life shows up as a disability usual called procrastination (?I think I spelled right?)
As a child my dad also told me to check with him over anything, so if I wanted to do something or buy something with my money I would make a decision (my own) and go check with dad, coz he told me to, so I would and he tell me the complete opposite to the decision I made and give a big lecture on why he's right.
Thank you so much for your view point.
If I may ask what were the titles to your books? PM me please if you don't feel right posting that's kind of info.
AndrewD83
I kind of disagree with everyone else's advice of sitting your parents down to have a formal discussion about you joining the army. Why cause so much worry and friction in your family at such an early stage?
I would very casually say that a CF recruiter was in your school and you had a quick chat with him and now you may check out the CF just to see what it is about. (bring in some brochures and papers and what not from the army about various trades you are interested in and leave them hanging around in your room or on the kitchen table etc.)
Well I was thinking of same thing myself. Because something like this would cause friction for sure, that maybe a understatement. A lot of things factor into this that is incredibly hard to put on screen or put into words. You are all right it is in the end what I want to do, it is my life but if I can find a simple or just a solution to make other peoples life (mom, dad, family in general) a little more relaxed then super I'll take that approach rather then BAN! I'm joining the army.
Jimmy689
A long letter and a very heartfelt one to boot. Give your parents the respect they deserve, don't take that as a slight but I think you talk to them face to face, explain the letter, ask for their understanding and see what comes out of it. Sometimes we think we know our parents and bam, they surprise the heck out of you.
By the way Lineman 052 is a physically demanding trade that has a lot of math involved during the initial stages of trg. They have instructors there to help you through but don't let the recruiters BS you, math is a component of any trade within the communications branch. Don't think too much about it ................. go and talk with them
Jimmy I don't mean there to be disrespect, but yes sitting down and talking with them is as I see it the ideal situation but my dad he does most of the talking and none of the listening, thus a letter at least he can read it over and over again and get the 'just' of it before talking even then its going to be a one sided issue.
As for the math I understand that it is part of it, but I'm more then willing to learn if I have someone willing to teach.
Bdtyre
Its quite easy actually. I applied about a week before I was married, and I simlply put my new address and phone number. Trust me, it would be much harder if I still lived with my parents. (And no, for those who think I took the easy way out, I did not apply when I was pretty much moved out just to avoid telling my parents. I applied when I did at the urging of my wife.)
I see, did they call you a lot?
Where the conversation over the phone long?
I ask because I have a pay as go cell phone and I'm wondering if I can just give them that number and just that as a contact number, I can get a answering service put on it.
I applied about a week before I was married, and I simlply put my new address and phone number. Trust me, it would be much harder if I still lived with my parents. 
