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Requesting insight - Parental life as Female Combat Engineer

VALK

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Greetings,

I'm a 33-year-old female who was qualified for a Army Combat Engineering position in the Regular Force. I do not have a university degree and my aptitude test (while I passed it)disqualified me from going with my first choice of trade which was Logistics. I have wanted to serve my country since the day I turned 18 but obstacles came in the way and now I feel that I am 100% ready. I am currently waiting to be contacted for the medical test. I am feeling very positive about my age and I am not worried about being in Basic Training with others that are younger than me. I look and feel younger than my age and aside from cardio, I am feeling very positive about the training. I am also aware that full-time combat engineering is dangerous and comes with many risks, but so is life as a civilian on a sunny day.

Now, while I'm waiting for my medical exam, I found myself thinking about a lot of things this week. You see, my husband (Military Police) is also waiting for his medical test and has been encouraging me to pursue the trade that I want. I have been told that as a woman, there are other 'safer' trades I could have applied for, especially if I wanted to become a parent one day, but the day I went in for my aptitude test, only a few trades were open to me due to the fact that I don't have a university degree.

Now to make this short, here is my question: Is there any Combat Engineer parent who can enlighten me on the life of a parent as a CE? Since both my husband and I will be serving our country, will it be possible for us to still have a family one day if only 1 child? As I do not want to take too much time off my career to raise more children and will be satisfied with becoming a mother of 1 child.

Since I am still a civilian waiting for my medical test, and as someone who still wants to have a child one day, it would be a lie to say that I am not worried about deployment to combat zones. My parents are worried, especially my father who believes that both husband and wife serving will affect the marriage, and I have no idea how to turn their fear into pride. I know for certain that if I don't do this, I'm going to live my life wondering the 'what ifs'. But I know very well that these feelings go away the moment we come out of basic training a soldier, and the desire to serve country and kin will be greater and will defeat my fear of the unknown.

Thank you
 
In case you have not read them already. you may find these discussions of interest,

Combat Engineers
VALK said:
Is there any Combat Engineer parent who can enlighten me on the life of a parent as a CE?

https://army.ca/forums/threads/114237/post-1293674.html#msg1293674
OP: "I've heard Combat Engineers spend very little time at home."

What's family life like for a Combat Engineer?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/109556/post-1234658.html#msg1234658
"Im more interested in first hand accounts of what life is like beyond the job. Stress on the family, how long are you away from home? If people could do it all over, what would they do differently to make it easier or more fun for the family? Do people wish they went with less danger, more activity, less time away, Is there any suggested preparation a husband or wife can do to be more stable with the stress that is gonna come with the lifestyle?? stuff like that.
Id like to hear good and bad accounts so I could make the best decision possible for my family."

The Military and Your Family Thread- Merged 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/20830.25

Service Couples - Posting 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/30625.0

Married couples and children 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/33024.0

Not deploying service couples together 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/97185.0

Chances of a service couple doing a tour at the same time in the same place.
https://army.ca/forums/threads/40742.0

Chance of Deployment [Merged]
https://army.ca/forums/threads/39949.0
8 pages.

etc...






 
The current commander of 2 Div, BGen Carignan, is a female Engineer officer who has commanded at multiple levels.  Her Wiki bio is not up to date; she took command of 2 Div in summer 2018.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Carignan
 
There are many mothers within the Combat Engineers.  You will find both lifestyles to be fully compatible.
 
And wouldn't it be cool to have a mom who could set up and blow a giant cratering charge, in her sleep?  :nod:
 
Hey!

First of all, I want to thank you all for your encouragement and the links provided to me. I spent last night reading and watching a lot of videos related to brigadier-général Carignan as well as reading some of the topics linked to me. I also had another talk with my husband and we thought that as much as my father might be horrified of me pursuing this path, at the end it is my life. Both the civilian life and the military life have their own advantages and disadvantages, but as far as I am concerned, I want my life to be meaningful in the only way I know works for me. From the day I turned 15 and I was able to work to this day, I supported family and friends in various ways, but this no longer feels enough. Rising every morning to see your children grow is a blessing and that should be enough for a lot of parents or want-to-be parents out there, but I know deep inside that it still won't be enough for me. I want to tell my father that men and women much greater than myself and in ways unimaginable, put their lives and fortunes on the line for rights, liberty, and security for this country, so why can't I? They are my inspiration, and this is a job, and someone has to do it. I hope he would understand when I see him in person.

Now, when I went in a couple months ago to apply at the recruitment center, the recruiter that I've spoken to did mention that I can still serve as an Officer if I enroll at a traditional college first or university. I have just passed my Aptitude test last week and I haven't received an e-mail yet to schedule my medical exam. Thinking about it now I wonder if it's not too late to join the Reserves first, get a college degree for future chances of career flexibility and diverse experiences, then transition into an Officer role in the Regular Forces. Can someone enlighten me on this process? I would like to also know if it's not too late to change back to Reserves and how to go about it (e-mail or go in person to speak with a recruiter?)

Thank you
 
VALK said:
Thinking about it now I wonder if it's not too late to join the Reserves first, get a college degree for future chances of career flexibility and diverse experiences, then transition into an Officer role in the Regular Forces. Can someone enlighten me on this process?

Reserves(NCM) to Regular Force(Officer)
https://army.ca/forums/threads/65253.0

Res NCM to Reg Off 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/31040.0

Reserve NCM to Reg Officer
https://army.ca/forums/threads/19520.0

my reserve ncm to reg officer recruiting story 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/51649.0

NCM CT to Officer 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/97658.0
OP: "Im wondering if anyone else has gone from res NCM to Reg Officer and has any words of advice"

PRes NCM to Regular Logistics Officer
https://army.ca/forums/threads/84356.25

Res-NCM to Officer to Regs
https://army.ca/forums/threads/85678.0

Reserves into ROTP/RMC (merged)
https://army.ca/forums/threads/19204.150

etc...

VALK said:
I would like to also know if it's not too late to change back to Reserves and how to go about it (e-mail or go in person to speak with a recruiter?)

As always, Recruiting is your most trusted source of official up to date information.

"Unofficial site, not associated with DND or the Canadian Armed Forces."

 
Thank you for your valuable help again mariomike. I spent this week reading around those links. I do need to know though if I should be e-mailing a recruiter about transferring my application from Regular Force to Reserves (if I end up going with this option for now) or if it would be better to simply show up this coming week at the recruitment center and speak to someone in person. What do you (or anyone) suggest? I haven't yet received my medical exam date.
 
VALK said:
Thank you for your valuable help again mariomike.

You are welcome. Good luck. :)

VALK said:
I do need to know though if I should be e-mailing a recruiter about transferring my application from Regular Force to Reserves (if I end up going with this option for now) or if it would be better to simply show up this coming week at the recruitment center and speak to someone in person. What do you (or anyone) suggest?

I would , "Talk to a Recruiter",
https://forces.ca/en/talk-to-a-recruiter/
In person, online, telephone.






 
Valk, I am a Combat Engineer on my way out and can say you should select another path. PM me if you want an in depth conversation as I do not "social media" much.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

 
Not specific to combat engineers or any trade, really, but I know more than 1 service couple who've deployed before, at different times and made both parenting and marriage work as a MSC (married service couple).
 
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