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I submitted my application to the local recruiting centre today. 
For the past month (or longer), I have been doing research, talking to people in the military (incl. recruiters at CFRC Sydney and CFRC Fredericton), visiting the DND website and this site, watching videos, reading, and generally gathering as much information as I could before making the Big Leap. (Capital letters because this is a milestone in my life.)
I remember back in high school (way back, we're talking 1989-90) when I was in grade 12, I stopped at the CF booth at our school career fair. I picked up some literature for the Air Force, as I was interested in being a pilot way back then. My father and brother convinced me not to apply at that time, perhaps out of fear that I would get hurt. In any case, I pursued other avenues, including attending university and teaching English in two foreign countries. I spent the past 5.5 years (up until this past December) teaching English here in Canada to international students who needed the linguistic and academic skills necessary to attend a Canadian university. While I loved teaching and there were many challenging aspects to my job, I continued to feel that something was missing. I knew I wanted to do 'something else', but what?
I don't know at what point it clicked, but I think it was an advertisement for the CF that really made me think that I should consider applying - at the ripe old age of 36, no less. I have so much respect for our troops and what they do, and I know that it takes a special person to be a part of the team - not just any old 'grunt' as some civvies mistakenly believe. I suppose it helps that I have been in a relationship for the past 2.5 years with a man who is in the Air Force. I have met many military folks through him and have learned about 'the life' by osmosis to an extent. I want to be a part of this amazing "family"...and that is truly what it is, a family.
I did not drop off my application right away (as you have obviously inferred by now), but rather, I took my time making this life-changing decision. I had originally thought that I would prefer to be in the reserves, but upon learning more, I decided that I would, in fact, prefer the regular force. I had to ask myself some hard questions...postings and deployments are inevitable in the reg force, would I be prepared for those eventualities? Upon reflection, I realized that, yes, I would be willing and able to go where the CF needed me. My next decision was a trade. The recruiters I spoke to did encourage me to go for officer trades because I have a degree and I suppose because I am more mature in age and would possibly be better suited to an officer position. On the other hand, perhaps that's just the standard spiel for anyone with a degree, I don't really know. However, I knew that ultimately the decision was mine and that to me, it did not matter if I were an officer or NCM, so long as I chose the trade that was right for me. After a considerable amount of vacillating back and forth, I decided that a career as an Aerospace Controller was right up my alley. The more I read about this exciting and challenging trade, the more excited I became about applying to the CF.
The only missing piece of the puzzle now is my university transcript, which I have been waiting on for nearly two weeks. Regardless, I opted to bring my application to CFRC Sydney today to get the ball rolling. The recruiter was very understanding about the transcript hold-up. He checked over the rest of my application and it was good to go. He told me I would be hearing from them in a couple of days, either the end of this week or the first of next week at the latest. Wow! I am so very excited! Now my mission for the next two days will be tracking down that transcript. I really have a low tolerance for incompetence, so I hope it is not 'lost'.
The next BMOQ that I am aware of is in May in St. Jean, so I hope (fingers and toes crossed) that I get an offer before then. I also want to get into great shape before basic training begins so that I can rock that PT in week 0! The push-ups continue to present a challenge for me, but I am up for a challenge, so I am working on this several times a day every day.
So that is my personal story thus far. If you are still reading after all of this rambling, God bless you. ;D
Have I mentioned that I am EXCITED?
For the past month (or longer), I have been doing research, talking to people in the military (incl. recruiters at CFRC Sydney and CFRC Fredericton), visiting the DND website and this site, watching videos, reading, and generally gathering as much information as I could before making the Big Leap. (Capital letters because this is a milestone in my life.)
I remember back in high school (way back, we're talking 1989-90) when I was in grade 12, I stopped at the CF booth at our school career fair. I picked up some literature for the Air Force, as I was interested in being a pilot way back then. My father and brother convinced me not to apply at that time, perhaps out of fear that I would get hurt. In any case, I pursued other avenues, including attending university and teaching English in two foreign countries. I spent the past 5.5 years (up until this past December) teaching English here in Canada to international students who needed the linguistic and academic skills necessary to attend a Canadian university. While I loved teaching and there were many challenging aspects to my job, I continued to feel that something was missing. I knew I wanted to do 'something else', but what?
I don't know at what point it clicked, but I think it was an advertisement for the CF that really made me think that I should consider applying - at the ripe old age of 36, no less. I have so much respect for our troops and what they do, and I know that it takes a special person to be a part of the team - not just any old 'grunt' as some civvies mistakenly believe. I suppose it helps that I have been in a relationship for the past 2.5 years with a man who is in the Air Force. I have met many military folks through him and have learned about 'the life' by osmosis to an extent. I want to be a part of this amazing "family"...and that is truly what it is, a family.
I did not drop off my application right away (as you have obviously inferred by now), but rather, I took my time making this life-changing decision. I had originally thought that I would prefer to be in the reserves, but upon learning more, I decided that I would, in fact, prefer the regular force. I had to ask myself some hard questions...postings and deployments are inevitable in the reg force, would I be prepared for those eventualities? Upon reflection, I realized that, yes, I would be willing and able to go where the CF needed me. My next decision was a trade. The recruiters I spoke to did encourage me to go for officer trades because I have a degree and I suppose because I am more mature in age and would possibly be better suited to an officer position. On the other hand, perhaps that's just the standard spiel for anyone with a degree, I don't really know. However, I knew that ultimately the decision was mine and that to me, it did not matter if I were an officer or NCM, so long as I chose the trade that was right for me. After a considerable amount of vacillating back and forth, I decided that a career as an Aerospace Controller was right up my alley. The more I read about this exciting and challenging trade, the more excited I became about applying to the CF.
The only missing piece of the puzzle now is my university transcript, which I have been waiting on for nearly two weeks. Regardless, I opted to bring my application to CFRC Sydney today to get the ball rolling. The recruiter was very understanding about the transcript hold-up. He checked over the rest of my application and it was good to go. He told me I would be hearing from them in a couple of days, either the end of this week or the first of next week at the latest. Wow! I am so very excited! Now my mission for the next two days will be tracking down that transcript. I really have a low tolerance for incompetence, so I hope it is not 'lost'.
The next BMOQ that I am aware of is in May in St. Jean, so I hope (fingers and toes crossed) that I get an offer before then. I also want to get into great shape before basic training begins so that I can rock that PT in week 0! The push-ups continue to present a challenge for me, but I am up for a challenge, so I am working on this several times a day every day.
So that is my personal story thus far. If you are still reading after all of this rambling, God bless you. ;D
Have I mentioned that I am EXCITED?
