The question was 'Why are you joinin the armed forces'. I have an answer to that but it is not as straight forward as it originally was for me when i made the decision. So i will provide the readers digest version:
It is because I watched alot of war movies as a kid. I do not have family in the military. My last job paid me VERY well, and I had a career. At almost 30 i am not predisposed to have a background like many military families or a fantasy image of what the military is.
Over the course of a year I started looking at what I was succeeding in doing. I realized that the fat cheque, and coushy office i had was not what i wanted. I started vounteering where i could and found something I had not felt in a long time. Civic pride. I read alot of books, but for some reason a few of them seemed to stand out and stick in my head. Following questions i had from those books I started reading more on the topics, and trying to understand the world beyond the CNN that I was provided with every day.
Then i quit my job. I needed a change. Got on the motorcycle and spent almost a mont traveling. Got back, got on a plane, saw a few countries. Met ALOT of people from around the world.
And upon arriving home, i picked up the recruiting package that i had ordered almost a year earlier on a lark. And it means more now that it once did. Civic duty, and being a part of something bigger than my own selfish interests seems more attractive than any paycheque i could ever get. Many friends/family have urged me to go back to school. Get another degree. Work for the govt again, or maybe as a city worker. But i really dont feel like those things connect with what i beleive.
I feel that although there are problems with the world, my country, the one that I would not trade for the world, can help. Be it in politics or combat. My country has given me a good medical system, police to protect my house and find my property when it is stolen. My countries military has ensured in the past that by helping other countries defend themselves, we our selves are kept safe. If we had waited until war was on our shores, we may not have been a democratic society. We may not have the opportunity to voice concerns and print newspapers citing failings of our politicians. Freedom of expression and information would not be concepts in our vocabulary if the wars in our world had found us lacking.
Other countries, women are not allowed to teach or go to school. They are not allowed to vote. Education is not considered a right. Water is not freely accessible because those in power have no interest in the majority of their population. In some places religious leaders brainwash children into blowing themselves up. Mothers give up their children for money from groups so that their families can eat. In others Crowd control for a peacefull protest is a .50 cal. A man who sells 'western music' is dragged from his shop and beaten. And there are ideologies that oppose singing and dancing, and clapping.(pm me if you want references... i read alot)
Education and safety are a right for all human beings. Freedom is becomming a privilage in our times. We need to allow others to have the same.
I am aware that there are thoughts that western society is there for the oil. Or political self interest. etc. etc. etc. But what i see, is the opportunity to help. Regardless of where we are. I have to trust that my country will help others in need and for the right reason. This is why we VOTE and not stand passively by. This is why i am, and always will be a red and white blooded canadian.
So as soon as I have acheived the physical metrics needed to join I will put in my application as a Medical Tech(reg) and , and not a day later. Although at times I feel like i may be older than most applicants, I beleive that my life experience has brought me to this point where i can make a mature contributing decision.
Thats my reason...
Oh yes... and green underwear and ice cream every day. Quite appealing.
