Hi everyone,
I am a long time lurker on these forums and they have been more than helpful to me regarding many questions I have had about the CF.
As of yet I haven't been able to find anything specific enough to my own story in searches to help me in my forthcoming questions and concerns.
I have, since a young boy, always wanted to be in the forces in some way. Namely as a pilot in the air force. As I aged my priorities changed to other career paths but the CF was always in me, always coming up as something I wanted to do. It is important to note that these weren't passing thoughts, they were always there, just that other jobs would drive the focus away for a while.
For the past 6 to 8 years I had decided that Infantry or armoured would be a much better fit for me, as the skill sets that I acquired in that time, and that the hobbies/passions I pursued were very similar to, or were what I consider to be prerequisites for the Infantry.
Currently I am the operational manager of the largest mixed martial arts gym in Canada. Although I much prefer instructing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and coaching the amateur and pro mixed martial artists that come out of the gym.
As it stands now I am going to open my own gym within the next 3 years outside of the big smoke, have kids with the girl I love, and do the settling down thing.
The problem is I have a near fanatical need to join up. I told myself that at 25(which occurs in May) I would be in my career path, or at least a path that would be viable. I have that now, my own gym with a degree that takes as long as a doctorate to achieve, and years of practical business know how in the industry.
I have the goal though of 10 years in the service, 5 as regular force infantry with the goal of becoming a sniper and in the following 5 years the end goal of making it to JTF-2.
This is my focus and drive for the forces. If I don't see myself getting to my goal after the first 5 years I go back and open my gym, which is what I'll be doing coming out of the forces regardless. If I make it, I fulfilled my dream stay in, and open the gym a little later on.
My issue(you knew it was coming) now is that my girlfriend HATES the idea of me even touching a gun in conflict. She can deal with my marksmanship and hunting, but considers war to be conceived by the USA, and anything we as Canadians have to do with it is bull. I am very patriotic in the sense that I want to serve my country, but more that I know in my heart that I can help my fellow CF member, I want to help save lives and protect my fellow man, and continue the tradition of Canadian soldiers being a professional, determined and the most effective force in the world, despite our numbers, or the politics involved.
I also have a dog whom I am devoted to, my girlfriend has a choice in leaving me, he does not. If she could accept my entering the forces this would become a non issue as she already has a dog and accepts mine as hers(maybe a little too much).
I just feel that there is a total lack of compromise in this issue, I do not want to end our relationship, I truly believe it would work fine with me being in the forces, if she would only accept it.
Every time I bring up the discussion she gets stressed out and literally shuts down.
Again this is the girl I want to marry, she wants to marry me, and we both want to end up in the same place. She just wants me to skip the soldiering part.
The recruiters believed I was a better fit for becoming an officer but I have my heart set on Infantry as it was better for my skill sets. I would have been in last year but as you probably know the Infantry was not accepting new applicants. April is now approaching quickly.
My questions then after providing the above information is, what is the schedule like for infantry members after BMQ(for the dog issue)?
What do you guys suggest on the girlfriend issue?
Lastly is there anyway for compromise and lend my services to the CF in instruction? That way I can feel like I'm doing my part.
Thank you for any and all input.
-Ryan
She wants me to forget about it(although she says do what you want)
