Topic: Advice and an open mind needed

[GAP]

Still, I highly recommend keeping up with daily verification of such if only as a means of reducing your stress levels via assuring you haven't somehow changed overnight.

There's a button for that!!! 

[Bart905]

True ... you can apply for reverse's and experience the taste of CF and come home every night. Plus your excuse could be little bit more money to support opening my gym while trying something different

[ArmyVern]

Ryango,

Can't speak to your girlfriend, and don't really care to anyway as it is you who is thinking of joining.

I've got two points:

1) My own son was sworn in yesterday ... infantry; 

(just kidding boys ...)

2) A friend of mine owned his own business which was quite successful. He too dreamed of joining the CF; and, of joining the CF as an infanteer. Just a couple of years ago, he did join. He is now a 50 year old Cpl in the PPCLI ... and loves his job. Many a great conversations over Timmies about his new life. Then again, he's single.

You need to make the right choice for you.

[ObedientiaZelum]

This just keeps getting better.

Dude, diamondwillow is a girl, methinks...

But Scott, girls can marry girls in Canada...

 

[George Wallace]

True ... you can apply for reverse's and experience the taste of CF and come home every night. Plus your excuse could be little bit more money to support opening my gym while trying something different

 


Reverse what?

[Ryango]

Surprised it hasn't come up yet- but have you thought of joining the reserves?

Yes, although I don't believe it would allow me to get to my goal... Unless you can apply from the reserves, also I would need actual tour experience.

I would offer free seminars all the time, right now even, if I knew the route to take. My head instructor would as well. As I said earlier I am in a management position currently which means little instruction currently, and also hampers my ability to train at a competitive level, although I have competed many times at the Pan-Am and World Championships.
I would love to give some ideas to CF for drills and technique to practice.

-Ryan

[Brihard]

No, you could not get to JTF from the reserves, not without going reg force. That is correct. But if you were to get into JTF, pretty much expect to kiss goodbye to the relationship anyway by most accounts. It sounds like your girlfriend's compunctions are far too severe for there to be a middle ground on this one. Either join up and expect to lose her; keep her and expect to lose your other dream; or settle for a probably very unsatisfying middle gorund where you'll always feel teased by what you dreamed of having but don't (though many would contend that's married life anyway).

[ObedientiaZelum]

Ryan the CF has a boner for Taekwondo.  People train here and there on their own but there doesn't seem like much official interest in BJJ.

At best if you're a tough guy, know your stuff and have charisma you may get requests to show a platoon some BJJ stuff here and there for PT.
For the most part it'll be you and some BJJ fans rolling around after work or over your lunch break. Open up your own club/school.  Don't count on teaching the CF drills.

[Bart905]

what is JTF ??

[PuckChaser]

what is JTF ??

Joint Task Force 2, a unit within our Special Forces command.

[George Wallace]

Someone should do some serious reading before posting.

[Ryango]

I know what I have to do on the girlfriend front, I already knew I had to talk about these issues just in general about compromise and decision making in the relationship.

To help me get a better idea though on the dog side of things could someone give me an idea of what a normal work week consists of... I am not talking about tours, training programs and what not, I'm talking about when I'm on base. Can she live with our dogs somewhere off base, and I come home at night like a "normal" job and on weekends(or however days-off work). Then when I go away for extended periods my family can take him if she can't?
...I am essentially trying to get my bases covered here for an argument. I also have a high moral code when it comes to responsibility, and will never just give my dog away. I made the choice to get him, I am responsible for what happens to him.

Sorry for the "Doctor Phil" treatment everyone, I just needed to vent, and truly needed an experienced perspective on the subject.

Someone should do some serious reading before posting.

I have done quite a bit of reading my friend, as I said in my first post I felt my position was different enough to warrant it's own thread. If you don't see it that way I apologize for wasting your time reading my posts and the appreciated responses from all those who felt they could lend an ear.

Although I realize my last question has been asked quite a few times on these forums... just fits in this thread if someone wants to link.

-Ryan

[ballz]

Yes, although I don't believe it would allow me to get to my goal... Unless you can apply from the reserves, also I would need actual tour experience.

I would offer free seminars all the time, right now even, if I knew the route to take. My head instructor would as well. As I said earlier I am in a management position currently which means little instruction currently, and also hampers my ability to train at a competitive level, although I have competed many times at the Pan-Am and World Championships.
I would love to give some ideas to CF for drills and technique to practice.

-Ryan

What area are you in? I can probably get you a good contact to start. I have friends that are platoon commanders in the combat arms in *most* of the major areas at this point.

I would ignore what Grimaldus said about the CF not entertaining BJJ... If they have someone offer a free seminar to their troops, they will find some way to get you in during the work day. If they do turn it down, they are shitty ******* leaders, period.

There's not much "appetite" for BJJ because it's hard to find qualified instructors, unlike TKD where black belts are a dime a dozen.

Also, if you could grab a few fighters to bring in and help instruct the troops I am sure they will appreciate it.

[Brihard]

Ryango- When you're up in battalion, a normal work week will be 8-4 Monday to Friday. You'll spend more time than you'd expect sitting on your ***. You'll live maybe on base in military housing, or maybe in a place you buy or rent off base. The dog will run free and bark at the neighbours. Possibly the girlfriend too, if that's her thing. You'll come home in the afternoon, grumble about what some jackass did today, and she'll murmur sympathetic noises while thinking about whatever it is that she does.

And then a few weeks later you'll bugger off for a week or a month or a month and a half in the field. Maybe in Wainwright. Maybe in Virginia. Maybe in Norway. Maybe right there in whatever base you're in. You'll simply be off somewhere and largely out of touch.

Or you may be told one day that you're going on a course in some place or another, and again, off you go for a month to another part of the country.

And then every now and then some other part of the world will go to crap and you'll deploy.

There's plenty of time for family when you're at home in normal garrison routine, but it will be balanced out by long, and not always predictable times away.

[ObedientiaZelum]

Ryan I get the feeling like you already have a general idea what all the answers will be like regarding your pet - it's a little weird your're asking but to give you an answer anyways

You'll work 8-4.
You'll also work late some nights, maybe over night here and there - you'll need to find someone to feed, water, walk your dogs.
You'll go away on exercise anywhere from 10 days to 2 months - you'll need someone to feed, water, walk your dogs.

There may be some kind of kennel where you are posted that take dogs like daycare takes kids.

You can live in the shacks, on the base in military housing or off base. Unless you're working you go "home" at night.

Edit: didn't see Brihard's post.

[serzhe]

I was referring to size as total members, I guess a better description would be Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. If you are in the know, i'm sure you can guess the academy, but I will please ask you to keep it under wraps as I put my whole personal life out there on the forum today and not everyone who knows me personally from my work place needs to be told.

Ok, stays here.

[mariomike]

I know what I have to do on the girlfriend front, I already knew I had to talk about these issues just in general about compromise and decision making in the relationship.

Wait until your relationship becomes a marriage. My wife and I always compromise. I admit I'm wrong and she agrees with me. 
 

[Ryango]

Ryango- When you're up in battalion, a normal work week will be 8-4 Monday to Friday. You'll spend more time than you'd expect sitting on your ***. You'll live maybe on base in military housing, or maybe in a place you buy or rent off base. The dog will run free and bark at the neighbours. Possibly the girlfriend too, if that's her thing. You'll come home in the afternoon, grumble about what some jackass did today, and she'll murmur sympathetic noises while thinking about whatever it is that she does.

And then a few weeks later you'll bugger off for a week or a month or a month and a half in the field. Maybe in Wainwright. Maybe in Virginia. Maybe in Norway. Maybe right there in whatever base you're in. You'll simply be off somewhere and largely out of touch.

Or you may be told one day that you're going on a course in some place or another, and again, off you go for a month to another part of the country.

And then every now and then some other part of the world will go to crap and you'll deploy.

There's plenty of time for family when you're at home in normal garrison routine, but it will be balanced out by long, and not always predictable times away.

Thank you so much for the overview, I have never seen it so clearly and concisely laid out. This answered all my questions and gives me a very strong stance in explaining the "life" to her. I work longer hours now and have zero issues with the dog. I was just worried I was going to have to drop all my stuff on someone and burden them while I was away living my dream.
I can join the CF, still be a partner in the relationship, still go to the cottage and the farm on weekends, still have a family, still be responsible for my own pet, still keep up with my own training, and as I said before when I'm out I still have a BJJ business to settle down with, where we or even just she wants to settle down. As a poster said before, a BJJ Black Belt in Canada is rare and valuable. I don't need to use it now... well maybe in Basic 

[Ryango]

What area are you in? I can probably get you a good contact to start. I have friends that are platoon commanders in the combat arms in *most* of the major areas at this point.

I would ignore what Grimaldus said about the CF not entertaining BJJ... If they have someone offer a free seminar to their troops, they will find some way to get you in during the work day. If they do turn it down, they are shitty ******* leaders, period.

There's not much "appetite" for BJJ because it's hard to find qualified instructors, unlike TKD where black belts are a dime a dozen.

Also, if you could grab a few fighters to bring in and help instruct the troops I am sure they will appreciate it.

Downtown Toronto, although I would get MY instructor to lead the seminar, nice to learn from a "real deal brazilian" especially if it would help Commanders make a decision to actively pursue BJJ in training. I could get Pro MMA fighters to come roll with the guys as well.

[Bart905]

Next time you get in an argument with your wife/girlfriend try this . Go back and forth then just stop stare into her eyes with a straight face. Dont look mad or happy just normal and stare. After 10-15 minutes of contentiously staring she will think to her self OMG what did i say or do he looks so depressed and she will feel guilty even though your wrong and after she says whats wrong or why you staring at me just be like I love you baby and walk away .... If it does not work ban me from this forum

[ballz]

Downtown Toronto, although I would get MY instructor to lead the seminar, nice to learn from a "real deal brazilian" especially if it would help Commanders make a decision to actively pursue BJJ in training. I could get Pro MMA fighters to come roll with the guys as well.

PM sent. Should be able to work something out.

[PrettyMaggie63]

Hi Ryango, I hear what you're saying about your dog, I too have a dog that means the world to me. I know he will always be there for me and accept my choices in life, which is more than I can say for most people. If friends/family/significant others don't support me in my dreams and aspirations, I am not really sure that I want them in my life. You need to ask yourself, do they really care more about themselves and their own feelings than yours? If I were you, I would focus more on my dog, make sure he/she is well looked after while you are unable to be there for him/her. I would think twice about leaving him/her with said "girlfriend" as she might turn her resentment to him/her in your absence.
Follow your dreams, don't let anyone stand in your way, you'll regret it later on, and be miserable. Remember, your pup will be there waiting for you when you return, and happy to see you, said girlfriend may not. Just my  .