I'm currently in the process of joining my city's army reserve as infantry, and I want to quickly tell a little bit about myself, and then I'll tell you my reasons for joining. Sorry, I'm new to the site, and I figured a bit of an introduction was somehow suiting.
I began looking in to the military about 5 months ago, and initially wanted to join (after high school, since I'm currently in grade 12) as a pilot, and go to RMC and all that good stuff. I got directed towards the reserves to sort of 'experience the military' before I made a decision on my future career. It was absolutely life changing.
My perspective on and appreciation for the military has completely changed in the last few months, and I have decided to join as infantry, and this is why:
-First off, I primarily want something different than ordinary (civilian) life, something that none of my friends are doing. I want a job that's exciting, and will teach me new skills and will hopefully direct me to the Canadian Forces as a life long career
-I really want the values and attitudes the Canadian Forces teaches. Contrary to popular belief I am already an organized, responsible teenager (currently holding two jobs, and helping out around the house, and own my own car). However, I have a lot of growing to do still, and I feel the CF will guide me in the direction I want. It's going to teach me the leadership skills I desire, and how to be a team worker, and also, how to be a good brother to others, and a good friend. The CF, I believe, will teach me how to be a functioning person; how to be more organized and ready, how to stay in shape and also be mentally prepared, how to live well, and how to simply enjoy the time I've got and loosen up (crack a few jokes, etc.)
-Another huge reason I want to join the CF (and I hopefully have the chance to mention this to recruiters) is to pay my dues, in a sense. I've always seen the military as an honourable career (though I've only taken serious interest in the last few months). My biggest personal motivation for joining is that a reservist from my city, who, in fact, went to my high school, died in Afghanistan in 2007, and I've read a few things about him, and about other soldiers who have died, and I feel I owe it to those people who have served Canada before me to follow in their foot steps, as it were, and give back to my country.
-To continue on from the last reason, I owe it to Canada. One of my part time jobs is at a pizza place, and many of the employees moved from Mexico or Costa Rica in recent years, and their reasons for coming to Canada have opened my eyes to the opportunities this country has given me, and the freedom it provides. Though, in my family life, I don't have a chance to realize how fortunate I am, real life experiences (along with the military) have opened my eyes to show me how much I owe this beautiful country called Canada. I feel I owe it to my country to serve it, because it has given me the security and freedom I've had in my whole life. The least I can do is respect this country, and join it as we try to make the world a better place through peacekeeping, peacemaking, and fighting for what we believe in.
These are my final, thought out reasons for joining, and I hope everyone understands where I'm coming from.
On a more comical note, I would be lying if I said I wasn't partly interested in joining to blow things up and shoot things. I'm a 17 year old boy, and I DO play the odd videogame when I can. And the little dream in the back of my head of actually living on a day to day basis, the things that happen in games like Call of Duty and Battlefield is a little treat that I can look forward to. I'm pretty sure everyone joins the military for that dream of adventure, no matter if they know at what cost it could potentially come at.
I hope this helps others like myself look within themselves when joining, and see if they are in it for the right reasons, and what they believe is right to them. I'm definitely not joining for money, or "job security," but I am joining for the reasons that I believe reflect who I am and what I want to become.
Especially for the younger potential recruits, I hope I've sort of motivated you to really understand what you're stepping in to when you join, and to figure out what you're joining for. I believe the Canadian Forces offers everyone an amazing opportunity in their lives to serve their country and have an adventure and live life. And, just like many other things in life, I believe that what you get out of your experience in the military, in every aspect, will be equal to whatever you put in to it.
So, for potential recruits like myself, going through the application process, or even deciding if this is the right direction for them, keep chugging through and staying motivated. I lost motivation for joining for a couple of weeks, and I felt very depressed, but I have picked it all back up, and feel stronger mentally and physically than ever!
My best advice to those joining, however old or young you are, is to keep a level head and stay motivated. You really need to find what motivates you to join the Canadian Armed Forces, and once you figure out that reason, or reasons, keep it with you forever, and you WILL make it!
Thanks for listening, and I'm excited to see what other things people say motivates (or motivated) them to join the Canadian Forces!
