Job in the caf

[DracoPaladore 0]

Hi,

Lately, I've had to think about my life in the past few weeks. I'm only 16, but it's still good to think about your life right now instead of four weeks until high school graduation.

So far, I've been looking at alot of careers, from police officers to even accounting. But so far, the most appealing organisation has been the CAF, Canadian Armed Forces.

But right now it's still a very rough idea. I've looking into the combat engineer role or other trades. I might also look into other CSS roles in the military itself.

Since I still have alot of time to decide, I'm going to begin maybe a physical fitness program for myself to help get prepared. Start slow and work my way up so that way I am fit for basic training. I'm pretty good on aerobic fitness, however I need to work on my physical endurance and upper body strength. Looks like I have to start stealing my brothers gym stuff.

It's a hard decision(3 years of service before I have a chance to leave), and I'm only thinking of doing this maybe a year or two after graduation, so that way I can explore other possibilites before signing up at the recruiting station.

I was just wondering what sort of input other boards members who have served in the military. Or those who have not and are thinking of it.

I am also wondering if any ex-or in military service members can say about Combat Engineering. First ones on the field, last ones off. I'm also looking into other trades and options I can have.

Any advice before I become cannon fodder/goose stepper/ mine tripper/ bridge builder/ moving target?

[hellfish6 7]

I'm sure Ran will pop up with something horribly patriotic about the Combat Engineers. From my perspective, you're the same as infantry but you've got to know a lot more crap, like explosive calculations, how to build a house, etc. Yet when it comes down to it, the combat engineers are usually right there on the line with the grunts absorbing the bullets.

[Ex-RoNiN 0]

Hi,

Lately, I've had to think about my life in the past few weeks. I'm only 16, but it's still good to think about your life right now instead of four weeks until high school graduation.

So far, I've been looking at alot of careers, from police officers to even accounting. But so far, the most appealing organisation has been the CAF, Canadian Armed Forces.

But right now it's still a very rough idea. I've looking into the combat engineer role or other trades. I might also look into other CSS roles in the military itself.

Since I still have alot of time to decide, I'm going to begin maybe a physical fitness program for myself to help get prepared. Start slow and work my way up so that way I am fit for basic training. I'm pretty good on aerobic fitness, however I need to work on my physical endurance and upper body strength. Looks like I have to start stealing my brothers gym stuff.

It's a hard decision(3 years of service before I have a chance to leave), and I'm only thinking of doing this maybe a year or two after graduation, so that way I can explore other possibilites before signing up at the recruiting station.

I was just wondering what sort of input other boards members who have served in the military. Or those who have not and are thinking of it.

I am also wondering if any ex-or in military service members can say about Combat Engineering. First ones on the field, last ones off. I'm also looking into other trades and options I can have.

Any advice before I become cannon fodder/goose stepper/ mine tripper/ bridge builder/ moving target?

When I was considering military service, I thought about what the military service would require of me, whether I was able to meet - or willing to meet! - those requirements, how I would feel about putting my life on the line etc.

Take discipline, for example. Almost 1.5 years ago I told myself that i would start exercising and try learn martial arts. I finally started exercising (dumbbels mostly) just 4 months ago, and that only because I was bored. I don't do it daily either. Martial arts, I keep pushing that off me for various reasons (money, time, not going alone, etc.).

So from that point of view, in terms of discipline I am terrible.

I also don't like the idea of someone shouting at me, esp. when they are far inferior in terms of education or intellectual ability (yes, I am a snob, so what? I went to a private school, I can afford to be one ). I also don't like the idea of my personality being altered. To be an effective soldier, your personality will have to change,thats a fact, and I like myself the way I am at the moment.

Also, I would have joined up for the wrong reasons, namely boredom and the opportunity to play with guns. Airsoft is a much better alternative for myself. Add to that that I wouldn't be able to make a proper career in the Greek army, its built on the buddy system and my dad's contacts could get me in and support me all the way up to perhaps Lieutenant, but no further. And that sux.

Hope this helps you with what needs to be considered

[ran 0]

I'm sure Ran will pop up with something horribly patriotic about the Combat Engineers. From my perspective, you're the same as infantry but you've got to know a lot more crap, like explosive calculations, how to build a house, etc. Yet when it comes down to it, the combat engineers are usually right there on the line with the grunts absorbing the bullets.

combat engineers are the way to go mate .......

(btw , Pins our fellow forum member who is or was serving in Iraq is a combat engineer, well he became one recently)

yes you have to know some basics in explosive calculations, but that's not all, you get basic building technics, you learn some interesting stuff which couldhelp you for your reconversion as a civilian etc etc, and since combat engineers are generally first line , you get to see the world .. or bits of it at least

[ran 0]

I also don't like the idea of someone shouting at me, esp. when they are far inferior in terms of education or intellectual ability (yes, I am a snob, so what? I went to a private school, I can afford to be one ). I also don't like the idea of my personality being altered. To be an effective soldier, your personality will have to change,thats a fact, and I like myself the way I am at the moment.

getting shouted at can be nice ... i'm a bit masochist deep inside so ....

plus, if you serve long enough you get the occasions to shout at these ill-educated sobs

[theavonlady 2]

getting shouted at can be nice ...

We have zero success rate with this at home. I suppose we'll just have to keep trying!

[mr burns 132]

getting shouted at can be nice ...

We have zero success rate with this at home. I suppose we'll just have to keep trying!

ever tried it the ofp-way:

2 .. tidy up room .. 6 o´clock

?

[theavonlady 2]

getting shouted at can be nice ...

We have zero success rate with this at home. I suppose we'll just have to keep trying!

ever tried it the ofp-way:

2 .. tidy up room .. 6 o´clock

That is indeed a job for the Army Corps of Engineers.

The dredging specialists, I would think.

[DracoPaladore 0]

I'm sure Ran will pop up with something horribly patriotic about the Combat Engineers. From my perspective, you're the same as infantry but you've got to know a lot more crap, like explosive calculations, how to build a house, etc. Yet when it comes down to it, the combat engineers are usually right there on the line with the grunts absorbing the bullets.

combat engineers are the way to go mate .......

(btw , Pins our fellow forum member who is or was serving in Iraq is a combat engineer, well he became one recently)

yes you have to know some basics in explosive calculations, but that's not all, you get basic building technics, you learn some interesting stuff which couldhelp you for your reconversion as a civilian etc etc, and since combat engineers are generally first line , you get to see the world .. or bits of it at least

I was wondering, what sort of calculations does an Combat Engineer regularly use? Do they use alot of heavy math or alot of physics?

[Tovarish 0]

Any advice before I become cannon fodder/goose stepper/ mine tripper/ bridge builder/ moving target?

Yeah, don't go Paintballing/Tabgalling/Airsofting against a bunch of 16 year olds . Some years  ago a Lieutenant from Newfoundland went tagballing with a bunch of my friends and I, and he and his team got their asses kicked. The famous quote when we were ribbing him about it later was "I'm a goddamn Engineer, if someone dies from me, it's because they stepped on something!"

Anyways good luck with your decision

[ran 0]

I'm sure Ran will pop up with something horribly patriotic about the Combat Engineers. From my perspective, you're the same as infantry but you've got to know a lot more crap, like explosive calculations, how to build a house, etc. Yet when it comes down to it, the combat engineers are usually right there on the line with the grunts absorbing the bullets.

combat engineers are the way to go mate .......

(btw , Pins our fellow forum member who is or was serving in Iraq is a combat engineer, well he became one recently)

yes you have to know some basics in explosive calculations, but that's not all, you get basic building technics, you learn some interesting stuff which couldhelp you for your reconversion as a civilian etc etc, and since combat engineers are generally first line , you get to see the world .. or bits of it at least

I was wondering, what sort of calculations does an Combat Engineer regularly use? Do they use alot of heavy math or alot of physics?

some calculations can get quite complicated (hard to explain, but for exemple, to know the quantity of explosives for specifical use from the data around .. well that's only when you've some time in hands and are specialised in explosives manipulation (for exemple, the rule of use (effects area) of Plastic explosives follows a deppressive logarythmic rule(french doctrine, the US army for exemple uses a cubic rootof the charge), here is an exemple of security distances based on the aforementionned logarythmic rule : 5 meters for 1 gram of plastrite, 30 meters for 250 grams, 100 meters for 5 kilos)

all in all, explosive ordnance specialist function requires some mathematics, chemistry knowledge and over all : know what you're going to detonate

not that you'll have to use that often since most of the job is made with preformated explosive charges on a battlefield, but it has to be mastered for the regular qualification and control courses, and civilian ordnance man is a nice job but for this backdoor, you have to get some solid knowledge about your stuff and keep it in your head if you don't want to end up in chopped meat....

now if you become combat engineer specialised in explosive ordnance but are shit in mathematics ... pray for Santa Barabara

[ran 0]

Explosive effects calculation basics (FAS site)

edit : check FAS, it will give you an idea of some of the required knowledges to become ordnance specialist

but explosive stuff isn't the only way to go in combat engineers

you can build things instead of blowing them up

[DracoPaladore 0]

So, does this mean that I have to learn this sort of mathematics, or is this only if I want to be a bomb disposal specilist?

[m21man 0]

Quote[/b] ]So, does this mean that I have to learn this sort of mathematics, or is this only if I want to be a bomb disposal specilist?

The part I read looked more like chemistry than mathematics. Though I suppose chem does involve a lot of math . Go through your chem textbooks, it's actually pretty easy to learn.

[ran 0]

it's easy but a bit boring and heavy to learn, but in my opinion it's well worth it

i don't know how it works in the CAF but here only those who are selected to become ordnance men go through all that

[m21man 0]

That way, they know exactly what's happening when they blow a bridge to kingdom come .

[DracoPaladore 0]

It works pretty much the same, I guess by looking at the careers selection list. Bomb disposal and things like that are a more specilist training. I think you are allowed to choose it as well as being selected.

But I don't really think that that amount of raw data floats

http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/html....gi.html

The specialist list is:

Specialty Training Courses

Combat Diving

Parachutist

Soils Analysis

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

First Aid Instructor

Instructional Techniques

Rappelmaster

Unarmed Combat Instructor

Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Instructor

I'm having alot of discussion with my father over email on certain things in the CAF.

I really think Combat Engineer would be an interesting job for me.

Ran, I' remember you talking about being missions sometimes. Have you been in Peacekeeping? Weird and probobly personal question, but I was wondering waht your experiances were as being "The first man on the field and the last man off".

[ran 0]

i've done quite a lot of missions, more or less related to combat engineering

well, 2 peacekeeping missions under UNPROFOR and IFOR in Bosnia Herzegovina as combat engineer + a few other "ŕ cotés"

well my personnal experience is more like following the infantry protection troops, doing what i'm told to and go back home along with the protections troops

[DracoPaladore 0]

Thanks for the info ran, really helped out alot.

[Assault (CAN) 1]

Being reserve force infantry, there's not a whole lot I can tell you about being a regular force sapper. A high school buddy of mine is with 2 CER in Afghanistan right now on Op Athena. I was in CFB Petawawa during the summer before they left, but I didn't get a chance to see him on account of the work up training they were doing.

However, I got the chance to meet an engineer who had been in the reserves for about 13 years. Even as a reservist he has done alot of cool sh*t. He had the videos to prove it too. Wanna' penetrate steel with the bottom of a wine bottle and some C4? Need to find a detonator switch in a Toy's R Us store? He's the man to ask, lol. Frankly, he scared me a little. Anyways, I'm sure you will find it interesting if you decide to join up, just ask someone who has "walked the walk" in the CF, and they will tell you everything you want to know. Your local recruiting centre is a good place to start, just don't ask the recruiter himself, they will say alot of things.... ask a serving or recently retired member if you can.

The only solid piece of advice I can give you is this:

If you are anything like I am you will enjoy the military. There is alot of BS, boredom, and bad times all around but in the end, I'd do it all again. There's a sense of satisfaction and pride you get by serving that you might not by working assorted civvy jobs.

By joining the military you also open yourself up to alot of benefits; free (or subsidized) university, a good pension after you serve your 20 (if you go that long), good training you can use, etc, etc. Think, you could have a pension and be on another job by the time you are 40. That ain't bad.

BTW, it's no longer the Canadian "Armed" Forces. The "Armed" moniker was dropped by the feds a while ago. I guess they don't want the populace to think we are dangerous or something. *rolls eyes* Remember, we need a kinder, gentler machine-gun hand.  

Also: If at all possible: STAY THE F*CK OUT OF PETAWAWA, it's ok to train there for limited amounts of time, but it has to be the most boring and desolate Army base in all of Canada. The only positive thing about it is that Ottawa is only two hours away.

HTH

Tyler

Edit: I should probably say that you may have a hard time joining as an engineer NCM. Non-commissioned trades tend to fill up fast, and right now the army is hurting for infantry soldiers. A freind of mine tried to join reg-force armour but was turned down because they had a full course load. Just be sure to be specific to the recruiter, lest you find yourself in some other trade.

[DracoPaladore 0]

An uncle and a good family friend(massive guy, at the least twice the size of me(both in height and width ) who were ex-paratrooper(both were airborne artillery gunners if I remember correctly.), father who was EME, mother who was Supply, brother who's ready to join, great grandfather who was head surgeon on American Aircraft carrier, great grandfather who was soldier at Vimy Ridge, as well as several other family members who were in the Army(all except head surgeon were in Canadian forces.).

That kinda sucks we dropped the "A" in the CAF. It sounds, personally, more professional. Dunno why, but I guess it just does.

Combat Engineering, if I remember correctly, is in Borden(where my father and mother trained and served after we left Calgary, where the old army base is now virtually gone. Our family lived down the street from the base.). So I guess I'll be out of Petawawa.

I'm going to have to find a recruting centre somewheres. This town I live is full of nothing but boring old italian farts who could care less about anything outside their lasagna. Bad driver too, worst in Canada if I remember correctly. Hard to imagine anything worse than Vancouver.

[Assault (CAN) 1]

Sorry, I have bad habit of posting before I read the entire thread.  

Just remember that if you want to do specialist stuff, you have to do the basic stuff first. For example: you just can't join the Canadian army as a sniper, first you do you basic infantry courses, then probably a comms course (field radios), then a recce course, and if you are good enough, a sniper course. So there are a number of courses over the years that you will have to do if you want to be a specialist in any trade.

Once again, I'm only applying this from my experience, I don't quite know how the engineers work, though the structure is similar throughout the combat arms.

About trade availability: go here.

They list the trades that they currently need people for, combat engineer isn't one of them. That trade may very well be full, though that may change by the time you actually join.

Tyler

BTW, they will give you a choice of what regiment you actually want to join, but they may put you where they need you. One thing I can assure you is that you will be all over Canada, well, the bases anyway.

[Gadger 0]

For a job you do in the combat engineers you could do in civil engineering and get paid 4x the salary. Well i guess its all about the experience

[Assault (CAN) 1]

Quote[/b] ]For a job you do in the combat engineers you could do in civil engineering and get paid 4x the salary.

If you have a degree in civil engineering, then yes.

Pay in the CF is actually pretty good, full coverage and benefits too.

[Gadger 0]

heh my point is for the skill they need for the job they are under appreciated, much like combat medics