To serve or not to serve

[ND92]

Hey all,

Hope everyone is having an awesome holiday season.
As life goes by I start to wonder more and more everyday about the Almighty question "what do I want to do for the rest of my life" and as time goes by more and more options open up to me and I eventually endup with a migrane thinking about it all.
Ever since I was a wee little one I've been fascinated with firefighting (father was a firefighter for 30 years) and heavy equipment. And I knew that I would do either when I grew up.
I have a passion for helping people and I realized that fire fighting was the way to go, until I looked into the armed forces.
Ooohhh boy another migraine.
I've been researching every aspect of the Canadian forces and I think I would be best at either armored or search and rescue. Then hopefully moving to the more "special ops" kinda departments.
But then a whole new batch of questions arise.... What if I can't do any of it
Or what if I'm not good enough for it
Or what about my family
Etc...
So my ultimate question for all of the members here that have served or are still serving... (Thank you for everything you do) .....
What is it like serving?
What can I expect?
What am I over looking?
Any other things you might think would help me?
Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks
Stefan

[tom4bren]

ND,

I can't chime in on 'active' military service but I've been a civilian employee of the US Army for over 30 years. I decided long ago that I could best serve by working to provide our soldiers with the best possible equipment possible. It has been a rewarding experience to see in use some of the equipment that I've helped develop.

One thing to consider is to combine your 2 passions by working fire fighting or EMT for the Army. You could get the best of both worlds.

Tom

[vt_maverick]

Ditto on that last comment by Tom, in the USAF we call them "fire dogs" and they have a reputation for being the "studliest" guys on base lol. Actually pretty crazy.

I've been working with all services for the last 11 years but mostly with the Air Force for the past 7. With the ridiculous cost of higher education in this country and based on my observations of our military members (including my wife who was former USAF) I've come to believe that military service is a very good option, especially if you don't know what you want to do just yet. But bear in mind that my opinions are based on our GI Bill, which pays 100% of higher education costs for active duty and veterans, as well as the officer tract which pays retroactively for higher education if you don't attend a service academy.

The biggest drawback here is that they will absolutely own your *** for 4-6 years, again assuming Canada works the same way as the US (very possibly incorrect). This is not a terrible thing in the Navy or Air Force where you're less likely to be in combat, but in the Army or Marines you have a very high potential to see significant heavy combat. There are certainly many Army/Marine folks who would have it no other way, and of course it is an honorable service to their country, but I would personally strangle my daughters if either one of them tried to enlist in those services.

Just my $.02, good luck in your decision!

[Cobrajet]

I spent 20 year (and one week) in the Navy, and have never regretted it. I joined right out of high school to spare my parents (actually grand-parents) the cost of college education. I took advantage of the education benefits and got my Bachelors Degree just before I retired. Now I get a monthly retirement check on top of my regular salary in a job that I would never have gotten without that military training and experience. My daughter joined the Coast Guard a few years ago, and is basically on the same path, working on her degree. Whether she (and her Coast Guard husband) will put in 20 is their choice, but in these economic times they've both realized that a military career has a lot of benefits.

Aside from combat, the biggest downside is the frequent moving, especially if you have a family. It's also one of the biggest benefits... the chance to "see the world." I did tours in Guam, Spain, and Okinawa, and flew missions out of Japan, Korea, Philippines, and many WestPac islands. I also did a Med cruise on an helicopter carrier (LHA-2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Saipan_(LHA-2))) visiting ports in Spain, Italy, France, and Greece. It's a lot of work, but can be a lot of fun, too. When was the last time you had the chance to climb to the summit of Mt Fuji, view the city from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or walk the street course in Monte Carlo?

I don't know much about boot camp these days, but that's the first chance you get to find out if you are cut out for this life. If you can't handle the strict regimen and physical workout, then you're not ready. If you can't take orders, and put in overtime, then forget it. "It's not just a job, it's an adventure."

[evillecutter]

my only brother was a ranger for 10 years and is now in delta - you dont get any more special forces than that no matter where you live - i couldnt be more proud of him and i know he loves doing what he does - he has traveled the world and learned things about people and places that he never imagined (plus he gets to blow stuff up all the time) "all on the taxpayer dime"

[ND92]

Wow thanks guys!!!!!
The Canadian government will pay for my schooling for whatever I want. I was thinking of taking an EMT course, and they only want 2 months of service for every month of study.
I looked at firefighting but your stuck in Canada at the halls on base.
Search and rescue is an elite group that everyone says is hardcore. They skydive, scuba dive, repel, climb and do everything, and if I get on then in a few years I could hopefully get onto JTF2.
Thanks again guys for the advice!!!

[Usual Suspect]

I did search and rescue in the US Coast Guard. The Canadian Coast Guard is very much the same. It's a worthwhile thing to do, but don't let anyone tell you you've got it easy since you don't go into combat. Do SAR during a nor'easter and then tell me that.

Go talk to a recruiter, then check facts with a vet.

[crager34]

I went into the US Coast Guard early on and it was one of the best decisions EVER! My son went Marines and is enjoying the benefit of a free college education. My suggestion is this: If you are pretty sure you are looking at a single tour, then find a rate (job) that will translate into the civilian world easily. Not sure about the Canadian military, but if it wasn't for some personal issues I would have been a Coastie Lifer... or at least 20 years worth.

Good Luck!

[ND92]

I honestly can't thank you guys enough for helping me along with these decisions. I got some real hard thinking to do before I can commit to anything. I'm going over to the recruitment office some time this week to talk to someone and see what my options are.
Again thank you Guys very very much.