T O P I C ��� R E V I E W
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brad_dennis
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Question - as a potential new infantry member I'm a bit worried about some of the take on things. I seem to read from Grubby that he feels he is under motivated and frustrated by the lack of training, proper funding and general malaise when it comes to performing duties and exercises that are in-line with the job of the infantry, supposedly the "back-bone" of the army. Grubby feels that this is a prime reason for alot of "pin pulling". Grubby, would this be accurate? I don't want to put words in your mouth. Others are contradicting this notion and saying that it's a question of motivating oneself and getting out of it as much as you put in. I do find this notion a bit odd as this would seem to me, as a layman, it's up to the sr NCO and OF's to dictate what the course and duties entail and thus one would be relegated to doing what he is told? I have been told by one ex-member not to join as the CF is more concerned these days with human rights, discrimination and sexual harrasment (all relatively ...good things... I suppose in moderation and taking into consideration the nature of the job) dicated by left-wing politics and lack of funding than they are in making the CF a 1st rate army. I think everyone knows Lewis McKennzies take on this and I would tend to believe him as opposed to anyone else. Please tell my that Grubby is wrong (sorry Grubby) but I suspect that there might be a large degree of malasie and for the lack of a better expression "parading and boot shining" going on. Again, I know virtually nothing, but my application is in progress and I'm at least going to give it a shot, despite what I hear. Just trying to prepare mentally for what is ahead. B.
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fusilier
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Everyone has a different take on the infantry. I was in the reserve infantry for two years, now am a reg force jimmy. I loved the two years I spent in the infantry, and miss it all the time. Never again will I get the same adrenaline rush as I did sitting in the jump seat of a Griffon that is contour flying. There are the odd disgruntled members, as there are in any trade in the CF, but the thing is that you're not going to know whether you like it until you try it for yourself. It's not for everyone. Yes the CF might be in a little bit of a finance hump or a morale declination, in other people's opinion, not my own, but as long as we keep getting dedicated individuals who consider it an honour to serve their country and wear the Queen's uniform, then the CF will be fine in my humble view. Keep your head up Dennis, you're in for alot of fun, and although someof the things may seem meanial and useless (ie shining boots), they all have a purpose. The role of the infantry is to close with and destroy the enemy in any weather condition by day or night. If you think you can handle that, give it a try. Best of luckFideliter
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Grubby
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Brad_Dennis: ummm well. o.k. first off like everyone else here...these comments are my opinions. Mine alone. People can take it for what it's worth. What I saw, how I felt, how things worked, experienced nobody can't comment on! And my intent is not to thwart anyone from thinking about joining the CF or the infantry trade. I really did love it, enjoyed the training when in the field. And yes you are o.k. in stateing some of my reasons, but everyone has them too. It is indeed hard to get across views on a piece of paper. Better to be in person to explain better I guess. Good for you to apply! For me in the end, I left because I didn't want to do the trade for 20 years. But I miss it, miss my friends, miss the "life" training. I am proud to have done what I have, how many others can really understand the "military" on your street. I see people still pumping gas in the same town...you know. I am proud of my uniform and medals, proud of my Regiment, proud of my fellow friends, proud of a lot of things. Exactly what fusilier said too, you'll never know unless you try it...I was to much of a thinker though...called a spade a spade. Fusilier- you went comms in reg force right? if so then why? if you loved the infantry so much? As for you thinking I am disgruntled...so what if I am/not?. I served my country, went overseas, did everything 100%, did everything up to Battlegroup attacks etc...etc...etc...etc....as for the boots, yeah everything is done for a purpose so what? And I was dedicated...if I stayed would have been promoted and went on my JLC. You don't know me or my accomplishments or praise recieved for oustanding work. PER, UER, mastered...above average...exceeding at a faster rate then his peers...etc etc. I left because I was looking long term for my life, education, officer training. I made an option and stuck with it. At least I had the balls to follow through and move on then...instead of bitch all the time about getting out then stay in like so many others. fusilier...I do thank you for making me remember all the good times man. And for the shot of esprit de corps! I agree...contour flying rocked...patrols...loved night patrols and ambushes...camo, sweat, excitement...the rush...for sure it was an experience! and thanks for helping brad out. I WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD>>>FOR EVERYTHING! Brad...all the best and yeah keep your head up...soldier on. The CF needs good guys like you for sure. Grubby DUCIMUS
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fusilier
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Grubby No offense intended to you, I was making a general comment, I have'nt seen any of your posts, and was just replying to Mr Dennis's comments. If I offended or insulted you in any way I apologize, one grunt to another. I did'nt go reg force infantry because I agreed with you, I could'nt see myself doing it for 20 odd years.Fideliter
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Grubby
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Fusilier, No offense taken buddy! I was just making clear on what I meant...hey someday the beers are on me o.k.! Yup...we'll go out and shoot the breeze about familiar training....compare/contrast...I enjoy good old Keiths or else Canadian how about yourself? Take care and nice to hear your views as well...Hell DND should accept this site as an offical means "chatting with the boys" at the pub. I envy your new MOC and training. Grubby
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fusilier
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Grubby You try and find a Nova Scotian who does'nt like Keith's!!! Yeah this is a cool site, I enjoy it. As for my MOC and training, yeah it's a hell of alot different than the infantry, it's very interesting, that's really all I can say. hahaha sinister sam stuff. I love it. Cheers buddyFideliter
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Disturbance
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In my own experience you take what you put in. So the fitness standards are low...so fat chicks can join the INF does that mean that you arent allowed to be in your best shape...HELL NO. And the instructors will tell you that. My warrant during my 2/3 said time and time again iTS UP TO YOU. and its true. I could have been like the majority of my course and not give two s,hits about helping the team or wishing to go to the MIR. I was one of the few guys who started this course going balls out. I wanted a hard course and I wanted to kick ash and to the best of my ability I made it as hard for myself as I could. Doing PT on my own time or volunteering for all the s,hitty tasks cause noone else wanted to or helping out the s,hitpumps in my section get their heads on straight when everyone else was just getting mad at them.....and ya know what. It all paid off in the end. I achieved what I went there to get and it was because I put in that much more than I could have. [ 31 August 2001: Message edited by: Disturbance ]
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Infanteer
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Hey Sunshine, quit telling ****ing war stories you ****bag. All you did was get drunk at JD's with me. [ 31 August 2001: Message edited by: Infanteer ]
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Disturbance
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Hey infanteer, even with my guidance the closest thing to a piece of towny ash you got was your finger pokin through your toilet paper, no wait you took the grenade for hutch - that was sweet.
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brad_dennis
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Thanks all for the input, despite it getting a little side-tracked with tangents about beer and towney ...ash?, but hey I suppose that goes with the territory. Anyway to sum-up, it's sounds like it's the same as civy life, you get out what you put in. The question is how much do you want to put in? or how bad to you want to be successful at your chosen job? Sounds good to me, thanks for the encouragement. B.
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Infanteer
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Funny...I don't seem to remember any towny ash. Must have been in your pint of beer.
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the patriot
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I agree with all the sentiments expressed by everyone here. It is up to the individual to yield what they wish to acquire from the system. You reap what you sow. Funnily enough, that works both ways (up and down the chain of command). As for the notion that today's CAF is too concerned with issues such as human rights, sexual harassment etc. That isn't so...... There were mechanisms in place many years ago known as the warning process and notifying your chain of command of such issues. It wasn't politicized then as it is now. For some strange reason, nowadays every debacle that should have been dealt with by the brass ends up in the press. Why is that?! I don't know. Morale starts from the ground up. Believe in your ablilities. I get the feeling that some of the troops have been beaten down to the point where they feel helpless. That shouldn't be the case. -the patriot-
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Pte. Silcox
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JOIN BRAD!! It's a whole lot of fun there is a good feeling of commeradery their, unless your an MIR Commando or horrably out of shape or are really annoying and use your rifle to help you up on section attacks. Personally I'm sorta thick, so my friends on course there were always helping me out, going over drills and such with me (Disturbance). You can always be trained though, just keep training and eventually you get it right. You'll have fun, because when your on course your going to go through some tough times, and get through them, and realize you can do more than you ever thought you could. Join up, you'll have fun (P.S. try not to get an ND) Ducimus Pte. Silcox (Infanteer, send me an e-mail, who are you?) [ 12 September 2001: Message edited by: Pte. Silcox ]
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brad_dennis
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What is an ND? and why don't I want it? PS - just signed the conditional job offer. Med/PT testing is in three weeks. I'm excited as hell.
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