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 Want a free education?
Join the Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces provide a great opportunity for an education and a career. Hey don't knock it. Please keep reading.
Maybe your son or daughter could be one of the fortunate ones who finds their niche.
Capt. Annette Campbell, a career counsellor with Canadian Forces recruiting in London explains the armed forces have a national campaign to make students aware of the advantages of joining the military. You have to be a Canadian citizen, fit, 17 - 52 years of age, with a sincere desire to serve your country. Students can opt for a trade or go to university
High school students can sign on to be non-commissioned officers and receive on-the-job skill training without having to attend post secondary school. The requirements are quite simple - a high school diploma, aptitude testing, medical and a desire to learn.
Everyone attends basic training for 10 weeks at St Jean, Que. After boot camp you report to Camp Borden to receive your mechanics, electrician or cooks certification where the focus is on skill development.
You sign up for a three-year hitch with remuneration starting at $26,000 per year, full health benefits and four weeks of vacation.
After four years there is merit promotion and your salary jumps to $43,000.
It is also possible to get a great university education without incurring debt. Many of our university students graduate with a debt load exceeding $20,000. Six months after leaving school they are obliged to start to repay their student loans.
High school grads have a choice of attending a civilian or a military university. You need a solid base of academic education for ROTP (regular officer training program) at a civilian or military university.
Royal Military College in Kingston has an intriguing program of military training along with an excellent curriculum in engineering, arts and sciences. Cadets receive subsidized tuition, books, lab fees along with $600 per month for spending money; taxpayers pick up the tab of $260,000 for a four-year degree.
Capt. Campbell described the four pillars of an ideal candidate. "A minimum 80 per cent average, proven leadership skills, athleticism along with volunteer experience in the community." Fluency in French, although not required, is an asset; every second week the language of the living area changes..
Sarah Drennan, an OAC student from Regina Mundi College, has made application to attend RMC. She is a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets 27th squadron in London with the rank of flight sergeant.
Flying is her passion - choppers, fixed wing, F-18's, it doesn't matter, as long as she can take off into the blue. After four years of education she will serve a seven-year hitch with the forces. Sarah describes herself as a team player who wants to be a career officer.
Sarah's parents, Julie and Michael are justifiably proud of their daughter. We Canadians share in their joy in producing a fine educated, talented young women.
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