Well the time has come and on March 1st I am flying to Nanaimo, BC for my Naval Officer Board Assessment. I'm both thrilled and terrified at the prospect of what is to come. I'm thrilled because it means a change for me, a change for the better, the possibility of belonging to something noble and proud, the possibility of working towards the greater good and to work for something that has meaning and impact. I'm looking forward to the training, the challenge, and the knowledge that this decision will provide me. I've gone too long working for nothing other than a paycheck, I feel that my efforts have done nothing but made the "man" richer and myself more jaded.
The downside is that I'm fearful of being rejected based on being out of shape, older than most applicants, or a zillion other things. I know deep down in my heart and soul that I would make an excellent officer, leader, and member of our Canadian Forces, I am just worried that some of my cons like age, weight, and knowledge (different career path than my chosen military one) may play a part in giving me a negative appearance to the board.
Then again, I also realize that they have been doing this for many years and that they are intelligent and capable. So if they do judge me unsuited, than that may be a wake up call for me to go in a different direction. I can handle failure, I just can't handle rejection based on things that I can change.
The scariest part for me is not knowing what to expect from this trip. I've always prided myself on being prepared and organized. A challenge for me will be to spontaneously challenged and then to meet that challenge appropriately. I've always been able to adapt quickly, think on my feet, and to come up with a game plan but the fact that this meeting is so very important to me and my future places a bit more stress on my mind wondering what will happen.
I have always faced my fears, I have always adapted and overcome, and I will face this challenge as I do everything else, but that still doesn't help the nerves before hand, hehe.
I'm so excited about the changes ahead of me. My girls are excited for me as well and they know that their lives will change drastically as well. I'm looking forward to getting back into shape, learning a new trade and career, and most of all becoming part of a large, tight knit community. I remember well my days as an Army brat living on bases and moving every three years due to postings. That was the single largest factor for me becoming the person I am, outgoing, confident, and wise. I wish the same for my children.
So, even though I'm as nervous as I ever have been, I'm also very excited and very honored to have this chance. I will prove myself worthy and I will prove myself to be the type of leader that they are looking for in an Officer. I understand the responsibilities and am willing to face those challenges. Most of all, I want to serve my Country and protect those that can't protect themselves. The Canadian Military has always been there to fight for the weak, to help those in need with support, to help our allies fight for a safer world. I couldn't be more proud of the involvement of our Military and the Political will to change the world for the better or to at least offer the support to do so. I want to be a part of that, to know that my life and effort went towards something that makes a difference and that means something. The last 10 years of my life I've worked so very hard at building a career that only benefited my employers and really gave me no sense of accomplishment. I hope those days are at an end.
-- Robert
The downside is that I'm fearful of being rejected based on being out of shape, older than most applicants, or a zillion other things. I know deep down in my heart and soul that I would make an excellent officer, leader, and member of our Canadian Forces, I am just worried that some of my cons like age, weight, and knowledge (different career path than my chosen military one) may play a part in giving me a negative appearance to the board.
Then again, I also realize that they have been doing this for many years and that they are intelligent and capable. So if they do judge me unsuited, than that may be a wake up call for me to go in a different direction. I can handle failure, I just can't handle rejection based on things that I can change.
The scariest part for me is not knowing what to expect from this trip. I've always prided myself on being prepared and organized. A challenge for me will be to spontaneously challenged and then to meet that challenge appropriately. I've always been able to adapt quickly, think on my feet, and to come up with a game plan but the fact that this meeting is so very important to me and my future places a bit more stress on my mind wondering what will happen.
I have always faced my fears, I have always adapted and overcome, and I will face this challenge as I do everything else, but that still doesn't help the nerves before hand, hehe.
I'm so excited about the changes ahead of me. My girls are excited for me as well and they know that their lives will change drastically as well. I'm looking forward to getting back into shape, learning a new trade and career, and most of all becoming part of a large, tight knit community. I remember well my days as an Army brat living on bases and moving every three years due to postings. That was the single largest factor for me becoming the person I am, outgoing, confident, and wise. I wish the same for my children.
So, even though I'm as nervous as I ever have been, I'm also very excited and very honored to have this chance. I will prove myself worthy and I will prove myself to be the type of leader that they are looking for in an Officer. I understand the responsibilities and am willing to face those challenges. Most of all, I want to serve my Country and protect those that can't protect themselves. The Canadian Military has always been there to fight for the weak, to help those in need with support, to help our allies fight for a safer world. I couldn't be more proud of the involvement of our Military and the Political will to change the world for the better or to at least offer the support to do so. I want to be a part of that, to know that my life and effort went towards something that makes a difference and that means something. The last 10 years of my life I've worked so very hard at building a career that only benefited my employers and really gave me no sense of accomplishment. I hope those days are at an end.
-- Robert
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