Good Bye & Good Luck Buddies

Two of my dear friends are off to Gagetown to start their Combat Army Phase, they have decided to take a very difficult road, but one that will lead them to greener pastures. Something, I hope to be doing soon as well.

I would like to extend to them my best wishes and my hopes that they pass the rigors without injury.

I will be crossing my fingers and hoping that you both do well now and in the future.

Your Bud,

-Seth

The Military Soap Opera

Well, I have been in the Navy now for two years, and I am still waiting for a change of trade out of MARS. Things are so hectic now as my choice has to be made soon, and there is really very little options available. The only trades open at the moment are those of the Combat Arms variety and unfortunately for me they are more suited for the young and in shape. Artillery, Armored, and Infantry are the three choices.

I am considering Artillery actually right now. The problem with going through with this trade change would be that; A) I have to do the Combat Army Phase which is akin to going back through Basic Training once again. B) I have to redo my Phase II rather than going through my Phase III training and progressing as an Officer. C) I'd have to move back to Gagetown from the lovely city of Victoria (the kids are not happy with this one). D) I will have to up my exercise regime drastically just to pass CAP....and it was on the 13 Km march that I originally broke my foot and consequently spent almost a year in Basic.

The administration is a nightmare, I am supposed to be on a Compassionate leave due to my single father status, which means that I'm currently not deployable, and therefore working a regular shift...however, as of today I was placed on the MARS III course and taken out of my Public Affairs position, which is now filled...screwing me for any future chance at obtaining a Public Affairs position.

So some of the options I'm looking at are:

1) Change of Trade (see above)

2) Resigning my Commission (out of the question - worked too damn hard to get it)

3) Voluntary Release (And either going back to my old job, or re-signing up after 6 months.)

Now that myself and the girls are set up here in Victoria and my family support is all the way back in NB...I'm treading a very thin line of going from being employed to being homeless with two children. Not to mention that there are the every day bills that one has to pay, car loans, student loans, visa payments, furniture/utility payments, food, rent, gas/oil/upkeep, insurance...etc.

I now see why so many people get so very depressed and end up doing stupid things. There just isn't enough support or flexibility out there anymore for people to try and make change, or to try and better themselves. It seems that for every positive thing a person does, there are 15 negative factors impacting them, and for all of the hurdles that you finally clear through determination, grit, and pride....15 more jump up again, each hurdle equaling a catastrophic fate.

I don't believe in luck, I believe that if you want something you work hard towards your goal, but at some point there has to be some help for people, because at this rate, hard work just isn't enough.

-Seth