What do you when you age out of cadets

[BigRed Gunner]

I want to know what you guys do when you age out of cadets
because I age out this Dec. and I'm not going what to do with
my life after being in cadets so long.:confused:

[Sundborg]

There is a life after cadets. You need to do something that you are interested in. If you love cadets so much, you can always go back as a CI 6-12 months later or you could just join the CF.

Personally, I joined the forces. That's what I did, and I love it.

[BigRed Gunner]

Thanks Sundborg I just might join the forces as
well or something like that down the line.

[spy_me]

I left cadets early because of the reg force. done high school, i wasnt going to sit around and do a crappy job so i could be a cadet for 8 months.
go army

[vies132]

Get a job that pays 2 times what the military does;).... I went from Ontario to Alberta to look for a job... Oil is a wonderful thing haha, but I am still considering joining the CF... I still don't know what I want to do with my life... I personally think you should do something.. like just anything that interests you. Just try not to go bankrupt doing it. If it gives you money thats a bonus

[recon_kid]

Finish school,finish cadets join rf :army: !

[Smith]

Join CIC


It is just like cadets but you are on the other side of the coin

[Takeru_Kiko]

I'm getting more involved with school events, clubs, teams, etc. this year, because I don't want UBC to be just a place I go to for school; it should be fun too!

As for summers, I have secured a job for the next few years that pays better than staff, is easier than staff, and no little kids (nice change for a bit).

But still, I miss the camp life....today is the day I turn 19, and officially struck off strength at my squadron! :(

[BigRed Gunner]

Join CIC


It is just like cadets but you are on the other side of the coin



You know what I will join CIC cause I get to have
more fun and boss more cadets around.

[SaltwaterCowboy]

After I left cadets I went active duty. Wanted the chance to actually do something with a military career and go places the CF wouldn't even consider at the time I signed up.

[Chief Hoult]

I'm getting more involved with school events, clubs, teams, etc. this year, because I don't want UBC to be just a place I go to for school; it should be fun too!

I'd second this. It's not until you leave cadets that you realize how much time it really takes. Don't get me wrong, it's worth every second of it, but try involving yourself in other things -- especially if you're going to post-secondary education.

You'll find your cadet training is useful, and will get your foot in the door in a number of places. Residence Staff is a big one where cadets seem to fair pretty well, student government is another. Learning how to apply your cadet skills in the real world (where there isn't such a defined rank structure ;)) is key to further developing your skills as a leader and as a follower.

Whatever you do, just expand your horizons, and make sure you're having fun.

CH

[fromseatoseatosea]

I say save your cash buy a farm in a secluded area and retire, lord knows after cadets that is all i wanted to do. :p lol considering that if you retire in a good position and worked your arse off to get it you will deserve it.

Now a practical solution go back.

[Juice]

You know what I will join CIC cause I get to have
more fun and boss more cadets around.
I certainly hope that's not your motivation for wanting to enroll, because if it is, I suggest you do some thinking before signing any papers.

A note to all: No one joins the CIC. One enrolls into the Canadian Forces and serves in the CIC Branch.


JB

[vies132]

I certainly hope that's not your motivation for wanting to enroll, because if it is, I suggest you do some thinking before signing any papers.


I agree... Bossing people around shouldnt be the reason you are a senior cadet either. It shows if it is the only reason, and it won't make anybody respect you....


there is like 3 cadets that get on my nerve and I don't get the RESEPECT from them

[BigRed Gunner]

I certainly hope that's not your motivation for wanting to enroll, because if it is, I suggest you do some thinking before signing any papers.JB

No thats not my motivation my motivation is that
it will be more of a chalnge (don't mind the spelling i do not know how to spell)

[bbbb]

You know what I will join CIC cause I get to have
more fun and boss more cadets around.

You'll be popular with the cadets...

[Chief Bosn Chick 5]

Work and go to post secondary and maybe one day return to a cadet unit as staff.

[BigRed Gunner]

Yeah Im not good at doin' school work so thats not an opption for me I
will just work for a couple of years or so then go back as an officer or something like that down the line.

[Kmart]

I certainly hope that's not your motivation for wanting to enroll, because if it is, I suggest you do some thinking before signing any papers.

A note to all: No one joins the CIC. One enrolls into the Canadian Forces and serves in the CIC Branch.


JB
A note to all: No one joins the Primary Reserves. One enrolls into Canadian Forces and serves in the Primary Reserve Branch...

Though it is true....whatever man! Yes, you can say One enrolls into the Canadian Forces, or you can stop showing of, Juice, and keep it real and in laymans terms too. I joined the militia and there's nothing wrong with saying it like that. I've applied for the reg force and there's nothing wrong with saying it like that. Juice joined the CIC and there's nothing wrong with saying that.:p Juice and I are both members of the Canadian forces, but come on people, who the heck talks like that.;) (LOL!)



Yeah I'm not good at doing' school work so that's not an option for me I
will just work for a couple of years or so then go back as an officer or something like that down the line.
You can join the Canadian Forces even if you have done poorly in school. You can also upgrade will your in at the same time to. You can take corespondents which I believe may earn you browny points on assessments and perhaps promotions as well.

[GWP]

Join CIC. It is just like cadets but you are on the other side of the coin

Originally Posted by BigRed Gunner You know what I will join CIC cause I get to have more fun and boss more cadets around.
That point of view is why the selection of cadets who would become adult leaders of the cadet organization must be done with great care.

1. You do not join the CIC. You enrol in the Canadain Forces to be commissioned as an officer with the "duty" of an officer as directed by Her Majesty in the Commissioning document.

2. In the Cadet Program that means doing your duty with regard to the health, safety, training, well being of other people's children. It is one of the greatest responsibilities that a member of the CF may have. It means doing everything you can to make the cadet experience work for each and everyone of your cadets.

3. If you are not prepared to do that -- don't bother enroling.

[N. McKay]

Though it is true....whatever man! Yes, you can say One enrolls into the Canadian Forces, or you can stop showing of, Juice, and keep it real and in laymans terms too. I joined the militia and there's nothing wrong with saying it like that. I've applied for the reg force and there's nothing wrong with saying it like that. Juice joined the CIC and there's nothing wrong with saying that.:p Juice and I are both members of the Canadian forces, but come on people, who the heck talks like that.;) (LOL!)

It has become necessary to be strict about the details in this kind of discussion because a large body of misinformation exists as to the status of the CIC.

My favourite was when a user here said something along the lines that he "was going to join the Forces but decided to join the CIC instead".

[Kmart]

It has become necessary to be strict about the details in this kind of discussion because a large body of misinformation exists as to the status of the CIC.

My favourite was when a user here said something along the lines that he "was going to join the Forces but decided to join the CIC instead".

HAHAHAHAHAHA, yeah......duly noted......that's hilarious.

[bbbb]

That point of view is why the selection of cadets who would become adult leaders of the cadet organization must be done with great care.

1. You do not join the CIC. You enrol in the Canadain Forces to be commissioned as an officer with the "duty" of an officer as directed by Her Majesty in the Commissioning document.

2. In the Cadet Program that means doing your duty with regard to the health, safety, training, well being of other people's children. It is one of the greatest responsibilities that a member of the CF may have. It means doing everything you can to make the cadet experience work for each and everyone of your cadets.

3. If you are not prepared to do that -- don't bother enroling.

Well said. I've seen many young 20-somethings join the CIC and many of those turned out to be crappy officers. Really, really crappy officers. I don't care if every hooligan who joins cadets stays but I really think cadets should have been taken seriously back in 2000-2002. Having little hooligans around diminishes the value of cadets. The last thing the organization or the CF needs is adults who join simply to boss people around and collect the reward for other people's work.

Some of my friends tried to become CIC officers but backed out when they heard how bitter the unit's CO was about recruiting new CIC officers. Seems these new CIC officers joined only for the frills and quit after using them up and gaining their glossy officer rank.

[BigRed Gunner]

That point of view is why the selection of cadets who would become adult leaders of the cadet organization must be done with great care.

1. You do not join the CIC. You enrol in the Canadain Forces to be commissioned as an officer with the "duty" of an officer as directed by Her Majesty in the Commissioning document.

2. In the Cadet Program that means doing your duty with regard to the health, safety, training, well being of other people's children. It is one of the greatest responsibilities that a member of the CF may have. It means doing everything you can to make the cadet experience work for each and everyone of your cadets.

3. If you are not prepared to do that -- don't bother enroling.


I'm prepared to do that but not right away so I will wait a couple of years or so before I join and do that so that way I know if I'm actully prepared or not and that so that way I wont be young a stuipd when I do it, I will at least wait the couple of years to do it.

[Kmart]

I'm prepared to do that but not right away so I will wait a couple of years or so before I join and do that so that way I know if I'm actully prepared or not and that so that way I wont be young a stuipd when I do it, I will at least wait the couple of years to do it.
If you want to do it, then don't hesitate or be scared. Be proud. You'd do fine, I'm sure.

[Squanto]

when I aged out, I was already done college and working full time, so I took 6 months off cadets and did just that, worked .. did my thing .. but then I got bored and lonely, so I started volunteering my talents to cadet corps .. helping out with band and drill teams. And I didn't just stick to one corps, I went where I was needed, or where I moved to. Now that I've been in one place for a long time, I'm starting my second year as a Navy League officer, with a helping hand here and there with the sea cadets.

It worked for me .. I don't have patience for how some of the older cadets work/act, and with the Navy League, I have the chance to help them learn something totally new and potentially help them foster some independence, as well as help them with team work. There are certain cadets in my corps who have imporved both leaps and bounds since joining, not only at home, but at school. It's nice to see that .. warms your heart. CIC could be in my future, but for now, I'm happy with my Navy League

[F/Sgt. Steele]

take a break, find out who you are away from cadets, THEN figure out if you want to go back. it'll take some time and doing extremes of things you never did before, like drinking binges...oh wait, we don't talk about drinking and what not on this forum, too taboo.

[SLt_Siwak]

Definately wasn't ready to retire. :(

But i guess thats how it goes right?
CF here I come. I just have to get school, and home sorted out.

Oh man. Growing up is crazy.:eek:

[Juice]

A note to all: No one joins the Primary Reserves. One enrolls into Canadian Forces and serves in the Primary Reserve Branch...
If we are going to get technical, the PRes is a component of the CF, specifically a sub-component of the Reserve Force. There are numerous branches within that.


Though it is true....whatever man! Yes, you can say One enrolls into the Canadian Forces, or you can stop showing of, Juice, and keep it real and in laymans terms too.
I find that, at least WRT the CIC Branch, people simply saying that they "join the CIC" creates a disconnect between the fact that we are CF members and the attitudes that people hold. That isn't the case when you say you joined the militia, because there is a clear military connotation that goes with that.

I joined the militia and there's nothing wrong with saying it like that. I've applied for the reg force and there's nothing wrong with saying it like that. Juice joined the CIC and there's nothing wrong with saying that.:p Juice and I are both members of the Canadian forces, but come on people, who the heck talks like that.;) (LOL!)
I do, as well as many others who recognize and understand the importance of making it known that we are, in fact, CF members. Too many people miss those nuances, and it is to the detriment of not only the person, but of the branch itself, IMO.

Layman's terms have their benefits, but they also has their costs.

JB

[Juice]

Until I saw her cap badge she looked just like a reg force officer.
And that's one of the key reasons why we need to ensure that there is no misunderstanding that we are CF members, and need to comport ourselves as such. It doesn't shine a good light on the CF as a whole when its members don't act like it, or even consider themselves a part of it.

JB

[oldguy]

when I aged out, I was already done college and working full time, so I took 6 months off cadets and did just that, worked .. did my thing .. but then I got bored and lonely, so I started volunteering my talents to cadet corps .. helping out with band and drill teams.

Exactly! Taking a break is essential.

Just a few thoughts based on personal experience:

I quit cadets in 1990... there was a backstory, but essentially I went away to university. When I got there, I tried to volunteer with a local squadron (I was in Victoria and volunteered with 89 Pacific), but it didn't work out. The problem was not with the squadron, but with me. I had great intentions: I had gained a lot from cadets, and wanted to give back, and yada yada.

But in the end, cadets don't need those who freshly aged out so much as they need mature leaders. What I was doing (and what many appear to have done), was trying to relive or extend my great cadet experience by volunteering.

Further, when you're almost a peer with the cadets still in the system (their WO was at SLC with me, another NCO was at PowerSchol with me), you're not giving the cadets in the system their chance to run with it. Apparently my reputation at my local sqn lasted for a few years after I left. That's very flattering, but whenever I went back to visit, it was at best disruptive. That's not terrible on an occasional visit, but it would have been disastrous on a long-term basis. Those who aged out before I did left me to have a go at running things: I needed to give those after me the same chance.

And at the end of the day, growing as a person is partly about leaving things behind. It sucks, but it's life.

oldguy

[mandiebaby]

When I aged out six years ago, I almost cried at my graduation parade. I had put a lot of time and effort to get where I had. I regreted that I had started cadets so late (I started when I was 16). I took some time off, and eventually went back for a while as an Instructor.

Still to this day, I miss cadets. I've watched one of my brothers age out, and still have one more to go. I've helped them over the years, and they have excelled.

My suggestion to anyone that does age out, is to do what feels right. For some it's going back to a squadron and becoming an officer, for others it's joining the armed forces. I was well on my way to joining the reserves, how ever that never happened due to unforseen circumstances.

:airsalute: mandiebaby
Formaly of 530 Havoc Squadron, Waterloo, Ontario.

[RPO LEBLANC]

You can join the Canadian Forces even if you have done poorly in school. You can also upgrade will your in at the same time to. You can take corespondents which I believe may earn you browny points on assessments and perhaps promotions as well.[/QUOTE]


true but you need to have grade 10 or grade 9 with 24 credits in quebec witch can make it hard for the ones that do poorly in school or the ones that that dant even have grade 9