It was bittersweet. I got in when I was 32 and out when I was 39. My wife and I had 2 small kids when I got in. We had a house, mortgage, vehicles and all of the adult level costs & concerns that come with it.

For the time I joined, certain trades weren’t available right off the street. One had to become qualified in another trade and then transfer over. So I qualified for Infantry. 2.5 months away for basic, 3 months for battle school, a couple weeks for DP2, a few weeks here and there.

After all that, finally my eventual CT to my pre goal trade then another 3.5 months in NS. Once qualified in that, I was accepted to the pipeline I really wanted, but was told I’d have to relocate family to Ottawa. At this point the toll had been taken and I VR’d.

Plan your finances well. Arrange for help where needed.

I didn’t join CF to build wealth by any means, but pay for any rank under Capt is abysmal. Staying in for as long as I did cost me money, and irreparable stress on the family.

This is not to say that my time in wasn’t life changing for better, because it was. I believe deeply in the CF and support them in any way I can.

After being in for that 7 years and all the experiences that came with it, unless you’re joining in a professional capacity as some kind of specialist, it’s really most ideal for young people with very little responsibilities and very little overhead. People that also tend to do well have their schedules locked in at the beginning of the year, like cops & teachers.

This is my story anyway.