Starting It Off...

Hi! I kind of got the idea of having a blog after having a look at my buddy John Keess' blog. I thought it would be a good idea to post the interesting things that happen to me on the web to share with all my family and friends instead of forgetting everything. Welcome to my new creation.

I guess I'll start from the beginning.

Back in Winnipeg I was an average student with good grades. Maples Collegiate was quite the multicultural school. I was involved in a lot of band-type programs and learned to love jazz. I was also part of the school's many running teams. I tried to be friends with everyone and hung out with Kris, Riley, Kyle, Igor, Mike Selch, and Elias. During the final year of high school (2005) I applied to various universities. Unlike many of my classmates, I wanted to get out of Manitoba in hopes of expanding my horizons. One of the universities I applied for was the Royal Military College of Canada(RMC). I got accepted to all the universities I applied for (about 7-9 in all), except for RMC. I soon got a phone call from a recruiter asking I would be available for the tests and appointments.
After going through a series of tests and interviews and signing my life away on about one hundred forms. I went to enrollment ceremony on June 17, 2005 and had officially become a member of the Forces.

I never got to go my graduation ceremony or the grad dinner & dance. Instead I was shipped to a little hell called the MEGA. I forgot what its name stood for, but it didn't really matter anyways. I was basically stripped down to nothing and built back up. To make long stories short, I went in a civilian and came out a rudimentary trained CF member. I guess you have to start somewhere. Through the long and enduring summer I had made many different friends from all over Canada.

After nine weeks of training I got two weeks of leave until I was back on duty. My next posting was RMC. We were given a short unofficial briefing of what to expect back in the MEGA but, unlike my Ontarian counterparts, I had little real knowledge of the place.

When I arrived at the college (I always call it "the college" but remember that it's actually a university) I was placed in a room and told "Enjoy the next two days, then 'it' starts." Ok, whatever. I remembered the sheets placed along the cliffs saying "VR NOW" or "YOU THOUGHT THE MEGA WAS BAD" (VR=Voluntary Release). Interesting. After the rest of the first-years arrived, we were formed up and marched under The Arch. The Arch symbolizes the sacrifice that officers have made. We were now officially part of the college. Then it was FYOP (First Year Orientation Period). My CFL (Cadet Flight Leader... I think) was Ms. Shields and the comsecs (cadet section commanders) were Mr. Lacombe, Mr. McKewon, Mr. McNaughton, and Mr. Browne. They would be leading us for a month of FYOP during school. Life started at 06:00 and ended at 23:00 (It still does). For that time period, they had us. Running up hills, climbing over fortifications, inspections after inspections, Life was tough. But, looking back, that must have been one of the best times of my life. Our flight (a group of approx. 30 people) was called Fighter Flight from 2 Squadron. We came together in such a way that I would not imagined. That cohesion got lost once we went through the second half of the year, but it was still a good memory.

After FYOP was over, we received our coins and college uniforms. We had become part of RMC. It was a nice feeling back then. That feeling of unity has somewhat faded as the repetitive days of school wear you thin. After that, it was pretty much just school. I did some drill every other week and went to the firing range to work on some pistols, but that's about it. My schedule consists of two spares out of the whole week. I also take French classes everyday, which I think is awesome. My dream one day is to go back to Montreal and chat with some of the francophones.

And that is about the shortest summary I can give you. To tell the whole story would take up a book, and right now I don't have that time to spend. Oh, I want to state one thing. No, RMC is not free. You pay for this education with the time, blood, and sweat that you have to pour into it. It is not easy and not everyone can handle it. If you ever plan to go to RMC (or plan to send you kids to RMC) don't go because its free or because you want to play soldier. Come for the right reasons and you won't fall apart.

I have been here all year and I haven't seen my home since a three week break during Christmas. Other then that, I have not set foot in Manitoba since the beginning of July. The funny thing is that I never really feel homesick, I never have. My life has always driven me somewhere else.

At this current period in time, school is over and I'm studying for my exams. I finished physics, five more to go. Man, will it be nice to be done school. For once in my life, I finally want to stop learning and take a break.