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edit: nevermind, naming people probably isn't too kosher, especially sniper school fellas.
acumen fucked around with this message at 15:16 on Nov 23, 2010 |
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Nov 23, 2010 15:05
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MA-Horus posted:Regs also state that drivers are supposed to get a minimum of 6 hours sleep. On driver wheeled, the regs are 8 hours now. Oh god three 40 min powerpoint lectures and one practical period on HOW TO USE THIS STANDARD WINCH FOR SECURING JERRY CANS
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Nov 26, 2010 03:28
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Nofeed posted:On driver wheeled, the regs are 8 hours now. Oh god three 40 min powerpoint lectures and one practical period on HOW TO USE THIS STANDARD WINCH FOR SECURING JERRY CANS I hear getting your 404's is retarded. You have like a 40 mins class on how to take a left turn, then a 40 min on how to take a right turn.
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Nov 26, 2010 03:32
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Fraser CDN posted:I hear getting your 404's is retarded. You have like a 40 mins class on how to take a left turn, then a 40 min on how to take a right turn. Dunno about driver wheeled courses but on our armored driving courses we just gave the instructors our drivers licenses, got in the G-Wagens and went offroading. Best course ever.
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Nov 26, 2010 07:42
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Getting your 404s can be a pain in the rear end depending on who's running it. I spent a bunch of time in Transport Platoon and ended up running an ML and HL course for some of our guys and since I knew they could already drive and we were pretty comfortable I just ticked all the appropriate boxes, did a quick condensed version of the spiel and then we went out driving, essentially skipping work for a couple days. Albeit in army trucks, on the road. Could have been worse. On the other hand, I've heard of driving courses that were pure cock, too. I was lucky. When I was with 2RCR I did a conversion to G-Wagen from Iltis (which I didn't have) instead of a real course, so I dodged a bullet there. Effing Gagetown.
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Nov 28, 2010 08:41
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It sounds retarded, but all I want for Christmas is my comms course. Failing that, I don't want 522's no more. I'm not a greedy person.
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Nov 28, 2010 14:07
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Hizawk posted:It sounds retarded, but all I want for Christmas is my comms course. I almost feel some kind of affection for the 522. I've heard staff say so many times, "Now listen, get those radios working because it's stupid to carry around a big heavy radio that doesn't work - although we will make you do that." I just love it in a way.
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Nov 29, 2010 03:06
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Hizawk posted:It sounds retarded, but all I want for Christmas is my comms course. 522's aren't even that bad (when they work), the 521's on the other hand are completely loving useless all the time. Our unit just used off the shelf Motorolas instead.
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Nov 29, 2010 18:32
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Hizawk posted:It sounds retarded, but all I want for Christmas is my comms course. e: Just realized how long I've been gone, don't think I ever posted here. I'm a Comm Research awaiting training in Kingston. I've said it, now they'll kill me. All I want for Christmas is some kind of interview for Level 3/SA. Going on 24 months soon with nothing but a BMQ-L(SQ) under my belt and no confirmation that I am not a terrorist. I'd love to get 404s, but they've dubbed it irrelevant to the trade. Not to derail things, but has anyone gone CF-->RCMP? I haven't gone to the BPSO about it yet. Things get around and I take enough flak for wearing NCDs on an Army base already. Jeremy360 fucked around with this message at 00:36 on Nov 30, 2010 |
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Nov 30, 2010 00:34
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Jeremy360 posted:e: Just realized how long I've been gone, don't think I ever posted here. I'm a Comm Research awaiting training in Kingston. I've said it, now they'll kill me. 24 months? We probably know eachother, or did at some point on pat.
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Nov 30, 2010 01:04
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Where/ when did you do basic/SQ?
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Nov 30, 2010 01:54
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Fraser CDN posted:Where/ when did you do basic/SQ? St-Jean for Basic, last April and Meaford for SQ at the start of this year. Call me crazy, but I miss that place, no spreadsheets and such. It's a bit demotivating when the guys from your Basic are sailing or deployed already. I've been considering going to a hard navy trade as well, but who knows. I need my eyes fixed to be a NES Op or NCI Op. I'm trying to avoid official channels for now, I work in HQ and the rumor mill is pretty crazy. I'm still technically on PAT, but try to stay as far away as I can. Love the Forces though, I don't know if I could give it up. I'd trade my kingdom for Esquimalt though. Jeremy360 fucked around with this message at 02:36 on Nov 30, 2010 |
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Nov 30, 2010 02:10
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Speaking of shitholes, how could you possibly miss Meaford? Having gone through the RCR battle school there, I would burn it down in a heart beat. I'd sell it to the Mexicans for a dollar. On the other hand, I guess any base you had a lovely time in will probably elicit that response. I know guys that feel that way about Wainwright, even though I don't mind it much. And I actually like Suffield, having been posted there for a while and still knowing a bunch of people there. Meaford, though. *shudder* I know every base has lovely weather, but 6 foot snow drifts even on base proper and wind that would tear your meat from your bones if you even looked at it funny. I envy the Americans for their hot bases.
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Dec 1, 2010 05:49
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gently caress Meaford, the land that weather forgot. It's one of two places I've seen frost or snow in August, and 15 degree weather in December. It's poorly laid out, and let me just say for the record; gently caress. SOLDIER. HILL.
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Dec 3, 2010 02:01
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Hizawk posted:I loving hate poppies. gently caress wearing them. Ugh. Grow a pair.
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Dec 3, 2010 03:04
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MA-Horus posted:gently caress Meaford, the land that weather forgot. It's one of two places I've seen frost or snow in August, and 15 degree weather in December. It's poorly laid out, and let me just say for the record; Warner Hill? Ive run and rucked up that fucker so many times. It sucks in the winter. Going on runs down it suck, cause you know you have to go up it. Anyone who has been to Meaford knows Warner Hill and how much it sucks.
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Dec 3, 2010 04:13
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Fraser CDN posted:Warner Hill? Ive run and rucked up that fucker so many times. It sucks in the winter. Going on runs down it suck, cause you know you have to go up it. Anyone who has been to Meaford knows Warner Hill and how much it sucks. Is that the same hill as the Hog's Back? If so, gently caress it, gently caress it to eternal oblivion.
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Dec 3, 2010 17:10
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Mr.48 posted:Is that the same hill as the Hog's Back? If so, gently caress it, gently caress it to eternal oblivion. Hog's Back is the northern part of the training area and Warner Hill is the southeastern part if my memory serves.
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Dec 3, 2010 17:29
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Warner Hill is the big hill you go out towards the FOB's / Carl G range/ C6 range. I think they call Hogs Back the road leading to the base.
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Dec 3, 2010 18:37
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My SQ is in Wainwright in January. How bad is that going to suck? Also, gently caress Yeah Christmas leave. I don't have to go back to work t'ill the 10th 
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Dec 4, 2010 17:17
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Samu posted:My SQ is in Wainwright in January. How bad is that going to suck? Imagine the coldest you've ever been now bear in mind that wainwright will be FAR colder. Your life will be pain. Sorry.
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Dec 4, 2010 17:52
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Hogs back is NW part of the base and is mostly known for not having any wind protection at all. Warner Hill is just E of the base proper and is known for being steep and long. At Samu: if you can sneak it in and can afford it on Pte pay, get some civvie-style winter kit. A gortex suit will do you well your whole career, and if you stop into a MEC or a Coast Mountain Sports you can get really thin Nomex gloves that you can wear under your regular gloves for extra warmth. Bonus: they're thin enough that if you have to take off your glove to do something like piss or light a stove, you can still wear the Nomex and at least be a little warmer. And get as many of those heater pack thingies you put in your gloves and boots as you possibly can. Seriously, you'll thank me later. There are colder places to do an SQ, I'm sure, but I can't think of one off the top of my head. It's going to be loving miserable.
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Dec 4, 2010 20:55
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Underarmour cold weather top, was the best piece I had on my winter DP1. We had -20 to -30 for most of FTX1. I find thermals keep the stench of a week in the field, but underarmour washes clean and doesn't stink. Also underarmour dries a lot faster then thermals, so you dont freeze as much. Also a good head lamp will help for staying up on stove watch, just make sure it has a white and red light setting.Morristron posted:And get as many of those heater pack thingies you put in your gloves and boots as you possibly can. Seriously, you'll thank me later. Only get the hand warmers, they can get really hot and if you dont remove them from your boot ( during a ruck) you can burn your feet, which will suck. Also Gatorade bottles work amazing as double boilers. Put coco mix and water in the bottle and wrap a heater pack around it. It will keep you warm and give you something other than nasty thermos water to drink. Fraser CDN fucked around with this message at 23:20 on Dec 4, 2010 |
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Dec 4, 2010 23:16
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Samu posted:My SQ is in Wainwright in January. How bad is that going to suck? Wear the mukluks whenever possible, they are a lifesaver. Also, get nice warm civy gloves, the thick black leather ones with the cadpat wrist parts you get issues are crap. They aren't warm enough and you can barely do anything in them. Also, when it gets really cold work the action of your weapon at least a few times an hour, it can and will freeze solid otherwise and wont work. To further avoid such problems see if you can get any graphite lubricant like the kind locksmiths use (if you dont get issued any that is). CLP freezes pretty easily. Mr.48 fucked around with this message at 09:26 on Dec 5, 2010 |
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Dec 5, 2010 09:21
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Morristron posted:There are colder places to do an SQ, I'm sure, but I can't think of one off the top of my head. It's going to be loving miserable. Shilo, maybe? That's pretty high on my "gently caress that place" list, too. Why oh why did the arty school have to be there?
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Dec 5, 2010 11:25
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MA-Horus posted:Shilo, maybe? That's pretty high on my "gently caress that place" list, too. Why oh why did the arty school have to be there? Arty school is in Gagetown. WATC does do an arty course for mo's every once in a while
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Dec 6, 2010 04:26
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My Spirit Otter posted:Arty school is in Gagetown. WATC does do an arty course for mo's every once in a while Argh you're right sorry, don't know why I thought that.
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Dec 6, 2010 05:46
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I'm a fairly smart, but officially uneducated guy (dropped out around grade 9 due to serious depression issues - a stupid decision and a long story) and one of the big pushes for me to go back to school is to finish my Grade 12 and apply for Navy or Air Force and I was just wondering if life in the Canadian military is as reviled as it is in the US military. Do you guys feel like the amount of effort you put into military life is worth the payoff? How often do Canadian infantrymen get deployed into hostile situations? If I'm more interested in the technical jobs/not getting my balls shot off, should I not even consider regular Army? I'm fairly ignorant about the whole thing, but life for me is not going well and I need some serious structure and rear end-kicking to get myself in gear and the military looks like a good way to do that. I just don't want to end up counting the minutes until my contract is up, so I'd like to hear from some experienced guys about what it's like. For the record, I'm 21.
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Dec 8, 2010 12:35
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Faffel posted:I'm a fairly smart, but officially uneducated guy (dropped out around grade 9 due to serious depression issues - a stupid decision and a long story) and one of the big pushes for me to go back to school is to finish my Grade 12 and apply for Navy or Air Force and I was just wondering if life in the Canadian military is as reviled as it is in the US military. Do you guys feel like the amount of effort you put into military life is worth the payoff? How often do Canadian infantrymen get deployed into hostile situations? If I'm more interested in the technical jobs/not getting my balls shot off, should I not even consider regular Army? I'm fairly ignorant about the whole thing, but life for me is not going well and I need some serious structure and rear end-kicking to get myself in gear and the military looks like a good way to do that. I just don't want to end up counting the minutes until my contract is up, so I'd like to hear from some experienced guys about what it's like. If you possess even a modicum of intelligence the infantry will drive you crazy. I can't talk a lot about other trades because I don't really have the adequate exposure, but they seem to be more or less the same. As far as getting rewarded for your hard work, it's incredibly hit or miss. You'll see the most brain-dead, incompetent soldiers get promoted ahead of the top soldiers in battalion fairly often, although there are plenty of ways to be recognized for the quality of soldier you are. In the infantry there are several more prestigious courses like recce, sniper, pathfinder, military freefall, etc. and awards for soldier of the year or the like that you can end up with. At the end of the day, respect goes a very, very long way, and even if junkass Cpl rear end in a top hat gets promoted before you, 80% of the people in battalion know that he's a dickhead and you're the real guy to listen to, even if he has the rank. Infantry soldiers get deployed to Afghanistan on roughly seven-month tours that rotate between three regiments (Royal Canadian Regiment in Ontario and New Brunswick, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry out of Alberta and Edmonton, and the Royal 22nd Regiment of Canada [Vandoos] out of Quebec). There are three battalions in each regiment (eg: 1st RCR, 2nd RCR, 3rd RCR) and each battalion will make up a battlegroup to go to Afghanistan that include artillery, engineer, armoured, etc. attachments. At this point, however, there are only a couple battlegroups left that are slated to go fight in Afghanistan so chances are you won't be seeing any combat in the infantry for a while. edit: If you want my personal opinion, then let me say that the better soldier you are and the harder you work, the more difficult and arduous taskings/jobs you're going to get, and you're not going to get away with skipping out on work or taking several months off because of a sore foot. You're not going to get a cushy posting somewhere. All you'll get is the feeling of self-satisfaction, which sometimes doesn't last long enough. One of my best friends in the military has essentially had the past two years off because he's a giant slacker, while I've been working my rear end off and we get paid exactly the same. Is it worth it? I don't know. acumen fucked around with this message at 17:59 on Dec 8, 2010 |
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Dec 8, 2010 17:51
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Faffel posted:I'm a fairly smart, but officially uneducated guy (dropped out around grade 9 due to serious depression issues - a stupid decision and a long story) and one of the big pushes for me to go back to school is to finish my Grade 12 and apply for Navy or Air Force and I was just wondering if life in the Canadian military is as reviled as it is in the US military. Do you guys feel like the amount of effort you put into military life is worth the payoff? How often do Canadian infantrymen get deployed into hostile situations? If I'm more interested in the technical jobs/not getting my balls shot off, should I not even consider regular Army? I'm fairly ignorant about the whole thing, but life for me is not going well and I need some serious structure and rear end-kicking to get myself in gear and the military looks like a good way to do that. I just don't want to end up counting the minutes until my contract is up, so I'd like to hear from some experienced guys about what it's like. Everything acumen posted is very true and applies to every trade I've seen so far, not just infantry. Also, keep in mind that if you just sign up right after you finish grade 12 you will start as a private with poo poo pay. A better way would be to talk to a recruiting center and find out what technical jobs are in demand, then try to get accepted into a college or university for that type of profession. The army will pay for your tuition and most likely offer you a rank and pay incentive when you finish school and are ready to serve. A friend of mine did that for optics/electronic technician and he got offered an automatic promotion to corporal with specialist II pay, which is pretty good. Another option would be to get into university and go for the regular officer training plan (ROTP). Which is basically the same thing except you go in as an officer and you can be slotted into a number of different trades. In either case you would owe the army 2 months of service for every month they sponsor you at university/college, but the pay and rank advantages over just signing up as an untrained private are enormous. Edit: Oh yeah, and to the end of getting into good university programs put considerable effort into high-school, take useful courses (math, sciences, etc.) and don't slack off. Mr.48 fucked around with this message at 18:14 on Dec 8, 2010 |
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Dec 8, 2010 18:11
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Thanks for the replies - the things you said about education seem to be well worth considering, Mr. 48. I was looking at the sponsorship programs, but I couldn't figure out if they worked the way you described or not so that's good to know. It honestly sounds kind of awesome - free pass through school, a chance to experience the military in a technical field and when I'm done with the military I'll still have my degree. It would mean a lot longer, but it would be a plan at the very least. As for your friend, acumen, that's the kind of guy I'm worried I'll become if I join the military, but I guess that's one reason I'm interested in it. I'd like to find out if I can survive military life and not wuss out.
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Dec 8, 2010 18:27
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As a private just out of high school making poo poo pay, I'd say the pay isn't all that bad. I get like 750 bucks a paycheck after all the deductions, of that I put 150 into savings and the rest is just spending money. I have no bills outside of my rations/quarters, which is part of my deductions. So each pay I have 600 bucks that is completely disposable. Compared to my other jobs working construction, I have more disposable income now then I did then. Once I make corporal I'll actually be able to afford a new car and make major purchase. For now the pay isn't all that bad if you just don't drink your paychecks. You never really have to live from paycheck to paycheck because everything you need to live is paid for automatically. Plus if you go out to the field for a month you can get out of paying rations and get an extra 600 bucks of field pay on top of not having to pay the 500 bucks for rations. Also, since you can't spend your money out in the field, you come out of it with a decent chunk of cash. Not everyone in the combat arms are big dumb retards, there's a lot of smart and decent guys who just happen to like buying brand new sports cars and banging hookers.
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Dec 10, 2010 23:29
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Samu posted:I get like 750 bucks a paycheck after all the deductions Holy poo poo.
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Dec 11, 2010 00:48
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tuyop posted:Holy poo poo. Big difference from enlisted to officer? My brother gets about a grand cause he is on half rations, and P2's.
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Dec 11, 2010 02:16
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Fraser CDN posted:Big difference from enlisted to officer? My brother gets about a grand cause he is on half rations, and P2's. Nope, 2 and 1Lts also don't make poo poo either (Capt is where it goes up), but holy crap $750 a cheque is scary - honestly that doesn't seem right. R&Q that pricey? My gross is $6375/mo, and will touch 7k after I get made next year.
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Dec 11, 2010 03:33
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Samu posted:Not everyone in the combat arms are big dumb retards, there's a lot of smart and decent guys who just happen to like buying brand new That's a pretty accurate way of summing up the people in the combat arms.
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Dec 11, 2010 03:35
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compressioncut posted:Nope, 2 and 1Lts also don't make poo poo either (Capt is where it goes up), but holy crap $750 a cheque is scary - honestly that doesn't seem right. R&Q that pricey? My gross is $6375/mo, and will touch 7k after I get made next year. Your a Master jack right? Arnt you one of the spec Navy trades that get all the sea pay and land pay and all that other good stuff? He is only making 750 a check, but before rations and quarters I think they get about 2600 a month. Fraser CDN fucked around with this message at 04:33 on Dec 11, 2010 |
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Dec 11, 2010 04:29
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Fraser CDN posted:Big difference from enlisted to officer? My brother gets about a grand cause he is on half rations, and P2's. Yeah, I make almost twice that as an infantry 2lt without lda or pld, and that's with ridiculous 750/month in rations and quarters. poo poo, I cleared more than that while I was in university going to school two hours a day, traveling the world without leave and growing a beard (aka ROTP). Pay is one of the nice things about being an officer. Not to poo poo all over you as a private or anything. 
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Dec 11, 2010 05:02
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My monthly pay as a P1 private is $2663. Then I pay $44 dollars for quarters, and an additional $502 for rations. Add in taxes (around $400), EI, CPP and something called PPIP and im clearing around 1500 a month in my pocket. It was worse in St.Jean, where my actual pay was only $50 more than my monthly deductions. Things they dont tell you at the recruiting center. 
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Dec 11, 2010 05:46
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| # ? May 17, 2024 00:36 |
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As a reservist Pte I make maybe 500 if we don't have any stand-downs. 
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Dec 12, 2010 00:24
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