Letter to the editor... A soldier speaks
I am a student here at Fanshawe College in the financial planning services program. I am also a part-time soldier with the Canadian Forces. I bear no ill will to the Career Fair protestors, nor will I ever demand a restriction on their right to protest according to the beliefs they hold. I do, however, disagree with some of their ideas, and take issue with what I consider to be misinformation in regard to the Canadian mandate in Afghanistan, and what it means to be a Canadian Forces soldier. So that we are clear, let me say that my views are my own, taken from my own life experience, and in no way should be considered to represent the official position of the Canadian Forces.
I would like to begin by addressing the presence of the Canadian Forces recruiting table at the Career Fair. Aside from the philosophical differences one might have with such a career, the main argument is that no one at Fanshawe is training to be a soldier; therefore a recruiting presence during the career fair is not required. That's true in part, but you could say the same for Starbucks, The Home Depot or Rona's presence at the Career Fair.
I can't think of one particular program that explicitly prepares you for a career with these employers. Maybe, though, you just need a summer job, or part-time employment to get you through your program with your finances intact. Or maybe, just maybe, that part-time employment leads to a full-time career, allowing you to use the skills you learned here in school in a capacity you never imagined in the first place. My point here is that we should ask ourselves why we would restrict the career fair to a certain set of employers based on a limited concept of careers. Let the students assess their options and decide for themselves.
Secondly, the argument that the mission in Afghanistan is an imperialistic, Bush-loving oil grab is getting tired. The truth about Afghanistan is that it's a nation which has been torn apart by decades of conflict and oppression is engaged in a slow, difficult transition to a more free, secure, and democratic society. What's also true is that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), of which the Canadian Forces are a part, is led by NATO and was mandated by the UN (Canada's Mission in Afghanistan: Measuring Progress). This is not the operation of any one or two nations, but of the entire international community. Canadians should also try to understand that all NATO members are bound to come to the defence of any member nation who is directly attacked, as when al-Qaeda attacked the United States on 9/11. The original invasion of Afghanistan was a direct response by NATO members in support of the United States to the terrorist attacks (in which 24 Canadians were also killed), made necessary by the efforts of the Taliban government to harbour the leadership of al-Qaeda...
Remember, Afghanistan is a nation which knows war better than peace. There are warlords who still cling to power and vast opium fields which represent nearly the entire world supply. But don't suggest that the presence of continuing difficulties means the mission is doomed to fail. Ask any soldier who has served in Afghanistan and met with the Afghans face to face, and he or she will tell you what our continued support means to these people.
Finally, I'd like to share the reasons I believe someone should consider joining the Canadian Forces, since I don't believe the assimilation of one's mind or the damning of one's soul suggested by many objectors is an accurate reflection of what it means to be a soldier.
1. Income: All training is fully paid, with extensive summer employment and education grants available. I take advantage of the education grants myself, which cover nearly half of my education cost here at Fanshawe.
2. Skills: Name the skill, and you'll have the opportunity to develop it. Leadership, self-discipline, and time and stress management are just a few of many others I could name.
3. Fitness: In order to be an effective part of any military force, physical fitness is essential. Group physical activity will help get and keep you in shape. You could consider it paid personal training.
4. Experience: Being a soldier, part-time or as a career, is a job like no other. Rappelling, survival training, and helicopter insertions are just some of the activities you could expect to take part in.
5. Family: The atmosphere within a military unit is very much like a family. You don't make friends; you make new brothers and sisters. There is a genuine care and concern expressed for every member, with safety and personal development paramount to the effectiveness of the unit as a whole.
6. Values: The personal values of a Canadian Forces soldier are embodied within the Army Ethos; Duty, Honour, Integrity, and Discipline. Life, peace, and freedom are considered absolutely superior to death and conflict. Soldiers are not mindless instruments of death, but real people with real emotions and concerns.
7. Pride: You will feel it in yourself and in the eyes of others whenever you meet the challenge of a seemingly impossible obstacle. You will be challenged early and often, but the sense of accomplishment is unlike any other. Consider also the rich military history of which you will be a part; many men and women died for our freedoms. I serve today in honour of their sacrifice.
In conclusion, let me say that my wish is each and every person appreciates the rights and freedoms that they enjoy, the rights and freedoms of others, and where those rights and freedoms came from. Think for yourself and learn to recognize propaganda when you see it. Am I biased in my opinions? You bet I am. I will admit that I have very few negatives to share about my part-time job, but I speak only from my personal experience. Military life, even just part-time, is not for everyone. But the rewards for those who can outlast the early challenges are numerous, and sincere. To the career fair protestors I say this: Keep asking the hard questions, because that is very important in today's society. Please don't, however, offer false answers.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
I would like to begin by addressing the presence of the Canadian Forces recruiting table at the Career Fair. Aside from the philosophical differences one might have with such a career, the main argument is that no one at Fanshawe is training to be a soldier; therefore a recruiting presence during the career fair is not required. That's true in part, but you could say the same for Starbucks, The Home Depot or Rona's presence at the Career Fair.
I can't think of one particular program that explicitly prepares you for a career with these employers. Maybe, though, you just need a summer job, or part-time employment to get you through your program with your finances intact. Or maybe, just maybe, that part-time employment leads to a full-time career, allowing you to use the skills you learned here in school in a capacity you never imagined in the first place. My point here is that we should ask ourselves why we would restrict the career fair to a certain set of employers based on a limited concept of careers. Let the students assess their options and decide for themselves.
Secondly, the argument that the mission in Afghanistan is an imperialistic, Bush-loving oil grab is getting tired. The truth about Afghanistan is that it's a nation which has been torn apart by decades of conflict and oppression is engaged in a slow, difficult transition to a more free, secure, and democratic society. What's also true is that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), of which the Canadian Forces are a part, is led by NATO and was mandated by the UN (Canada's Mission in Afghanistan: Measuring Progress). This is not the operation of any one or two nations, but of the entire international community. Canadians should also try to understand that all NATO members are bound to come to the defence of any member nation who is directly attacked, as when al-Qaeda attacked the United States on 9/11. The original invasion of Afghanistan was a direct response by NATO members in support of the United States to the terrorist attacks (in which 24 Canadians were also killed), made necessary by the efforts of the Taliban government to harbour the leadership of al-Qaeda...
Remember, Afghanistan is a nation which knows war better than peace. There are warlords who still cling to power and vast opium fields which represent nearly the entire world supply. But don't suggest that the presence of continuing difficulties means the mission is doomed to fail. Ask any soldier who has served in Afghanistan and met with the Afghans face to face, and he or she will tell you what our continued support means to these people.
Finally, I'd like to share the reasons I believe someone should consider joining the Canadian Forces, since I don't believe the assimilation of one's mind or the damning of one's soul suggested by many objectors is an accurate reflection of what it means to be a soldier.
1. Income: All training is fully paid, with extensive summer employment and education grants available. I take advantage of the education grants myself, which cover nearly half of my education cost here at Fanshawe.
2. Skills: Name the skill, and you'll have the opportunity to develop it. Leadership, self-discipline, and time and stress management are just a few of many others I could name.
3. Fitness: In order to be an effective part of any military force, physical fitness is essential. Group physical activity will help get and keep you in shape. You could consider it paid personal training.
4. Experience: Being a soldier, part-time or as a career, is a job like no other. Rappelling, survival training, and helicopter insertions are just some of the activities you could expect to take part in.
5. Family: The atmosphere within a military unit is very much like a family. You don't make friends; you make new brothers and sisters. There is a genuine care and concern expressed for every member, with safety and personal development paramount to the effectiveness of the unit as a whole.
6. Values: The personal values of a Canadian Forces soldier are embodied within the Army Ethos; Duty, Honour, Integrity, and Discipline. Life, peace, and freedom are considered absolutely superior to death and conflict. Soldiers are not mindless instruments of death, but real people with real emotions and concerns.
7. Pride: You will feel it in yourself and in the eyes of others whenever you meet the challenge of a seemingly impossible obstacle. You will be challenged early and often, but the sense of accomplishment is unlike any other. Consider also the rich military history of which you will be a part; many men and women died for our freedoms. I serve today in honour of their sacrifice.
In conclusion, let me say that my wish is each and every person appreciates the rights and freedoms that they enjoy, the rights and freedoms of others, and where those rights and freedoms came from. Think for yourself and learn to recognize propaganda when you see it. Am I biased in my opinions? You bet I am. I will admit that I have very few negatives to share about my part-time job, but I speak only from my personal experience. Military life, even just part-time, is not for everyone. But the rewards for those who can outlast the early challenges are numerous, and sincere. To the career fair protestors I say this: Keep asking the hard questions, because that is very important in today's society. Please don't, however, offer false answers.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
