By: Veronica T., Brampton, ON

One day I was sitting on the bus in Toronto and I saw an ad for the Canadian Armed Forces. I stared at it for probably 10 minutes. I could picture myself there, in the army and I found myself making a decision. "I'm joining the army," I said to my mom when I got home.

Okay, so it was a bit of a surprise. But I really don't see anything bad about me joining the army. They would pay for me to attend any university across Canada, the training will keep me in great shape, I'll be healthy, I'll learn skills there that I wouldn't learn anywhere else and the experience I'll get will be amazing! The discipline that I would get there, the people I would meet and places I would see when I am done school would give me great exposure to the rest of the world. I could be sent to different places in Europe, or I may be stationed somewhere in Canada, just as a peacekeeper. Since Canada is a peacekeeping country, our armed forces don't actually fight but they do patrol at riots and provide order and aid. As many of the countries Canadian soldiers travel to our at war, it is still a dangerous job.

Of course when I tell people about my plan, they think I am crazy. But I ignored everything people said to me and I went to speak to my guidance counsellor about it. He gave me the number and address of the Armed Forces recruitment center in Toronto and I went there that very afternoon. (My mother made me swear not to sign any papers before she got to read all of them.) The brown building North of Toronto was gigantic and I was a bit nervous about going in, but I did. I looked around and saw a man standing behind a podium. He looked mean and I was truly intimidated but then I looked around and saw a table of young guys that I assumed were joining the army. I could see that they thought I was crazy for being there. Of course, I had to sit at the table where the guys were sitting. I felt awkward and I wouldn't even cross my legs. I sat like them. I was completely fascinated with everything in it when I heard one of the guys whisper to his friend, "Oh yeah, I can just see her, 'Ohmigod, I broke a nail!' " I wanted to say some smart remark to him but I didn't bother. I could not believe that was what they thought. I was there for the same reason that they were but because I am a female they figure that I can't handle it.

An officer came over and started talking to all of us. He was explaining how first we have to have an interview, then a physical and a test before you get in. I was given booklets and a sheet with some of the interview questions, like "why do you want to join the army, why should we take you, what do you hope to get from the army etc" The questions are similar to those of any job interview. The program that I want to go into is called Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP). It starts off with 10 weeks of "Boot Camp" then after that, if I survive, I will go to Humber College--which they pay for--and after I graduate from co1lege then I serve them for three years as an officer.

Now does that sound like a bad deal? By the age of 24 I will have finished all of my schooling and already served three years for the Armed forces. I can stay with them longer if I want to but even short term will give me a chance to explore and experience different things. Joining the army will benefit me in a lot of ways. I still have one more year left of high school before I sign up but I can say that it will be an experience I will never forget.