Well what I have done, is cut that 4 page letter in half using every ones advice. I will post it below and please give you $0.02.
Keep in mind if I can get away with it I was planning on doing the testing and getting my trade list before handing this to the parents. I would like to know if I can get in a electrical spot before I capsize the family boat.
Does any one know the number that I left blank in RED??
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm sorry that I had to write this in a letter, but I didn't know how to sit down and tell you and I am worried about both of you over reacting. First off let me say that, I love you both and that you both are great parents. I have come to a decision in my life that is a huge step and that I know is not something to take lightly, also please read the remainder of the letter since I cover a lot of detailed information on why I finally arrived to the decision of wanting to enlist in the Canadian Forces particularly in the Army as a Electrical Distribution Tech.
I know that both of you have a lot of issues shrouding the Military life and the Army in generally so I compiled some information in different areas. A lot of this information can be supported from data sheets that the military makes available, also from talking to people at the recruitment office as well as talking to people that have been through it and some that are going through it. I have taking the time to do my research and have been thinking of this since high school so I am prepared for what can be ahead.
Off the bat I what to make perfectly clear that a lot of the process of joining the military is a waiting game so I don't intend to quite college, unless I have to, from some unfortunate events or unreasonable people. I do realize dad that your dream for me was following in your footstep, working at Dofasco as an Electrician, this was never my dream. I would like to become an electrician but I would like to take my own path and make my own footprints, which the military allows me to do.
I hope the following will answer some of questions and put to easy some of your concerns. I would image that both for have issues over subjects such as money, life style, obligations, training, and life after the military. When it comes to the kind of wage I would make being in the military, I have a sheet that outlines all salaries. The pay scale is in accordance to the rank and occupation held by the individual, so as one progresses through the ranks over time so does your salary. When you first start and are sent to off to basic training you are making approximately $------ . I do realize that this is not a lot but you also have a lot of your expenses paid for and all so have full medical and dental plans which take care of a big portion of expenses. When it comes to life style, there is a big switch, which would take a little time for any one to get use to. They start you for every day at 5:00am, which covers getting dressed, inspection from your drill sergeant and breakfast. Then from 5:30am till about 6:00pm is all training which covers a lot of physical demanding work as well as class room setting lectures and field practice in topic like: services knowledge, first aid, small arms handing, map reading, safety and survival in the field, upkeep of quarters and personal appearance. For any concerns over obligations I found the biggest myth is once you enlist you are there for life, this is in no way the case. Enlisting in the regular forces does not obligate you in any way to stay. The training that I would receive in the military is considered to be some of the best and I would be on my way to becoming a qualify electrician once past basic training. There really should not be any concerns about what happens after the military. There is a lot of opportunity to excel in the Canadian Forces and better ones self. All this stuff are things that I look forward to and embrace.
I would imagine that this comes as quite a shock to you but this is something that I feel need to be done. Mohawk is not working out and I will be overwhelmed with joy when I'm out of that place. My decision to inform you of this didn't come easy, I was planning on going through the process, doing all the testing and signing all the papers without telling you until I got a shipping out date. After talking to a lot of people about their experiences in the same madder I was told that my best action was to inform you of my intentions and if you were not on board with me, that was just to bad.
You might be asking yourself why I just out of blue I bring this up. For me there is a long history behind it, which I would be more then happy to tell you about, but all things given I just felt like my life is lacking a lot of direction, also that college is not giving me any of the skills that I feel are need to be productive in any walk of life and that certain events in my life have lead me up to this decision such as taking 3 years to do a 2-year course which never amounted to anything, being 23 and not having a girlfriend at any point in my life a lot of that was due to school, being 23 and still being supported by my parents which I am extremely grateful for. Dad you did not make this decision easy for me in any way just from my point of view I was never really given much of a choice. Every day after I graduated my Networking and Hardware, dad you brought the subject up of becoming an electrician, and tried explaining to me how it would be in my best interest always saying to me â Å“Why not go back to school and take something in the trades, you'll always have workâ ? you were always so eager to introduce me as your son who is going to Mohawk studying to be an electrician like his dad, said with a smile only to turn around and explain to people that your still working because you still have a kid in school. I'm not only your hopeful electrician but also your unfortunate excuse for not living your life. 41 years working, you have more then paying your dues, but your not living a life and that my fault, to which I am sorry.
With all my thoughts and feelings laid out I hope you can understand where I am coming from and I hope I have your support in this endeavor but if not I am sorry but this is my decision and in the end my life, to which I don't want to interfere with yours.
Always with love your son
Darrell