There is an homey old saying that goes: "Same dog, different leg". Or "same shit, different pile". I have been RCD (88-93, in Pet and Gagetown), 8CH (93-96, Gagetown) and LdSH(RC) (96-present, Edmonton and Gagetown (in the school)). People are people, and I have seen great Strats (officers and NCM'), shitty ones (of both), great and shitty RCDs, Hussars, RBC, etc, etc. Each Regt has it's "quirks" and I will admit the the Strat's have a little bit of the DYCO (dashing young cavalry officer) mentality, which can be a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on time and place. The Mounted troop is a pretty good thing, from a pride and historical aspect, but a bit of a drain on manning (even though someone pointed out it is "only" 17 PY's..... you give me "only" 17 of your PY's for an exercise or a tour, or a full year, and let me know how you miss them).
Here's a thought: have you thought about going 12e RBC? I used to have a bit of a hate on for the RBC (borne of ignorance and jealousy), but have come to see that if you want to advance in the CF, you definitely have to be bilingual, and you aren't going to get that level of functionality without doing time in the "Douxieme". They have a level of esprit de corps and cameraderie that put the other 2 regiments to shame (IMO), and have a much better work ethic on the whole (sorry all the Dragoons and Strats who think that they can do no wrong).
I was initially going to weigh in by saying go RCD, as that was my first Regiment (like first loves, you don't really get over your first Regt), and I had a very good go at the Regt and in C Sqn RCD in Gagetown, and it seemed to get worse as I changed Regiments. But I have come to realize that it was the change in the CF more than the change in the individual regiments (change in drinking policy, older soldiers joining, soldiers hanging out together less, more frequent tours, exercises getting shorter, Generation XBox joining, soldiers getting older and family taking priority over socializing, and on and on). As mentioned, we are in an era of "velcro hatbadges" (as I call it), whereby you can change hatbadges a lot easier than before (and people do it for their own reasons (location) moreso than prior, where service needs dictated a change in Regt affiliation rather than personal preference). Having said this, it seems to be a LOT easier to do this at the School, rather than trying to move from Regt to Regt. I have seen quite a few officers rebadge here at the School (for both service and personal reasons), so it isn't like you are joining a "clan" and it takes an act of parliament to change that decision.
As mentioned, there are pro's and con's for each Regiment (location being number one in my mind), but each have their own merits, and it is really up to you which one will suit you more. And it's not like you are "stuck" with your decision for your whole career: as an officer, you will move around a lot (probably more than you care to after you start having a family life), and you will see that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Al
