I began the pre-deployment training process early last week at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier (near Quebec City). As such, I will be on the forum a little less frequently (mostly on weekends) and may not reply to PMs as quickly.
The military, even in the relatively small Canadian Forces, is still a big machine so my first week was full of the anticipated inefficiencies and contradictions and minor bureaucratic pitfalls that I have come to know, but not love so well. Still, I have to say I'm with an excellent group of people who are taking the upcoming deployment challenges on very seriously and with professionalism. As it should be.
Here's a quick link to some info on the previous 9 Canadian rotations to Afghanistan under OP ATHENA.
http://comfec-cefcom.forces.gc.ca/pa.../index-eng.asp
Now all I got to do is to successfully make it through pre-training, that is not get injured, not get cut due to "other" reasons, not piss off the wrong people, etc, etc, etc.
Wish me luck.
Operation ATHENA Roto 10
