Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 16:20:26 -0800
From: barry97@telus.net
Subject: The Air Force Part 1 Getting ready to Join

The Air Force Part 1 Getting ready to Join.  My best friend and I split at this
time and so a new story line begins.  If you want to read what came previously
read "My Best Friend and I Growing Up."  This will have every thing as well.
Such as animals and domination.  The first part may seem dull but it does lead
to more of an exciting part.  Thank you.  Barry Jimmy. Or B.J.
barry97@telus.net
	My best friend Don left for University at the beginning of the summer
to prepare for his first year.   I had no plans for myself.  I didn't have the
marks to go on to University like my friend Don.  I did know I didn't want to
sit around all my life and end up doing nothing.   While sitting around
watching TV I heard an add for the Canadian Armed Forces.  Right then and there
I decided that was for me.  I looked up in the phone book for the recruiting
office.  The closest one was in London.
The next morning I told my parents I was going to London for the day to catch a
movie.  I didn't want to let on I was going to sign on because what if they
wouldn't accept me.  I took my last report card and other papers with me as I
headed down town to catch the bus to London.
.In London I went to the recruitment centre.  At the main desk I asked about
enlisting.  I was shown to a room down the hall.  I was asked a bunch of
questions and I produced my I.D. and school records.    I was told they would
contact me in a couple of days if I was going to be accepted into the Canadian
Armed Forces. I was also told if I was accepted I would have to go to Toronto
for tests to see what part of the Forces I was best suited.  After seeing a
movie I headed home on the bus.  It was supper time by the time I got home.  Of
coarse my parents asked me how the movie was.  I told them honestly it was a
good movie but didn't mention about the recruitment centre.
For the next few days the only thing on my mind was weather I was accepted or
not.  My parents were beginning to pressure me about getting a job since I had
decided on my own not to continue school.  I was sitting in the den reading
when the phone range.  I heard mom answer the phone.  She called me and said it
was for me.  I picked up the receiver from mom and said hello.  I almost leaped
out of my skin when the man on the other end of the phone said I was accepted.
He told me I would have to Toronto for psychiatric testing to decide what was
best suited for me.
At that time the Canadian Armed forces were divided into elements rather then
Army, Navy and Air Force.  Instead it was Land, Air and Sea elements.
	I told my parents Don would be in Toronto a few days and I would be
visiting.  The next day I packed up went to London by bus again.  I went to the
office. I was given a train ticket to Toronto, told to look for a man in
uniform holding a sign reading Barry.  He would hold up a sign saying Barry.  I
would go with him and he would drive me to the military centre for tests.  I
arrived at just past eleven in the morning.  I saw a tall man in a military
uniform holding up a sign with Barry written on it.  I followed him to a near
by parking lot.  We got in his Jeep and we soon were speeding down the
highway.  At long last we reached a base.  I followed him and was introduced to
another military men that would be conduction my tests. I was given a lot of
Math, English and test putting together blocks as well as a complete physical.
I finished at noon for lunch and was back for the rest of the afternoon doing
more tests.  At long last at four I was told I was finished for the day. I was
shown a small room I would be spending the night. There was only a bed, night
stand and closet.  I didn't unpack my suitcase but went straight to the
cafeteria I for supper and then to my room.
I read awhile and then put on my pajamas and went to bed.  I was asleep in no
time at all.  The next thing I was woken by a loud knock at my door.  At the
door was a soldier who told me after I showered and dressed I was to go
straight to the cafeteria.  I got up went down the hall to a large shower room.
I quickly showered, shaved, and brushed my teeth before dressing in my room to
go to the cafeteria.  Following breakfast I was led back to the testing room
for yet more tests.  I finished all the testing by noon and was told I would be
given a ride to the train station and also I would receive a phone call in a
few days telling me what do next.
The next few days were nerve racking as I waited for the phone to ring.  At
long last the phone rang and it was the military.  I would be on my way to
Cornwallis in a week for Basic Training and after Basic Training I would be
beginning my training as a Medic.  The first thing I did was to tell my mother
and father I was joining the armed forces and was off to basic training in a
week.  My mother was upset but knew she had no say because I was eighteen and
so legal age.  Dad and Mom had plans for the week but would be back in time
before I left for Cornwallis.  My best friend and his brothers were away
getting ready to start University.  So that left me alone for an entire week to
pack and get ready to go to Cornwallis and basic training.
Barry  barry97@telus.com