Author Archives: Mark Wood

Well, after 16 months of waiting after I first handed in my application to be a member of the Canadian Forces Officer, I have been told 100% that I do not meet the Common Medical Enrolment Standards. This means that my road has come to an end. It also means that I can’t even apply for the reserves as they also follow the CMES.

I feel as though I am letting my family down. I have a long tradition of Military family members and cannot carry on that lineage. I caught long and hard to prove to the CF that there is nothing wrong with me medically, but they are worried about the “what if”‘s and what could possibly go wrong in the future.

So now I continue on my life as I have been with the job I have had now for almost two years. Despite thinking that 2012 was going to be a better year than 2011, it is not starting off that way. Thankfully ITIL only 4 days into the year and there is still 362 days left for things to change and for things to get batter.

For now I drown my sorrows in a pint or two of Guinness and ponder what to do next. I want to tank everyone for all the kind words during my application process and all of the ones when the final decision was given to me. You have all been very supportive and I am extremely greatful to have you all in my life.

And again this is going to be another HORRIBLE Christmas. The CF has yet AGAIN said that I am Medically unfit despite evidence that there is NOTHING wrong with me. Now I have to either accept it, give them even more additional information saying there is nothing wrong with me by more doctors, costing a bunch of money on my end or lastly, appeal for a secondary review of my medical file with outlines of the aspect(s) of the final decision as to what I disagree with and the reasons why.

I just feel like giving up. I’m going to appeal this but I know it just going to take just as long as it did before and being so close to Christmas, I wont get the appeal looked at until the new year now.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Mark.

Oh yes, I have not given up hope yet on my application to the military. I finally was able to see a specialist on the 25th and was able to get the all clear from them. I received the letter from him yesterday and now I have to go into the Kingston CFRC detachment and have them send the letter to the RMO in Ottawa to hopefully have them finally give me the medical all clear. So now one hurdle has been passed. Several more still to go. The most important one is getting the RMO in Ottawa to see that I am fit for active duty and deployment.

The road has been long and very tiresome. I do feel like giving up from time to time but I know that when you want something bad enough, you will fight your hardest to make sure you reach that goal. It has been 14 months since I put in my application to join the ROTP. I know I have at least another 6 month before I found out 100% if my dreams of becoming an Officer in the Canadian Forces will truly come to fruition.

I’m not a religious person at all, but for those of you that do believe, please say a little prayer that all of this hard work will not be in vein.