As some of you know, I am living and working in Guangzhou China (and I have been for the past 5 years). Last year I became the proud father of a big baby boy and have been thinking about his future.
One thing for certian, even though I like it out here, I enjoy the life, I enjoy the fact that I can life a very comfortable life for little money etc... I do not want my son going through the Chinese Education system. (Sure they are good at things where you learn parrot fashion, but when you actually have to think, or be creative.. most schools are lacking) one of my biggest gripes is that the poor kids have to strudy from around 7:30 in the morning to anyway up to 9pm at night. (if they go home the get out around 6) To me it is important for a Kid to have the chance to be a kid. All the schools are have little if any PT focus.
So to cut a long story short.. When my kid is at the age of going to Primary school we will be back in the UK for him to study there (after primary school I don't know where we will go).
My original intent before coming to China was to join the military. (Then my little holiday adventure turned into this 5 year one). Now I am likely to be going back I instantly thought about joining up.
Unfortunatly the Missus has other ideas. She really doesn't like the idea much at all so we have come to some middle ground. Since I foolishly (now I realise that) fobbed off in school, and came to China instead of going getting a degree etc.. (came when I turned 21) When I get back to the Uk it's gonna be hard for me to find a decent job to support my family so I figured I could suppliment my income with joining the TA (territorial Army) Which means I still get to do some Military stuff, just on a part time basis
I was looking at the TA and the options they have. For me, I am happy as just going in as infantry. I have no gripe with hard physical work and getting down and dirty, Yet the pay for officers is better. So now I am thinking which one would be better for me to go into. Personally I don't care much for money, but now I have a family to support I've gotta think about it. So Do officers get to have as much "fun" as the infantry do?
I noticed there is a minimum ammount of time you have to put into the TA (27 days a year) is there a maximum?
(my main hope is that through the TA the missus will succumb to how handsome I look in a dress uniform and see that all is okay in the military and give in to me joining full time)
So does anyone have any advice they can give me.
Do many here in the forces have family? Does it change anything?
Wing Nut
One thing for certian, even though I like it out here, I enjoy the life, I enjoy the fact that I can life a very comfortable life for little money etc... I do not want my son going through the Chinese Education system. (Sure they are good at things where you learn parrot fashion, but when you actually have to think, or be creative.. most schools are lacking) one of my biggest gripes is that the poor kids have to strudy from around 7:30 in the morning to anyway up to 9pm at night. (if they go home the get out around 6) To me it is important for a Kid to have the chance to be a kid. All the schools are have little if any PT focus.
So to cut a long story short.. When my kid is at the age of going to Primary school we will be back in the UK for him to study there (after primary school I don't know where we will go).
My original intent before coming to China was to join the military. (Then my little holiday adventure turned into this 5 year one). Now I am likely to be going back I instantly thought about joining up.
Unfortunatly the Missus has other ideas. She really doesn't like the idea much at all so we have come to some middle ground. Since I foolishly (now I realise that) fobbed off in school, and came to China instead of going getting a degree etc.. (came when I turned 21) When I get back to the Uk it's gonna be hard for me to find a decent job to support my family so I figured I could suppliment my income with joining the TA (territorial Army) Which means I still get to do some Military stuff, just on a part time basis
I was looking at the TA and the options they have. For me, I am happy as just going in as infantry. I have no gripe with hard physical work and getting down and dirty, Yet the pay for officers is better. So now I am thinking which one would be better for me to go into. Personally I don't care much for money, but now I have a family to support I've gotta think about it. So Do officers get to have as much "fun" as the infantry do?
I noticed there is a minimum ammount of time you have to put into the TA (27 days a year) is there a maximum?
(my main hope is that through the TA the missus will succumb to how handsome I look in a dress uniform and see that all is okay in the military and give in to me joining full time)
So does anyone have any advice they can give me.
Do many here in the forces have family? Does it change anything?
Wing Nut
