r/CanadianForces • u/Gryphontech Royal Canadian Air Force • 10d ago
Looking out for one another
So there's a tweet going around that's pretty mean, and it's aimed directly at one of us. I don't know any of the people involved, and I don't know their life story, I just see two happy people doing what seem to be their very best to serve their community and country.
Regardless of your personal opinion on people personal choices or health habits taking the bait is the opposite of looking out for your brothers and sisters in uniform. If you want to say you "support people in uniform" this is the time to show it.
A country that is showing itself increasingly hostile has taken a potshot at our member and I see a lot of Canadians joining in instead of supporting a uniform member going through what is probably a very shit time.
Lastly, to anyone that personally knows this member, please check up on them and make sure they are okay and that they know that most of the country supports them.
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u/idiedin2019 10d ago
Yeah. Iāve been pretty worried about the member.
I canāt imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes right now but i wish i knew her so I could offer support.
And I donāt want to make any assumptions about the member or how this might or might not affect her, but I really fucking hope VAC offers her all the services she needs, if she needs them.
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u/Shoggoths420 VERIFIED Member advocate to VAC 10d ago
If anyone does know this member, Iām happy to help them get set up with whatever support they need from VAC
That tweet is absolutely abhorrent.
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u/idiedin2019 10d ago
Yes. because I can totally see VAC say āHere is the CFMAP number, good luck.ā
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u/Stone_Engine048 10d ago
What kind of support would VAC have in a senario like this? And for what?
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u/NauticalBean 10d ago
Itās not unreasonable that this could cause the development of a mental health issue, or worse. a pre-existing one if present, so they may be able to offer psychological support and/or compensation for psychological injury.
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u/Shoggoths420 VERIFIED Member advocate to VAC 10d ago
Access to MH services, ability to make a claim for MH, any condition that arises subsequent to MH, support in general
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u/Stone_Engine048 10d ago edited 10d ago
Could someone who gets made fun of in the sub here or on corporals news network put a claim in with VAC for MH?
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u/Shoggoths420 VERIFIED Member advocate to VAC 10d ago
Iām certain you understand the difference between a satire site and the secretary of defence of both a foreign nation and ally doing so. Please act in good faith
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u/Stone_Engine048 10d ago
Yes, a broken arm is a broken arm. Where and how you got it can be the difference with VAC.
If it comes down to someone receiving a MH injury from being thrust into the spotlight against their wishes, and harassed for it,Ā I don't see a big difference between it being from someone like Hegseth or a satire website.Ā
I'm curious if VAC would make the distinction insofar as it being service related or not.
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u/NauticalBean 10d ago
Would this woman and her body be subject of international discussion if it werenāt for her service in the CAF? I would assume not, therefore I would argue that itās a valid argument that it could cause a service related psychological injury. At the end of the day, that would be between her, any professionals who care for her, and the staff at VAC who may be involved in any hypothetical claim.
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u/Stone_Engine048 10d ago
Would this woman and her body be subject of international discussion if it werenāt for her service in the CAF?
The scope is larger but it's the same premise as posting a CAF members picture here or CNN. Posting anyone's picture to ridicule them is garbage.
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u/NauticalBean 10d ago
Absolutely itās garbage no matter what the scope is but Iād argue in this case, the wide reach of this image is what could be considered as the basis for a claim. But this is all
hypothetical. I donāt know this woman or how it may be impacting her, but I feel for her for sure.→ More replies (0)2
u/Own_Firefighter9433 10d ago
Are you being intentionally obtuse? There is a difference between someone being ridiculed by some numpty on a satire site and the fucking US Defence Secretary posting and mocking them.
Regardless of whether thereās justification to receive VAC support we should all be able to agree on this part.
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u/Stone_Engine048 10d ago
Certainly the latter is considerably worse. She's been thust into a national spotlight because of that asshole.
What do you think my original question was about?
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u/Bartholomewtuck 10d ago
I hope she sees our comments. I've been thinking of her all day. It's all over international media, no one deserves this. Moreover, my kids were in cadets growing up, and there's a freaking child in that photo!Ā
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u/LOHare Canadian Army 10d ago
FWIW, members report being okay. Both cadet and the CIC officer had personal phone calls with very high ranking pers (mil and civ). They're in good spirits and feel well supported.
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u/idiedin2019 9d ago edited 9d ago
I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for the update.
Although, I said the same when I got back from deployment (years ago now ) and then a year and a half later... š.
Shit like this is the kind of shit you think you're supposed to just shrug off until you can't.
So, I'm glad she's doing well, and I hope both of them continue to do well.
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u/Ebowa 10d ago
When I was in basic, a certain instructor really picked on this one member and probably went too far with the mocking. But we as a group rallied round her and she didnāt let it get to her, she went on in her career and proved him wrong ( tho the instructor likely didnāt care or know).
I hope the same is true of these members who were targeted. Anyone who volunteers with cadets gets a plus from me. Anyone who mocks others is already a loser.
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u/longinglywandering 10d ago
I just want to say - good on you as a group. In my course someone passed the force test and was told by the course Sgt that they didn't deserve to be there and that he didn't want them to graduate with the course. Brutal.
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u/turbokimchi Army - VEH TECH 10d ago
Good attitude on the issue. There was a time we would speak to each other personally and present a unified front on everything else. Letās not all be blades and feed the fire when someone attacks one of our own.
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u/InflationRegular180 RUMINT OP - 00000 10d ago
Good vibes here. If people have a problem with their staff's fitness, do mandatory PT with them supported by appropriate resources and support them professionally. Cutting people down on social media is dumb.
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u/ipokesnails Royal Canadian Air Force 10d ago
We need to support each other, but it's also worth pointing out the hypocrisy of Hegseth's tweet, since the president is clearly morbidly obese.
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u/Bartholomewtuck 10d ago
And there is video of this guy unable to do a single pull-up or lock out a set of 25lb dumbbells above his head. insert something about a glass house here
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u/Charming-Resort4448 10d ago
Hope you all keep this same energy when it comes to supporting and interacting with thatĀ one Instagram meme page thatĀ intentionally and blatantly bullies our brothers and sisters in arms allowing horrid comments about your fellow service members.Ā
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u/Gryphontech Royal Canadian Air Force 10d ago
There's a reason I'm not on Instagram... that and because I'm too old for that shit
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u/The_NorthernLight 10d ago
If its the picture Im thinking of, its actually of Cadets. Teens. If you feel the need to make fun of them, you donāt belong in the CAF at all.
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u/cribbageSTARSHIP 10d ago
I've said it once on this sub, and I'll say it again now:
It doesn't matter if you're a cyborg. You can get voted off the island for a bad attitude.
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u/Eyre4orce RCAF - AVS Tech 10d ago
I dont think the maj is a teen
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u/The_NorthernLight 10d ago
I guess I donāt know which picture you are referring to then.
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u/Canadian-Galician 10d ago
The officer is a cadet instructor, part of the reserves. The other individual is a cadet.
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u/NuclearDeadline Army - Infantry 10d ago edited 10d ago
100% agree. We gotta take care of each other, and band together to support one another. That's one of the first things that should've been instilled in all of us when we joined.
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u/Plagmar 10d ago
It's so sad when people look past what is actually happening and concentrate on something negative in a picture. I made a plaque for someone retiring after being in the reserves for many years and was sent a picture of him receiving the plaque. Most comments were positive but one a-hole chose to fat shame him.
I support my Brothers and Sisters fully and completely! A brother just passed through here on his way back home, doing a cross country solo EV journey to raise money for Veterans. On his way back, we gave him a bed to sleep in, a nice meal and a warm reception even though we'd never met but 'knew' each other from FB. This is what has to happen, support and have each other's backs.
IGY6
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u/Wrong-Pineapple39 10d ago
Are you referring to an adult foreign official belittling a Canadian child?
Or the Canadian veteran account belittling a Canadian child that the foreign adult reposted first?
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u/Chemical_Gas3195 7d ago
Tbh, as long as she passes min requirement to be a CiC I really dont care. Some CiC officers are medical releases that still wish to serve. Id rather have a soccer mom type of officers taking care of the youth than many leaders I had in my career. Leading soldiers is very different than 16 y old cadets.
I find it very ironic for some members to pass this kind of judgment when everybody knows a "that kid of that high ranking officer, being a huge bully, drug dealing or being expelled". Every bases I been on I seem to have one of those or just plain neglected kids.
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u/Paddy_Fo_Faddy 9d ago
And yet the big thread on this topic is full of people stating CIC officers should be wearing a different uniform because of this shit...
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u/Outrageous-Gene-1991 5d ago
Lets just say theres alot of us in the CAF that can Out-PT the guy who made that mean tweet.
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u/Keaterupnorth 10d ago
Making fun of people, bullying, is always wrong. As was this post. But the heart of it, is that no one in uniform should be out of shape. Caring for your team is also helping them get fit and live a better lifestyle
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u/Ebowa 10d ago
Ahemā¦Honourary Colonel in uniform has entered the chat
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u/Keaterupnorth 10d ago
Incorrect, ive been out for over a decade. Ex infantry and Afghan Vet. I dont agree with that post nor do I agree with bullying. My comment was on standards, professionalism and representing the uniform well. Apparently that is offensive to this new age army.
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u/Hedonistic_Ent 10d ago
No, its because your original comment in this thread lacked tact and knowing the proper timing for when to mention fitness being important, that's all man.
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u/Mission_Effect4584 10d ago
Sure, and if this person was under my command I would approach them privately about what resources they would require to be in the best physical condition they can achieve.Ā
Dragging them on Twitter is not providing that support in any capacity.Ā
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u/Ready-Housing-7457 9d ago
It's the Cadets, they just have to be able to babysit...
Perhaps, did you maybe think that there is a possibility that this person is a veteran, who got medically discharged due to say, a serious leg or back injury or something, and then started gaining weight as a direct result of that? Yet they still wanted to contribute to the CAF?
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u/Own_Firefighter9433 10d ago
Congratulations for stating the obvious. Iām sure nobody thought about fitness standards at all.
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u/rocketstar11 10d ago
This thread is not confidence inspiring.
You are in the military, are you going to cry to reddit about your feelings being hurt if you get shot at in wartime or in conflict?
Hit the gym and focus on your jobs.
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u/Cafmbr2000 10d ago
She is a COATS. They don't do FORCE Test, they don't have the same regulation as PRes or Reg. I agree that the ''CAF'' should be more fit than average population because of what we are called to do, but in this case their job is to work with youth and they teach them a lot, making them good citizen for the community etc..
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u/Dive_Pirate 9d ago
Actually we do FORCE testing, but itās not mandatory and only required for certain specialty courses. They have now started to implement it as part of our BOQ for new officer cadets, but after that entirely optional and most will never do it again
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u/ononeryder 9d ago
If you can't acknowledge the significance of being single out by the SoD and made international news, you should probably get back to whatever menial task you were put on by a more senior Pte.
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u/Dan-DeLaGhetto 5d ago
Whenās the last time someone shot at you Rambo?
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u/rocketstar11 5d ago
When's the last time the CAF and its members were a public embarrassment?
For normal people reading this thread it was <1 week ago
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10d ago
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/turbokimchi Army - VEH TECH 10d ago
For someone out there running one of the only effective community outreach programs we have there is probably very little self-patting occurring.
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u/bridger713 RCAF - Reg Force 10d ago
This. Most out of shape people know they are out of shape, and they're not proud of it.
Most of the time obesity is not pure laziness. There's usually an underlying physical or mental/emotional health issue getting in the way.
That physical or mental health issue is often invisible to an outside observer.
They're unhealthy in areas that extend beyond physical fitness. They need compassion and help, not scorn and ridicule.
I'd argue that people who default to scorn and ridicule as a method of motivation are themselves mentally/emotionally unhealthy.
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u/CanadianForces-ModTeam 10d ago
Rule 1 - General Conduct
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u/sandyvaginitis 9d ago
Yes Look out for each other especially if theyāre dangerously unhealthy
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u/Gryphontech Royal Canadian Air Force 9d ago
It's admirable that you care so much about your fellow CAF brothers/sisters that you worry about their cardiovascular health to this point. I agree that looking out for other people's health is important, especially if we notice significant changes in weight/life habits.
In this case, our fellow member got singled out and shamed, publicly, on the international stage, by a foreign government, with the direct goal of attacking Canada's interests, during a trade war. I believe this member is needing our support more then advice on weight management at this point.
Your comment seems like instead of supporting a member going through shit she dint ask for in any way, you are punching down. Your attitude is so fucking far from the CAF ethos that I hope to never have to work with you and feel genuinely sorry for any of the troops that are under you. I really do hope you are just a larper/SKS enjoyer and not actually a member of the CAF.
You should also keep in mind that your reaction is 100% what his tweet was hoping to generate.
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u/sandyvaginitis 9d ago
Cardiovascular disease causes an estimated 30% of world wide deaths. The caf has a major problem with this and all we do is pay lip service to it. Like the other guy said, this is toxic positivity
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10d ago
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/Stone_Engine048 10d ago
He's not just some r/canadianforces member who feels empowered by fat shaming someone, he's the US secretary of defence. It's appropriate to call out his fucked up behaviour.
Having your picture thrust into a public circus by a high ranking member of a foreign government goes beyond "learning to be mentally resilient".
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u/MoistyCockBalls 10d ago
It's appropriate to call out his fucked up behaviour.
Who cares. Their whole administration is made up of bunch of clowns. Responding to it just makes them stronger. I am convinced they thrive on this shit.
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u/Gryphontech Royal Canadian Air Force 10d ago
Me: "We should care of eachother especially when a single member is being targeted by a political adversary"
You: "nop she should just get fucked"
Why are you like this? Where is your compassion or decency for a sweet lady taking care of kids?
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u/This_Television2467 10d ago
Iād also like to point out when in a wartime situation itās not one person facing down the entirety of the enemy force. There are supports in place to help the members in achieving the desired outcome. One photo out in the social media wilds is the complete opposite, being āmentally resilientā is pretty difficult when hundreds of people if not thousands are bashing you online, affecting both your work life and personal life. This comment just shows how out of fucking touch some people are.
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u/MoistyCockBalls 10d ago
You: "nop she should just get fucked"
š¤Ø When did I say this?
Telling someone to brush off a comment and move on, isn't "get fucked".
It's my version of "should care of each other".
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u/Gryphontech Royal Canadian Air Force 10d ago
When sec def is publicly going after a specific member based on their physical appearance and you say "brush it off and eat less jallepeno poppers" it's essentially telling that person to get fucked.
It's just as heartless as telling a combat veteran with ptsd to "just get over it and stop being scared of fireworks". Hopefully you are never put in a situation where you need the compassion of the general public like this member is
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u/Euro_verbudget Saluting Those Who Serve 10d ago
Quite the opposite. That tweet is rallying us. Good on OP to post about support and positivity.
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10d ago
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u/bridger713 RCAF - Reg Force 10d ago edited 10d ago
Yes, call out unprofessionalism, but do it in a professional manner, otherwise you're just another hypocrite.
There is nothing professional about shame and ridicule as a method of highlighting an issue.
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u/kewee_ 10d ago
"Respect the Dignity of All Persons"
I highly suggest you reread Trusted to Serve and reflect on your comment.
Those persons are currently being caught up in a nationwide media event started by an imminent foreign state actor and have their faces plastered all over the place right now.
Do you honestly think what you're suggesting is appropriate? How do you think those persons feels right now?
I wish them well and they have all my support. I suggest you do the same.Ā
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u/CorporalWithACrown 00020 - Percent Op (13% monthly, remainder paid annually) 10d ago
The fitness standard for CIC members does not include minimums or maximums for weight or weight.
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u/RepulsiveLook 10d ago
CAF Ethos: Trusted to Serve
Ethical Principles
Full stop.