Being accredited, RMC's combat engineering program has a curriculum similar to civil engineering programs at civilian universities, Harding says.  The biggest difference is the unusually small class size of 12.

And where else could an engineer receive training in military skills such as building a minefield or digging tank traps?

Where Harding says she loves RMC, which offers academic training for officers, Cpl. Burgess, 26, found it wasn't for him.

After spending a year there, Burgess decided he preferred the team environment of the military's non-commissioned members (NCMs), many of whom are skilled tradespeople.

Before deciding to pursue his love of electronics, Burgess, who is from Toronto, worked as an army mechanic for a few years.

"My grandfather got me interested in that when I was a young child," he says, "and I've had the bug ever since."

Burgess is taking an eight-month basic electronics course at Canadian Forces School of Electronics and Communications (CFSEC) in Kingston, roughly equivalent to a two-year program at a community colleges.  Many military personnel upgrade the missing courses, such as calculus, at night school.

Once he is completed the course, Burgess will pursue more specialized avionics training.

Having joined the Canadian Forces at 19, Burgess is eligible for retirement from the military between the age of 39 and 42.  "Eventually, I want to get into building homes that are off the (power) grid and self-sufficient in power," he says.

Warrant Officer Tony Marrall, who runs the program Burgess is enrolled in, joined with a civilian career in

mind, but hedecided to stay in the military.

Is the military a better choice than a civilian program even if you're unsure about that kind of long-term commitment?

"Oh sure," says Marrall.  "You're getting paid to do the same thing."

Avionics graduates from his program definitely have civilian job options in the aerospace industry, he says, even if the military's use of technologically outdated equipment might be considered a disadvantage for former soldiers looking for jobs in the private sector.

Marrall argues it gives them solid experience.

"It's kind of an advantage, because we have to repair the equipment all the time to keep it up online."

Students need to plan carefully to develop the same relevant technical proficiency as someone from a specialized civilian background, says one recruiter of military grads.

Scott Carr, vice president of Eastern operations for Jasco Research Ltd., is an RMC alumnus.  His company, Jasco, based in Victoria, B.C., is a scientific consulting firm that sells acoustic and oceanographic technologies.  He says he values the leadership skills and work ethic of military grads.  "I'm familiar with what they're capable of doing.  And so, I'd like to interview them, at least."

But military education isn't for everyone.

"You have to be someone that's willing to follow rules and orders," says Harding.  "You have to really want to work hard and be strong in everything that you do . . . You have to balance your time and understand that you're not going to have a normal life like other university students."

For Harding, it's worth it.  She's looking forward to graduating and using her skills.  She'll likely get posted overseas for at least some of her mandatory service.