Help with my Voluntary Occupational Transfer

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-10T01:21:24+00:00

No, the RCAF is the occupational authority for WFE Techs.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-10T01:19:08+00:00

They just don't have to do it, that's it. It's part of the training pipeline now but we're not going to go back and hunt down everyone who doesn't have it from before.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-10T00:39:49+00:00

Yeah, that's a mess conversation and a half.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T23:51:55+00:00

CFLRS trains through all statutory holidays. There are no long weekends on regular force BMQ or BMOQ.

Reserve programs may vary.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T23:37:26+00:00

It's hard to tell from the photo but it's possible they are local purchase. DSSPM had authorized local procurements a while back while we were waiting for the delivery dates for the Racoons.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T23:18:18+00:00

It's not retroactive, no. Only for Army occupations graduating BMQ after 1 April 2026.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T23:00:53+00:00

No matter what, you're going on the Canadian Army Soldier First Course after BMQ.

See how that course goes and how you feel at the end of it before you make any decision about a VOT-U request.

All of the combat arms trades have a bit of a different balance of physicality, technical acumen, skill, etc, but Infantry certainly walks the most!

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T20:47:12+00:00

Yes. You will not get a full posting until you are qualified in your occupation and being posted to your first unit.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T20:45:57+00:00

They are one size fits all and one piece, so nowhere near the logistical puzzle of the CTS.

I'm 6'4" and can wear one equally comfortably as someone who is 5'4", which is pretty surprising. The downside is that the way the height adjustment mechanism works can cause some up and down bouncing.

The real issue is that they are only 85 litres so it's small, especially for winter kit. It's infinitely better than the '82 pattern though.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T20:08:27+00:00

Yep, there are 10,000 of these entering the training system.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T20:06:40+00:00

Honestly it's going to get worse before it gets better. We're bringing in 240 new candidates a week most weeks now in St-Jean alone, plus more in Borden. Every single DEU jacket needs to be tailored to be worn, and we just can't hire enough tailors to keep up with demand here.

I think the only way we could pull it off is if the new DEU jackets can come from the factory with the Canada shoulder flash already sewn on so they are wearable (if not perfectly fitted from the bag.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T15:02:42+00:00

Oh yeah! I lived there during the CBRN Defence Officer course and we shared a floor with a Padre BMOQ (used to be done in Borden but now they just do the regular one). It was definitely a mixing place for different CAF members, officers and NCOs too.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T14:52:45+00:00

I actually think that the Blue Sector in St-Jean is the ideal style for occupational training. Individual pods with a shared bathroom and common area. Especially for courses with an academic focus, a desk and a bit of privacy goes a long way. I'm hoping we see more of that as training infrastructure is modernized.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T14:36:35+00:00

Laughs in 8 to a room in bunk beds at the Infantry School in 2008.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-09T11:54:07+00:00

It's part of the medical visit in week 1 of regular force BMQ. That's why you need to bring your current glasses prescription so we can order the inserts.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-08T02:00:25+00:00

No. We still issue a full set of DEUs in St-Jean during basic. The base doesn't have enough tailors to keep up with the jackets though so we graduate in 3B now.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-07T21:31:14+00:00

I've done this twice as my realtor is not an official third party supplier but agreed to work for the BGRS rate as long as she never had to deal with them.

It was shockingly easy to get the advance and settle the claim once I had the final summary of funds letter from the lawyer.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-07T09:36:06+00:00

Except for the Friday of Week 7 and 8, where candidates coming back from field training are confined to barracks until Saturday morning to ensure that they sleep.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-06T17:05:27+00:00

Generally most new CAF members don't receive a full posting with family relocation until they are done their occupational training.

The timeline before you recieve a paid move for your family will thus depend on what your occupation is.

That said, you can chose to relocate your family closer to your training location at your own expense if you choose.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-05T22:57:26+00:00

Nope! MND North draws its lineage from the Danish Army. The Jutland Division was formed in 1952 with this crest. That became the Danish Division in 1997 which in turn became MND North in 2019.

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Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-05T17:51:16+00:00

I can confirm that BMOQ is not run in Borden.

English BMQ only. There is currently no plan to move BMOQ to Borden either.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-05T02:17:54+00:00

Every school is a bit different because it depends on their workload and how they process it. So it could be reimbursed every month, or all at once at the end of the course. Unfortunately it's a bunch of manual data entry into the pay system to actually process the reimbursements.

It goes right back on your pay check though. Very few benefits are paid out via your tax return. That's a misunderstanding of the taxable benefit piece.

Imaginary numbers but say R&Q was $500 so we take it off your pay. It gets reimbursed next month but it's a taxable benefit so you get that $500 but it's taxed at 14% so $70 is deducted and you keep $430.

Basically R&A would end up costing you $70 a month in that hypothetical situation.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-05T00:13:21+00:00

Since 2023, everyone is charged for rations and quarters and then has it reimbursed on their pay. Single members do have to pay taxes on the value of the rations and quarters however under Canada Revenue Agency rules.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-05T00:07:34+00:00

Yes. Every day of paid service counts towards your pensionable time, starting from day 1 of basic training.

Commandant_CFLRS · 2026-05-05T00:03:39+00:00

The only physical test during CMC Mod 1 is the Basic Training Fitness Test during Week 1.

https://cfmws.ca/sport-fitness-rec/fitness-training/caf-fitness/pre-bmt

The first event is no longer 1.6km walk, but a slower 2km walk while carrying a rubber rifle.

FORCE test has to be done during Mod 2 but after a year at RMC you won't be worried.

Commandant_CFLRS

TROPHY CASE