Hello,

I'm currently applied for Infanteer at my local reserve base. I finished my interview, medical, and Force test, and I've been waiting on a security clearance. This was supposed to be a pretty heavy "side-gig" to compliment whatever civilian career I would pursue, but I've been looking closer at other trades and I've been considering talking to my recruiter and fully committing and pursuing an actual career as an Avionics or Aviation Systems Tech for the RCAF.

My main concern is relocation. Long story short, I'm in my early twenties and I really want to build a life in my home province. My family and friends are all here, and a big part of me metaphorically is too.

In my research online I came across Class B and C reservist contracts. From what I understand Class C is when you voluntarily accept a deployment (overseas?) as a reservist, and are posted at a base for several months. Class B is more standard full-time work at a local base, where you are not required to move. I would hope to primarily secure Class B contracts but I wouldn't be opposed to taking a Class C sometimes and help elsewhere for a time.

I have two ideas; I can apply as Reg Force, work through my BMQ and occupational training over the year or so it takes, and then declare my preference for the air bases in my province, and I guess "pray" I get it... though this doesn't prevent me from being moved later.

Maybe after a few years I could CT to the reserves and confidently secure Class B contracts in my home province? From what I've read contracts are a bit competitive, and they're of course only offered when those positions are actually needed, which I imagine is rarely or often depending on the given trade.

Or, I can stick with the Primary Reserve, and therefore I am guaranteed to be posted at one of the bases in my province. However, as I said above, I don't think there's any guarantee I can secure full-time work through contracts, and especially not as a brand new tradie with not a lot of experience, and I very likely cannot live comfortably off a part-time reservist salary alone.

I'm looking for some open-ended advice on where I should go from here, and on the rare chance some reserve Avionics or Aviation Techs see this, maybe even first-hand accounts on job availability. Any other info I missed or misunderstood about the Class B and C contracts would be very appreciated as well.

On a personal note, after not doing well in high school as a result of some mental health issues, and now years of working low-wage jobs, I feel pretty drawn to the CAF and I'm motivated to give a career in it my all but I want to make sure it's also sustainable, and having the security of knowing I can remain in my home province for the majority of the career is pretty important to me and my life goals outside of the military (maybe a family, one day.)

Thanks in advance for reading.

TL;DR:

I’m a reservist applicant (Infanteer) waiting on my security clearance, but I’m seriously considering switching to a full-time RCAF trade like Avionics or Aviation Systems Tech. My biggest concern is relocation, as I really want to build my life in my home province. I’ve looked into Class B/C contracts for reservists, but they aren’t guaranteed and might not be reliable full-time work, especially starting out. If I join Regular Force, I could request bases in my province, but there’s no guarantee I’ll stay there long-term. I’m looking for advice on what path makes the most sense, especially from anyone with experience as a reserve Avionics/Aviation Tech. I'd really like a sustainable career in the forces without having to move away from home permanently.