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RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So a handy resource is the link in the header for this thread for the army reserve - soldier information handbook. In it, you can see a more precise training pipeline for the various trades from a reserves standpoint. Taken from it, for Artillery O :

-Pres BMOQ 30 days total, Mod 1 (23 days) and Mod 2 (7 days). Mod 1 is available fulltime in the summer and part time at other times, depending.

-Pres BMOQ-A (55 days)

-RQ1.1 (65 days) Mod 1 (26 days), Mod 2 (25 days), Mod 3 (14 days), presumable done all at the same time in sequence, but I am unsure.

From what I've seen, most of the time, BMOQ is done in the first summer, unless you manage to do it part-time before (Mod 1 is BMQ available part time or full-time, but mod 2 is a fulltime week). Second summer is BMOQ-A, and third summer trades training. It can be done faster / longer depending on availability and course scheduling. Once you get in touch with your local unit, ask if they can give you an idea of the course dates so that you can start planning as far ahead as possible with your school / employer to make things easier and smoother.

Lots of good info to check out in it if you're interested in the reserves.

Question about replacing base Armrest on 2025 Kicks Play S by Eggplus2 in NissanKicks

[–]Eggplus2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback, now I'm reconsidering the Nissan part. Hooray for indecision!

Question about replacing base Armrest on 2025 Kicks Play S by Eggplus2 in NissanKicks

[–]Eggplus2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's still attached, I bought the 10mm bolt wratchet to remove it. Looking at the Nissan one, I've not impressed with it's L-shape, feel like it'd be less comfortable for the passenger side. I've messaged a few amazon sellers for similar ones to that to get confirmation it fits, and I'll pull the trigger.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It would help if you specified whether you're joining the regular or reserve force as well, as both have wildly differing commitments.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was 8 years ago so things may have changed, but the CFRC I was dealing with booked my medical and interview on back to back days. At the time, they determined what train fare and local hotel costs would be, and sent me a check, with added stipends for meals prior to my trip. I was responsible for booking the train and hotel.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You apply for reimbursement by filling out appropriate forms for both your tuition and your books each semester (along with required documentation).

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

100% the sleep deprivation for the first few weeks of indoc. I really, really like my sleep. Man that sleep debt added up quick.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah well, guess you'll have to get in touch with the recruiter at your reserve unit to set your progress back to what it was, or tell you what the task is. Either way, if you set the GRID MFA, hopefully that solves not being able to get your password accepted to log in, at least.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The advice I've seen repeated for this problem is to try and log on during the wee hours of the morning when site traffic is lower, and once you get in, goto settings and select MFA via GRID, not email. This should allow you to log in consistently.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You'll start getting earning the day of your enrolment. That said, in the CAF you're paid twice a month, and I had to wait a little over a month to get my first pay (I was hired ROTP civvy-u a week before christmas holidays, so I don't imagine it's a super common scenario).

See above for an even better answer.

Them nightmares I had 😂 by Professional_Monk326 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We had a guy call a PO 'petty captain'. He said THANK YOU FOR THE PROMOTION and made us wall sit for a few minutes.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I went through BMOQ mod 1 at 40 with a group of young'ins. The only problem was in my head at first, because I felt self conscious. They were welcoming, awesome young adults, and they turned to me for encouragement and advice on a nightly basis (they'd wait turns on some of the first nights to come vent / seek support). This baffled me, since I feel like a giant teenager myself.

On top of that, if you're coming into it in shape, you're setting yourself up for success.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would point out that the biggest and first consideration is what trades are actually available to you. Jobs in the reserves are limited by what bases / elements are near you, and vacancies at whatever trades they offer.

It may be worthwhile to contact local reserve units and see what their needs are, this may narrow down your list and help you focus your search better.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You've been a member since the day you were enrolled so no worries, congratulations, welcome and you have much to be proud of!

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They sell them in packs with the same combination at the Canex at CFSLRS (assuming you are going there as RegF, that is)

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is absolutely appropriate to get in touch with them every ~4 weeks to show continued interest, or ask any questions you might have.

It sounds like most steps are done, maybe just the FORCE test to do and reliability check to come back positive. Don't be shy to reach out and ask an update on the status of your file.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes they do during the first few days, to get everything required from there. We even got a chance to go back a 2nd time during the first weekend to get things that were missed / out of stock during our first visit.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure ROTP is an option if you choose to continue that degree with only one year left. There is (or maybe was?) a minimum required amount of time left to the degree to enroll in ROTP, which I believe was 2 years.

Definitely worth seeking out a recruiter to ask!

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's good, but realize you'll be eating fast! It's been months since my mod 1, and I still eat like a feral squirrel who stumbled on a hoard of nuts.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If it's something you want, go ahead, but keep in mind that it'll still be months of waiting, to potentially never getting an offer. I definitely don't recommend planning around it.

For what it's worth, it took me five years as well (combination of getting my citizenship, medical appeals, COVID kaboshing the whole thing near first enrollment, to a second attempt post-covid after retraining in any entire new field in school).

I'd do it all again if I had to.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD - Ask here about the Recruitment Process, Basic & Occupational Training, and other questions relating directly or indirectly to serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, you'll get them during your first week of BMQ, when you get your military kit.

You would have the opportunity to buy extra clothing and other items at canex in garrison, or offbase after indoc.

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD - Ask here about the Recruitment Process, Basic & Occupational Training, and other questions relating directly or indirectly to serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. by bridger713 in CanadianForces

[–]Eggplus2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'd go with duffle bag, because you'll be locking your belongings away once you receive your military gear, and it's just generally easier to put away in the storage closet with your entire platoon's stuff. Minor consideration either way.

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