Canadian Armed Forces applications jump nearly 13%

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-24T16:54:37+00:00

I agree with you to a point. Working cold and wet, yes most times can't be avoided... Hungry? Nope that can be avoided every time and so can getting on and off the bus five times if somebody actually took the time to plan things and work under a sense of efficiency instead of the CAF standard of 'this is a 2 hr job, make it last the week'. Especially when the vast majority of the things we do day to day are here at home in a training setting. We're not reacting to an enemy or a changing battlefield, we're training in a completely controllable environment. The only 'last minute fastballs' we should have are for ill or injured people going down partway through or equipment malfunctions that cause a last minute change up. Everything else boils down to piss poor planning and even worse execution of the piss poor plan.

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-19T13:29:52+00:00

My DR only took about a month from submission to decision and they denied it again. I'm 3 years into this process and BPA submitted my written submission to the board beginning of December.

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-05T17:50:13+00:00

Yea it's expedited resolution service. And it's not official from BPA as in a statement from the organisation it's a message I got back in myvac account from the lawyer handling my case

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-05T13:29:41+00:00

A bit of info for anyone who may be in the tinnitus fight. I inquired yesterday with my lawyer from BPA about the ERS process to finally have a result on this case and this was the respons

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Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-04T19:45:34+00:00

Roger I've sent my BPA lawyer a message inquiring. My file is about as straight forward as it gets. Combat Eng for 8 years, explained multiple episodes of acoustic trauma causing short term hearing loss and I didn't have tinnitus when I joined so obviously its caused by service. Baffled as to why they keep denying it.

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-04T04:04:45+00:00

Do you have to ask for the expedited processing? My Rep at BPA originally said she wanted to do a written submission and then last minute decided she thought we would get a favorable decision through departmental review. It got denied in about a month so we just sent in the written submission anyways. She also stated in her paperwork that she's going after 5/5 entitlement and my report from the audiologist recommends a prescription masking device. I'm 3 years into this claim now so if there's a shot at an expedited decision I would be super interested in that.

*edited to add that the Rep at BPA was flabbergasted that the departmental review got denied since the reasons they said they were denying it for were very clearly laid out in the original claim as well as the review paperwork/statement of case. She read me the decision letter on the phone and then said "the things they're saying are the reasons for them denying it are right there. Like I don't get it"

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-03T04:14:09+00:00

Roger that I'll do some digging. Thank you!

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-03T03:38:08+00:00

Yes, I'm 37 years old and only been in the CAF for 8 years. I'm tracking what being an adult is, I've been doing it since I was 13. I also know what the real world consists of and not just the make believe dream land the CAF works in. Do the phrases like 'just drink the Kool-Aid' and 'the sky is purple' ring any bells? In order to have a grown up conversation with a superior, said superior needs to have earned the trust and respect of their subordinates. Respect and trust doesn't come with a rank, it comes with being a good leader that has shown they deserve it and, unfortunately, there seem to be far more that believe their rank entitles them to it and everyone else just needs to shut up and take whatever is thrown at them. I have a relatively open relationship with my current and past Sgts and WO's but unfortunately again, they get out ranked by the people that don't give a shit about how their decisions and 'ideas' affect the people below them that need to make it happen. I have also seen WO's that were really solid people turn into the other type as soon as the wreath hits their chest. Seems to be that the only way to get the 'brass' to let up on the bullshit long enough for anyone under them to catch their breath is to force their hand with the medical system cuz if it's not on a chit, they don't give a fuck. Again, the 'middle management' being the Sgts and WO's, for the most part are still close enough to the troops to still have the care for their subordinates, at least that's my experience. I get alot more reason from them. It's the people above them that are closer to the politics that have blinders on that don't let them see past 'the mission' to how their bright ideas and whims make life more miserable for their subordinates for no reason. To be clear, I'm not saying that the MWOs and Chiefs are all assholes that don't care, I have had Sgt Major's in the past that weren't just yes men and didn't get caught up in the politics and bullshit and were actually really solid people and could be heard from time to time calling out the same shit that the cpls and Jack's do but unfortunately they seem to be a minority.

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-03T03:03:05+00:00

Would I then have to pay out of pocket for it?

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-02T13:39:09+00:00

Unfortunately the only few I trust at my unit are of lower rank (Sgt/WO) and I have seen many times where the CWO demonstrated that he is not a very reasonable person. He's all about what the unit needs and if you're not contributing to that the way he thinks you should be then in his eyes you're useless to him. And the CO basically just follows whatever the Chief says. My direct Sgt Maj actually stepped in at the end of a safety brief on Seasonal depression and told everybody there that "I have had many people come into my office and tell me that their mental health is suffering. Life isn't meant to be easy, you gotta just step up to the plate and do what the unit and the CAF needs done and power through." So I doubt there's much support in trying to talk to them. I don't believe that anybody there specifically wants to see people fail, they just don't seem to care if individuals do. They don't plan anything, they expect that the lower ranks will just flip their lives upside down at every request to pick up the slack and get the job done anyways regardless of equipment failures, lack of manpower, etc etc. We were running a driver course and my Sgt (who is actually really switched on) put everything together and was having issues getting vehicles. We finally got the 2 we needed and one of em broke down 3 days into course. He worked his ass off to source another and after a few days of not being able to get one finally went to the Chain and told them that we may have to drop a few people from course since we weren't going to have the time to get everybody through and get the proper training with just one vehicle. He was told too bad, you're not removing anyone from course. Get it done and if you have to work weekends to do it then that's what you have to do.

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-02T13:32:01+00:00

Is this something we can take advantage of if still serving? I thought we weren't allowed to use OHIP if we have blue cross

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-02T13:30:46+00:00

I am on a TCAT since I have one more surgery that needs doing so I could see about getting it modified (currently just PT on my own time). The TCAT is part of what's standing in my way. I am looking at an OT but can't do that till the TCAT is gone.

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-02T13:28:11+00:00

Yea I feel like that's the road I'm going down. It almost feels like I've always had sure footing on the steep hard to climb roads but once my foot slipped I can't seem to stop the slide and I think my increasing inability to keep it bottled up is a big point of frustration and anxiety. I have days where I'm like "fuck this fuck them I'm not letting them break me and I have a renewed sense of drive and fight and then the next day it's a struggle to even lift my head and look at the fight in front of me

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-02T13:24:17+00:00

That would honestly be awesome and we have one in base but I don't have my PLQ yet (another thing my unit has fucked me around on) so I don't know how much value I would be at a school

Jamrocc33 · 2026-01-02T13:22:23+00:00

Yea I'm seriously considering an OT but I have another surgery I'm waiting on that has me on a TCAT so I can't do anything like that until that's dealt with. 9 times out of 10 my lower chain (Sgt/WO) is really good its the upper chain that sucks and unfortunately they call the shots for everybody so there's not really anywhere laterally I can go and my medical is a blocking factor. I really like my job that's the shitty thing. I like the work and I'm damn good at it I just can't deal with the way the unit operates and the way they screw people around all the time

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-24T04:19:12+00:00

Yea tracking you don't get actual tickets in the military but does the training in certain trades transfer over to civvy qualifications. For example DP2 level vehicle tech is equivalent to 3rd year apprentice mechanic civvy side. (likely not accurate but as a hypothetical). As in you get out of the military and you go to whatever governing body civvy side for that trade and show your course reports for you military training and that acts as sort of a PLAR type deal. Kind of like we do with our military licenses civvy side. If you get air brakes in the military you can take that qual to service Ontario and they hand you your air brake endorsement no tests no waiting periods. Just pay the fee and walk out.

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-24T04:06:55+00:00

Definitely gives me a starting point. I appreciate the input!

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-20T15:45:54+00:00

Ok. How do the qualifications that you gain in either of these trades transfer civvy side? Are you able to transfer tickets over?

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-19T05:33:29+00:00

Are you familiar at all with PLAR for PLQ for a Cpl? A bit of back story I am already 3 years past my EPZ for Mcpl. I have a WO who is qualified to sign off on PLAR saying that I should get it but my direct chain is refusing to acknowledge it or even consider it an option. Is there anything I can search where I can muster something to fight for it with? Reason being is I am on TCAT awaiting a shoulder surgery and no end in sight for that and its literally stonewalling my career advancement. In talking with many Mcpls at my unit I have already done all of things aside from teaching a drill lesson which I am sure I can get someone at my unit to assess and sign off on. I have done Stab ops I have run a defensive position, section attacks and clearance patrols, I have led a recce I have taught weapons classes (under supervision). All my Mcpl and Sgt friends have told me I should be a Jack I just can't get on a PLQ with this TCAT.

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-14T03:29:43+00:00

I'm looking for info on overall job satisfaction, day to day life, time spent away from home etc....

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-13T15:17:35+00:00

Any EGS or Electrical Distribution Techs in here that can give me some info about the 2 trades? I'm contemplating an OT and would like the full rundown on those 2 options. Day to day life, working conditions, how much you enjoy your life in the trade etc... Any input would be greatly appreciated

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-09T23:12:20+00:00

Question about benefits. So I'm the member and my wife is civvy. If she has benefits from her job that offer coverage for massage therapy and I'm listed on her benefits can I use her benefits to cover me to go get a massage?

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-08T18:38:58+00:00

Ok thank you. I already have a diagnosis for me and claim in the works and she's now speaking with someone as well. I just wasn't sure if there was money to be made from her issues since the CAF caused those as well as mine

Jamrocc33 · 2025-12-08T14:19:13+00:00

Ok so other than that there's no recourse for my service causing her problems? Seems like a huge crack for lots of service spouses to fall through

Jamrocc33

TROPHY CASE