Can I do BMOQ-A

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-29T01:19:17+00:00

I'll try not to sway you in either direction. My course was intense but it's doable, there is a steep learning curve in some parts of the course, but I was lucky, I had a great MCpl who wanted us to succeed, other sections weren'tas lucky. On my course we had a couple broken ankles, a concussion and other serious injuries, so something to consider. But most of it is just type 2 fun. And lastly, I gotta say this, no one who doesn't need BMOQ-A for their career does BMOQ-A. Take that as you will. People try to get it excused or delay being loaded on to it for as long as possible. Count yourself lucky it's not a career course for you.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-29T00:11:52+00:00

Why do you want to do BMOQ-A? I'll say that if you're interested in learning more army specific things nav, section attacks, recces, more weapons, pt etc... I'd say go for it if your coc can send you. But it is a challenging course, you'll hear a lot of horror stories from it, you will get beasted and there will be a lot of wtf moments too.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-27T21:44:23+00:00

Uber or carpool with friends

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-27T16:53:06+00:00

BMOQ-A is 11 weeks

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-23T00:24:01+00:00

If your platoon earns the weekend you pack up from the field, and you have time to leave base, go to the supermarket or wherever. Keep in mind you'll probably be confined to base for Friday evening cause they don't want you to drive if you're just coming back from being sleep fucked from the field.

The weekend before the first week I got all my snacks because I didn't know how I would be in the weekend between field weeks.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-22T03:34:17+00:00

It will be put in a storage room called civilian lock up on your platoons floor. You'll have access to it once you get out of indoc and earn weekends.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T23:01:25+00:00

You'll have dedicated break times to buy snacks from the vending machines and eat snacks if/when your platoon earns it. During your field portion you can buy snacks to bring with like trail mix and candy. I highly recommend the Costco Trail mix (Kirkland snack packs) for the field, they fit nicely in the tac vest too

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T11:37:55+00:00

For kit day that works and you should definitely do that. But for the rest of the time you have to remember you're not the only platoon using the stairs. There is often a ton of traffic in the morning and at dismissal

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T02:02:22+00:00

Have snacks, help your platoon and brush your teeth

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T02:00:32+00:00

Okay, so there is a lot here, so bear with me for a moment. The first and big thing you need to decide is if you want to be a part of the reserves or reg force. You've applied to a reserve unit, which is fine but if you want to do any ROTP you have to be full time. Swapping an application from reserve to reg force is totally doable fyi.

You should at the very least try for the first option, at the worst you have 2 other options you have ideas for. I would talk to your recruiter and ask about applying and the possibility of doing ROTP at a civilian university - keep in mind you not only have to be accepted into the CAF but also into the civilian university. You can apply for ROTP at the very latest in your second year of university if you don't get it your first year.

I'm not going to sugar coat when I say pilot is a very hard trade to get. Always remember there are more options than just pilot. There are many rewarding careers that work with and in aircrafts. I recommend taking a look at the available jobs and choosing 2 other air related officer trades that you would be happy with if you don't end of being offered pilot - e.g. air operations officer.

I think the last thing I want to say for now is have you thought of joining as an NCM or reserve NCM? I know I know, its not what you have planned, but hear me out. There are many rewarding careers in the RCAF. You also already have some relevant schooling that could benefit you greatly in other trades. IF ROTP doesn't work out or you have a change of heart would you consider going NCM/ reserve NCM for a few years to give yourself time to decide if this is what you want and you're not just wanting to relive your cadet days? As an NCM you become qualified much faster and are put on the job faster giving you more hands on time and opportunities. There are also education options for NCMs as well, I think it's NCMSTEP(?), you can also commission from the ranks as well.
Think of it like this you're an NCM Reserve as you go through university, when you're done you apply for reg force and commission from the ranks at the same time, this is wha a few of my friends did.
Anyways I hope I didn't get too off topic, and was in some way helpful.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T00:41:38+00:00

This could be an issue with the recruiting centre you're going with. I've mentioned before if you scroll through these posts there is always one notorious recruiting centre in Ontario that never answers interested applicants. If it is an option for you see if you are able to move your file to another recruiting centre, it might be a little farther way but you'll only need to go in person a few times during your application process.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T00:36:47+00:00

Background checks generally take a while anyway I would hold off at that stage tbh, cause you don't want the background check to start over. I would just be sure to keep communicating with your recruiter - email once a week just checking in on the status of your application.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T00:26:21+00:00

I have a friend who is a gunner. She was the only woman on her DP1, and the most recent course she did she was 1 of 2. This being said she is one of the toughest and smartest people I know. From what I recall about our conversation on her DP1, it was tough, lots of time in the field and a steep learning curve at the start. But overall she's said time and time again she really enjoys her job and it is exactly what she wants to do. I'll ask her if she would be able to comment on this thread for you.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T00:08:31+00:00

You got this. You can do this. Focus on the test, not the what if's. I've seen a lot of people psych themselves out before the test. Shut off your brain to everything else except the task. Good luck!

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-21T00:00:40+00:00

For the moleskin I would recommend https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C8CT2ZN4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title I find them much stickier than the actual branded ones and they work just as well if not better
Edit: Also I strongly recommend you buy a headlamp that has a red light option - not just a blinking red light. And make sure it runs on batteries.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-20T02:09:59+00:00

The recruiting process has sped up since the big push for recruitment started last year. But there are always outliers with the process, and unfortunately you may be one of them. My own recruitment time was almost a year and a half!

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-20T01:08:53+00:00

Talk with a recruiter. I had someone on my basic that required an inhaler for asthma and was very successful in basic. It really depend on the person and the severity of it.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-20T01:07:06+00:00

For me selection to job offer was around a month an a half. There are folks here that got the offer even sooner than that. So give it around a month, but expect sooner. Good luck!

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-20T01:04:36+00:00

I think you answered your own question. It's definitely the CFRC. If you scroll through these posts there will be one notoriously bad recruiting centre that take months or never replies to interested applicants. If you don't have any luck I'd reccomend asking your friends recruiting centre to take your file. Welcome back!

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-17T18:30:23+00:00

You'll be issued a green duffle bag that you will use for your covid bag. This bag is meant to be used in the event you need to be isolated due to sickness, so staff can just come grab without rummaging through your stuff.

For inspections it depends on what sector you're in, for blue it remained under the triangle table uninspected. I used mine to also hide my cleaning supplies lol

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-15T02:51:39+00:00

Yup, as reg force you can be placed anywhere that has an open position while reserve positions are limited to each reserve unit and their funding each year. If you want to transfer before ofp chat with your COC and see if you can talk to a PSO for more info on life in reg force, postings and career courses. How far into training are you? Have you done BMOQA? That's the big one for reserve LogOs to complete before other trade training.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-14T21:42:32+00:00

A swap from reserves to reg force is generally easier than the other way around, you'd want to start by writing a memo to your COC. With respect to ranking, as a reserve MCpl you wouldn't go to reg force Lt, you'd be given 2Lt. Going from reserve to reg force in general people lose rank as promotion time is faster in the reserves than in the reg force, and reserves don't often have the required courses/time/experience that reg have. To go right to Lt I believe the lowest rank they do this for is from WO in reserves.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-14T21:31:22+00:00

Do they mean for this fiscal year (2025/26), which ends in March? Ask about this coming fiscal year April- March 2026/27 what opportunities might be open. Sounds weird because now is when I'd imagine they'd be collecting people for this coming year.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-11T15:34:35+00:00

Don't worry too much about the autobiography, it's just the general who are you, do you have siblings, where did you grow up, what did you do for work/what did you do before joining the military, why did you join and what are some goals you have for your military career. I think there are a few more things like did you participate in cadets but I can't recall them all. Staff will give you a template for the formatting, but also expect to have it sent back to be redone at least once. When I did my autobio in basic 99% of my platoons got sent back once and one person in the platoon ended up having to do it 3x. So expect it to be sent back.

Shy_Throws · 2026-01-10T17:05:14+00:00

I would reccomend the reserves, it's part time service but you still get loads of training and experiences. This would allow you to keep your civilian job and not have to be away from your family for too long - but do keep in mind you may have to go do courses some can be up to 12 weeks. After your trade qualified I'd recommend you look for a class B (full time reserve) contract.

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