canadian forces
 

Anyone on here in the canadian forces ?

Had a roommate that's been part time in the Navy for a couple years... moved out 2 weeks ago to work full time with them.

Only ever heard good things about it... it's crossed my mind to join.

Asmodeus is one of our brave soldiers though.

I just retired after 20 years in the navy

Steve

ya i just put in my app
i was just looking to talk to some one about it
i think it will be a great job i am getting so tired of the painting biz
if i can make it through BMQ

I retired a few years ago as well. I actually applied at the recruiting office in Edmonton which is right close to Leduc or am I wrong? Plenty of options for different careers in the various elements, sea, land, air. Some excellent training in various fields of expertise as well.

I saw many changes in all aspects of the military during my career. I haven't been keeping abreast of things since I took my release, but I reckon things haven't changed that much at the recruiting office. They will likely give you an aptitude test of some kind and try to steer you towards a trade/element that is in need of personnel. Try not to get sidetracked that way if you already have something in mind. I knew the trade I wanted when I went there, but according to the recruiter, I was more suited to something else. He said there would be a waiting period for my preferred trade and if I took what they deemed was my aptitude, I could head out for basic training almost immediately. I'm glad I stuck to my guns and waited. It only took a month to get the trade I was interested in.

ya leduc is close
what trade did you take?
how did you find BMQ?
how fit where you when you went
i think the hardest thing for me will be drill !

The trade I chose no longer exists actually, grrr. One of the things that peeved me off in the last few years of my career. It's actually not uncommon for service members to 'remuster' to another trade at some point during their service if they find they're no longer content or effective in their originally chosen occupation. It's not something generally encouraged, especially if you wish to remuster out of an occupation that isn't at the required manning level. Many non-commissioned members (NCMs) further their education during service and apply for Officer training.

Any idea at all of what type of occupation you're interested in pursuing?

Anyhow, the trade I chose was Instrument Electrical Technician MOC 551 and it no longer exists. It was an Air Force occupation. When I joined there were 13 different technical trades or MOCs (Military Occupation Codes) involved in aircraft maintenance. There are also a number of Officer occupations that run the show and of course the pilots. Those will require a University engineering degree and/or Military College.

Around about the year 2000, it was decided things would work more efficiently if the number of air trades was condensed down to three!! From thirteen!! IE techs had the choice of either being assimilated into the "Aviation tech" MOC, or the "Comm/Radar tech" MOC. The idea was to model the trade structure more after the civilian way of doing things to cut down on training requirements and save money. The cash crunch was on for government spending at the time. Not really room to get into too much more detail here and I still get a little irate when I start talking about this move. Totally misguided as far as I'm concerned. Military aircraft are called 'Weapons Systems' for a good reason. There's a little more involved working on a Weapons System as compared to a passenger aircraft. IMO keeping the trades more specialized is necessary to keep the expertise on given systems at a level conducive to proper maintenance. Same goes for the Navy & Army folks these days, they all deal with a lot of state of the art gear, even the infantryman. I don't think the Navy did anything like the Air Force with their trade stucture, maybe a Navy dude/dudette can chime in and provide more details in that regard.

BMQ? Ha ha, the service is full of acronyms, but not entirely sure I've come across this one. My visit to the recruiting office was quite a number of years ago. I assume it's something to do with your medical profile?

I was in fairly decent shape at the time since I was into some sports in high school and I was born with a slim build. When I joined I think I was just under 150 lbs soaking wet. After a couple of years in, I bumped up to around 165 and haven't moved much from there ever since. Sports & fitness are very much encouraged in the service, particularly in the land environment.

Yep, drill and discipline are two things you'll be dealing with at the beginning as well as throughout your service. They are part of military life that sets the military apart from many civilian pursuits. In a way, discipline is required anywhere if you wish to reach your goals and get ahead in life. No idea what the program at boot camp is like nowadays, but when I joined, there was no such term as 'politically correct' and I think it's safe to say, you won't be treated to some of the things I experienced early in my career. The trick is not to get too stressed out and take those things with the knowledge that they are trying to put the pressure on to see how you react, and after a few weeks, it gets a lot easier.

Finally, take your time choosing your occupation and do plenty of research before you sign the dotted line, particularly with regard to pension plans, terms of service etc. After getting as much info as possible, you may even decide in the end it's not for you. Personally I've never regretted any of it and have gained some very good friends over the years. Did not get wealthy in the process, but I have what I need, including a pension and I get to do the things I love to do, ski, canoe, play soccer, motorcycle .... and... grow my hair if I wish.

Ya i am still not shure what i will go for ?
i was thinking something basic like Armoured Soldier . or infantry
am dam good with a gun been target shooting for 10 years so that should help .
i like to be outside and getting dirty so i dont know

BMQ is is there new way of saying basic training i guess .
thanks for all the great info .

Hmmmmmmmmmm I have 21 years in the Artillery here im currently in Roger's pass with the Avalanche control blowing up the mountains ensuring that the trans canada Highways are clear and safe.
BMQ is Basic MILITARY QUALIFICATION
BIQ BASIC INFANTRY QUALIFICATION

If you want to know what you want to do is huge think Career wise. Alot of kids join the army not knowing on what thye would like to do. They just want to get their foot in to the door, then make it from there. That is ok too. I have dont pretty much any thing that you can put in your head with regards to training that is crazy, JUMPING OUT OF PLANE WALKING KMS AFTER KMS WITH 200LBS ON MY BACK, rivercrossings, escape and evasions. Full CBT fighting, Jungle Warfare, Desert warfare, NBC instructor. (AKA Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Been all over the world trained with many nations. My Career has been amazing.

BUT IF YOU TAKE ANYTHING OUT OF THIS GET A QUALIFICATION
Dont be like some of us that do 20 years living in the holes and dumps
Infantry DONT nothing wrong with it thou keeps you in shape.
Armoured alot of guys do slip from being in shape I know alot of them.
Artillery Hmmmm that s me WHAT WAS THAT AGAIN...... lol its great i love the Artillery, BIG GUNS, HEAVY AMMO AND WELL SIZE MATTERS :lol:
LOOK UP M777.
think CAREER THOU OK SERIOUSLY THOU>

Roger's Pass huh? So if I decide to head up there for some avalanche training for backcountry skiing, you guys have a bunk for me?? Yes, I am a pigeon and a sparky, but I did do time in two Tac Hel Sqns supporting the army... artillery even. Some of those guys were in our unit as spotters in the Kiowas. If I could remember some names I'd throw them out there.

And yes, career qualification is good advice. Even as an IE tech, if I want to work as a civilian aircraft mechanic, I still have to produce my qualifications and write the exam. Probably take some additional courses. The military doesn't like to spend all that money training techs only to have them bail out after 5 years and take a job as an AME.

what do you guys mean about career qualification

thing trade. I was a marine engineer. so I can now be a machinest, pipe fitter, millwright, heavy diesel mechanic, and I have the right to challange my 3rd class power engineering ticket. a naval electrition can retire with his civilian electrical red seal, ect.. so think of what you would like to be doing in 20 years and then find a trade that will help you do that in the millitary. like was mentions so many people joint the army and after 20 years can get a job as a security patrol person..

now having said that my son joined as a army weapons tech :rolleyes:

you also got to look at how you want to spend your time. in the navy you travel all over in a ship and always have your own bed, good hot meals and showers, army.. well extream camping and airforce.. who knows what they realy do :wink:

Steve

[quote=mike31154;470468]Roger's Pass huh? So if I decide to head up there for some avalanche training for backcountry skiing, you guys have a bunk for me?? quote]


Mike come on down man, we have a lounge here $2.50 per beer and Highballs too. let me know when you are coming ok .

[quote=asmodeus;470493]
I can I come... Just want the skiing though... :D

[quote=asmodeus;470493]Too cool, thanks. Not sure when I'll be doing that, depends on when the CAA runs the courses there. I haven't checked this year yet. I'm stranded right now anyhow, vehicle is broke and I won't have it fixed until next week. A good friend of mine here in Vernon is a retired Artillery Major. Lucky stiff spent his last two years in Colorado Springs, then retired.

leducreef, as far as qualification, I think StirCrazy pretty much covered that topic.

StirCrazy, us Air Force guys can pretty much end up anywhere. I did two tours in Tactical Helicopter Squadrons supporting the Army, so got a good dose of camping out etc. Our unit in Germany was fully mobile so the entire Squadron was able to pull out within two hours notice. All of our essential maintenance equipment was in SEVs (special equipment vehicles), army trucks with shops on the back powered by diesel generators on a trailer. As a tech in Cold Lake life was a little different and the tactical army stuff was a bit of an eye opener for someone accustomed to working out of a warm, cozy hangar. Many of my buddies in the trade ended up on the back of a boat with the air detachment maintaining Sea King helicopters, so they got a taste of the Navy life. Not sure who got the better deal there, but many moons ago when I was treated to Thanksgiving dinner on the HMCS Terra Nova when we were in Esquimalt for the soccer nationals, I left that boat with banged up shins and forehead. Not much room on that tin can. At least on Army exercises you get the odd weekend off and can get out of camp. When you're on a boat for months, you're on it, even on weekends, 24/7. But I guess some of the ports of call make up for it and I understand some of the newer boats have much more room.

[quote=mike31154;470510]ya it can take a while befor you automaticly pick up your feet at the right time or duck.. I have been on the tankers since 1993 so have much more room, the guys and gals from 443 love comming to the tanker, more like a floating hotel. ya when your on it you are on it.. but we do lots of things to try make the ride more fun, and normaly its only a week or two till you are some place new.. If I would have knowen then what I know now I would have bought a condo in Diego, I watched one go from 100K to almost 1mill in 15 years.. and I ended up going to diego over 100 times in 20 years.. Hawaii was second at about 75 times.


Speaking of a lounge at 2.50 a beer, the ships have a bear machine so you can have a couple beer a day at sea and it is about a 1.25 now.. was 0.50 each when I was younger.

but Rodgers pass eh.. hmm still a little to far to drive up and visit as I got the brand new puppy taking up most of my time right now...

Steve

so i got a call today
i was told that thay were not looking for any combat postions
and there would prob not be any openings tell april :neutral:
oh well i guess i got a few months to get my self in better shape .

i did just under 5 years as Calgary highlanders infantry. reserve though not reg force. i had been in cadets before and wanted to stick with something a little more real but did not want to commit to long service time. I had an amazing time in there and kind of regret getting out but thats how life was at the time.

in reserves everyone loves to be there, its more like a hobby to try to keep yourself in shape.. enjoy shooting things and have a possiblity to go overseas. the reg force guys there were a few that enjoyed it but so many of them were just counting the days till there contract was over.. be it two or 6 years or however many years away.

ive had a few friends go through air or naval and end up with some good qualifications when they got out 6-10 years later.



I really really liked shooting things, and had lots of chances to do that.

Ha ha, this thread is starting to give me a little bout of nostalgia, snif. We should all meet at Roger's Pass and have a little Army, Navy, Air Force Mess Dinner.

Looks like you guys are intent on shooting things up. Don't forget that right now there are folks in harms way in Afg.... they shoot back over there and don't always fight by the 'rules of engagement'.

I'll make my pitch for the Air Force life now, maybe we can get a little recruiting contest going here. Really surprised there's a waiting period for the combat arms trades these days...

Anyhow, here are a few photos of some of my experiences over the years. Started on 'fast' air in Cold Lake, more of that in Baden Germany, then a good dose of Army related life in Edmonton and again in Lahr Germany. Ended up as a headquarters weenie in Ottawa supporting the Search & Rescue Helicopter fleet. That was probably the most satisfying part of my career, working on saving people instead of destroying stuff. And to finish off, a civilian consultant supporting the CF18s for 3 years in Ottawa.

As a tech, you do get the odd back seat ride in the two seaters. CFB Baden, Germany

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...nf/Baden1c.JPG

Bringing up the rear of a formation of CF104s in our venerable T33. I think that's the largest number of 104s we ever got in the air at one time in Baden. If you're concerned about your carbon footprint, don't be, one of those birds burns up a substantial amount of kerosene in an hour.

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...dm/Baden3c.JPG

Wainwright Alberta, having a little break/chit-chat by the Huey

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...l/408Sqn1c.JPG

One of the better trips out of Edmonton, in the back of a Huey headed for Yuma Arizona through Grand Canyon country. One of our overnight stays on the way was Las Vegas. Highly overrated IMO, I'd never pay to go to Vegas on my own...

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...X/408Sqn2c.JPG

CFS Alert. Not many folks have the 'pleasure' of ever making it up here. We went up to prepare a Huey for transport in a Hercules back to Edmonton. The Huey is tasked to resupply caches in the arctic during the summer. Notice how almost every major center in Canada is about the same distance from this god forsaken place.

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...CFSAlert1c.JPG

A number of items need to be removed so the Huey will fit

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...CFSAlert2c.JPG

Stripped down & ready to slide her in

http://s1rq4w.blu.livefilestore.com/...CFSAlert3c.JPG

There were tons of other experiences, some not so good, some great. Photos are scanned so the quality isn't the greatest. No such thing as digital cameras at the time.

Hopefully StirCrazy & Asmodeus can come up with some cool stuff too. I'd love to see some pics from Hawaii or San Diego, and an avalanche or two coming down after a round is pumped up the mountain at Rogers Pass.

I joined in 05 best decision of my life. I remustered once already but it is worth it. Just like asmo said i joined young...17 and didn't really know what all the trades were about i just saw an MP5 and decided that it looked pretty cool. There are so many different fields to work in im sure there is something for everyone. You will meet many awesome people from all over Canada and get to travel alot all for free. Steady pay with structured increases aka promotions lol. As for BMQ its changed alot from what i have heard but it is not that bad go in with the right mind set and you will be fine....strong mind strong body. Good luck

what trade did ya go Jesse

I started as a BOSN and now I am a Supply Tech......1 SVC BN