canadian forces

[leducreef]

Anyone on here in the canadian forces ?

[JDigital]

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.

[StirCrazy]

I just retired after 20 years in the navy

Steve

[leducreef]

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

[mike31154]

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.

[leducreef]

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 !

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by leducreef

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.

[leducreef]

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 .

[Skimmerking]

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
LOOK UP M777.
think CAREER THOU OK SERIOUSLY THOU>

[mike31154]

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.