Chance of Deployment [Merged]

[frank1515]

1) Training takes so long since it's weekend based. I would prefer to leave my job and do training all at once

A friend of mine in the Reg Force was on PAT for more than 8 months before he was put on course.  The wait time in the Regs can also be long.  Don't expect to be put on back-to-back course.

 

[aesop081]

Thus my sense of urgency to get in to the military, ideally within 1 year.

You need to re-evaluate why you want to this. Thats just my opinion of course. You have a pretty skewed view of life in the military as it is, more thought on your part is needed.

and think it's only realistic to consider the competition when doing so.

Consider it all you want but you don't control the competition so all you can do is apply and see what happens.

 

[Swingline1984]

What are the most consistently easier Forces jobs to enter...

A friend just brought his son into the RC in Ottawa (can't speak for what's open in Toronto) and ACISS was open (Army Signals occupations and especially the core occupation seem to always be short manned)

Personally, I think society is at the brink. The history of wars and economic crises show the importance of immigration, a failing middle class, growth of radical groups, declining birth rates, debt, usury (interest) banking, natural resources, and socialism. Every one of those factors is now at the forefront. Being from the Balkans, I've seen the horrific results of debt, socialism, radicalization, multiculturalism, and separation and corruption from the political class.

I can't imagine society lasting much longer without a major crisis, and I want to be trained and prepared to defend my family and my country when the inevitable strikes. Thus my sense of urgency to get in to the military, ideally within 1 year. The average Westerner, in my opinion, is naively detached from the realities of history and human nature and are completely unprepared for this.

Have you been reading The Postman?

 

[Danno1]

On second thought, it's better to keep my 'predictions' out of this thread. I don't have a crystal ball, and it's not helpful to the discussion at all. This isn't the right place, and might be offensive to some. Sorry for the slip everyone, I'll edit my posts.

I was at a recruiting office on Wednesday, they didn't mention ACISS. I guess the military demands would mirror civilian life: always demand for sciences, engineering, and medicine. Thought suprisingly the demand doesn't seem to be as strong in the skilled trades, ie plumbing, as it is in civilian life. Any other thoughts on this?

CDN Aviator, can you elaborate please, about the point that my perception of military life is skewed? I think my Balkan background does skew my perception of society quite a bit, as well as military life, as just about every male in my immediate and distant family has been in their army at some point, most seeing combat. People like my parents flee from failed states to embrace successful Canadian culture, but now we're seeing a rejection of Western culture from the very people who benefit from it the most, like universities and media. It's really a sad and strange situation.

I have been doing quite a bit of research on Canadian Forces, this isn't a whimsical decision. I agree that I can't control the competition, but I can be knowledgeable of it. If 800 people are applying for pilot, I can realistically evaluate my skills and my desire. There are only 3 spots on an application, though I would be glad to enter at least 6 of them, so it's worth researching.



I appreciate your thoughts guys.

 

[aesop081]

I have been doing quite a bit of research on Canadian Forces, this isn't a whimsical decision.

You better do more then because so far, you're results are pretty poor. See my post where all i said is "wrong" several times as an example of you being on the wrong track.

If 800 people are applying for pilot, I can realistically evaluate my skills and my desire.

Unless you have the information on a good portion of the other 799 people, you have no idea what you are up against. Applying is the only way you will know.

 

[dimsum]

Thanks for the suggestion, I thought about the reserves. Here's why I decided against it:

1) Training takes so long since it's weekend based. I would prefer to leave my job and do training all at once
2) It can be difficult to switch from Reserve to Regular. The recruiter told me it's significantly easier to switch from Regular to Reserve.

1. Not as Naval Reserve MARS (I was one before I went light blue.) Each course is 4 months long (or thereabouts) and with the exception of BMOQ, can be tacked onto an existing Reg F MARS course.  I know of people who did all of their NAVRES MARS training in a year by being put on empty spots in Reg F courses (this was back in the early 2000s but I doubt things have changed that much.)

2. With MARS, it's potentially less likely that you'll be turned down.  The training is pretty much exactly the same up until the point you actually sail, which is the final 2-ish months of the "formal" training process before you get assigned to a ship (in the Reg F.)  Again I may be using some dated info, but there were a LOT of NAVRES MARS officers who switched over to the Reg F in the last 4 years and were scooped up right away (well, as "right away" as the CF can be.)

Again, my info is about 4 years old.  I'd check with HMCS YORK (the Naval Reserve unit in Toronto) but as I said, I doubt things have really changed that much in the training side.

 

[aesop081]

I would prefer

You will find that what you would "prefer" is not an overriding consideration for the military.

 

[Timmy!]

Don't worry about the Mrs..... Go to supply and ADREP one.  ;D

 

[Diamondwillow]

I think that perhaps you may be over analyzing and trying to *out-think* the possible competition and the CF.  First - It doesn't really matter HOW many people apply - if 50% of them don't pass the medical or CFAT or interview, then that's 50% of the competition gone - then what's not to say you aren't 8th out of 800 who PASSED... but there are only 5 positions available.  There is simply far too much information that you would NEED to put into your equation in order to have an accurate result.  You simply are not going to get that information to fill in the blanks - it will all be speculation and a touch of ESP.. lol.  (if you DID get that kind of information then I would be mad as HELL that someone who is NOT in the CF has access to my file or information that I, myself am not privy to.) 

If you want to do aptitude tests - go to the employment center - they have a GREAT second career program that will help you determine what you really ARE good or interested in.  I had the same questions you did - I wanted to know what *I* would be best suited for in the CF... unfortunately - the CFAT didn't narrow a damn thing down.... it actually broadened my options - but using the employment aptitudes helped me decide.. .  I think you should really just look at what YOU WANT to be doing for a long time... and choose that. 

Your last post sounds like you would apply as a Pilot if you knew you were a shoe in... but if you aren't, the desire maybe really ISN'T there?  I think you may need to re-evaluate why you are looking at certain trades.    So what if 800 people apply... if you don't apply because of the *what if's* you can't answer anyway - then you won't get the job...  period.  (and if you don't apply - then that's one less person *I* need to worry about competing against me.... ) j/k )  Basically - what I am saying is - decide what you WANT To do - and DO IT... don't live with regret and *what if* - AND ... remember - it may SEEM like things take forever... but September (or Christmas) is going to come ANYWAY - it always does.... ALWAYS.

 

[dimsum]

Don't worry about the Mrs..... Go to supply and ADREP one.  ;D

I thought that only works in Quebec-based units or foreign postings?  Err....not that I'd try to do that in Australia.  No sirree. 

 

[Danno1]

thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it. Thanks for clarifying Dimsum, MARS really was my first choice, and the recruiter did tell me that you can be a Reserve and still work full time, which would be awesome. I haven't done the in-depth research on the position yet, since I haven't totally narrowed it down. Too many options! I find that your first gut reaction tends to be the most reliable, and some studies have confirmed this. After weeks of research, Im still drawn to my initial gut picks.

lol Diamondwillow, I am a textbook 'paralysis by analysis' guy, and I do try to strategize everything. My desire isn't strong for pilot, it was just an example really. I know my skills pretty well, but I also want to be practical. I know many passionately unemployed Freudian BA undergrads, and many successful plumbers who eventually learned to tolerate their job. I have a degree in Business Administration, but want to be useful long term and in the civilian world, that's why I'm strongly considering skilled trades, like Hull Tech and Refrigeration, as opposed to more familiar admin jobs. It's kind of embarassing to me when I have to call the Super to fix my leaky faucet lol.

... ADREP?  :-\ I don't get it.

 

[aesop081]

you can be a Reserve and still work full time,

Be careful with that thought.

... ADREP?  :-\ I don't get it.

You can interpret that as "go to supply and request a new one".

 

[Danno1]

lol ok, good to know.

 

[Loachman]

Pick what you want and apply for that. There is no way to predict what will get you in quicker and what will give you the best chance of success.

Picking something that you think that you will like, however, will probably help your motivation rather than something that you may quickly come to hate.

As for your relationship, if there are weaknesses, the CF will either show them up or help them blossom. That may well turn out to be a blessing if it happens.

Your fiancee may, instead, like the lifestyle.

Deployment cannot be predicted. I'm a pilot and did two tours in KAF in the past three years. There were people from at least most of the other occupations that you listed over there as well.

As for the 1 in 800 number, that was the ratio of pilot wannabes (recruiting-centre walk-ins) to Wings graduates in the eighties. The number has probably not changed significantly since then.

Only three of my Aircrew Selection serial ended up in Portage for the Primary Flying Course, after a large bunch had already been rejected at the recruiting centres. Fifty percent of my PFC did not make it through, and somewhere around a third of my Basic Flying Course in Moose Jaw either washed out, quit, or were re-coursed - and possibly more.

Stop over-analyzing and decide what you really want, then do it.

Pop into your local Naval Reserve unit, as has been suggested (call first), and meet a few people to get a better idea of what is involved.

 

[Diamondwillow]

LOL I know your type - 'cause I'm just like you .  I struggle with over analyzing EVERYTHING until I know beyond a doubt the correct answer too.  ;D  I figured you have used Pilot as an example - but the comment about having to re-assess your desire for the position if you felt you 'wouldn't get it' kind of struck a chord that you MIGHT be approaching the entire CF thing the wrong way ENTIRELY.  I can see where you are coming from with your skilled trades choices - but why commit yourself to do something because you think you can *force* yourself to tolerate it?  It would be a real shame to take the job from someone who really WOULD love it and have a strong aptitude for it and make it their life long career, while at the same time you are hating it and you aren't not doing something you love/enjoy and maybe make it your own long term career? (no need to be an unemployed Freudian BA undergrad... )  You almost seem to be viewing the CF as a stepping stone -  if you want a quick trade, there are tons of apprenticeships that are a hell of a lot easier to get in than trying to do it through the CF.  Consider - you wouldn't spend the money or time on a certain career in the civvy world - you PROBABLY shouldn't be considering it in the CF, but that's just my opinion.

I am uneducated in the classical sense (college diploma with honors - no HS diploma.. LMAO!), and I didn't *think* I could even consider an Officer trade.  WELL... like I said - the CFAT scores opened up ALL the bloody trades AND the Officer trades as well... I was a bit taken aback, but I felt pretty good about myself.  From my previous work and volunteer experience, (and the aptitude tests) I have realized that Logistics really is my forte and passion.  (interestingly - this was my first question to the recruiter when I darkened the doors last July.  I was told of the education requirements and *realized* that it simply wasn't going to happen for me).  In the end I chose Supp Tech and RMS Clerk - and ran with that.  I got merit listed before Christmas after *being SURE* that I wasn't going to be medically fit according to Ottawa... (again - I was trying to decide what Ottawa was going to say)  I went against my first reaction to just forget about the whole process because I was convinced of what the result would be,  the *older - more mature* me took over and told me to LET OTTAWA decide.  It's THEIR job, and apparently - I don't have a FREAKING CLUE what they were looking for.  

On Tuesday I handed in my ROTP questionnaire and I will let the RCM decide if I am qualified to be enrolled in school.  Of course- if the Supp Tech call comes, I'm going to be ALL over it like ugly on an ape. 

 

[Danno1]

Hey congratulations to you Diamondwillow, things seem to be looking up for you.

Good luck on RMC! I wish I had though of that before going to a civilian Univ. I inquired about Graduate programs, but learned they don't do the military experience, and you can't live on campus. Doh!

I did some handyman work on my own for the first time a few days ago, and loved it. It feels good to be useful, to be a practical man like my forefathers, rather than a white collar gabber. I wish I could build a house, for example, like my granddad did. It doesn't come natural to me, and I'm not sure I could compete with guys who have a real aptitude for it, but it's worth considering.

I learned that it will take me about a month (a bloody month!) to get my HS transcripts for the application anyway, so I have some time to narrow it down to three.

I'm also hoping that some skills from other trades will rub off on me in close quarters, or that I could take courses in my spare time. Like for example, a MARS learning from a hull technician during slow time, or taking weekend courses in repairs, or cooking, or whatever other skill. That would rock. Best of both worlds I guess.

 

[Hurricane]

There are resources like the MFRCs that can assist spouse's and, if things haven't changed too much, your spouse will become part of that "families left behind" family that tend to look after each other when mbr's are deployed.

Don't they call this the "soap box" family back in Gagetown?

 

[GAP]

shush

 

[Spooks]

As for the original Q, you have to look at a lot of things.

Sure, you may be deployed for 3-9mon overseas in a country like Afghanistan. That may not sit well with the fiancee. Logically, you may wanna choose a trade that rarely goes 'in harms way on the frontlines'. Maybe you choose a job that puts you around the country/globe (in relative safety) for a week quite consistanely. That may have a more grievous effect on niner-domestic than having a few month tour every few years.

I am one of those guys who took the trade that's deployed a lot. I went over telling everyone 'nothing'll happen' but sure enough, it did. Mr Big ol'bomb got me and quite nearly killed. When I was recovering, suddenly every relative and their dog had an opinion about me staying in the military. Much to their dismay, I stayed in and 6yrs later, they can respect me for making up my mind on my own. I can look at them and not worry about 'what ifs' and other possibilities.

What I am saying is: Choose a job that you want to do. Choose something that you can see yourself happily in 5yrs down the road  and still enjoy it. Over the years, a lot of people on the boards have said 'The military is not a job - it's a way of life' and they are very true. If you are looking for a rock to hold onto during this economic storm of our times, try politics. I read they make good money. 

 

[Danno1]

As for the original Q, you have to look at a lot of things.

Sure, you may be deployed for 3-9mon overseas in a country like Afghanistan. That may not sit well with the fiancee. Logically, you may wanna choose a trade that rarely goes 'in harms way on the frontlines'. Maybe you choose a job that puts you around the country/globe (in relative safety) for a week quite consistanely. That may have a more grievous effect on niner-domestic than having a few month tour every few years.

I am one of those guys who took the trade that's deployed a lot. I went over telling everyone 'nothing'll happen' but sure enough, it did. Mr Big ol'bomb got me and quite nearly killed. When I was recovering, suddenly every relative and their dog had an opinion about me staying in the military. Much to their dismay, I stayed in and 6yrs later, they can respect me for making up my mind on my own. I can look at them and not worry about 'what ifs' and other possibilities.

What I am saying is: Choose a job that you want to do. Choose something that you can see yourself happily in 5yrs down the road  and still enjoy it. Over the years, a lot of people on the boards have said 'The military is not a job - it's a way of life' and they are very true. If you are looking for a rock to hold onto during this economic storm of our times, try politics. I read they make good money. 

Hey Ghost, glad you're still around to post this  :warstory:

I submitted my application for MARS, and want that or the NCM Naval trades of NES, NCI, or Sonar Op, in that order. I expect to be deployed consistently, but this is what I want to do with my life.

It was frustrating that on the application you could only choose either 3 Officer jobs, or 3 NCM jobs, as opposed to a mix. I have no interest in any Officer position other than MARS, but am interested in 3 other NCM Naval jobs, which I could not select. Does anyone know why they use this method?

The theme of this thread seems to be that all trades can be deployed, and it's not easy to predict. Ghost, your post seems to go against that, implying that you expect some trades to be deployed more than others.

Can you elaborate?