For those who think there is nothing wrong with the Recruiting system the way it is, here's my 2 cents.
I am a current serving (Ex Reg Frce, now Class B reserve) with 17 years in next month. I went thru Reg Frce recruiting and reserves and am currently mid-step in a CT back to Reg Frce.
No problems with the Recruiting system? That is ignorance and denial. Period. That is the same stupid mentality I have seen before. "On my basic, we had to do stupid things for no reason so now, as an instructor, I will make them do stupid things because, well, because thats they way it is." Just cause something was f**ked up when you did it, you should suck it up and never improve it because "thats just the way it is"? Right.
How do I know?
The CF Recruiting Site says this for CTs:
No physical fitness test for those of you who have demonstrated successful completion of the CF EXPRES test or the Land Force Command Physical Fitness Test within the 12-month period prior to CT application (or 24-month period if exempted);
Guess what, I did the EXPRES test in March. I just did it AGAIN yesterday. 12 months eh? Maybe CFRC staff need to follow the guidelines. I don't have a problem diong the test, but why is this info on the website if its not policy or not followed. Yet there it is in black and white
No Enhanced Reliability Check if you have a current reliability clearance or security clearance to the level required for your occupation; and
No medical examination for if you are younger than 37 and have had a CF medical within the last five years.
Bullcrap on this one again. I did a Part 1 and Part 2 even though, as I am Class B, I just did a complete medical in much less than 5 years. I am 35.
Members of the Regular and Reserve Forces already enjoy a sense of camaraderie, and shared expertise and goals, that transcend those found in most workplaces. Streamlined CT policy will forge even stronger bonds, creating a seamless environment within which all of you can move efficiently and contribute on an equitable footing.
Canadian Forces Personnel Newsletter
Issue 11/05 - 16 November 2005
http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/CFmembers/serving_CFmembers_e.aspx (click on Component Transfer on the drop-down list)
Its a nicely written article.
Too bad it wasn't actually true. I don't think the CT should be in the hands of the CFRG. I am not a "recruit", they already did that with me twice, so after 17 years in, I am back at CFRC. The staff is great at the CFRC, don't get me wrong, but the process and methodology behind this stinks.
I personally have been thru this story that Hot Lips is talking about and I will tell you, straight up, that you are only seeing the tip of the iceberg on this one and how f**ked up it has been. And when she would look at me and ask me questions about why this and why that, I could see right then and there that the CF Recruiting needs a face-lift. Anyone who would like me to justify it, based on her recruiting experience, please ask away. I can provide detailed info on the CF Recruting process/system jerking around someone who only wanted/wants to serve.
-She is not after the free university, she already has a degree.
-She is not after the $40,000 signing bonus for Nursing Officers, because there isn't one.
-She is not some 18 year old not sure what to do with her life.
-She passed the PT tests at the under-35 Male standard. There are serving Male members who can't do that for christ sakes.
So, where did her MOTIVATION to service count in the "merit system". There are people out there getting free degree's and cutting loose after their mandatory service, vice someone who is medically, educationally and "for love of country" reasons, most fit for service.
What she
didn't tell you was she was at a lunch function at the Wardroom the day before her call came, with a few Nursing Officers from the local area. According to THEM...they are severely in need of nurses in the CF that have actual critical care skills. One of the NOs there at the lunch said they are
SEVERELY short nurses that can actually nurse in places like A-stan. And hey, the guy JUST got back. And this guy has 20+ years in, and ya, IS a Nurse O in the Forces. So, lets assume he knows what he is talking about. So, Hot Lips worked in Emerg a few years ago when we met. Should be a shoe-in to me; emerg medicince, medically fit, motivated, all the stuff the CF says it looking for, then the MCC has to call and say "well someone changed the plan that I told you about, that made you decide to apply Reg Frce, so, even though I have told you how strong of an applicant you are, and even though you can pass the EXPRES test to the under 35 Male standard, and you have a degree...no thanks. However, we appreciate you hanging on for over a year." This is the same one that encouraged her to apply Reg Frce because she was such a strong applicant. Oh yeah, I know some of the CFRC staff, and they told me too, that she was "pretty much a shoe in". Nothing was guarunteed, yup she knew that, I know that, we all know that. Is that a good excuse/reason to just say "recruiting is fine the way it is". I don't think so.
If anyone thinks that is, well, "ok", I ask you to please never take a task at the CFRC in your area.
The CF is about people, for without people, there is no CF. I think it should look inward to see if there are ways to look after people, like Hot Lips, who's sole motivation is to serve. We have people in uniform that are there for themselves, and people like her clawing to get in so they can serve. And...there is nothing wrong with that? :
Oddly enough, take a look at the bottom right part of this website (link below) and look at the Hot Jobs listed. Now, anyone please, explain THAT to Hot Lips...cause I sure can't. And yes, to quote the words RIGHT ABOVE THAT LIST...
Learn more about these specialized, in-demand professions:
http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/home/index_e.aspx
Please, don't anyone be so ignorant as to say "there is nothing wrong with our recruiting system". What more do you need to see, to see that there IS something wrong with it? How do you explain to people like Hot Lips, who had NO medical issues, drug issues, etc etc that the "system works and weeds out the unwanted's" when there is now a Capt at the CFRC in Halifax that can't explain to her the sense in this mess? The one who is meeting with her next Monday to try to figure something out?
This is not meant to offend or point fingers at current CFRG staff/personnel, it is directed at the "system", not the people.