Stargazer said:
I would just like to start off by apologizing for the punctuation and grammar in my previous messages, however a little respect would be appreciated 'kingkikapu' as I am communicating in my second language
It wasn't apparent.
Stargazer said:
and it isn't always easy.
You made it look like it was in your earlier posts.
Yes, those are compliments.
Any attempt by me to communicate in The Other Official Language would make it blatantly obvious what my first language was.
Stargazer said:
I did mention in my first post that I applied as a human resource clerk.
Then I missed that. And, as you know, there is no such trade. It is "RMS Clerk".
Stargazer said:
So what I am understanding from your last reply Loachman, is that I should apply at an army reserve unit if I want to be guaranteed a spot?
There are no guarantees of a position anywhere.
Stargazer said:
When I gave in my application at the recruiting center, the recruiter just mentioned there was a high demand in clerks and didn't mention that my chances of being selected for the air reserve unit would be slim.
There probably is a high demand for the trade overall, but he may not be aware of a flying unit's requirements and expectations - no recruiter could know everything about every occupation, along with its reserve and regular variations. Most of our RMS Clerks are Class B, or full time reserve. Our Chief Clerk and, I believe, one other are regular force. We may have a Class A (part time reserve) or two but I am not sure about that. Unlike Army Reserve units, we are active throughout the week. There is, therefore, a higher workload for the clerks and anyone who cannot parade enough to be useful is not going to get a position that could be filled by one that can. Our positions are in demand because we offer far more paid service per month than an Army Reserve unit can - fourteen days per month in my unit - as well as a chance to hang out with pilots. We have a waiting list for most positions as a result, so we can pick and choose.
Stargazer said:
As for the commitment level, I do plan on working at least 3 days per week at the unit.
If 438 Squadron has a need for Class A clerks, that may satisfy them. There will most likely be a waiting list of people with experience who will be far more competitive than you, however. There may be positions at whichever reserve brigade headquarters is in Montreal or SQFT HQ that you would have a better chance at, but they may want a little experience first as well. There are several reserve units in that area which would likely need clerks, but how much employment they could offer is probably far less. You should probably contact at least a few of them for information and advice, as well as to find a unit that you might like.
Stargazer said:
The reason why I asked if it would be best if I took flying lessons or another degree, is because the recruiter said that it is very hard to get in as a pilot.
It is, but a few flying lessons won't give you any better chance or make you any more attractive. It's the selection process and the training programme that are hard to get through. Aircrew Selection is designed to select those who have a reasonable chance of making it through the training programme, compared to the large number of applicants who most likely would not. Lots of people with a few flying lessons and even licences do not make it through Aircrew Selection or the training programme.
If you
want to take flying lessons (and have the money) then take flying lessons - but don't do it just because you think that it would help you get in (it won't) or get through (it may or may not). There is a body of opinion that it may hinder your chances, because you will have been taught differently and some people have a hard time re-learning things.
Stargazer said:
He said that they would select someone that has been an air cadet and had flying experience over someone that had none,
Nope.
Stargazer said:
As for the RMC, I thought that if I had a second degree it would make me a competitive candidate as I wouldn't just have the minimal requirements.
My friend CDN Aviator answered that one perfectly.
Stargazer said:
I started this thread because I have trouble finding answers to my questions as I am someone that is starting from 'scratch'. Mostly all the threads are questions by people that already have CF experience or piloting experience...
There are threads that deal with most, if not all, of this with posts by people of all experience levels from yours - we all started from "scratch" sometime - to mine and beyond that should give you a much better idea of what this is all about. Keep looking. You are actually asking some unique questions, though - or at least some that have not been asked for a long time - so that's fine with me.
Stargazer said:
I really think I'm being clear in my posts.
It's not what
you think that counts, though.
I talked about clarity before. Terminology - the RMS Clerk/human resources clerk thing - is an important part of that, especially when one starts working in high-stress environments or with allies whose English-language abilities are far below yours.
Stargazer said:
I seriously spend a lot of time looking for answers to my questions, and I cannot find anyone in the same position as me : no experience whatsoever. I must admit, that I did find some information surfing through the forum however, being a student full-time and a part-time worker, I do find it difficult to spend a lot of time on the forum. So if you could elaborate your answers, it would be greatly appreciated.
Are you just surfing, or are you using the Search Function? If the latter, what key words are you using?