Last Friday was 2 weeks of the "could take 1-2 weeks", so I emailed CFRC, but nothing in yet. I know, these things take time, but I want to get on with my new life! The good news though is that I graduate from ILQ tomorrow morning, so that is a great qual to be crossing over with. I head home on Fri and am anxious to talk face-to-face with recruiting so I can get a move on getting things organized at home.
My intentions, for when I get accepted and course loaded are for my son to stay with my mother for the remainder of the school year (isn't she a sweetheart to offer that? gotta love her). But I am curious as to what else will be going on. I know some of this has been covered in other threads, but more generalized. I would really appreciate anyone who could give specifics about the following:
1. F&E - From what I understand, you do not get a move of F&E until after course and with your first posting. As well, you only get storage of your F&E if you have no dependents. However, with my son moving to Ontario to live with my mother (I have no other longterm care for him in BC), I would like to be able to move his belongings (clothes, books, toys, but no furniture) to her place and put all of the rest in storage so that I am not continuing to pay for a PMQ and all involved with it, especially since I will be helping my mother out with her added expenses. Will I be able to request, and be approved for something like this? Also, I was given a move to BC through NavRes and am entitled to a return move. Can I use this to move stuff to my mother's place? And if so, I would have to move it all, correct, not have some moved and other put in storage?
2. RFGP (reserve force gratuity) - I have heard 2 ways of what to do with this on accepting a CT. One is to take the cash. Sure you lose some to taxes but it gives you instant cash to either pay bills, or to bank so that you have a cushion in case of any delay with your new pay starting. Or two, put it all in a temp RRSP and roll it over into my new pension. What did any others out there do? Or are there any financial gurus who can give me the best advice?
3. One of the biggest decisions that I have to make is the future of my dogs. I can't take them with me on course, and my mother isn't able to take them. It would break my heart to find a new permanent home for them, and give them up completely before knowing what is going to happen after my course, but I may need to do that. I have friends involved in animal rescue organizations looking into that for me. My other option is to find someone who would take them temporarily for me with the best location being in Ontario so I could visit. I have a border collie and a black lab, and I would prefer to keep them together. If you are interested in providing temporary or permanent home(s), or if you have any other suggestions, please PM me for/with more details.
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.