Potential recruit looking for advice

[Neimon]

Hi all,

I just started my application process. I'm a 21 y/o 3rd year university student. 7 years in Canada, just got my citizenship. Took me a while. Just need 1 more reference to submit my full application. Applying for the following jobs:

Meteorological Tech, Army Communication Systems Specialist, Geomatics Tech, Medical Lab Tech

It has been pretty straight forward for now, but after reading some threads here and watching some youtube I have a few concerns. First of all, I am concerned that my preferred jobs wont have any openings and that Ill get stuck in the process for a few years.

Another big one is the foreign background check. I was born in Ukraine and came to Canada when I was 14. That was 7 years ago. Idk if I even require one, but if I do, that's gonna take an additional 6-18 months. Being potentially stuck in the application process for 3+18 = 21 months is far from ideal. 

My physical fitness or academic qualifications are not of a big concern to me. I'm an OUA athlete, graduated high school with 87% average. All jobs require grade 10-11 level math and science, so I think I should be good.

Expecting a call from the Recruiting Officer some time this upcoming week. Going to get my last reference ASAP as well.

I would really appreciate any comment or advice on anything I mentioned above.

Thanks.

 

[Winds]

Neimon,

You only require to obtain an out-of-country criminal recors check if you have lived out in another country in the past five years. However, you may or may not require a Pre-sceurity clearance assessment, which can take quite a while.

If you want Army Communications Information Systems Specialist (ACISS), it is in demand and is likely to remain as such. The other trades you mentioned are much smaller and potentially quite competitive. My best advice is to study for the aptitude test (CFAT) as much as possible, it has significant weight in comparing applicants. There is a practice/examples to on Forces.ca, found under the "How to join" section. Best of luck.

 

[Neimon]

Neimon,

You only require to obtain an out-of-country criminal recors check if you have lived out in another country in the past five years. However, you may or may not require a Pre-sceurity clearance assessment, which can take quite a while.

If you want Army Communications Information Systems Specialist (ACISS), it is in demand and is likely to remain as such. The other trades you mentioned are much smaller and potentially quite competitive. My best advice is to study for the aptitude test (CFAT) as much as possible, it has significant weight in comparing applicants. There is a practice/examples to on Forces.ca, found under the "How to join" section. Best of luck.

Thanks for the feedback. ACISS is my 3rd choice. I will make sure to talk to the recruiter about the other jobs.

It is also good to hear that I don't need the foreign check. Security clearance is not of a huge concern for me. Top-secret clearance with CSIS takes about 8 months, which is already 1/2 of the foreign check.

I will make sure to study hard for the aptitude test. Thanks for the advice

 

[Andriyko]

The recruiter will tell you that you got pre-approved for ACISS, do some research before you say yes to ACISS since its not even going to be a trade soon. Probably by the time you hit basic ACISS wont exist.

 

[marekbjj]

The recruiter will tell you that you got pre-approved for ACISS, do some research before you say yes to ACISS since its not even going to be a trade soon. Probably by the time you hit basic ACISS wont exist.

I am looking to go ACISS and I've been researching this quite a bit. I haven't heard that ACISS is going away. I have heard there's a new sub occupation though.

My medical 2 and interview are Wednesday.

 

[Winds]

Andriyko, yes, ACISS will be splitting its 3 sub-trades (LCIS Tech, Rad Op, and Lineman) back into their own individual trades, similar to how RMC Clerk split back into HRA and FSA (which may be reversed before long). Individuals applying ACISS should be asked by the recruiting centre which of the new trades (Sig Tech, Sig Op, Line Tech) they prefer.

 

[LiveFightMove]

First, I think it's awesome that you're going through the application process and even though you haven't lived in Canada your entire life, you still want to serve, so thank you.

So, even though the application process may take a long time, all I can tell you is good things are worth waiting for. My personal experience in the Canadian Forces (2 years Reservist, 6 years Regular Force) has been great. It might seem like a long time, and it may very well be, but in the long run it's a career with great training, great people, and great experiences. If you feel like your application isn't moving, just keep asking questions, be persistant, but most of all be respectful.

Good luck!