preparing and chances for reserve at age 39?

[Maxadia]

In a nutshell, I did a stint in Armour Reserve for a summer about 20 years ago, and now I am thinking of returning to Armour, albeit possibly as an officer instead of NCM, hopefully in the King's Own Calgary Regiment in Calgary.

What's the chances of getting in?  Are operations being scaled back in reserve as well now that forces have been pulled from Afghanistan?  Is it harder to enter as an officer than NCM right now?  (yes, I have a degree....two of them, actually. Useful in terms of management and instruction, not specific for trades like engineering).

As for preparation, anything besides the physical part and some online aptitude tests?

Thanks all.....it looks like a great forum here. 




(Minor edit made by Moderator for clarity.)

 

[cnobbs84]

It would never hurt to pick up a GED book and look over math and English.

 

[Maxadia]

I've taught both of those before. Lol

How important is the aptitude for selection? I always thought it was mainly for weeding out?

 

[PuckChaser]

If you don't pass the aptitude test for your trade, you will not be allowed in the CF in that trade. If you do not qualify for any trades, you don't get in period. Its very important.

 

[Maxadia]

So there is a specific aptitude test, or one test (or specific tests) that qualify you for certain trades?

 

[cnobbs84]

So there is a specific aptitude test, or one test (or specific tests) that qualify you for certain trades?

It is the same test for all trades NCM and Officer. It is all based on score... so the higher the score the more options and more competitive you are against everyone else.

 

[Maxadia]

Ok, thanks....that makes perfect sense.

Anything else to prepare?  Anything really change in the last 20 years?

 

[cnobbs84]

I am still waiting on my call.... so that is all I can offer at this point. But waiting hasn't changed lol

 

[ArmyRick]

RDJP,

Why at age 39 are you seeking to join the armour as an officer? I realize you can but a little reality check from myself. Very few people in your age group (you are one year older than me) survive training in the combat arms (keep in mind officers have far more training than the NCM). I hope you are 100% medically and physically fit.

I am not saying it can not be done but I have been training troops (and occassionally officers) for a long time, and the odds are stacked agaisnt you.

 

[Maxadia]

RDJP,

Why at age 39 are you seeking to join the armour as an officer? I realize you can but a little reality check from myself. Very few people in your age group (you are one year older than me) survive training in the combat arms (keep in mind officers have far more training than the NCM). I hope you are 100% medically and physically fit.

I am not saying it can not be done but I have been training troops (and occassionally officers) for a long time, and the odds are stacked agaisnt you.

By training, are you meaning physically only?  It sounds to me like you are saying that a CO position is the more physically demanding job of the two, but I might be reading more into that than is really there.  Yes, I'm 39, but I'm not in poor shape.  I'd consider myself an ectomorph rather than a mesomorph.  I do get physical exercise quite often through the week.

As for why - well, why wouldn't I?  I'm a former grocery store manager and teacher by trade right now, which when you come come down to it is pretty much the same thing as a manager - except at the school where I work now the kids are SUPPOSED to be acting like a group of teenagers.    I've always been one who likes learning new things, and always seem to have a desire to teach and lead others. CO seemed to be a correct fit.

As for odds stacked against me, I'm not so sure that is true.  Statistics?  Yes.  But I think my odds, if I were accepted, wouldn't be too bad. 

I do appreciate the reply and thoughts on second-guessing.  I certainly didn't come on here looking for a bunch of "yes" men.  :nod:

 

[cnobbs84]

RDJP,

What would you say is the prime age for armored officer? I applied as DEO Health Care Admin Officer, Armored Officer and Infantry Officer.

 

[Maxadia]

RDJP,

What would you say is the prime age for armored officer? I applied as DEO Health Care Admin Officer, Armored Officer and Infantry Officer.

Ha, loaded question, if you'll excuse the pun.  That's so hard to answer.  It's a balance between young and fit, and older and more mature, as life experiences will always make you a better officer.  The older you get, the more experience you receive.

However, the younger you are, usually the more fit you are.  On the other hand, I've seen older officers in their 40-50's that at age 17 I did NOT want to go head to head with physically.

Like I said, it's a balance.

 

[ArmyRick]

I am not talking about physically fit enough to do the shuttle test or the BFT. I know people who at 60 passed those test no problem.

here is a reality check, the body does not bounce back as well from minor injuries and the constant wear and tear in the field. You are looking at three summers of training 10-12 weeks each. With considerable field time. Yes the odds are stacked agaisnt you. You could recover faster from this type of training much better at 19-22 than 39. Knees, ankles, shoulders, hips, etc, etc tend to give out. Now I would take a different view if you said you worked at very physical and demanding jobs (especially outdoors) since you were young.

By the way CO is Commanding Officer. A commissioned officer as a term does not have a acronym.

You can listen to what I have had to say as a 21 year infantry WO (That has trained and developed many of entry level soldiers) or you can ignore me. Good luck either way.

 

[Maxadia]

I am not talking about physically fit enough to do the shuttle test or the BFT. I know people who at 60 passed those test no problem.

Right, I figured you weren't talking about the BFT.

here is a reality check, the body does not bounce back as well from minor injuries and the constant wear and tear in the field. You are looking at three summers of training 10-12 weeks each. With considerable field time. Yes the odds are stacked agaisnt you. You could recover faster from this type of training much better at 19-22 than 39. Knees, ankles, shoulders, hips, etc, etc tend to give out. Now I would take a different view if you said you worked at very physical and demanding jobs (especially outdoors) since you were young.

Yes, as I'm practicing a martial art again I do see the difference now 20 years later.  And you're right, as the last 10 years I have not had a physically demanding job.  Although I have been keeping fit,  it is NOT the same as working physically. 

By the way CO is Commanding Officer. A commissioned officer as a term does not have a acronym.

Thanks for the correction.  As I stated, it's been a while.  :-[

You can listen to what I have had to say as a 21 year infantry WO (That has trained and developed many of entry level soldiers) or you can ignore me. Good luck either way.

I'll listen to any and all advice, although it might not come out sounding that way on the internet.  You sound like the perfect person to talk to, in fact, as opposed to someone who hasn't trained entry level soldiers. 

Do you have a suggestion for myself then, looking to re-enter the Armour Reserve again after 20 years? I'm not sure if it sounds (and take THAT for what it's worth - so hard to catch inferences here in the cyberworld) that you are suggesting that :

a) I not go the commision officer route
b) go the NCM route
c) I just understand what I am getting myself into.

I appreciate the comments, but like I said, hard to read people on here.

Thanks.

 

[Greymatters]

I dont see anything wrong with his trying to apply.  There have been several examples over the last ten years of persons over 35 applying for and being accepted to combat arms trades.  The only way he'll find out if he can do it and if he can handle the physical demands is if he applies.


For RDJP, ArmyRick has already provided one important factor for you.  Depending on the unit you work for, it can be very physically demanding.  Be prepared.

Just as important is your mental attitiude.  At age 39 you are going to have to readjust mentally to the military mind set.  There is the right way, the wrong way, and then there's the military way; which can be either right, wrong, or in a new direction entirely. 

As an academic you will also have to understand that most of the time it wont matter if you are correct, in opinion or fact, what will matter is who is in charge and what their goal/mission/vision is. 

You will also have to realize that at times your previous experience knowledge skills and qualifications will mean squat.  i.e., during training, if you cannot tie your bootlaces properly as directed (right over left, left over right, or parallel, etc.) then you are a complete dumbass-waste-of-taxpayer-money-get-off-my-parade-square, no matter how many degrees you have.  You will likley recall this from previous experience, but its a shock to away adult who's been any from the military for a lengthy period of time. 

Does that help?


Edited - GM

 

[Maxadia]

I did complete my BTT/GMT (as it was termed at the time in the summer of 1989, so yes I have previous experience.

You will also have to realize that at times your previous experience knowledge skills and qualifications will mean squat.  i.e., during training, if you cannot tie your bootlaces properly as directed (right over left, left over right, or parallel, etc.) then you are a complete dumbass-waste-of-taxpayer-money-get-off-my-parade-square, no matter how many degrees you have. 

Reminds me of the scene from Forrest Gump field-stripping his weapon.  I think that's my favorite part of that movie.  :nod:


Edit: Greymatters, I see you edited your post as well. lol  Yes, that helps.

 

[Greymatters]

Its not all negative.  There's always room for intelligence, intuition, initiative, leadership, creativity, etc. 

 

[Maxadia]

Its not all negative.  There's always room for intelligence, intuition, initiative, leadership, creativity, etc.

I never found it all negative.  Went in with the mindset before that everything was done with the intention of building a better soldier.  I remember they brought in a Master Corporal to help with our training.  Most guys thought he was the biggest prick they had ever met, except the rest of us who realized that all we needed to do for him was whatever he asked.  We ended up getting along with him really well.

 

[Maxadia]

So, as the thread seemed to die a bit..... :blotto:

Any thoughts on entering at my age as a commisioned officer or NCM?

 

[mariomike]

Any thoughts on entering at my age as a commisioned officer or NCM?

In 1988, the Canadian Charter of Rights did away with age discrimination. Why not let CFRC decide if you are fit to do the job?