This post is created in hopes that there it will minimize gender related questions. In an attempt to dispel many gender related military recruiting questions, some general military questions will also be covered in this post. If you feel you have anything constructive to add, please PM a mod who can add it in for you.
1) Do both men and women serve in the Canadian Forces?
Yes. Men and Women serve along side of one another in the Canadian Forces, in all environments (Land, Air, Sea) and in all trades.
2) Can women be in the Army?
Yes. The Canadian Forces is an equal opportunity employer, there are women serving in all environments. Environments are defined as Land (Army), Air (Airforce), and Sea (Navy).
3) What do you mean by equal opportunity employer?
An equal opportunity employer means that the Canadian Forces will hire anyone who is right for the job. When we say RIGHT for the job, we mean that you meet or exceed the minimum requirements for enrolment into the CF and are competitive in your scoring and application process. For specific trades, this means that you must also meet or exceed both the trade specs, and successfully complete trades training.
4) What do you mean by trade and competitive?
A trade in the Canadian Forces is an occupation or job. It is what defines your role within the Canadian Forces. For example, if your chosen trade is Medical Technician, then this is not only your occupation, it is also your role within the Canadian Forces.
Competitive means that you have met the minimum requirements and have excelled above your peers (those who are applying for the same job as you) during your application process.
5) Why must we be competitive?
The Canadian Forces is an employer like every other. The difference between us and your 'average' part-time or full time job is that we have strict standards to adhere to and our working environment varies drastically with most typical employment settings. That being said, we are still an employer, and we must screen all applicants and pick those who would excel in their chosen trades specifically, and the Canadian Forces in general. When we employ an individual, we are not only employing soldiers to fill the ranks, we are employing the leaders of our future military.
6) I thought the military took anyone who applied?
This is NOT true at all. The demographics have changed drastically in the past 15, 10 or even 5 years. As times change, so does our equipment, technology and our people. Gone should be the days of viewing the military as a place for rejects, degenerates or individuals with no education, which was actually a mythical view of our make-up in the first place by those who would not know the difference. Believe me, anyone in the CF, past or present, is quite educated and professional; perhaps not on an academic scale, but most certainly in life-experience, leadership, initiative, motivation and mindset.
In fact, on the academic front, many soldiers of today have not only completed Secondary Education, but have some post-secondary education, or have completed either their diploma, degree or both. This is most definitely not limited to those who serve as Officers within the military but those within the ranks, the Non-Commissioned Members as well.
Although Gr.10 education is the minimum standards required to apply for the Canadian Forces, please keep in mind of your competitiveness as a candidate, when all others have higher education, more life experience and maturity the chances of your enrollment into a particular trade, could possibly diminish.
7) Can I as a woman, be in the Combat Arms?
YES. Please refer back to points 1, 2 and 3.
8 ) If I join the military will I have to sleep/shower with members of the opposite gender?
In the Canadian Forces, you will often work in close proximity to members of the opposite gender. On courses or within your day to day work environment, you will not be sharing the same quarters or facilities with members of the opposite sex. The Canadian Forces is a professional military and we respect the privacy of others when ever possible.
When you are in an operational setting or exercise setting, at times this may not be possible. If members of the opposite gender are fireteam partners, you may very well sleep in the same shelter together. However, ethics, morals, and integrity are expected from all members of the military, regardless of gender.
Even during operational or exercise settings the Canadian Forces make all attempts at respecting both genders.
9) Will I be treated any differently because of my gender?
No. If any member feels that they are being harassed due to gender or any other reasons, they may file an official complaint and the matter will be dealt with. Intentionally misleading or false complaints will also be dealt with.
10) I've heard that women or men are discriminated against in the military
No. Again, if the member feels unjustly discriminated, harassed or assaulted they can file complaints and it will be investigated and dealt with. There are many rumors such as the one above, which are propogated via misleading information by people who do not know about the Canadian Forces. People who have had poor experience with the Canadian Forces or military, and lastly, too much T.V/Movies/Stories. As we are a cross section of Canadian society, incidents will happen just as they do outside of the CF; the CF however, in no way condones nor approves of harassment and discrimation.
There have been many negative connotations brough forth by individuals and the media. The Canadian Forces is a professional military. We do not condone any form of harassment, assault or other forms of personal attack on an individual. PERIOD. That being said, individuals joining the military should be able to differentiate between harassment and constructive criticism and training.
11) Do I have to do basic training?
Yes. All members of the Canadian Forces are soldiers first. This means that everyone of the members regardless of trade, rank and position are expected and required to up keep their soldiering skills. All basic soldiering skills are taught on the Basic Military Qualification course. For Primary Reservists this course is 4 Weeks and for Regular Force soldiers this course is 13 Weeks in duration. For Primary Reservists a follow up course of Soldiers' Qualification course is also required if you serve in the land environment. This course is also 4 Weeks in duration and it will complete your Basic Training. Primary Reservists in either the Air Reserves or Navy Reserves will do the Regular Force basic of 13 Weeks.
12) Is basic training like what I've seen on T.V/Movies?
No. While some elements will be similar i.e. the wearing and caring for of your uniforms and equipment, inspections, physical fitness etc, what you have seen in movies or T.V. are often portraying the American military service, be it the Marines, Navy, or the Army. We are the Canadian Forces, things will be done differently. Candidates will experience elevated voices from course staff, there will be hard physical fitness and there will be a lot of sweating and pain, but there will not be personal attacks for the purpose of personal harassment from the instructors as such actions are not tolerated within the Canadian Forces. The goal of the instructors during Basic Training is to place all recruits under high levels of stress, this is a necessary evil in our field of work. Their job is to TEACH you, HELP you, and MOLD you into a member of the Canadian Forces, and to ensure that you have the ability to quickly respond and carry on with your primary role in highly stressful situations such as when deployed into an area of combat. One must always keep in mind that this is the raison d'etre of the CF. Our role is to defend this nation and to fight on her behalf and we must all be able to do so.
13) Can I be a Sergeant?
Yes. There are career opportunities such as more training and advancements. In order to obtain a promotion, you must first satisfy training requirements, leadership potention assessments and be deemed worthy of promotion. Promotions are not handed down, they are earned.
The entry rank of any member is a Private (Recruit) or equivalent. Once the member has compelted their Basic courses they are deemed as Private (Basic). Once basic trade qualification course is completed they are eligible for promotion to the rank of either Private (One chevron) or Corporal (Two Chevron) depending on trade and branch of service. Once a Corporal has met the basic "time in" requirement and has completed their Primary Leadership Qualification, they are eligible for the appointment of Master Corporal.
The list of ranks can be found on the official DND website or
www.forces.gc.ca
14) I have this ________ background/ I have this _______ training, what can I do in the Canadian Forces?
The question more importantly, is what would YOU like to do in the Canadian Forces? There are over 100 part-time and full time opportunities within the Canadian Forces. This would make us one of the top Federal employers in the country. With that being said, have you taken the initiative to research the types of jobs that interest you, or talked with a recruiter?
Showing initiative and the willingness to research and then talking to a recruiter can make your experience more rewarding. Having specific jobs in mind, will aid the recruiter in better assessing your strengths and weaknesses, and point you into the right direction in order to achieve your desired occupations. Please keep in mind that there are limitations to what type of occupation an individual may or may not apply for. Please don't no assume that you can be everything you want to be in the Canadian Forces. This is just not possible.
For more info on the different types of opportunities
http://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/home/home.aspx?bhcp=1
15) How long does the application take?
The application process from start to finish, takes approximately 6-8 months. Please bear in mind that your application is not the ONLY application under review. Canadian Forces Recruiting Centres receive hundreds of applications each day, for both Primary Reserve and Regular Force applicants. Factors such as element (land, sea or air), trade (what job openings), component (PRes or Reg), CFAT (Canadian Forces Aptitude Test), medical examination, interview and background check ALL take time. Any one of the factors or any combination of the above factors could cause your application to deviate from +4 or -4 months. Now these time lines are ONLY approximations, please do not be disappointed or discouraged if your application takes longer.
16) What about the physical fitness component of the application?
The physical fitness evaluation is no longer conducted as part of your application process. The idea is that you are physically fit when you join the Canadian Forces. If you are unfit, you will quickly discover that and make efforts to increase your physical fitness capabilities. During the Regular Force BMQ, if you are deemed unfit by your instructors to carry on your training, you will be moved to a platoon where the primary goal is to get you into shape. This is by no means a quick or easy way to lose pounds. It is hard, it is intense, and it is designed to work. Time spent within this platoon can vary, but if you are successful and find yourself passing your PT Test while in this platoon you will be placed back into a platoon undergoing BMQ training. Failure by you to improve your fitness level sufficiently enough to pass the PT Test will eventually result in your release from the CF.
In the Primary Reserves, there is no PT Platoon. If you are deemed unfit to carry on during your course, you will be re-coursed, or you will not complete the course, because you were unfit to complete certain objectives or tasks. i.e. a trench dig, section advance to contact etc. Personal fitness is EXTREMELY important. Be FIT!
17) How do you gauge physical fitness then?
All personnel serving in the land environment, conducting ground operations regardless of trade, or completing a course, will be expected to complete a Battle Fitness Test (BFT). For more about BFT, please DO A SEARCH. Show initiative now, in preparation for tomorrow. The CF minimum standard for fitness is the Express Test and specific details regarding it can be found by doing a search.
