Looking for advice

[WuTank]

Good afternoon,

I’m seeking some advice on how i should proceed with my military application. I have found myself in quite the peculiar position and i want to make sure that i’m making the right decision(s).

After almost two years of waiting I have finally been found fit to serve in caf. I was initially found to have not met the vision requirements but after submitting additional paperwork I was deemed eligible. Unfortunately for me I was placed into the V4 category which has led me to not be eligible for any of the trades I was initially wanting.

As of now i’ve decided to pursue Medical Technician/(soon to be) Combat Medic. I’m currently taking the courses necessary to meet the requirements. However after speaking with a medical technician on another platform i’ve come to the realization that it might not be what i’m looking for. which is to be in the fight and to serve with or as close to combat arms as I can.

That has led me to lose a little motivation regarding the completion of all of the courses I have to take to even get into the trade in the first place. (Chem 11/12, Math applied 10 and Bio 12.)

I recently found out that CAF does not allow people with ICL to enlist however you are able to get it once you’ve completed basic and are serving. ICL is the only eye surgery I am able to get because I am farsighted. (+7.50 diopters) and (6/6 corrected, 6/60 uncorrected.) Lasik, Lasek and PRK are absolutely not available for me.

My plan as of now is to join as a combat medic, complete basic + trades training and then hopefully get the ICL eye surgery and then VOT into infantry.

Im just wondering if this is a smart move as medics are super understaffed and i’m scared that I will be denied the ability to VOT because of that.

it’s very unfortunate that the policy on ICL hasn’t changed in the last 20 years despite many studies being put out including one done on U.S Army Combat troops that said they were safe and effective.

I would appreciate any thoughts, advice and/or suggestions. I’m open to going in as a different trade if necessary or doing anything to help improve and streamline my situation. Thanks in advance!

 

[sarahsmom]

I don't have the exact numbers but the number of medics they allow to VOT every year is something like 10. VOTs to other medical trades don't count in those 10, so going PMED or OR Tech doesn't usually get denied.
Do not join one trade in the hopes of switching to another, unless you think you could be happy doing the first trade for your entire career. There have been too many disappointed or disgruntled people in this position in many trades in the CAF. If infantry is your dream, go infantry. If you don't qualify medically, then you may have to accept that that door is shut.

 

[MedCorps]

Im just wondering if this is a smart move as medics are super understaffed and i’m scared that I will be denied the ability to VOT because of that.

This is real fear.

I don't have the exact numbers but the number of medics they allow to VOT every year is something like 10. VOTs to other medical trades don't count in those 10, so going PMED or OR Tech doesn't usually get denied.

PMED is about to disappear... so that will not be a problem anymore.

Do not join one trade in the hopes of switching to another, unless you think you could be happy doing the first trade for your entire career.

This is wise advice.

 

[Blackadder1916]

PMED is about to disappear... so that will not be a problem anymore.

What? Who's going to do the WBGT readings or make sure that shit is disposed properly?

 

[MedCorps]

Well... good question. Combat Medics and Paramedics will get some preventive medicine training including WBGT and a small number of combat medics will get some additional training in hygiene and sanitation to work in the Bde PMed Section. The Bde PMed Section will be Public Health Officers (4) paired with Combat Medics (4) with additional training.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Well... good question. Combat Medics and Paramedics will get some preventive medicine training including WBGT and a small number of combat medics will get some additional training in hygiene and sanitation to work in the Bde PMed Section. The Bde PMed Section will be Public Health Officers (4) paired with Combat Medics (4) with additional training.

Is "Public Health Officer" a new (or to be a new) occupation? Or is it to be a sub-specialty of an existing MOSID, perhaps Bioscience, such as in the old days when "PMed" was one of the specialties of Medical Associate Officer (MAO) that encompassed all the medical branch MOCs except for MOs and Nurses (HCA, Pharm, Physio, Bioscience, Lab, Rad, PMed - the last three almost exclusively CFRed and employed either at NDMC where we ran the lab and X-ray tech courses or, for PMed, at CFMSS or SurgGen/ComdSurg.)

I suppose that it is increasingly difficult to continue with an NCM equivalent of a "Public Health Inspector" when the minimum academic requirement for certification by CIPHI is a four year baccalaureate in addition to a supervised practicum. Though I do notice that CIPHI at present continues to provide a path for military PMed Techs to gain certification.

Certification – ciphi

ciphi.ca

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces may contact the BoC Canadian Armed Forces representative for more information on required academic qualifications.

https://ciphi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FINAL-CIPHI-BOC-Practicum-Guideline-for-Training-Agency-and-Trainees-June-2022-Revised-on-June-23-2022-2.pdf

3.6 Practicum in Canadian Armed Forces
(a) In order to be recognized by the BOC, the practicum for Canadian Armed Forces candidates shall be taken:
i. after the candidate has completed the Canadian Armed Forces Preventive Medicine 00371-01 Course (or equivalent),
ii. after the candidate has achieved Canadian Armed Forces Trade Qualification 6A and approval of the National Defence Head Quarters,
iii. under the supervision of a holder of the CPHI(C) who has supervisory responsibilities, and
iv. after the candidate has been employed for a period of not less than five (5) years as a preventative medicine technician

As for training in "hygiene and sanitation" for medics, there is was (back in my day) training in this included in the Med A courses and depending on the posting (especially ships and radar stations) the medic on independent duty was expected to do routine inspections. And if you were lucky, you might get loaded on the Pest Control Course at the school (it was also open to non-medical pers - our bug killer when I was in Egypt was an infanteer from Royal Winnipeg Rifles).

 

[MedCorps]

Indeed it will be a new MOSID with the entry to practice being a Bachelor of Public Health. Bioscience Officer has grown on the Occupational Health side of the force protection equation thus leaving the public health open.

You nailed it. Indeed it was impossible to keep having PMed doing all the things they do in a more complex regulatory environment without being university educated. CPHI(C) will be a big part of the future qualification I suspect.

There will also be a new MOS for NCM also... Occupational Hygiene (or health?) Technologist, but they will work on the occupational health side of things with Bioscience Officers.

Pest Control is so regulated now it would be impossible to have an all-arms course sadly. Heck it is hard to keep PMeds with the licences required.

Combat Medics and Paramedics will still get some training on Pte, Cpl and MCpl courses.