Application process.

[michael88]

I'll give you the cliff notes. I had a long post about this, but my browser crashed.

-applied  April 2010 in Kitchener, had family abroad, was told they needed to do security checks that could take a year.
-checked in every 2 weeks, grew increasingly depressed.
-moved to Toronto in December 2010, transferred my file.
-Kitchener office had failed to inform me that Ottawa had requested some other information despite me checking in regularly.
-Restarted the application.
-Got a call a few months ago after I called in saying I'd been cleared and to come in to book my interview and medical.
-Told my file had been closed when I came in to the office due to most trades being closed. Told to reapply and start all over again in April, if anything even opens up. Even told I may be subjected to the same security checks despite my family being back in Canada.

It's my dream job, but should I bother at this point? This whole process has done nothing but make me disillusioned and depressed. How should I proceed, and do I realistically have any chance of getting in for April? What trades would you guys expect to open up, if at all?

 

[michael88]

Just realised a mistake. By last April, I meant April 2010. My bad.

 

[frank1515]

Take it as a test for your patience and mental stamina, something that will surely be tested once you get in the military, if you don't quit the process before hand...

 

[aesop081]

It's my dream job, but should I bother at this point?

Then don't bother. No sweat off the CF's back, plenty more like you where you came from.

Your process so far isn't all that disjointed so if you're thinking of walking away that easy from something that is supposedly your "dream". The CF hasn't even said "no" to you yet...........I hope that if you ever make it in, that we can expect more fortitude from you.

You were told the security check could take up to a year so you called every two weeks ?? Talk about setting yourself up for disappointment.

Trades are closed = Reality. Its nothing personal so get over it.

 

[Allgunzblazing]

Hello michael88,

Your application process has not taken long at all. I have been in the process since January, 2009. I thought that was a long time, until I read posts from people who've been waiting longer.

If you're told that a Pre Enrollment Security Clearance is required, then be prepared to wait a long, long time. I'm waiting for mine to be completed as well. Its a good idea to check with your file manager every month. I've met an Air Force officer who told me that his clearance took four years to complete. My file manager told me that hers had taken two years. So, you're not alone.

Security clearance is handled by DPM Secur in Ottawa. The local RCs do not really have any control over that process. (This is what the recruiting staff have told me).

If your dream is to join the CF, then persevere and you will prevail. It is frustrating, but its not something that you or I have control over. Just put it out from your mind. Go about your life as normal. If you hold your breath waiting for the phone call, you're just going to make yourself even more miserable.

Cheers,

ABG.

 

[michael88]

Hello michael88,

Your application process has not taken long at all. I have been in the process since January, 2009. I thought that was a long time, until I read posts from people who've been waiting longer.

If you're told that a Pre Enrollment Security Clearance is required, then be prepared to wait a long, long time. I'm waiting for mine to be completed as well. Its a good idea to check with your file manager every month. I've met an Air Force officer who told me that his clearance took four years to complete. My file manager told me that hers had taken two years. So, you're not alone.

Security clearance is handled by DPM Secur in Ottawa. The local RCs do not really have any control over that process. (This is what the recruiting staff have told me).

If your dream is to join the CF, then persevere and you will prevail. It is frustrating, but its not something that you or I have control over. Just put it out from your mind. Go about your life as normal. If you hold your breath waiting for the phone call, you're just going to make yourself even more miserable.

Cheers,

ABG.

thanks for the response. I am not going to quit, I just get frustrated sometimes. it's a lot like running a marathon, it hurts and you always want to quit but in the end it'll all be worth it.

I was actually cleared, as in the pre-security screening was finally completed (took a year, 6 months of it was wasted time because they hadn't started it. The guy at the recruiting office actually told me upfront that it was accepted and in process. I only found out about this when I transferred my file to Toronto), then told to come in for my medical and interview booking. Then they told me they closed my file due to trades filling up and I'd have to reapply in April from scratch. I asked if I'd have to go through the whole assesment thing again and was told probably.

Got to love dealing with beauraucracy eh? I understand trades being filled up, that's life. But why does one have to start over after so much time has been invested?

 

[jasonf6]

It makes no sense to me why you would have to start from scratch if your file was closed due to your trade choices being unavailable.  If it is within a short timeframe, why wouldn't they be able to just to the initial stuff and re-open your file? 

 

[estoguy]

tThen they told me they closed my file due to trades filling up and I'd have to reapply in April from scratch. I asked if I'd have to go through the whole assesment thing again and was told probably.

Really?  The RC that I'm dealing with called me last week and told me that they couldn't process further, as there are no positions open at the moment.  The Captain I've been dealing with said that they keep the applications on file (my understanding is 3 years) and that I should contact them after the New Year to keep going and update the file as needed.  You shouldn't have to start from scratch again.

 

[jasonf6]

Really?  The RC that I'm dealing with called me last week and told me that they couldn't process further, as there are no positions open at the moment.  The Captain I've been dealing with said that they keep the applications on file (my understanding is 3 years) and that I should contact them after the New Year to keep going and update the file as needed.  You shouldn't have to start from scratch again.

Ya, I doubt they would start over from scratch as the CFAT is good for life (well, 10yrs I think), Medical and Interview are good for one year.  At most they would just re-open it and do another medical/interview. 

 

[Allgunzblazing]

My experience has been that they will get you to resubmit all the forms. That will be followed by another round of Reliability Screening, employment and credit check, medical and interview. And if Security Screening is deemed as needed (even if it was done earlier, they will ask you to resubmit the Form 330-60). With the DND or CF, I have no idea for how long one's clearance is good when it has been initially granted.

The CFAT results are good, unless one would like to be considered for a trade for which the present CFAT score is not good enough.

For those wishing to know the source of my information - all this has been told to me by the RC staff.