ANicole said:
Hello,
To give background, I am the common-law partner of someone who has recently been accepted into the Armed Forces as an Artillery Officer and he left for basic training in Saint-Jean yesterday. I have a fair idea of what training entails and the timelines associated with this (He will be in basic from September 28th until February 7th, including leave for Christmas holidays) but have very little information on what life might be like after basic has finished.
From what I know, since he is an Officer, second language training is required. It will most likely be in Quebec and that can run anywhere from 2-9 months. After he completes second language training, he will attend Artillery training in, I believe, Gagetown New Brunswick. So, I've got the basics in information but absolutely no idea of any timelines. I'm currently living close to Toronto, Ontario and am hoping to join him shortly after he completes basic to live with him while he completes second language training in Montreal (on our own dime - I realize this may not be do-able depending on what happens directly after Basic, but that is the "plan" as of right now).
So, after all that lovely information I've given, I'd love to hear from other people who have gone through to be Artillery Officers (or anything that would be similar in training I suppose) and hear about your experiences with training in all its various aspects after BMQ. Timelines for each aspect, how it's worked with your spouse and any other information I'm not privy to at the moment.
I'm just looking to get a feel for what it has been like for others since I am fully aware that in the army, nothing is guaranteed or set in stone. I would prefer not to be apart for second language training as it's a pretty decent schedule and I see no reason to stay here in Ontario. We have already decided that I will be selling most of our non-essential items in preparation for this move and also to ensure that our life is as portable as it needs to be. I don't feel as though I have unrealistic expectations but would really appreciate hearing what other people's experiences have been like.
Thank you so much in advance!
P.S - Anyone reading this post who is the spouse of a CF member, any links to forums for families would be greatly appreciated. I've found a couple but none that have been especially helpful in regards to information. I love the input on here but it can be a bit brutal at times and I'm still a bit fresh as he only left yesterday (sorry for any jumbled writing, I've been awake for far too many hours!)
- ANicole
As an arty officer your spouse will complete basic in St. Jean, but the second language training is no longer offered after, so he will be sent to Gagetown to do his BMOQ-L (CAP). Once done he will complete his phase 3 and likely wait a year for phase 4 as the courses being offered are being reduced. Once trained, he will be posted to a field arty regiment (Shilo, Petawawa, or Valcartier) or to 4 RCA (GSR) in Gagetown to do Air Defence or STA.
If sent to the Sta or AD he will do an additional troop commander course and if sent to the field arty he will do his forward observation officer course (theses courses should be anywhere from 2-5 years after he reaches his regiment). Further, he will do arty ops (8 weeks) and may potentially do the forward air controller course, naval gunfire course, and the instructor in gunnery course, a 9 month course at gagetown to be an instructor at the arty school.
So, he can expect lots of visits to gagetown! That said, there are lots of options for him in the arty. If he chooses sta he will be employed within a light counter mortar radar (LCMR) or acoustic weapon locating system (HALO) troop at a Field regiment or within a Small UAV troop or, in the future, a medium range radar troop in 4RCA (GSR). If choosing the AD path he will work in an airspace coordination centre and in the future in an air defence weapon troop or MRR troop.
If field, he will work in a M777 troop and then as a forward observation officer.
After this initial tour he will be considered for IG or other training.
The Arty officers a number of posting changes and career options. I've been an ADATS troop commander, AD battery Ops O, Scan Eagle UAS Troop Commander overseas, and done the FOO and field IG course.
Also, I don't believe that he will do second language training right away. Who told him this.
