Between training

[Danno1]

Please help me clarify:

1) PRETC is a place where people wait between doing trades training, as PAT. Does this apply to all trades, Officer and NCM?

For example, I've read that there is a bottleneck at MARS III, what do recruits do between MARS II and MARS III?

2) How does this apply to Reserves? Let's say you are Class B or C, and completed full time BMQ/BMOQ, not on weekends. Does a Reserve MARS live a civilian life while waiting for MARS III, or are you posted like those at PRETC to await training?

Thanks

 

[MJP]

Please help me clarify:

1) PRETC is a place where people wait between doing trades training, as PAT. Does this apply to all trades, Officer and NCM?

For example, I've read that there is a bottleneck at MARS III, what do recruits do between MARS II and MARS III?

2) How does this apply to Reserves? Let's say you are Class B or C, and completed full time BMQ/BMOQ, not on weekends. Does a Reserve MARS live a civilian life while waiting for MARS III, or are you posted like those at PRETC to await training?

Thanks

Most officers I have seen awaiting training usually do OJT vice EWAT (just a job to fill time), while awaiting training.  Some experiences will vary depending on your trade and location.  The RCAF is very active in ensuring their aircrew officers have a well rounded OJT experiences while awaiting training and have dedicated monies to move people around for various OJTs (not postings before anyone jumps on it but summer taskings etc, although I have seen postings in some instances). 

Reserve people do whatever they do when they are not in the military (work, school, play xbox).

 

[Danno1]

Got it  :nod:

So Officers like MARS do OJT, while NCMs like NES Op go to PRETC?

Can Reserves volunteer for OJT or any military work between training? Or do they have to wait for trade school openings?

 

[SentryMAn]

Reserves Air work ojt to the extent of their reserve contract between training.  This could include any numerous tasks associated and not associated to the actual trade you are being trained for.

I was Log, and clocked much time cleaning weapons.

individual experiences will vary as with anything in the CF.

 

[Danno1]

Great, thanks.

 

[MJP]

Got it  :nod:

So Officers like MARS do OJT, while NCMs like NES Op go to PRETC?

Not always I have seen NCMs do OJT too.  I just don't have that much experience with that side of the training house to know if it the norm or not.  Trying to stay in my lane and all.  It really is trade dependant in many cases.

Can Reserves volunteer for OJT or any military work between training? Or do they have to wait for trade school openings?

You can work at your unit which is common or do class B that doesn't require you to be trained, but truthfully that is a quite a bit rarer.

 

[Danno1]

To clarify:

You're unlikely to find Class B work off base when not fully trained.

But you could find Class B work on base between training?

So, for example, you sign a 3-year Class B contract, and in that time go to training when available, and work on base when training is unavailable for the duration of the contract?

I appreciate the tips, I'm debating between Regular NCI and NES, or Reserve MARS, since Regular MARS is bottlenecked and not open. 

 

[MJP]

So, for example, you sign a 3-year Class B contract, and in that time go to training when available, and work on base when training is unavailable for the duration of the contract?

I appreciate the tips, I'm debating between Regular NCI and NES, or Reserve MARS, since Regular MARS is bottlenecked and not open.

There are no "contracts" in the reserves per se.  You simply keep parading and training until you quit, transfer or ask to be excused for a period of time.

 

[Danno1]

Alright I'm still a little confused, here's my last question. Anything more and I'll wait to talk to the recruiter, I left a message with him today, hopefully I'll catch him on Monday.

BMOQ Reserve = weekends during the fall, or full time during the summer. I know BMQ is 1 month, so I assume the O aspect is an additional 2 weeks or so, like Regular.

Trade courses = full time, during the summer?

So when not in trade courses, and after BMOQ, you are essentially living a civilian life, and going to parade night correct?

That's my confusion: can you work full time as a Reserve after BMOQ, between full time trade courses?

Thanks again, last question, I promise 

 

[Brasidas]

Alright I'm still a little confused, here's my last question. Anything more and I'll wait to talk to the recruiter, I left a message with him today, hopefully I'll catch him on Monday.

BMOQ Reserve = weekends during the fall, or full time during the summer. I know BMQ is 1 month, so I assume the O aspect is an additional 2 weeks or so, like Regular.

Trade courses = full time, during the summer?

So when not in trade courses, and after BMOQ, you are essentially living a civilian life, and going to parade night correct?

That's my confusion: can you work full time as a Reserve after BMOQ, between full time trade courses?

Thanks again, last question, I promise 

There are summer employment opportunities for officers that do not require full occupational training. Being a course officer for a reserve BMQ during the summer might be an example.

 

[Wookilar]

That's my confusion: can you work full time as a Reserve after BMOQ, between full time trade courses?

Yes, you can work full time (meaning 0730-1630 type job). HOWEVER, the full time contracts are getting more rare with the fiscal realities coming down range. They would be even more rare for someone not fully trained.

In short, there is no guarantee of full time employment in the PRes (as either an ncm or officer).

Wook