Catalyst said:
How long did it take you to be enrolled
What was the visit to the CFRC like?
What was the medical like - was it a very thourough (sp) one or just a short one
What was your interview like?
What kind of background check did they do? Are they really going to contact all my past employers?
Any tips for when I meet with the officers? I'm really really really hoping to be a CIC officer, rather than a CI - other than more opportunity to work with youth (?) and more ops the only other good reason would be that man, I get to wear a unifom!
Also, what courses have you taken? I'm hoping to take my BOQ in February...and JLOC in May...
Thanks!
1) About 6 months, during which time I continued to serve as a CI
2) Pretty much the same as any other applicant (see recruiting section of forums) though for CIC you don't do physical or aptitude tests (don't get me started)
3) The medical and interview are exactly the same as any other aplicant to the forces (again, see recruiting forums where it has been beaten to death). Don't worry too much about the medical. To quote the sarcastic comment of an RCO that shall remain nameless (but being with 909 you will become familiar with in your region
), "if you're breathing and have a pulse you're in."
4) Also see recruiting section. It varies a bit depending on who is interviewing you, but basically prepare yourself, let your enthusiasm show, be honest, and you will be fine. If you mention any traits or experience you have it's good to have an example in mind to back it up. Finally, just relax, as this is not the Spanish Inquisition (nobody expects the... sorry, couldn't resist). They just want to find out what type of person you are, and if you're genuinely enthusiastic and have honest motives then there should be no problem at all.
5) Same security check as any other applicant - ERC. I'm not exactly sure what they check here, but as long as you've been responsible with your finances (no debt, or if debt exists it is for something "good" like education, not just living beyond your means) and don't have a criminal record you shouldn't have problems.
Tips for meeting with the officers: you sound like you really want to join, so just let them know how enthusiastic you are and why. Aside from that, just be honest in answering any questions (basically the same goes for the CFRC interview). Nothing wrong with starting off as a CI either. It's quite common to start as a CI, especially for younger applicants, and test the waters a bit while your application for CIC goes through.
Courses taken/experience:
BOQ, JOLC(air), both supply and TrgO at a squadron, plus worked at a CSTC a couple summers. I've been eligible for promotion to Lt for a while now, but didn't bother with LTQ as I was putting in for a transfer to the PRes, which is just taking effect now, and didn't want to waste a spot on course that somebody else could have used (though the promotion with some back pay would have been nice
).
Additional advice:
Definately do JOLC, as it is the best CIC course out there IMO (plus the Pac Region DS on it rule ;D). Don't ever let anyone talk you into doing MOC instead for any reason, no matter how reasonable it sounds, even if it means you have to wait another year before you get to go to St. Jean.
On course (BOQ & JOLC) show up at the mess as much as possible. There's no need to drink if you prefer not to, but you should show up to be sociable. Make a SERIOUS effort to be there as much as humanly possible, as it is more important than you might think (plus it's fun, so how can you not? ;D).
I could go into a little more depth and a few other points, but I think I've hit the basics. Let me know if you have any other questions.
edited for spelling mistake