Curious about how everything goes down after Basic Training..

[HansonSherren]

Hi there!  Love this site!

This is my first post, and I have a few questions if someone wouldn't mind helping me out.

I'm going to be joining the Reg Force ~ I have all my paper work just about ready and I'm just curious to know how everything works out after you finish with the 13 weeks in Quebec.. I'm applying as a cook and I'm already a chef so I'm going to have to write the equivalency test.. so after everything is said and done and they give me a post and I have to move - do they expect you to start right away?  I have a husband and two kids and a house and will have to move ... do I wait until the house sells and then move to the new location or do I leave all that work to my husband to do and I just go and live on base until they get there? Ahhh - I'm so confused about the whole process.. really.. any help is MUCH appreciated!

Thanks a lot!

 

[Mike Baker]

You best bet is to do a search of the forums on here, as there is quite a bit of it here.


Cheers and good luck!
-Deadpan

 

[whitey]

i can't really answer your question because at the moment im still in the recruiting proccess (apptitude test tuesday wish me luck) but i can tell you basic is only 10 weeks long now.

 

[HansonSherren]

i can't really answer your question because at the moment im still in the recruiting proccess (apptitude test tuesday wish me luck) but i can tell you basic is only 10 weeks long now.

What what what????? REALLY!!! That's so awesome!!  I was dreading leaving my family for 13 weeks - but 10 weeks is even better!  WOOT!  You made my day! lol  Good luck with your aptitude test.. I did it already 4 years ago (passed with flying colors, but got pregnant too so I couldn't join then - hehe) it really wasn't that bad at all - but I don't know if they've changed it since then.. more than likely... there's been so many changes!

 

[HansonSherren]

You best bet is to do a search of the forums on here, as there is quite a bit of it here.


Cheers and good luck!
-Deadpan

Duh I didn't even think of that.. LOL.. thanks so much - will do that right now!  Thanks for taking the time to post!

 

[Mike Baker]

Duh I didn't even think of that.. LOL.. thanks so much - will do that right now!  Thanks for taking the time to post!

Not a problem at all.

We have quite a few good threads here, that are very very informative. I'm sure you'll be here a while


Keep us posted
-Deadpan

 

[newmet]

Well, I just spoke to a friend who is on week 10 in St. Jean and there is no 10 week basic running there.  Probably just a rumour still, that rumour has been going around for a year, that it is going down to 10 weeks. 
As for after basic, depending on where you are posted to and where you are coming from your husband could be dealing with a lot of the move process without you.  You do have 20 days of annual leave available to you though and you will get leave for the move itself.  If you currently live near a base, and you are posted away from it, you may get attach posted to that base until your house sells.  You may have to leave your family behind and start work right away and take your leave around the time that the house sells.  It is hard for people to tell you what will happen as every career manager is different and every situation is different. 
Best of luck when you go.

 

[whitey]

thats weird the recruiting office told me 10 weeks?????

 

[HansonSherren]

Well, I just spoke to a friend who is on week 10 in St. Jean and there is no 10 week basic running there.  Probably just a rumour still, that rumour has been going around for a year, that it is going down to 10 weeks. 
As for after basic, depending on where you are posted to and where you are coming from your husband could be dealing with a lot of the move process without you.  You do have 20 days of annual leave available to you though and you will get leave for the move itself.  If you currently live near a base, and you are posted away from it, you may get attach posted to that base until your house sells.  You may have to leave your family behind and start work right away and take your leave around the time that the house sells.  It is hard for people to tell you what will happen as every career manager is different and every situation is different. 
Best of luck when you go.

Oh wow - that is great information! Thanks so much!  Yeah I didn't think it was 10 weeks but I was hopeful that just maybe it had changed in the past few days since I last talked to my recruiter.. LOL
I do live near Gagetown (NB) - I'm hoping to get posted there or Halifax... we'll see!!

Thanks again - so much!  My eyes are hurting from reading everything but this site is so awesome and informative!

 

[whitey]

yup i was wrong! my bad

 

[Run away gun]

Well, I just spoke to a friend who is on week 10 in St. Jean and there is no 10 week basic running there.  Probably just a rumour still, that rumour has been going around for a year, that it is going down to 10 weeks. 
As for after basic, depending on where you are posted to and where you are coming from your husband could be dealing with a lot of the move process without you.  You do have 20 days of annual leave available to you though and you will get leave for the move itself.  If you currently live near a base, and you are posted away from it, you may get attach posted to that base until your house sells.  You may have to leave your family behind and start work right away and take your leave around the time that the house sells.  It is hard for people to tell you what will happen as every career manager is different and every situation is different. 
Best of luck when you go.

Listen to what your recruiter is telling you, as they are privy to information that people going through recruit school may not be.

As for the move, an organization called IRP will deal with moving military members. You do not have to spend annual leave days to move, you will be given 5 days off on both ends, plus travel days to drive/fly/paraglide to your new place of employment.

And chances of you being attach posted to a base closer to your home before it sells, slim to none, you will be posted to where they need you and that base/unit will be expecting you. That is why we have IR (imposed restrictions) for members who are posted but do not want/cannot uproot their family at the present moment.

 

[HansonSherren]

Listen to what your recruiter is telling you, as they are privy to information that people going through recruit school may not be.

As for the move, an organization called IRP will deal with moving military members. You do not have to spend annual leave days to move, you will be given 5 days off on both ends, plus travel days to drive/fly/paraglide to your new place of employment.

And chances of you being attach posted to a base closer to your home before it sells, slim to none, you will be posted to where they need you and that base/unit will be expecting you. That is why we have IR (imposed restrictions) for members who are posted but do not want/cannot uproot their family at the present moment.

So more than likely, after I'm done, I'll be sent to the base to start working and my husband and family will come with me after the house sells? Yikes - it could take forever to sell the house!  BLAH...
How soon do you find out where you're going to be posted anyway?  Before, during or after basic training?

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Here is basically what you can expect.

1.  BMQ in St-Jean Qc (could be somewhere else, but bet on there)

2. You will then go to CFB Borden for your QL3 course.  You could be waiting for your QL3 course for "x" months, at which time you will be on PAT Platoon (Personnel Awaiting Training).

3.  You will do your QL3 course.  (not sure how long it is)  During your course, you will be asked to submit your 3 posting preferences.

4.  Probably towards the end of your QL3 course, you will find out what your posting is.  (NOTE:  it may be 1 of the 3 you asked for or it may not.  You will get posted where you are needed, and cook is a "purple" trade so that could be any Army, Navy or Air Force base/unit).

5. After your QL3 is over, you will proceed to your posting.  I won't get into the IRP stuff at this point, as you probably have enough questions.  Worry about your BMQ and QL3 at this point.  Borden is the only location that does the QL3 cooks course.

I am not sure, but if you are wearing the Army DEU, you might also be required to take the SQ (Soldier Qualification) course.  I am not sure how long it is anymore.

There are a few benefits you will get while you are away from your familiy;  you will not be required to pay for Rations and Quarters, and you will receive Seperation Expense.  R & Q is roughly $500-$600 a month and SE is about $400 a month.  Again, those are NOT direct quotes of $$ amounts...just off the top of my head.  (SE is 100% the first 30 days, then it goes to 75% from day 31 onward...so its higher at first but goes to about $400).

 

[HansonSherren]

Here is basically what you can expect.

1.  BMQ in St-Jean Qc (could be somewhere else, but bet on there)

2. You will then go to CFB Borden for your QL3 course.  You could be waiting for your QL3 course for "x" months, at which time you will be on PAT Platoon (Personnel Awaiting Training).

3.  You will do your QL3 course.  (not sure how long it is)  During your course, you will be asked to submit your 3 posting preferences.

4.  Probably towards the end of your QL3 course, you will find out what your posting is.  (NOTE:  it may be 1 of the 3 you asked for or it may not.  You will get posted where you are needed, and cook is a "purple" trade so that could be any Army, Navy or Air Force base/unit).

5. After your QL3 is over, you will proceed to your posting.  I won't get into the IRP stuff at this point, as you probably have enough questions.  Worry about your BMQ and QL3 at this point.  Borden is the only location that does the QL3 cooks course.

I am not sure, but if you are wearing the Army DEU, you might also be required to take the SQ (Soldier Qualification) course.  I am not sure how long it is anymore.

I'm going to write the cook equiv. test - if I pass then I assume I go straight to my posting - wherever that may be... if not though, and I do have to take the cook course in Borden - while being a "PAT" (sorry - still learning all the new terminology!!) am I sent home until the course starts??

 

[Eye In The Sky]

I'm going to write the cook equiv. test - if I pass then I assume I go straight to my posting - wherever that may be... if not though, and I do have to take the cook course in Borden - while being a "PAT" (sorry - still learning all the new terminology!!) am I sent home until the course starts??

I know very very little about your possible trade.  If you are granted a QL3, you can expect a posting then.  If you are on PAT, normally they aren't at home waiting for courses, but that varies on many things.  Some trades will do what is called EWAT (Employment While Awaiting Training) and some people who are going to be on extended waits or have valid reasons MAY be able to get EWAT at a location close to home.  Having a family and home are not usually reasons to get this...but all you can do is try, but don't *EXPECT*.  Then you might be disappointed.

These, of course, are all things you should confirm and discuss with your recruiter, and don't go in and say "well Jimmy Joe and Bobby on Army.ca said...".  We can give you educated guesses.  They are your file managers.

* asking the same questions repeatedly in different threads here might get you the attention of a Moderator...just so you know.*

 

[HansonSherren]

I know very very little about your possible trade.  If you are granted a QL3, you can expect a posting then.  If you are on PAT, normally they aren't at home waiting for courses, but that varies on many things.  Some trades will do what is called EWAT (Employment While Awaiting Training) and some people who are going to be on extended waits or have valid reasons MAY be able to get EWAT at a location close to home.  Having a family and home are not usually reasons to get this...but all you can do is try, but don't *EXPECT*.  Then you might be disappointed.

These, of course, are all things you should confirm and discuss with your recruiter, and don't go in and say "well Jimmy Joe and Bobby on Army.ca said...".  We can give you educated guesses.  They are your file managers.

LOL certainly, definitely not.. Thanks so much for all of this information everyone.. now I can go to bed with a better understanding of things..  I'm meeting again with my recruiter on Tuesday and I just couldn't wait to find out some of these answers..
Thanks again - means a lot!!

Consider this matter closed - lock it up! lol