Current reservist looking for infos !

[krimynal]

So my question is pretty basic. 

I am wondering if I should switch to an Officer position in my Reserve unit , so I could do all my Officer class?  This way later down the road after my degree I could switch to reg forces without having to go back to military schools ?

Or should I do my whole degree while being NCM and once I got my degree in hand ask for a transfer to Reg forces Officer ???

I always thought that the 1st way ( switching to officer in the reserve ) was the best one , but yesterday someone told me at my unit that by joining the Officer spot only once I get my degree , I could get a signing bonus + job promotion ( captain or higher ) ...

It's the first time I hear such thing.  I heard this when you are not in the army at all , like if you do a Social Worker Masters then you join , you could get some money + promotion .... but I've never heard that coming from within the forces itself ....

Can anyone confirm this at all ?

** edit ** I changed the post name in case it was misleading !

 

[krimynal]

anyone ever heard of it ?

 

[Emilio]

I am NO WHERE NEAR qualified to answer this.

But you might want to entertain the option ROTP aswell.

 

[krimynal]

I did think about ROTP , my girlfriend couldn't follow me if I went to kingston ( no PMQ's available for OCDT ) and since she doesn't speak English at all , I didn't want to force her to move out of Quebec and no really be able to provide or help them financially.

I am currently doing my degree in a Civy University while I'm in the reserve unit close by.  I mean I was thinking about switching to Officer while still being in school , that way I could of done the training and classes necessary as soon as possible and switch to reg force fairly quickly ( I know it's a long process ). 

Since that soldier told me that , it did ring a bell , she was speaking about a good amount of cash as a bonus for a contract signature and a promotion to Captain.  That was if you join with your Degree .... but I think she meant like DEO , but no previous reserve / regular service ....

 

[Emilio]

From what I have read and heard from people is that you must have a degree to join as an officer, no matter if it's reserve or regular force. The only way you can work on a degree and be an officer is throught ROTP, and a couple other programs.

 

[JorgSlice]

You only need to possess a degree for Direct Entry. For both the ROTP and RETP you can serve while earning your degree. For the PRes, none of the costs will be covered by the CF however you can be reimbursed up to $2000 a year to a lifetime maximum of $8000 for educational costs. If you want to become an officer now, approach your Chain of Command. If you want to change later that is entirely up to you and very possible.

Most signing bonuses have been removed for all levels.
Some Officer occupations have excellerated promotion depending on needs and such.

 

[PMedMoe]

I did think about ROTP , my girlfriend couldn't follow me if I went to kingston ( no PMQ's available for OCDT ) and since she doesn't speak English at all , I didn't want to force her to move out of Quebec and no really be able to provide or help them financially.

You do realize that at times you are going to be separated, right?  And she might want to learn English at some point, as your chances of remaining in Quebec for your entire CF career are pretty slim.

 

[krimynal]

we do realize this , the thing that you have to take into consideration is that :

OCDT salary while being on the ROTP program = 500$ per months left for you
My salary now without being under ROTP = 1200$ per months left in my pocket

My apartment here cost around 550$
an apartment in Kingston is around 800-900$

she will learn English eventually , but right now with me going back to school full time after 8 years of being on the market .... well we wanted to pick the way that was the best for our couple.

We do realize that we are gonna be separated , its not the fact of not being together , its to help her financially , if she cant speak English right now , then she cant have a job , and the ROTP salary is too low to pay for an apartment outside base with food and heating supply. 

trust me we did the maths over and over again.  I'm 25 years old , took me 1year and a half to decide which path was best for every reason we thought of , we planned this a lot to make sure we were not gonna get hammered down in the detour

 

[DAA]

So my question is pretty basic. 
I am wondering if I should switch to an Officer position in my Reserve unit , so I could do all my Officer class?  This way later down the road after my degree I could switch to reg forces without having to go back to military schools ?
Or should I do my whole degree while being NCM and once I got my degree in hand ask for a transfer to Reg forces Officer ???
I always thought that the 1st way ( switching to officer in the reserve ) was the best one , but yesterday someone told me at my unit that by joining the Officer spot only once I get my degree , I could get a signing bonus + job promotion ( captain or higher ) ...
It's the first time I hear such thing.  I heard this when you are not in the army at all , like if you do a Social Worker Masters then you join , you could get some money + promotion .... but I've never heard that coming from within the forces itself ....
Can anyone confirm this at all ?
** edit ** I changed the post name in case it was misleading !

Ask your unit about RESO (Reserve Entry Scheme Officer).  It is designed specifically for people to join a Reserve Unit as an Officer while attending University on a full-time basis to obtain an undergrad degree.

 

[krimynal]

okay thanks , will do !