Graduate student in Naval reserve ?

[Antoine]

Hi All,

After working several years in industry, I've decided 4 years ago to change field by doing an other graduate degree (MSc in Chem, UBC). I would like to apply to the MARS program (reserve) , however our program goes all over the year but I believe I can ask for summer "exemption". I'm now 38 years old, time flies fast !!!!

Anyone is experiencing a similar situation?

Many thanks!

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Why the poll?

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

Seeing how the poll has no useful purpose I have locked it.

Milnet.Ca Staff

 

[Snakedoc]

Well I don't know about being called an 'it' but I'll give my $0.02

Not that different from being an undergrad except that you'll have less time to commit on a weekly basis (ie one night versus two) and exercises may have to be squeezed in between studying or writing papers.  It's tight but definitely doable.  In an all year program you are going to have to make time in order to do training, which may mean prolonging graduation or else doing your MARS training after graduation.  The extra cash definitely helps with expensive grad school fees though!

 

[DONT_PANIC]

I think I'd agree about the problems of time commitments.  I've seen people in grad school parade/go on exercise regularily, though they admitted that it really broke their brain after, trying cope.  I've also seen full time law students do the same.  Myself, I'm starting grad school part time, with full time job and parading each week (I hope), so it can be done (again, I hope).  Ultimately, you will need to strike a balance between what you feel your responsibilities/desires are.  If you want to advance as a MARS officer, that will take time, effort and studying. That will likely involve time away from studies; whether or not that impacts your studies, is up to you to decide.  I know some universities require grad students that are receiving additional funding to agree not to commit more than X number of hours to work outside university each week, so that may also influence your progress.  So, like so many answers, I'd say "that really depends".

 

[MARS]

Antione

A quick question: when do you foresee yourself being able to secure a solid, 3-4 month block of time away from your studies to undertake your initial basic officer training? 
That will be somewhat key to your experience as it (the training) will provide you with some basic  leadership experience, which will enable you to be promoted upon completion, and if you return to your studies following the first 4 month block, it will make you of more value to your NRD and the experience will be more enjoyable for you. 

MARS

 

[Antoine]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Sorry for the poll, my mistake!

I will double check with my university administration but ideally I would like to do the summer trainings (if I get selected of course). On the other hand, I am ready to take one year off to complete the training. I realize that by being involve in the reserve, it will prolong my time in grad school but that is not a problem for me.

I am really impress by the level of commitment that you guys are able to achieve in your civil and military career, by your reply I can see it is demanding but possible!

Thanks again!

 

[Antoine]

Hi,

I ' am filling all the CF application papers, I was looking for official informations about grad student obligations and if any exception exist in regard to CF reservist.

Until now, I haven't found anything so I'll make calls (UBC) and hopefully come back to you with this information, for benefit of any prospective reservist candidate that are grad students.

Merry Christmas (Snowing here in Vancouver !!!) and happy new year!

 

[Snakedoc]

I recall that certain universities have official agreements with the CF through the Canadian Forces Liason Council to accomodate or support students.  Often specific faculties may be unaware of these agreements so knowing of these agreements at the university wide level may help but not be a guarantee to getting time off for training.  This site may prove useful:

http://www.cflc-clfc.forces.gc.ca/ees-pae/rr/srr-rer/index-eng.asp

 

[Antoine]

Right on!!

I've found good tips and informations in the web site you've suggested me, thanks Snakedoc!

I've referees that could attest about my leadership skill and interrelationship skills as a Teaching Assistant in undergraduate labs, but they know me from the past 4 years and half, to bad that CF is asking for referees that have known me for at least 5 consecutive years!

Still snowing here (Vancouver), I should have taken my cross-country ski when 5 years ago I've decided to move from Montreal to Vancouver.

I love snow anyway !!!!

 

[Snakedoc]

Glad to help, good luck with the application!

 

[Antoine]

Hi All,

This topic could be moved to 'the Recruiting Office' or 'Personal Stories' section and I realize that a lot have been said about CFAT. However, I would like to add a comment about CFAT for graduate students in 'soft' sciences as I am. I've been way too confident about the test. They told me that I've passed for MARS officer candidature, but I wasn't happy at all about my performance. So either, I am becoming old and slow thinker (possible) or I should have done some fast thinking and basic math (no doubt)....not only the night before (not smart). Cheers !

 

[jp86]

I'm a full-time law student, and joining the army reserve.  I've gotten quite a few quizzical looks about that - I didn't think it was a strange thing to do, but there's definitely been (spoken and unspoken) a reaction of "Why on earth does a lawyer want to join the army?"

I wonder if this is common.

 

[Snakedoc]

I'm a full-time law student, and joining the army reserve.  I've gotten quite a few quizzical looks about that - I didn't think it was a strange thing to do, but there's definitely been (spoken and unspoken) a reaction of "Why on earth does a lawyer want to join the army?"

I wonder if this is common.

I don't think so at all.  I know many full time MBA and medical students, in addition to lawyers, who are members of the naval reserve.  I think this speaks to the wide skillset and additional intellectual/human capital available in the reserves in addition to the military skillset we acquire.

Edit: If you want avoid the quizzical looks, you can always come over to the better looking, more educated side of the CF..the NAVY  ;D

 

[George Wallace]

I'm a full-time law student, and joining the army reserve.  I've gotten quite a few quizzical looks about that - I didn't think it was a strange thing to do, but there's definitely been (spoken and unspoken) a reaction of "Why on earth does a lawyer want to join the army?"

I wonder if this is common.

We just enrolled a new member who has a Law Degree from Oxford, a Law Degree from Harvard, and a Law Degree from Yale.  I don't think a Law Degree would be considered any different than any other Degree.  Many Professionals join the Reserves, many for a wide range of reasons.  Many for a contrast to their "Day Job".  Many of these people don't necessarily want to be Lawyers, Administrators, etc. in the Reserves, as they do that on a daily basis in their day job.

 

[Monsoon]

I'm a full-time law student, and joining the army reserve.  I've gotten quite a few quizzical looks about that - I didn't think it was a strange thing to do, but there's definitely been (spoken and unspoken) a reaction of "Why on earth does a lawyer want to join the army?"

I wonder if this is common.

At my unit alone we've had four law students join us in the past couple of years. They generally do pretty well on their courses, and since they're moving on to civilian legal careers they actually continue to parade at the unit class A once they're done rather than going onto class B and disappearing. In the Naval Reserve it's not at all uncommon in cities that have law schools.

 

[Antoine]

Glad to hear that "Many of these people don't necessarily want to be Lawyers, Administrators, etc. in the Reserves, as they do that on a daily basis in their day job." It works for me !

Being in grad school, I've got many quizzical looks about joining the reserve and my PI won't be pleased with it. It is going to make my PhD a bit more challenging and longer. In addition, I don't join the reserve for money as I could make money by using my professional qualifications. However,if the NAVY believes that I can be useful to them as an officer, that I'll learn new skills in return, and that my future colleagues will be happy with me, well that is great!

My understanding of the military is limited by my narrow outsider perspective, but I found useful the link gave above by Snakedoc. Of course, I am reading more about the reserve from other sources. Finally, if the NAVY hasn't kept my candidature, at least from now, I've realized its importance and I will advocate for it. But first, less quizzical looks around me....hopefully!

 

[ltmaverick25]

Dont worry about it too much.  I am a grad student myself, and am also parading as a reserve MARS officer.  Im also in a year long program but ive chosen to do my thesis this term during all my coursework instead of over the summer so I can start the training sooner.  It can be a pain but its very doable and worth it.  If you are thinking of doing a PhD, get all your MARS training done first.  Do it full time.  When you are done you will be a SLt, and you can let your three years in rank build up while doing your PhD (still parading of course) but you wont have any strong need to be away for 4 months at a time after that.

 

[Antoine]

Hi Milnet members,

I believe this question could be post here as again it could apply to any scientist graduate that might serves in the reserve (NAVY in my case).

In science, we often end up in USA or Europe for one or two years for further training as post-Doc (yes, it never ends...) or to shine our CV hoping for more opportunities back in Canada. Thus, I was wondering if there is any Canadian reservist that could be sent to units in major US cities or other NATO countries (guess Germany). Anyone has heard about similar situation?

 

[Neill McKay]

Thus, I was wondering if there is any Canadian reservist that could be sent to units in major US cities or other NATO countries (guess Germany). Anyone has heard about similar situation?

I read about something along those lines recently, possibly on this site but I don't recall.  It seems to me that the UK and/or Australia were discussed.  Sorry I don't have anything more specific, but I can at least offer a strong maybe.