Graduate student in Naval reserve ?

[Redeye]

There is a Memorandum of Understanding allowing Cdn Reservists to serve with UK units if they're over there working (and presumable going to school would count) for a certain period of time.  I would suspect exchanges with other friendly nations wouldn't be too difficult to investigate.

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.

 

[Snakedoc]

I would think, however, that NAVRES or the CF in general would want you to be trade/classification qualified before allowing you to embark on a reserve exchange.. or else you arn't going to be much use to your foreign receiving unit.  Just my assumption though.

 

[dapaterson]

There have been arrangements made in the past for reservists to parade in foreign country.  There is a formal MOU with the UK for reservists to parade abroad.

Talk to your chain of command; though, as previously mentionned, the odds are not on your side if you are not yet occupationally qualified.

 

[MARS]

Canada has a Reserve Force Foreign Service Agreement with both the UK and Australia.  I just sent one of my officers to the UK for 2 years under this agreement.  Unfortunately Antoine, the previous posters are correct - you cannot take advantage of this until you are fully qualified in your chosen occupation.

Another potential hiccup with your plan: Until you are qualifed in your naval reserve occupation, you are not eligible to be Excused from Duty and Training (ED&T - a leave of absence for reservists).  In order to be absent from training and to leave the country for a period of a year, as you are suggesting you need to do, you will need to apply for ED&T.  Unfortunately, I just had to release a young and promising officer for this very reason.  Unfortunately, I could not put him on the SRR - again - because he was not yet qualified.

I am not sure what your naval reserve occupation is or when you will need to leave the country for your MA, but if there is any flexibility in the timing of your absence, plan for it after you are qualified in the Navy.  There is essentailly NO leeway until you are trained, but after that, these things become possible.

MARS

 

[Antoine]

Thanks to all of you for replying to my post,

I am just starting a PhD in chemistry so I'll be around for the next 4 to 5 years. I've applied for MARS trade and currently passing through the application process. However, I don't want the CF to put money and time in my candidature and then realize that it is not working on the long range. Anyway, if CFRC gives me the opportunity to go to NOAB, they'll tell me straight if I am going to make it or not ! (hope it will be a yes  )

Meanwhile, I hope current reservists might find some answers if they have to work abroad due to their civil jobs as it is common in our days.

Again, thanks a lot. 

 

[ltmaverick25]

I dont think reserve MARS have to do the NOAB.  I didnt have to do one when I went MARS with NAVRES.

 

[Snakedoc]

That's correct, no NOAB required for MARS officers in the NAVRES.

 

[Antoine]

Hi All,

First, thanks for all your input, I can't wait to get experiences in CF and help people too.

If I've read correctly the other threads, a final interview will be conducted by an officer board at the reserve unit to which I am applying.

Humm, sorry to turn this thread in a recruiting one.

 

[ltmaverick25]

It depends on the unit.  The unit can do a board interview you if they wish.  My unit doesnt do that, you just do an interview with the CO after all the CFRC stuff is done.  Then they send it to NAVRES for an administrative file review.  So they just look at your file and decide weather to accept you.  Typically if you have made it that far, and your trade is not full, you will make it.

Right now Naval Int is full and they arent taking anymore across the country, however there are still way too many MARS spots open.

 

[Antoine]

Thanks again ltmaverick25 for your quick reply 

The Capt that was interviewing me was great, he told me that I've passed the interview, it was the CFRC one. Medical and PT ahead, don't know for my vision  :-\

I'm applying for MARS, but Naval Int is it the one you would like to transfer to?

I'm wondering why so many MARS open spots, I thought many young sharks were applying for it 

How well, works for me.

 

[ltmaverick25]

I wasnt able to transfer to Naval Int because it was full but my CT to the reg force is for Int.  As for why there are many more vacancies for MARS.  I cant really say, the only thing I know for sure is that its not been as popular of a trade for new candidates and its been a tough sell.  For example, this year it looks like my unit will be picking up 5 Int officers and only 1 MARS officer.

 

[Snakedoc]

Lots of MARS positions open but not necessarily enough people to train them all! PAT platoons seem to be growing if I'm not mistaken on the Reg force side of things.

 

[Antoine]

That is interresting, recruiter and interviewer told me many times that MARS was hard with high failure rate. However, I guess that all trades are demanding, but it is true that I am a bit anxious about it but it will not stop me if I get in. My boss is the one that I'll have to convince.

I wonder if it is something that could discourage people. Also, there is a lot of information from media and CF about army and air force, but it seems from a civilian point of view that NAVY is not as well represented. Might be only me that have missed something here.

Itmaverick, I like your writting, analytical skills and you seems well educated, always polite, I agree that a forum is not the best way to 'size' someone and I am not a recruiter, but I am confident that you'll get soon in the trade of your choice.

 

[MARS]

MARS is demanding and does have a high failure rate.  During my training in '04, I saw about a 40% failure rate after MARS III and something slightly less during MARS IV.  That was pre-simulator (NABS), but during my time as a CTO at NOTC, failure rates were lower, but still significant.

I cannot think of an officer classification in the Naval Reserve that is as remotely demanding as MARS.  MarInt is no cake-walk, but it does not require the inspirational leadership required of junior MARS Officers.  Inability to lead in a dynamic and high-tempo environment is why the majority of the failures I administered occurred.  Lots of really, really intelligent and switched-on candidates who easily (and sometimes not so easily) graspsed the fundamentals of navigation during the classroom phase.  But once in the simulator (and later, on the bridge of a ship), they found it difficult to lead their bridge teams.  Or, their understanding of navigation was not solid, and once combined with the pressure to lead and manage their team and the changing situation, it proved to be too much, they "lost the bubble" and ended up standing the Ship into danger - which is a fatal error.

The Navy suffers from what we call "Maritime Blindness" - the fact that our presence is concentrated on 2 coasts and our ships do their thing far out to sea, away from the media most of the time, so no, its not just you who is missing something.

Cheers,

MARS

 

[Antoine]

Thanks MARS for this input.

That is why I am disappointed about no NOAB for Nav Res MARS candidate as I guess it gives you more opportunities to learn about the job and them to learn about you. But I understand the cost behind the NOAB and it is probably more effective for people applying for the Regular.

I sail (LASER II) time to time with a friend. When I am the skipper and see my self already as a MARS officer, we end up in water...(Pacific sea is cold), well same when I'm windsurfing, good way to learn port and starboard  ;D

 

[ltmaverick25]

Itmaverick, I like your writting, analytical skills and you seems well educated, always polite, I agree that a forum is not the best way to 'size' someone and I am not a recruiter, but I am confident that you'll get soon in the trade of your choice.

Dont get me wrong, I very much like the idea of being a MARS officer.  I chose it initially after all.  The only thing that gives me pause about the trade is my age and the realities of being able to go all the way with it.  If I were 21 right now, choices of trades for the reg force would be MARS all the way.

 

[Antoine]

Age seems to be of concerned in reg. forces MARS career as it was discussed in another thread. CF must have good reason for it.  ???

However, my civil point of view is that any smart guy that proves to be efficient and meet the job goal should be pushed for promotion, but here I am totally out of my lane as I am not in the military and age might be a part of the goal in a highly competitive job.

It is of concerned as I am in my late thirty 

 

[TimBit]

Dont get me wrong, I very much like the idea of being a MARS officer.  I chose it initially after all.  The only thing that gives me pause about the trade is my age and the realities of being able to go all the way with it.  If I were 21 right now, choices of trades for the reg force would be MARS all the way.

Hey dude. If you ask me, a guy like you can still go all the way. Remember that guy Donovan? 4 ringers after 18 years? Seriously, I think it is reasonable to hope for a command after 20 years. You're a smart cookie, you'd get there. You know, MARS Officers are not like machines, notwithstanding what the establishment (and especially MARS) want you to believe. If that's what you want... well I think it's a great trade. If I did not have a wife and kid, I'd already be there right now.  :blotto:

 

[Antoine]

I agree with Timbit  :nod:

Too bad I am not a MARS officer to put more weight in this agreement, so that was my civilian  :2c:

 

[ltmaverick25]

Hey dude. If you ask me, a guy like you can still go all the way. Remember that guy Donovan? 4 ringers after 18 years? Seriously, I think it is reasonable to hope for a command after 20 years. You're a smart cookie, you'd get there. You know, MARS Officers are not like machines, notwithstanding what the establishment (and especially MARS) want you to believe. If that's what you want... well I think it's a great trade. If I did not have a wife and kid, I'd already be there right now.  :blotto:

I appreciate your comments, but Capt Donovan is just a few years older then I am!  That hurts!  Based on what I have heard from just about every source, the navy wants its COs to be in their 40s.  That gives me only 8 years instead of 18. 

The other problem is that I dont have a wife and kids and am worried ill never rectifiy that situation if I am constantly away.  I really just wish I would have pulled my head out of my arse a decade ago, this wouldnt be a problem then!