Hi all, I picked hull tech

[navy steve]

Hi everyone new to this forum.Just starting to go through the process of joining the navy, already did my apptitude test and interview going for medical in 1 day,picked hull tech as my career trade.just have a few questions?I have a family [wife with three kids] little worried about the money sitution,has anyone else been through this sitution? Was it hard or can you scrape buy .My family won't be joining me till after my ql3 course. Any info would be appreciated. thanks

 

[Jake]

As far as I know, if you're married you don't have to pay for your room or your meals on BMQ so that should help.

 

[jollyjacktar]

Hi Steve, you have picked a great trade.  There are many factors which will rule how fast you get through the training system to your first posting.  First off, you will have to successfully complete your basic training at St Jean, PQ.  Once you are past that you will be sent to Esquimault, BC for your QL3 and NETP (how to be a sailor on ship) training.  If you are lucky they will be running a QL3 course pretty soon after you finish basic, if not you may find yourself cooling your heels for some time until you are scheduled to start and you should be prepared for this.  The QL3 course is 6 months in duration if it still covers the same material it did when I went thru.  NETP has I am sure changed since my time, and I am not sure how long it is now.  I think mine was 3 weeks, but honestly I can't remember.  If you do find yourself cooling your heels, you should find yourself on this course as it is a box that must be checked off.  If there is some time until your 3's try to get yourself working at either the school as a "Pat" as this will give you the lay of the land and insight into what will be expected of you on course.  Or try to get some trade related OJT on base.  Any experience you can get in the trade if you need to kill time will only benefit you in the long run.

Lastly, don't judge the West Coast by what you see at the school/Nellies Block.  You will get treated like a little kid by some of the people there, but that is partly what being a Recruit/QL3 level will bring.  The fleet I am assured by those of us here who are West Coasters is different.  I am a East Coaster and as such have only seen the base there through a students eye, and as such I don't have the full view.  You will be asked which coast you would like to serve on.  If they can, they will try to honour that request.  But the needs of the service do come first and you may have to serve on the opposite coast.  At any rate once your training is completed you will be able to bring your family and make up for lost time.  After 17+ years I still think it is a good life.  Overall.

Good luck, and I hope you get what you want.

 

[navy steve]

Thanks alot . Now I just hope everything goes as planned.

 

[Springroll]

Welcome Navy Steve!
I am also going Navy, as a Sonar Op. I start BMQ Aug 21st.

Just to add to jollyjacktar's post, NETP is 5 weeks long, so plan on being out west for 30 weeks in total.
I was also born and raised in Victoria, so if you want any info on the city, the base or activities depending on the rain, PM me and I can fill you in.

Now for family and finances. I am also married and have three children. My husband is a current serving CF member. I am not sure where you live since you didn't put it down in your profile, but I can tell you that it is possible to scrape by. Back when my husband and I first got together, we were able to live off of a little less than what you will be getting while away for basic and that was with 2 kids, both under 5. I recall seeing it in the threads that as a recruit with a family, your pay will be approx $1044/pay. You do not pay rations and quarters. Your first pay will be smaller than the remainder because you are given an advance when you arrive at BMQ.

There are alot of threads around here to read, but one I do recommend is Entering the CF and your Money. It will help you out alot and if you take the advice in there, it will also allow you to secure a healthy financial future for you and your family and give you a good nest egg to work with once you are posted to a coast.

Good luck!