How long do I need to be away from home in regular force?

[albertwong]

How long do I need to be away from home when I am in the force?
For example, if I stay in the force for 10 years, then I won't be going back home for 10 years?
can you get marry when you are still in the force?

 

[jeffb]

Yes, you can get married. The CF isn't prison. Come to think of it, you can probably get married there as well.

 

[PMedMoe]

What do you mean how long will you be away from home?  You do realize that if you are married, your spouse and any other dependents get posted with you.  Of course, they can't go on tour or on exercise on on ship, but you get my meaning (I hope).

Now, if you mean how long will you be away from your home town, consider the possibility that for your entire career you may never get posted there (or even close).  That's life in the CF.

But yes, you can get married, have kids, pets, own a house, etc.  Just remember, that's your responsibility, not the military's.

jeffb, I believe you're right about getting married in prison.   

 

[aesop081]

....and before the OP asks, yes you can get divorced in the military.

 

[MasterInstructor]

....and before the OP asks, yes you can get divorced in the military.

  :rofl:

Skyclimber, I do no know what trade you are applying to at all, but I can tell you what I am expecting from my career, I am in recruiting process myself, so this is not experience but from what I am told and expect.

I live in Greater Vancouver and applied for Naval Electronic Sensor Operator. I have a common-law partner and a apartment that I bought.

I will be going to Quebec for 14  weeks for BMQ. After 14 weeks I need to do few other courses that will probably take about 27 weeks in Victoria, there might be waiting time in between. During this time I will be living on base again.

After this initial training phase, I will get posted. I will try to get posted to Victoria since it is close to home but no guarantees. When I do get posted, I will be allowed to move my apartment and my spouse will move with me as well. CF (Canadian Forces)  will take care of most of moving expenses etc. After that when my ship is at home port, it will be a 8am to 4pm monday-friday kind of job with some overnight watches on the ship now and then. Pretty normal life. I could live on base or have my own place outside of the base ( with some restrictions, such as distance from base)

That being said, there are operations, exercise and more training. During those I will be away from home for weeks or months at a time. What I have been told is expect to be away from home average 3-4 months a year but there have been 8 month deployments in the past. So again, it depends on many factors.

Again, this is just what I am expecting and this is for my trade. My advice is read lots about the trade you are planning on applying, there are lots of info on this website. 

cheers

 

[albertwong]

Just curious, after I am posted.
If I do not have a girl friend, and I want to stay in the force.
How can I find my love if I am in the base all the time?

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

Locked.