How long should I wait?

[Fyuri]

I am a very new hire to Canada Post (just put in my first call-shift yesterday), and also, in the future, plan on making a career out of the Army. I am doing time with Canada Post to get a bit of financial independence for the time being, without incurring living expenses (still living at home). I'm 22 right now, going on 23, and plan on submitting my application for the Reserves in the new year. I was wondering two things:
(1) Should I wait until I get part time status with my current job, before submitting my application? (My status there right now as a casual does not grant military leave, and seeing as it is a government job, I do not know how well it would look if I didn't last through the temporary portion of it), and
(2) Once I do make it into the Reserves, should I serve a full contract with them before I decide to go Reg. Forces, or would it be acceptable to make a transfer, say, a year into it?
I'm just trying to go about things in the "right" way, I have relatively little support at home, so I just want to find out as much as I can for myself. Thanks in advance for your help!
-Fyuri

 

[Lost_Warrior]

(1) Should I wait until I get part time status with my current job, before submitting my application? (My status there right now as a casual does not grant military leave, and seeing as it is a government job, I do not know how well it would look if I didn't last through the temporary portion of it), and

This would depend on what your hours are like, and how much time off you can get.  For your first two courses (BMQ/SQ) you can do them on weekends.  As long as you don't work weekends, you should be fine.  Be prepared to be able to commit Friday night to Sunday night.

For your trade course however, it will require you to do it full time, usually during the summer.  Be prepared to put aside about 4-5 weeks for this training (depending on trade.  Some are longer than others)

(2) Once I do make it into the Reserves, should I serve a full contract with them before I decide to go Reg. Forces, or would it be acceptable to make a transfer, say, a year into it?

When you join the reserves, you do not sign a contract.  At any time, you can start a CT to the regs should decide to go full time.

I hope I answered your questions.  If you have any others, just PM me.

Also, read around this site and search a bit.  There are a lot of topics that have to do with these very questions.