How much choice do I get?

[templeton peck]

Joining Artillery officer as it was my second choice, and was the only one of three available now. The recruiting website says it isn't despite what the interviewer told me (I'm not arguing). Question is how much choice do I get where I end up? I would ideally like to go to Petawawa as it is the closest to civilisation, my wife, and me not getting divorced = ei me getting sentenced to Shilo or Gagetown.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

As has been stated many times before, they will send you where you are the most needed.

So that could also include 5 RAL in Valcartier.

 

[Scratch_043]

The forces has recently made more of an effort to be more friendly to a soldier's personal life. When I was on my Trades course, we were asked for our 'top 3' of where we wanted to go. That by no means that you get your first three choice, they will make an effort to accommodate, but if there aren't any soldiers needed in Pet, they will defer to your second choice, etc. (I got my 3rd) Depends on your justification for requesting a certain location as well. "My wife and kids are already established there" works pretty well, as do most other family issues. "I grew up here" and "it's close to civilization" do not.

 

[templeton peck]

Thanks! I realize I will be sent where I am needed, I was only asking what my odds are of getting sent to where I prefer. My wife is adamant about staying put as she has an established career and will not move from her location presently. If I am sent to some remote corner of the country I am concerned about how realistically a relationship could last separated like that. This concern was raised during the interview and the response I got was a little evasive.

 

[PMedMoe]

You put down your choices and take your chances.  You can submit a memo requesting a certain posting but as everyone says, it's not guaranteed.  If your wife is adamant about not moving, don't expect to spend your entire career in one place.  You can go on Imposed Restriction (IR) where you go alone or you can rethink your career choice if you are concerned about the relationship lasting.

 

[FastEddy]

Thanks! I realize I will be sent where I am needed, I was only asking what my odds are of getting sent to where I prefer. My wife is adamant about staying put as she has an established career and will not move from her location presently. If I am sent to some remote corner of the country I am concerned about how realistically a relationship could last separated like that. This concern was raised during the interview and the response I got was a little evasive.

"Thanks I realize", no you don't  under your circumstances, maybe in the best interests of all party's, the Military is not your best Career Choice.

Cheers

 

[George Wallace]

You put down your choices and take your chances.  You can submit a memo requesting a certain posting but as everyone says, it's not guaranteed.  If your wife is adamant about not moving, don't expect to spend your entire career in one place.  You can go on Imposed Restriction (IR) where you go alone or you can rethink your career choice if you are concerned about the relationship lasting.

"Thanks I realize", no you don't  under your circumstances, maybe in the best interests of all party's, the Military is not your best Career Choice.

Cheers

These are valid points.  As you posted that you are applying as an Artillery Officer, you should also be informed that should you succeed in completing your training to become an officer, you can expect to spend only a minimum amount of time in your first posting before you are posted out to a School as an Instructor or student to further your career.  You may only spend four years in your first Unit.  You may spend up to three or four years, depending on your luck and timing, just being trained to become an officer at locations such as St Jean, Gagetown and Shilo.

 

[Ex-Dragoon]

"Thanks I realize", no you don't  under your circumstances, maybe in the best interests of all party's, the Military is not your best Career Choice.

Cheers

Nonetheless its a valid concern for someone who may not have been giving all the information at hand. At the same time templeton peck the onus is on you to keep your wife in the picture. I have to wonder as well has she been supportive of you looking into a career in the CF?