I hate to ask, but I‘ve got one more question.

[JPat000]

I know I must be getting annoying, but this question has nothing to do with fitness. Really!

If I were to pass the physical test, what is the likelihood of me actually being accepted for basic training? When I filled out the application online, I put:

Infantry
Weapons Technician (Land)
Supply

As my three choices, although I hope they don‘t limit me to those choices; there are plenty other jobs I would do.

 

[GrahamD]

When I went to my first interview, the Captain who was giving it went over my 3 choices that I had on my application and discussed them with me in detail.
He told me which ones I would have to wait a very long time to get into, because apparently some trades have a very low turn over rate, and are competitive to boot, and that those who already have 3-5 years on the list have priority over someone just coming in.
He told me that the interview was the last stop for choice of trades, if I had 3 on my list, they would offer me whatever came up first.
If the 3rd choice comes up and you get an offer, but you decline because you would prefer to wait for an offer from your first choice, then you will likely never get in, because they will be pissed off at you. So pick trades only that you are seriously interested in, even if its only 1. You still have a chance to tell the interviewer that you have changed your mind about your trades.

Plus I asked him if I went infantry, but wanted to switch over to another trade later on, how difficult would it be? He ended up getting a little angry at me, saying that from his "Human Resources" point of view, why would he want to waste funds training me from scratch twice? Which obviously makes sense, so don‘t ask about that.

*The recruiter told me that people do it, and that infantry personel are desireable to the other trades based on their military experience, and work ethic. so thats why I asked.

Basically the interviewer is the best person to ask about what kind of chances you have for getting into a particular trade, because there is a lot of variables. Some depend on you, and some depend on the current state of whatever trade.

 

[Bringer]

I was kind of surprised that my recruiter didn‘t try to sell me on any different trades. I had listed Infantry, Engineer, and Armour as my top three choices but qualified for every trade in the CF with my aptitude test. Engineer and Armour were only on the application because there was room for three choices.

I went in knowing exactly what I wanted and during the interview with the recruiting officer the other choices never even came up.

I guess they really need Infantry at this point so I wouldn‘t be too worried about being turned down as long as you don‘t tell the officer the only reason you‘re signing up is so you can get a gun.

 

[JPat000]

Yeah, hi, I only want to join the army so I can get a gun.

I don‘t think that would go over too well.

 

[GrahamD]

That is interesting. I also qualified for every trade available for the NCM‘s based on my CFAT. I had my interview about 1.5 years ago, but there was a hold up on my file, so I‘m back at it again now.

Anyway, back then, the Captain who was giving my interview , was very intense about trying to persuade me from going infantry. He made a lot of suggestions. Examples based on my backround and work experience, plumber, welder, just about anything in the Navy. He suggested that I may want to consider officer training, although I would have to put 4 years in at the military college. There were a lot of things discussed, it took at least 20 min‘s of the interview. He even went so far as to paint an illfavorable picture of life in the infantry, in an attempt to get me into a different trade. I seem to recall being told that I would come to regret my decision while I was breaking ice out of the ditch, so that I could sleep in it.

I don‘t know, maybe it was just this particular interviewer, or maybe resource situations were different then, I guess I will find out soon enough when I get back in for another interview.

 

[JPat000]

Well, they still haven‘t called yet, so if I hear nothing by noon tomorrow, I‘ll give them a call.

 

[GrahamD]

They will call.

Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not the next day, but they will call you.

 

[deathwing5]

Today I got a call, but i missed it. It was the only day i was out, otherwise i‘m home in the morning waiting for a call. The one day i dont stay home I get a call. I hate my luck.

 

[kurokaze]

ARTY are you sworn in yet?

 

[deathwing5]

Oh **** no man, Anderson says he‘ll call when he has more info like a week ago. Things are going slow, I should propably call see what‘s going on. Really brings the spirits down, kinda feel offended i haven‘t got in yet.

 

[deathwing5]

If I dont get in for fall/winter basic will I end up having to wait a year or something for the next basic? Though I don‘t see why I shouldn‘t be sworn in before it starts.

 

[deathwing5]

Can‘t wait to be a soldier :warstory:

 

[kurokaze]

Heh, don‘t get your hopes up too high there Arty.
There‘s alot of mundane stuff that goes along with
all the cool stuff.

But anyway, typically yes you would be sworn in
before basic starts, but I have personally
witnessed situations where a person was sworn
in 1.5 hours before the first basic course
started! And with everyone over at CAC right now
you won‘t be able to reach recruiting at the unit.

Just be patient. These things have a way of
working themselves out.

 

[deathwing5]

Thanks Kurokaze,

I know I‘m pretty realistic. There‘ll always be mundane and crap things in every job. I realized i can‘t reach the recruiting center hehe.

Is there much chances to get away from home in the reserves? it gets pretty annoying in my house.