I have skills so where will I fit in?

[ab136]

I've been in a skilled trade for 14 years.  I have inter-provincial journeyman qualification.  From the research I have done, it is "possible" for me to acquire a corporal status.  I'm not sure if I would want that right away without any military experience, just seems kind of foolish.  But I also think that with my experience, I do qualify for more that a "buck private" would get.  Is there a happy medium?

 

[Inch]

No, there's nothing in between Pte and Cpl. Take the money but don't brag to your buddies about it, they'll just resent you instead of looking up to you for your experience. Respect is earned not assumed due to your position or rank. Good luck.

Cheers

 

[Tracker]

Actually, there is three pay levels between Pte and Cpl, depending on the trade you are appling for, the manning requirements for that trade and your qualifications, you might get Pte 1, Pte 2 Pte 3 or Cpl.

 

[meni0n]

Why would you want to become a corporal without the right military experience?

 

[ab136]

hats exactly what i am getting at.  why would i put myself in a corporal position when i have no ideas what the f**k i'm doin'.  anyway.....so you can be positioned in one of the 3 different pay levels of private?????  that's good to know. 
thanks Tracker,menIon

 

[chrisf]

Corpral is really intended more as a trade rank then as leadership rank (Though there are plenty of corprals serving in a leadership position). Note particularly the fact that you don't need an specific leadership course to attain the rank of corpral... simple solution is something that should apply to everyone, listen and learn whenever doing something your not familiar with, and feel free to speak on your own area of expertise, as with 14 years experience, you've no doubt learned quite a bit about your trade.

 

[ab136]

actually i'm an electrician.  i know how to do a lot but i definitly do not know everything.  there are things in my trade I have never worked with.  (another reason to get in to the forces).  As a side question......are all trades required to do SQ?

 

[chrisf]

All army trades, yes. SQ is lots of fun though.

 

[ab136]

I was hoping i'd have to take it.  How is it in the winter?

 

[foerestedwarrior]

cold. ;D SQ is awesome, never done it with the regs, but i really enjoyed it. Lots of guns and crap 8)

 

[veiled scout]

Hello
The reason why they want you to join is because the trade is short of exp people(in the trade sense as a skilled journey-man), the reason you will be a Cpl is because as to the trade standard on civilian street, it is comparable in the mind of the military to how long and money invested in the normal soldier who joins as a private until he becomes a cpl. Some trades (journey-man/ specialist) and most do if you meet the requirement get a bonus for joining. I totally disagree with this (this has nothing to do with you wanting to join, it is a govt problem) everyday we loose good soldiers that want to take their component transfer because they are tired of no promotions, endless operations and no time to educate themselves. I had this discussion with the ombudsman when he visited last, I blasted him for this and told him that I was losing good soldiers to component transfers and I was not discourging them as they need an education once they retire. Yes there is money to go to school but in a combat arms, operational unit, FORGET IT! I would rather see the money go to the Cpl as a signing bonus to stay in one of the combat arms trades, we need them and they are the future leaders of the army and as eluded to you would have to do the SQ course, I can tell you that trade wise you will be on the same level as your peers but as far as experience or operations, I'll take the 2 year private. Again this is not pointed to discourage you, but I'm getting a little tired of the politicians deciding what is good for the army, let the army decide. I hope this helps you and as I stated don't be discourged by this, but with my experience I know this is a touchy subject within the regular force.
TANKS

 

[Tpr.Orange]

If your looking at going into the Reg force you might want to look into a trade called
fire control systems technician


Great job for reg force guys and has a electrical background to it. check it out on the armys website

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca

 

[Bert]

ab136>
"hats exactly what i am getting at.  why would i put myself in a corporal position when i have no ideas what the f**k i'm doin'.  anyway.....so you can be positioned in one of the 3 different pay levels of private??  that's good to know. 
thanks Tracker,menIon"

I did a search looking for a thread created in 2003 that discussed the "appointment to
Cpl rank/education/military exp" issue.  Theres a couple of good posts describing several
points of view but I couldn't find the thread.  I don't want to rehash old stuff but there
are a few things relevant to this thread.

If you're applying to the CF using your civilian education and certification to an applicable
MOC of choice, then your education saves the CF time and money.  For the main issues you don't
know about, they will train you.  The CF has tied a salary tier to each rank so they will assess your e
ducation and experience (as semi-skilled) and place you in salary/rank category that may give you
an appointment to a higher Private or up to a Corporal pay level with the acting rank.  Privates
and Corporals as a generalization perform most of the day to day work.

From an Army/combat arms point of view, a recruit appointed to a rank hasn't received the military
experience to justify what a Corporal does as an example.  Experience and training is important and
it can't be directly acquired from any civilian world.  From a non-Army point of view, like
a technical Air Force or Navy MOC, military experience is important but the roles focus heavily on the
installlation, repair, and maintenance of equipment and the knowledge to do it.  Civilian
training does and can apply to related military MOCs. 

The point is its difficult to equate the combat arms and the technical MOC perspective.  In any case,
any member with civilian training and was granted advance pay (Private or Corporal rank), is treated
like any other Private or Corporal until OJT and QL5 qualifications are completed.

You hear full spectrum opinions on the training system and the quality of recruits.  Its better
to keep an open mind, let the CF judge your background and where you should be, take factual
advice, and see for yourself.

 

[ab136]

thanks Veiled Scout, CFN Orange and Bert.  I think you guy are speaking from experience. Thats what I want.  No holds barred. No offense taken. Just the facts.  I appreciate your posts.  And CFN Orrange....when I see my recruiter for my interview I'm going to put Fire Systems Tech. on my option. ;D