Interested in information about joining the Reserves...

[Ty-]

Hello all, my name is Tyler Inglis; I am 18, and a full time welder by trade. I‘m very new to Canadian military systems and language, so please write with patience and for a layman.

I‘m interested in serving in the Reserves, if able to train and learn during the weekend.


I was reading through the FAQ and I came across an answer I‘d like to ask a couple more questions about..

"Q. How often would I have to come to work?

A. We normally expect you to come one evening each week and one weekend per month. There is also a two-week-long exercise each summer and members should plan to attend. If there is an especially busy period in your work or studies, we understand - arrangements can be made. "

1) To be clear, does "one evening each week" include Saturdays or Sundays?
2) What exactly does "and one weekend per month" constitute? I assume Saturday and Sunday, but I question this incase the Reserves recognize Sunday as a day of rest.


Several more questions:
1) I‘m still working on my HS Diploma in free time (I‘m gr.11 at the moment), how much of a limitation will that be?
2) If, down the road, there is a cause I wish to join in, but the Reserves have not formally been deployed (as, I‘ve read, they haven‘t been since WW2), is there any way I can still fight on field, or assist in any regard the warring area?
3) As a "Reserve Force Non Commissioned Member" (correct?) I would start with a salary of $71.38 correct. Further am I able to work 6+ hours on one weekend evening?
4) Do you have to shave your hair right off, or can it just be really short?
5) Although I am a welder, I eventually want to go to university to learn engineering or theoretical physics; what, if any, trades could I learn during my time at work?
6) If possible, I would appreciate a general idea as to how many areas in the Southern tip of Ontario there are where I could work as a Reserve. I live in a rural area where transportation may become an issue (my insurance would cost 7K , despite a perfect record, because of my age and gender and lack of formal driver‘s training), so I have to get rides out of town from family--although I am within reasonable range (1.25 hours) of London and the Tri-City area of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph.


Thank you for reading,

Sincerely,

Tyler Inglis

 

[Michael OLeary]

"One night per week" means the unit parades (works) one a spoecific weekday evening each week. Often this is Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the unit. You don‘t get to choose the night, the unit will tell you which night they parade.

"One weekend per month" means the unit parades (works), on average, one weekend each month (sometimes it‘s two, sometimes it‘s none), but units average one weekend per month from Sept to June. The unit schedule will determine what the schedule of weekends is. Some weekends are just Sat and Sun daytime at the unit Armouries, and sometimes you will go with the unit to a nearby training area from Fri night to late Sunday. You will be told what the expectations are for each training weekend.

A couple more questions:
1) I‘m still working on my HS Diploma in free time (I‘m gr.11 at the moment), how much of a limitation will that be?

A 1) Reservist training time is designed to not conflict with school schedules.

2) If, down the road, there is a cause I wish to join in, but the Reserves have not formally been deployed (as, I‘ve read, they haven‘t been since WW2), is there any way I can still fight on field, or assist in any regard the warring area?

A 2) Trained reservists can volunteer for limited space on operational tours with Regular Army units.

3) As a "Reserve Force Non Commissioned Member" (correct?) I would start with a salary of $71.38 correct. Further am I able to work 6+ hours on one weekend evening?

A 3) Weeknight training usually runs from 1900 hours (7 p.m.) to 2200 hours (10 p.m.), for which you get the "less than six hours" rate of pay. You don‘t get the option to work "overtime."

4) Do you have to shave your hair right off, or can it just be really short?

A 4) Standard military haircuts require the sides to be over the ears, sideburns at mid-ear, and the neck an inch or so above the colar and neat. It does not have to be shaven, a "high and tight" or extremely short. The unit will provide you specific guidance and a picture to go by.

5) Although I am a welder, I eventually want to go to university to learn engineering or theoretical physics; what, if any, trades could I learn during my time at work?

A 5) Choice of trades in the Reservies is most often limited by the choice of units, each unit only has positions for the trades it employs. talk to your local Recruiting Centre for more information.

6) If possible, I would appreciate a general idea as to how many areas in the Southern tip of Ontario there are where I could work as a Reserve. I live in a rural area where transportation may become an issue (my insurance would cost 7K , despite a perfect record, because of my age and gender and lack of formal driver‘s training), so I have to get rides out of town from family--although I am within reasonable range (1.25 hours) of London and the Tri-City area of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph.

A 6) Reserve units in southern Ontario belong to 31 Canadian Brigade Group, see this map for unit locations. Also see the unit list here.

 

[Ty-]

""One night per week" means the unit parades (works) one a spoecific weekday evening each week. Often this is Tuesday or Thursday, depending on the unit."

- What hours a weekday is this usually? Thanks for all the info btw.

 

[Michael OLeary]

See answer No. 3 above.

 

[Ty-]

My apologies, I misread "Weeknight" as weekend. Those hours are compatible, and I intent on visiting a recruitment center for more information.

 

[Michael OLeary]

Good idea, the details vary enough from area to area and unit to unit that any answer on here is a generalization based on one individual‘s experience. You should also visit the armouries of the unit(s) you are interested in joining on their parade night, most Reserve units have a recruiting officer or non-commissioned officer (NCO) who can give you specific details on that unit‘s expectations and schedules.

 

[chk2fung]

Hey Ty, As a welder you might be able to usse your skills in and engineering unit unless you would like to obtain diffrent skills like communications or soemthing. There‘s a new engineering unit coming to Waterloo this summer, u can check with the Kitchener recruiters. or contact 31 CER (The Elgins). If you make a search on this board you‘ll find more information. The militia regiment in kitchener now is the ROyal Highland Fusiliers of Canada if you were interested in infantry, being a soldier basically. They have the 1st Hussars in London which is an armoured unit, if you‘re into tanks and such. The 31 Combat Engineer Regiment in St Thomas is and engineering unit. There‘s also Sevice, logisitcs units, and artillery units in your area if you‘re interested.

 

[Spartan]

I have a related question re: garrison nights. Saying I am in university, I have the lovely potential in having evening exams. what do I do in this situation wrt my unit. Do I ask for an excused absense or what is the protocol in these types of situations??

Thanks In advance,
Ed

 

[Eowyn]

If you can‘t make a training night, you would inform your Section Commander. They will pass it up the chain of command.

 

[Ty-]

Originally posted by chk2f:
[qb] Hey Ty, As a welder you might be able to usse your skills in and engineering unit unless you would like to obtain diffrent skills like communications or soemthing. There‘s a new engineering unit coming to Waterloo this summer, u can check with the Kitchener recruiters. or contact 31 CER (The Elgins). If you make a search on this board you‘ll find more information. The militia regiment in kitchener now is the ROyal Highland Fusiliers of Canada if you were interested in infantry, being a soldier basically. They have the 1st Hussars in London which is an armoured unit, if you‘re into tanks and such. The 31 Combat Engineer Regiment in St Thomas is and engineering unit. There‘s also Sevice, logisitcs units, and artillery units in your area if you‘re interested. [/qb]

- Thanks for your input. I know that I‘m interested in two things--well above the rest; which are: engineering and work as a foot soldier.

Edit: I think I‘ve limited down to field engineer :evil: and infantry soldier :mg: . Both interest me quite a bit; I‘m a bit torn though: I‘m interested--and know I‘d do very well--in the innovative areas of field engineering--however, at the same time, I want to have the opportunity to have my willpower challenged in ways only hard foot soldier work can, and then to be able to lead by example.


A couple more Q‘s:
Will wearing contacts to correct my vision (probably about V3 or V4) affect where I can be placed in the infantry?
Is corrective laser eye surgery regarded as a valid way to obtain V1?

 

[chk2fung]

You can try searching under the Engineering forumn in the Combat Arms Section for more information. An engineer does a lot of similar training as the infantry while incorporating engineering services. you can also see aen engineering profile at the dnd recruiting website:
http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/html/army/careers/career_profiles/fiel_engi.html