Question about joining the forces

[fishtooth]

A lifelong dream has been to join the forces, I have a wife and 2 kids and am only 25 still. Wife finally told me to just go for it. She knows iv always wanted to do it and first step would obviously be applying and go from there. Question is. I looked at the salary, how does one raise a family on that? Do I get certain allowances due to me having 2 children (someone said I would but im not sure). How long does it take to go up in rank? My choices would be combat engineer and infantry. I just want to know if I have to save up a bunch of money for the first bit or not etc etc.

any help is appreciated,

thanks

 

[RCDtpr]

Having kids does not get you any extra pay or allowances.

As for how long it takes to rank up....on average it's about 4 years to get promoted to Cpl.

 

[fishtooth]

Having kids does not get you any extra pay or allowances.

As for how long it takes to rank up....on average it's about 4 years to get promoted to Cpl.

roughly how long does it take to go from private 1. 2 and 3? Also what does the base charge for housing?

thanks again for the help so far

 

[RCDtpr]

You go up incentives every year.  Say you join jan 1 2013 on jan 1 2014 you would be a p2 etc.

As for pmq prices...it varies per base.  I've seen them anywhere from 500-1000 a month

 

[Shamrock]

roughly how long does it take to go from private 1. 2 and 3? Also what does the base charge for housing?

thanks again for the help so far

Incentives are, as above, an automatic annual increase in your pay up to their highest incentive.  Topping one's pay off is not enough for a promotion to the higher rank, however.  Promotion to corporal may take 3-4 years.  Beyond that, there are different minimum times in rank, certain requisite courses, and of course, the requirement to merit.

Housing costs are available here: http://www.cfha-alfc.forces.gc.ca/resources-ressources/fpp-pep-eng.aspx

 

[mld]

I am sure you have researched all of the pros and cons, but just in case you have not looked into it.... Members of the Canadian Forces receive absolutely free healthcare and the family healthcare is really quite wonderful too. Not to mention that when you are sick you go to the MIR and should a Medical Officer deem that you need a week to recover, or to be put on half days for a month (like when my husband had mono) that happens without you taking a hit on your salary. The moment you join you are contributing to a pension which will ensure that you can still take care of yourself and family after you retire. Also, given the economy, you would be hard pressed to find better job security. And my last plug will be that you can truly be proud of what you do. How many other people can look to their employer and be proud of that that company is setting out to do/ accomplishing?

Remember there are a lot of drawbacks too. Are you prepared for the fact that this job can be deadly? You could be permanently disabled physically or suffer from PTSD or other psychological illnesses as a result from exposure to some of the environments the CF sees. Is your wife ready for this? I have been a military wife for a long time, and it is not for someone who is not independent. The first part of your career will have you gone much more than you are home, so she will be lonely. There are great supports for her at different bases, but it is hard. Also, you will move. A lot. Your kids might never be in the same school for more than 3 or 4 years. Coming from a military spouse, really consider all of this. It is good to go in with both eyes open because it is not an easy job for you or your family.

Good luck in whatever you decide! There is really nothing else like this out there!

 

[Sunnyns]

I was in the military, my husband is in (21 yrs)and now my daughter is in,  She logged me in  =D.

If you want something bad enough you'll make it work.  Back in the early 90s we were on my husbands pay and I was a stay at home mom with the 2 kids.  He was a Pte and his pay was way under $19,000.  We did without but were happy.

Be prepared for tours and be moved away for your family.  I've seen a lot of wives that are new to the miltary cry to go home to their families and refuse to move with their spouse, It can be a hard life but it's worth it.  My husband has done 3 tours, lost friends and co-workers.  He's done a lot and seen a lot.

There is a pay scale online to look at, there is military housing that is close to market pricing (PMQ pricing depends where you are)  Go to google and type in miltary housing costs and you'll find it.  The healthcare for you is great, you get 4 weeks paid vacation. 5 weeks after 4 years and if your sick you are still paid.  PLUS you can't beat the job stability, where else do you make that kind of money without the training.

I got out because it was too hard on the kids to have both parents in the military but I loved it.

After 4 years you'll hit Cpl but after that it's up to you,  how hard you work, the military needs. (not everyone can be a WO)