Question about non-combat overseas deployments

[Red Wolf]

Is it true that non-combat trades cannot be deployed along side the infantry overseas unless they have completed the Soldier Qualification course (SQ)?

The reason I ask is I'm planning on applying for Image Tech. but I'm wondering if having prior service in a combat trade and receiving your SQ qualification is required to be deployed in a combat area as an Image Tech.

If anyone has any insight on this matter, I would greatly appreciate any info or people I could contact before I get a hold of my local recruiter.

That is all. I look forward to any replies.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

You will not be deployed without a SQ course.

You will not get deployed without being trade qualified.

You will not be fighting next to the Infantry as an Image Tech (unless you happen to be standing there when shit hits the fan).

 

[MikeL]

You can be deployed without being SQ qualified.  On my tour one of the Signallers in the BG 9TAC wasn't SQ qualified an that was his second tour.  Some trades are in high demand so guys get sent through the training system without getting "fully trained" for their trade, ie driver courses and SQ an get posted to a unit. Most do the SQ course eventually but others get by without having to do it.

Also, as far as I know Image Tech is a trade that doesn't do SQ/BMQ-Land. So since it isn't a requirement for that trade you are trade qualified with just BMQ and QL3 an are good to be deployed unless the trade requires QL5, or another course as a pre-req for tour.  An as for how Image Techs get picked for Combat Camera an go out on Ops; I can only guess since I don't know.

Only certain non Army trades do it like Med Tech since no matter what element a Med Tech is(Army, Air, Navy) they can goto a Army Field unit, etc.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Well I stand to be corrected. It just seems really odd to me

 

[chris_log]

You will not be deployed without a SQ course.

You will not get deployed without being trade qualified.

You will not be fighting next to the Infantry as an Image Tech (unless you happen to be standing there when crap hits the fan).

There are also plenty of sailors and air force members who deploy without SQ.

All you need to be deployed course-wise is to be trade qualified.

 

[PMedMoe]

There are also plenty of sailors and air force members who deploy without SQ.

All you need to be deployed course-wise is to be trade qualified.

And non-combat army types, too.  I've never had an SQ but I guess 10 years in a Brigade didn't qualify me either.  :

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Well I stand to be corrected. It just seems really odd to me

I can admit to learning something new. I doubt anyone here knows every course required by every trade, without doing research. If anyone thinks I was slagging them as less than ideal for not having an SQ you're reading way to much into it and really need to work on your self esteem. :

 

[PMedMoe]

I can admit to learning something new. I doubt anyone here knows every course required by every trade, without doing research. If anyone thinks I was slagging them as less than ideal for not having an SQ you're reading way to much into it and really need to work on your self esteem. :

Didn't look at it that way at all, I just found it weird that I was at a combat support unit and never had an SQ.

 

[chris_log]

Didn't look at it that way at all, I just found it weird that I was at a combat support unit and never had an SQ.

Did you do PLQ (Land)?

 

[PMedMoe]

Did you do PLQ (Land)?

Nope, PLQ (Common) although it may as well have been a land course; we were the first one run in Petawawa.  I learned how not to be a leader.   
Of course, that was before the CANFORGEN came out.  I was already promoted by then, so I figure I've been "grandfathered".

 

[chris_log]

Nope, PLQ (Common) although it may as well have been a land course; we were the first one run in Petawawa.  I learned how not to be a leader.   
Of course, that was before the CANFORGEN came out.  I was already promoted by then, so I figure I've been "grandfathered".

Thats probably why you were good to go, PLQ supercedes SQ (aka BMQ(L)). This is assuming that SQ is part of your trade's training (is it?). 

 

[PMedMoe]

This is assuming that SQ is part of your trade's training (is it?).

Sort of.  We did do a field portion on the Med Tech QL3 and QL5 courses but I have never had a "formal" SQ course.

 

[chris_log]

Sort of.  We did do a field portion on the Med Tech QL3 and QL5 courses but I have never had a "formal" SQ course.

Meh, either way it obviously hasn't hindered your advancement or the way you've been employed. There's plenty of air force/navy pers wandering around army units who don't have SQ and do just fine in the field/on tour. Especially on tour, as thats what we have pre-deployment training for.

 

[NL_engineer]

You will not be deployed without a SQ course.

I'm not SQ qualified  ;D (guess I will have to ask to get put on one after tour)

 

[Nfld Sapper]

I'm not SQ qualified  ;D (guess I will have to ask to get put on one after tour)

But you did the old QL2/QL3 which covers everything in SQ and a bit more (i.e. 84mm)