Questions about Infantry Officer

[mmafanification1]

My friend wants to join the CF and wanted to be in the infantry but the site says there not accepting applications for that job. They are for Infantry Officer. So hes applying for that. But the problem is hes never really been a leader type, hes shy and has anxiety and hes really skinny. Can anyone be turned into an officer with the training they give? He said hes gunna take a program for the anxiety through a doctor and some kind of leadership program and whatever other programs he can take to put on his resume to make him look better. Are those programs gunna do anything for him? Or is he gunna look like an idiot to the CF? and like i said can they turn you into a leader and make you strong enough to do it. Hes still young too only 20 does age matter?

 

[aesop081]

Your "friend" made a nice poll.......... :

 

[Rogo]

If he wants infantry but is applying infantry officer without the leadership qualities its probably not a good idea.    As an officer you will be expected to have leadership ability right out of the gate including in training courses.

Also there is a difference in roles between Inf NCM and Inf O.  As an officer when I complete my training I will be leading and coordinating a platoon, I will not be doing all the "fun" things that the soldiers get to.

If he lacks the qualities of a leader its probably not a good fit.  Yes leadership can be nurtured (I won't say it is or is not natural) but it certainly can be nurtered but in the Officer trades you have less time to develop good leadership skills as you are expected to already possess these. 

As an NCM he would be gradually taking on leadership roles as he progresses in rank and experience. That sounds like a better idea.




Most important thing is to have him talk to a recruiter and be open with both his ambitions as well as his difficulty in leadership or physicality.

Rogo



Unless you are the same poster as kevin1001100 or jkdfhksj    then don't apply.

 

[mmafanification1]

If he wants infantry but is applying infantry officer without the leadership qualities its probably not a good idea.    As an officer you will be expected to have leadership ability right out of the gate including in training courses.

Also there is a difference in roles between Inf NCM and Inf O.  As an officer when I complete my training I will be leading and coordinating a platoon, I will not be doing all the "fun" things that the soldiers get to.

If he lacks the qualities of a leader its probably not a good fit.  Yes leadership can be nurtured (I won't say it is or is not natural) but it certainly can be nurtered but in the Officer trades you have less time to develop good leadership skills as you are expected to already possess these. 

As an NCM he would be gradually taking on leadership roles as he progresses in rank and experience. That sounds like a better idea.




Most important thing is to have him talk to a recruiter and be open with both his ambitions as well as his difficulty in leadership or physicality.

Rogo



Unless you are the same poster as kevin1001100 or jkdfhksj    then don't apply.

thanks

 

[estoguy]

You mention your friend is 20... to apply for infantry officer, he needs a university degree.  Unless he's Doogie Howser, I doubt he has one at 20.

There are lots of good threads on the forum.  One that I would recommend is this one to start: http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/99437.0.html  TV is very to the point about the kind of person an infantry officer needs to be.  If he doesn't think he matches that, its probably not a good idea.

 

[aesop081]

You mention your friend is 20... to apply for infantry officer, he needs a university degree.  Unless he's Doogie Howser, I doubt he has one at 20.

Has ROTP ceased to exist ?

You know, that program where we send people to university ?

:

 

[estoguy]

Has ROTP ceased to exist ?

You know, that program where we send people to university ?

:

True, but he'd still need to complete the program and his degree before becoming an officer, no?

 

[aesop081]

True, but he'd still need to complete the program and his degree before becoming an officer, no?

Yeah but he would still be recruited as such.

But, you said this :

to apply for infantry officer, he needs a university degree.

If he wants to apply to be an infantry officer, he does not need to have a degree, if he applies under ROTP.

Anything else i can correct you on ?

 

[estoguy]

Yeah but he would still be recruited as such.

But, you said this :

If he wants to apply to be an infantry officer, he does not need to have a degree, if he applies under ROTP.

Anything else i can correct you on ?

My apologies... I should have been clearer about the degree requirment.  I stand corrected! 

 

[ttlbmg]

I didn't think that he had said anything about applying for ROTP- rather than applying for an NCM position, he wants to apply for an officer position, so yes then, estoguy, you are correct. In order to apply for direct entry as an infantry officer you require a university degree. (although ANY degree is acceptable) Currently, the ROTP date for entrance into RMC for this year has lapsed, so application to the RMC ROTP program wouldn't really be an option right now. In speaking with some folks within that program, it is hyper competitive, as there is little need for Infantry officers in the ROTP program.

As an aside, if your friend is timid, shy, and anxious, I am not sure if the infantry is the best option for him; in terms of either an NCM or officer role. Of most of the infantrymen that I have met, officers and enlisted, shy and timid, would not be words that I would use to describe them. In a job that requires a great deal of levelheaded thinking and calm demeanor, it would not be recommended that someone predisposed to anxiety join in that branch of the military.

 

[mmafanification1]

I got all the info. i needed from this poll. Thanks. How do I take it down?