Questions about joining the Reserves

[war2001v]

Greetings, this is my first post and these questions likely have been answered somewhere on this forum already. Help direct me if necesairy or answer in your own way please.

1) I hear its one night a week, one weekend a month. How many nights can you miss and how many weekends can you miss?

2) On weekends do you stay somewhere there or do you go home at end of each day?

3) BMQ is spread out among the one nights and weekends?

4) What is the cost to join and is there a minimun stay requirement?

Thank you so much for the help.

I can't answer the rest but there is no stay requirement in the reserves and there are no costs to join other than fees you might get from getting doctors to fill out some forms if you have to as they won't cover it. It's also 2 weeks every year.

 

[kratz]

[quote author=ktaylor]


1) I hear its one night a week, one weekend a month. How many nights can you miss and how many weekends can you miss?

Answer: If you are planning to miss work, BEFORE starting, you should NOT join the military.

2) On weekends do you stay somewhere there or do you go home at end of each day?

Answer: It depends.

3) BMQ is spread out among the one nights and weekends?

Answer: It depends.

4) What is the cost to join and is there a minimun stay requirement?

Answer: It's free to apply to join. Most of the time, you can quit the PRes when you want to.

[/quote]

Search and read the site. Most of your questions will be answered.

Use this search term in Google: "site:navy.ca [insert question]"

 

[mariomike]

I hear its one night a week, one weekend a month. How many nights can you miss and how many weekends can you miss?

In case you are a worker ( or a shift-worker ) and anticipate possible scheduling conflicts, you may find these discussions of interest,

Does my civilian job work with Reserve Service?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/120072.0

Shift Work and Reserve Training.
http://army.ca/forums/threads/84673.0

Balancing Regular Night Shifts with Class A reservist training 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/94698.0

Work balance in the CAF Reserves 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/120550.0

Reservists Job Protection Superthread 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/2552.0

etc...

BMQ is spread out among the one nights and weekends?

Difference between reserve's part-time BMQ and summer full-time BMQ?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/109707.0

There are other searchable discussions of weekend and summer BMQ.

There is no cost to join. These are the pay rates, if interested,

Pay - Reserves 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/123906.0

 

[Gunner2021]

I have been thinking of joining the reserve force for a long time and I have done lots of research on the subject, I am just hoping to get some more input. I am currently in University studying engineering so I am a little worried about the time commitment that is the reserves. I have read many threads on related topics so I have answered many of my questions, I just have a few left.

How flexible are the reserves on the weekly training? The one night a week and one weekend a month would usually not be a problem, however sometimes with exams, I am very busy and so I was wondering if they would be flexible with my busy schedule and maybe missing a training night every once in a while? I am also a little worried about the BMQ. Will I be able to do it while being a full-time student?

Also, I am very interested in being a part of the military and maybe even being deployed or joining full time after school, but I like the thought of getting a taste with the reserves without as much commitment as the reg force, but from what I've read I am questioning if the reserves would be worth it for me?

Last question. I usually go home for a term every year, but I would not be near any reserve armouries. If I joined, would I have to move full-time to continue training?

Thanks in advance, any information helps! 

 

[mariomike]

How flexible are the reserves on the weekly training?

Last question. I usually go home for a term every year, but I would not be near any reserve armouries. If I joined, would I have to move full-time to continue training?

BMQ is during summer, or on weekends.

Many Reservists are full-time students or workers. Some are shift-workers.

You may find this discussion of interest,

Exempt Drill and Training Form - Merged 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/31042.0
2 pages.

See also, Exempt Duty and Training ED&T
https://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Aarmy.ca+ED%26T&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-CA:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=bFYjWpnOINSDX-7wicAK&gws_rd=ssl

As always, your unit Recruiter is your most trusted source of information.

 

[Vanquest]

BMQ is during summer, or on weekends.

Many Reservists are full-time students or workers. Some are shift-workers.

You may find this discussion of interest,

Exempt Drill and Training Form - Merged 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/31042.0
2 pages.

See also, Exempt Duty and Training ED&T
https://www.google.ca/search?q=site%3Aarmy.ca+ED%26T&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-CA:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=bFYjWpnOINSDX-7wicAK&gws_rd=ssl

As always, your unit Recruiter is your most trusted source of information.

Also there is CO-OP available starting in Jan/Feb with bmq until mid june when you would finish DP1. This would be all day everyday except for some weekends. If you are in school you will get credits and you get paid, plus all of your training gets out of the way faster than any other way. CO-OP with the army is not available everywhere though, but id check with your school.

 

[mariomike]

Also there is CO-OP available starting in Jan/Feb with bmq until mid june when you would finish DP1.

I am currently in University

The CO-OP program is for High School students. 

To be eligible, students must meet the following conditions:
*16 years old prior to the starting date of the program;
*A Canadian citizen; Have a minimum of 15 credits prior to the start of the program;
*Enrolled in Semester II Co-op (afternoon);
*Successfully complete the entrance requirements prior to December 1 of the school year (physical, medical, aptitude);
*Able to attend program from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and the occasional weekend training sessions.

It's a high school program, for high school students.

 

[Vanquest]

i did co-op, and there was a college student doing coop with us, as well as many others who were loaded onto our course who were not coop students. Also my co-cop was 7 am to 5 pm. I guess it might be different depending on the year and area?

 

[ARcan]

Hello everyone,

For the longest time I wanted to join the CAF Reserves and there was always something in the way. Finally I was at a point in my life where I could commit and now I got a job which makes it pretty much impossible to join. I work 14 hours a day and 6 days a week. I get a company truck and they can't have the truck sitting "not making money" more than once a week. I was told by the trainer that if my numbers are good, they will do what they can to accommodate the army schedule.

I have Wednesdays off because I have a commitment on that day and generally that is also my day off so it worked out. I hear that Reserves schedule is ONE weekday a week and ONE weekend a month. Weekdays start at 7pm. If that is true then all I need to do is ask them to let me finish my shift 4 hours early so I can make it to the base on time and I will complete those 4 hours throughout the week. Then ask for 1 weekend off a month and hopefully they will be okay with that.

If you have any information on the schedule for Armoured Reconnaissance, it will really help. From what I know, the 2 closest bases to me are the Newmarket and Downsview bases in Toronto, Ontario.
If I can provide any additional information so you can give me a better answer please let me know.

Cheers.

 

[mariomike]

I work 14 hours a day and 6 days a week.

If you work 84 hours a week, do you really want a part-time job?

 

[ARcan]

If you already work 84 hours a week, do you really want a part-time job?

Yes. I am a big boy. If I made this decision, I definitely considered my energy level. I don't see joining the CAF as something draining. It will make my life better.

 

[mariomike]

Yes. I am a big boy. If I made this decision, I definitely considered my energy level. I don't see joining the CAF as something draining. It will make my life better.

You will also have to take summer or weekend BMQ into your scheduling calculations.

There will also be trade training. As always, your best source for scheduling information will be the PRes unit you intend to apply to.

See also,

Work balance in the CAF Reserves 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/120550.0

 

[PuckChaser]

To be very honest with you (and to echo what MarioMike said), your schedule is what is going to get in your way from joining the Reserves. 1 weeknight a week and 1 weekend a month is your typical commitment once you're trained. Weekend BMQ is going to be probably 2 weekends a month from Sept - December. Then you'll need to do your DP1 training which will at least be a couple weeks straight somewhere (could be done on weekends, not sure how PRes Armd Recce guys train for career courses).

If your job is that intense and inflexible with working hours, you'd be best to wait instead of wasting all the enrollment time to find out you won't be able to complete BMQ due to work commitments.

 

[mariomike]

If you have any information on the schedule for Armoured Reconnaissance, it will really help.

PRes DP 1 Armoured Recce Crewman is something like 20 days long (four weeks)

 

[Kerosen]

I don't know who old you are, (it's harder on the body went your older) but some time on week end BMQ, it takes few days to be back on track due to PT and drill training, so your monday mornings won't be your best day of the week ........

 

[ARcan]

So I worked in an industry that couldn't accommodate the CAF (Reserves) schedule and I decided to quit and find a job which works around that schedule. I will hold off on the job search until after all my training is finished since I know there are many steps to complete when you're a new recruit like the BMQ, DP1 etc.

Here's what I wanna know:

At first glance, I'm interested in Armoured Reconnaissance. I noticed a few other interesting options but not sure if it makes sense choosing those trades as a reservist. I know that when you choose a trade which translates into a civilian job, you can work in that industry even after finishing your military career. For example if your trade was in Communications or Intelligence or Dental etc. Does it apply the same way if you choose one of those trades as a reservist? How will you be able to learn such a profession just by showing up once or twice a week? As a full timer you will devote a few years to learning the trade and working in it daily so that makes sense. It doesn't make sense to me how you learn it with the limited time a reservist allocates to the army so maybe there is something I don't know which you can shed some light on. This will help me decide which trade I want to choose. If I can choose a professional trade as a reservist and after a couple years be able to work in it as a civilian it will be great.

As for Armoured Reconnaissance, any of you who chose this one remember what was it like getting accepted into it? What are specific steps I will have to go through in order to be accepted into this trade? How easy is it to get rejected from it and do you have another chance at applying and getting it then?

I am NOT doing this for pay, I am curious though (since I see different explanations everywhere) how much do you make on average as a reservist a month?

Generally speaking I know that you are required to commit to 1 weeknight a week and a weekend a month (some trades and certain times a year might be more) but overall that is what they require. If you sign up for extra training as a reservist do you get paid for those as well? Is it the same pay for every training?

The reason I am joining is because I want to support my country and I love Canada. I also want to see if the Army is a good fit for me long term. If I find that is the case, can I switch from reserves to full time? What will be the process to switch?

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post,
ARcan

 

[mariomike]

If I find that is the case, can I switch from reserves to full time? What will be the process to switch?

Component Transfers (Reserve to Regular): Q&A
https://army.ca/forums/threads/12797.0
53 pages.

Joining the res then reg? 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/104983.0

etc...

I'm interested in Armoured Reconnaissance.

Armoured Recce
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&ei=HItXWtWqE-ywjwTytbGADg&q=site%3Aarmy.ca+armoured+recce&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca+armoured+recce&gs_l=psy-ab.3...23382.23601.0.24776.2.2.0.0.0.0.76.136.2.2.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.KfgYPZZwnvk

Armour Recce
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&ei=EotXWry2B4rAjwSu_4vICA&q=site%3Aarmy.ca+armour+recce&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca+armour+recce&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.0.8766.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1c..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.Qjd5WYTn4Ko

I am curious though (since I see different explanations everywhere) how much do you make on average as a reservist a month?

NCM Class A and B Service Rates
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/caf-community-pay/ncm-class-a-b-service-rates.page

how much do you make on average as a reservist a month?

Divide by twelve,

Total amount that Reservists make in a year 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/117121.0

I'm interested in Armoured Reconnaissance. I noticed a few other interesting options but not sure if it makes sense choosing those trades as a reservist. I know that when you choose a trade which translates into a civilian job, you can work in that industry even after finishing your military career.

Related civilian occupations
•Heavy equipment operator
•Computer operator
•Firefighter
•Guard
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/caf-jobs/career-options/fields-work/combat-specialists/armoured-soldier.html

For example if your trade was in Communications or Intelligence or Dental etc.

Search "Related civilian occupations" for the jobs you are interested in ( if they are available in the Reserves )
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/caf-jobs.html

I know that you are required to commit to 1 weeknight a week and a weekend a month (some trades and certain times a year might be more) but overall that is what they require. If you sign up for extra training as a reservist do you get paid for those as well?

Yes.

As always, Recruiting is your most trusted source of official and up to date information.

Unofficial site, not associated with DND or the Canadian Armed Forces.

 

[ARcan]

Thank you for those links.
That really helped!

What about the first question? I know it was a long paragraph but wasn't sure how to explain it better.

 

[tree hugger]

The application process can be lengthy at times and an offer is not guaranteed.  I recommend finding employment in the mean time.

 

[ARcan]

The application process can be lengthy at times and an offer is not guaranteed.  I recommend finding employment in the mean time.

I read that due to recent changes in the recruiting process, it takes as little as 2 to 6 weeks to get in.