Questions about the reserves

[ankhmor]

I know these questions must have been posted thousands of times but the search function doesn't work.

I'm 16 and planning on joining the reserves. I would like to know the process from beginning to the end, nut I have some specific questions in mind:
1. How do I find out working hour from a recruitment base/office?
2. How much time do I have to spend? I mean I go to school and can't really spend more than 5 hours on a weeknight.
3. I heard I might get paid. Is it true? Because then I could just quit my regular job.
4. What do you guys do in the reserves? Just work out/train or something else?

Thnaks again.

 

[MikeL]

1.)  Goto the website of whatever Reserve unit you would like to join, on that website they will list their parade nights, timings, etc.  You will start your application there.

At  www.army.gc.ca  browse around the menus an you can look at Reserve units in your area an find out about them if you don't already know.

2.) Again look at the unit website. It is probably about 3hrs give or take 1 night a week.

3.) Yes you will get paid, search on the forums an/or google for Canadian Forces Pay chart

4.) Depends on the unit you join an what trade you are.  Generally you will start in a PAT Pl an you will learn the basics, ie drill, how to wear a uniform, ranks, etc

 

[lennoj]

1. Your recruitment office should have a list of each unit in your area, their phone numbers and parade nights. Your reserve unit will have a specific parade night and timings given to you once you meet with that units recruiter.

2. A parade night is usually only 3 hours, once a week. There are weekend ex's that that I strongly suggest attending and of course, get your basic soldiering courses completed asap.

3. lol I don't recommend quiting your other job when you are just starting out. Reserve pay scales can be found here: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dgcb-dgras/ps/pay-sol/pr-sol/index-eng.asp

4. Everything. Deploy overseas, PT, drill, trades courses, exercises, domestic operations, and so much more.

The unit you are interested in can provide you with more information on what they do as a unit and their RO's (routine orders)

Edit: grrr beat me to it -skeletor-

 

[CFR FCS]

Good advice. I would also add you can go to the recruiting web page http://www.forces.ca/ and there is a really neat "chat with a recruiter" function. They can direct you a reserve unit nearby, give you the hours and location of your nearest CFRC and even help with the application process. Try it our and let us know what you think.

 

[MikeL]

Also, in ref to going overseas  it is a voluntary thing in the Reserves, also you must be atleast 18 an trades qualified an whatever pre-reqs required for your trade/position.

And in ref to weekend ex's, I don't believe a recruit can go on an FTX with their unit untill they are at a minimum BMQ qualified. May be dependent from unit to unit an dependent on the type or excercise.

 

[ankhmor]

CFR FCS

il ltry it out if i make it home in time. the chat room closes at rlly early.

BTW what i forgot to mention is that I have no intent of going overseas. The only reason I wanna go into reserves is to get training in case theres conscription.

 

[Larkvall]

Where do you live?

Maybe we can point you to some Reserve units?

 

[ankhmor]

toronto downotown
I actually know a base around my neighborhood but I just dont know their working hours.

 

[Larkvall]

Fort York or Moss Park?  I can PM you the nights they parade on.

 

[ankhmor]

um.. i dunno the name. its right by the lake. on google maps its marked as HMCS York.

 

[Larkvall]

um.. i dunno the name. its right by the lake. on google maps its marked as HMCS York.

Okay. The Naval Reserves. They parade on Wednesdays from 7:30-10:30pm.
I will PM you the phone number

You should also be close to Fort York Armoury I will send you some information for them also.

 

[Larkvall]

Here is a recent news story on the Naval Reserves.
It gives you an idea of some of the work they do.


http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1140475.html

 

[Loachman]

The only reason I wanna go into reserves is to get training in case theres conscription.

I have never heard that reason before...

Conscription has rarely been used in Canada, and is not likely to ever be used again.

Even if it was, conscripts would be adequately trained as part of the process.

Join anyway. It can be very rewarding in many ways.

 

[X-mo-1979]

If you worried for conscription  I would just wait until it happens.Training will be much quicker,standards more lax and overall it will be a much more pleasurable experience.

May I ask why your thinking about conscription?And how joining the reserves will benefit you if we start conscripting?

 

[1feral1]

The only reason I wanna go into reserves is to get training in case theres conscription.

Wow. That caught me off guard.

The only reason eh?

Perhaps you should consider another part-time job?

OWDU

 

[kratz]

Here is the link to HMCS YORK. They have a full-time unit recruiter working Monday through Friday during office hours, 8am to 4pm. They had a really busy and successful year last year bringing in new recruits, so leave a message or email them.

As suggested above, once you know which trade(s) you are interested in, arrange to stop into the reserve unit(s) you are looking into to see how they work and be able to ask some questions directly to sailors/soldiers who have been working in those positions.

Remember, in most situations with the reserves you can request to stop your involvement with the reserves at any time. Asking questions and talking to members of the military is not a scary thing.

 

[ankhmor]

Talkin to military in russia is a scary thing. they just beat u up for fun. lol.

Conscription is my only reason because I strongly believe that ww3 is comin. And i was thinkin that if i get some kind of specialization i dont have to be the first one in front of a bullet.

Thank you guys for all our answers. they have been very helpful.

Thanks again.

 

[ltmaverick25]

If WW3 ever truly did breakout, then I would suggest there would be no trade or MOC in the CF that would be safe from bullets.

If you want to join the military, you will have to accept the possibility of being wounded or killed.  Granted as a reservist who never volunteers for overseas duty the chances of this happening are slim, but, if the big war ever emerged, you would be going overseas with the rest of us.

I also would not go into the recruiting center saying things like this.

 

[Loachman]

You are from Russia?

 

[X-mo-1979]

I also would not go into the recruiting center saying things like this.

I think he should.We always tell everyone to be honest with the recruiter.