Reserve Questions

[WeaverB]

Hello everyone.

I have been reading up on some things and I have some questions. I have visited a few recruitment offices for both the army and the navy reserves and I am just in the process of completing my paperwork to get the processes rolling. I am looking into becoming a supply tech, but like I have told the recruiters I am open to other career paths.

My first question is what is the Graduate Recruitment Test? Is it worth looking into and if so how do i find test in my area?

My second question is about the kinds of questions I should be asking my recruiter. Like about benefits, pay or other things that I haven't even thought of. (I have an apartment and a common law)

Another question is about going away for boot camp. With the reserves I have been told i can do my training on the weekends, but is it the best way to go or are there unforeseen disadvantages?

I am only joining the reserves as a way to see if the forces are right for me. I am somewhat unsure of what I want to do once in the reserves. I am leaning towards supply tech like i stated above, but i am also wondering if I would enjoy a more aggressive career in the artillery unit.

Thanks for your time and your help.

 

[lennoj]

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted so I'll try it out again.

- Graduate Recruitment Test -> I have no idea what this is, but if I were to ass-u-me I would say it would be a part of a PSR

- Questions for Recruiter -> Graduate Recruitment Test - what is it and where would I find the test in my area? Is a good start. For benefits & pay and etc: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/life-vie/thinking-attendre/res-fpb-sasf_res-eng.asp Note: If you surf that site for awhile you will stumble across the pay scales.

- F/T or P/T courses are all up to the individual reservist. Your basic soldiering courses are not meant to be fun or chalk full of excitement. If you think you can survive off of mess food till you get your first leave pass, go full time. If you prefer to unwind and "chill/hang/grope" your friends do the weekend courses. A tip I can give is NEVER EVER pass on a course that is offered. Take whatever you can to get qualified.

Cheers,

 

[Neill McKay]

Another question is about going away for boot camp. With the reserves I have been told i can do my training on the weekends, but is it the best way to go or are there unforeseen disadvantages?

My information on this is pretty dated, but I believe the weekend Basic Military Qualification  -- "Boot Camp" is what the US Marine Corps calls it -- is only offered in the Army Reserve.  To the best of my knowledge all Naval Reserve members attend the full 13-week (or whatever it is now) course.

 

[bran]

Another question is about going away for boot camp. With the reserves I have been told i can do my training on the weekends, but is it the best way to go or are there unforeseen disadvantages?

There are a lot of disadvantages to the weekend course. The biggest one is it takes forever to complete, because the weekends are every other weekend. Some courses can take 6 months to complete. I've never done a full time course, but I would imagine it would be easier to get the course done and out of the way fast.