Reserves

[NBer]

I'm looking at joining the reserve unit in Gagetown. I've finished a university degree so I can apply as an officer. I was wondering what training will be like. When is basic training held? How long? Also, when is trade training held? The time away for training is my big concern. I'm a single mom of 3. While I do have a grandparent to watch them while away, I wouldn't want to spend too long away from them.
I know I can ask a recruiter but its sometimes nice to hear it from those who have been through it.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

You'll have to decide "which" reserve unit.

After you know which unit, then the best place to get info on trg, time away, the unit schedule, etc is from the recruiter for that unit.  I am not sure if 37 Canadian Brigade Group (the Reserve Bde in NB/Nfld) has Brigade level, or Unit level, recruiters.

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/37CBG_HQ/jobs-emplois/index-eng.asp

If you look on the left hand side, you'll see links to the units in the Bde hiring (IAW the website, can't comment on how up to date it is) along with some contact info to get you started.

Good luck.

 

[Robbie4296]

Eye in the sky I see you posted a link for a reserve unit with some valuable info, could you post a link for the same here in Edmonton?

 

[armyvern]

Eye in the sky I see you posted a link for a reserve unit with some valuable info, could you post a link for the same here in Edmonton?

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/units-unites/index-eng.asp?action=sortby&what=br

There you go.

 

[Nfld Sapper]

I'm looking at joining the reserve unit in Gagetown. I've finished a university degree so I can apply as an officer. I was wondering what training will be like. When is basic training held? How long? Also, when is trade training held? The time away for training is my big concern. I'm a single mom of 3. While I do have a grandparent to watch them while away, I wouldn't want to spend too long away from them.
I know I can ask a recruiter but its sometimes nice to hear it from those who have been through it.

There is no Reserve unit per say at CFB GAGETOWN, there are units located in Fredrection (1 Royal NB Regiment, 1 Engineer Squadron ), Saint John (3 Field Artillery Regiment, 37 Service BN det Saint John [was 31 Svc BN], and Moncton/Sussex (8 CH)

 

[PMedMoe]

And there's always (gasp), the ARAF at the Sqn in Gagetown. 

 

[Robbie4296]

I have had a application in Reg force for about 3weeks, is it a hard process to change it to the reserves here in edmonton?

 

[Eye In The Sky]

An EXCELLENT question that any staff at CFRC Edmonton can probably answer the best.

8)

 

[armychick2009]

If you decide to switch to Reserves after you have already submitted a Regular force application, it will stop the reg-force application. You'll have to pick one or the other....

 

[Nfld Sapper]

And there's always (gasp), the ARAF at the Sqn in Gagetown. 

Forgot about those guys........

 

[Eye In The Sky]

If you decide to switch to Reserves after you have already submitted a Regular force application, it will stop the reg-force application. You'll have to pick one or the other....

Swell but thats not what the question asked, is it?

 

[Robbie4296]

Thanks for the replies, got all my answers today.

 

[SeanNewman]

...The time away for training is my big concern. I'm a single mom of 3...I wouldn't want to spend too long away from them.

My honest non-sugar-coated assessment is that you couldn't possibly choose a worse job for yourself due to the importance you have placed on it.

All of your courses to start with right off the bat are going to be several months long each, then once at a unit you will be away for exercises and courses again that last several weeks on end.  Finally, although you will not be compelled to deploy in the Reserves, it's kind of like always practicing football and never playing a game if you don't deploy.  If you deploy you're looking at several more months away on work-up training, followed by the 6-12 month deployment itself.

I am not trying to scare you, but give you the ground truth.  I love my family as well (as I'm sure all of the serving people on here do), but you have to establish a balance and that will involve being gone for a total of years and years away from your family if you really want to commit.

The one thing I will give you is that joining the Reserves is a much better choice for your situation than the Reg Force.  While the Reg Force moves your immediate family around with you (usually), what sucks about the Reg Force is that it takes you away from your extended support base.  All of the friends you grew up with, all of your extended family, and anyone else you may ever need help with in raising your kids would be far away if you were in the Reg Force (other than friends you meet in the Army).

Hopefully this helps.

 

[armychick2009]

Eye in the sky, it answered Robbie's a few positions above my reply -- he asked a question with regards to reserve vs. reg force applications....

 

[Robbie4296]

made lots of calls today got the answers, also thanks for the answers on here also.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Eye in the sky, it answered Robbie's a few positions above my reply -- he asked a question with regards to reserve vs. reg force applications....

Really?

The question that was asked was:

I have had a application in Reg force for about 3weeks, is it a hard process to change it to the reserves here in edmonton?

Your answer was:

If you decide to switch to Reserves after you have already submitted a Regular force application, it will stop the reg-force application. You'll have to pick one or the other....

Where does that answer the level of difficulty from switching an application from PRes from  Reg?  So maybe I am picking flyshit out of pepper in your opinion...

Are you familiar with the Reserve units in Edmonton?  What units have opening in what MOCs?  The posters CFAT results, what MOCs they did/did not qualify for?  Any of the factors that would affect the answer to the question?

Neither am I, which is why I answered what I did.  I could have answered, in theory, that it is as simple as calling the CFRC and saying "I want to apply to the PRes now, not Reg Force".  I don't know the working relationship between the CFRC in Edmonton, and the Res unit recruiters, so I gave, IMO, the BEST answer to the question rather than guessing.

Just a question before I sum up...are you in the CF ?  Your profile doesn't say either way IIRC.

 

[armychick2009]

You may be focusing on the last part, I'm focusing on the following:


I have had a application in Reg force for about 3weeks, is it a hard process to change it to the reserves here in edmonton?


I am making an assumption that ANYWHERE in the forces, changing your reg force application to a reserve one would end up with the same result -- only one application continuing onwards. Location shouldn't matter. It's Reg or Reserve, no?  And, "hard" is a bit difficult to define, isn't it?

And, you can go ahead and lamb-baste me for not being a presently serving member -- and how I don't know anything -- and that I should just passively read on this board instead of commenting. However, I have spent since last June in the recruiting process so I at least have experience IN THAT specifically with regards to REG vs RESERVES and what the options, the avenues and such are.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

:

Sometimes its better to NOT try to save face. 

You still didn't answer the question on how hard it is.  You said "one will stop the other". 

I am making an assumption that ANYWHERE in the forces, changing your reg force application to a reserve one would end up with the same result -- only one application continuing onwards.

:brickwall:

OK.  So...fucking...what?  That isn't what the guy was asking.  How HARD is it...not whatever you are saying.  Christ.

However, I have spent since last June in the recruiting process

Really...just stop ok?  You are talking out of your lower-hole, plain and simple. 

Being in the recruiting system doesn't mean you are some kind of authority on...well much about the CF, and certainly NOT about how recruiting in Edomonton works. 

I am making an assumption

Yes you are.

The poster got his answers, I'd guess from the CFRC.  I am sure the lock on this is clicking now because this will just become....

:deadhorse:

 

[Scott]

Yeah, I'll lock it, because the OP got their answer. But also because of that little bunfight that went nowhere.

Next time you want to measure your knowledge, thus detracting from the thread, against one another do it privately.

Scott
Army.ca Staff