Reservist logistics officer since it is full in the regular force

[xDTx90]

Hello

I am currently unemployed and looking for a job in civil supply chain management around Montreal. I speak French as well. I was going to apply to the Regular Force as a logistics officer, but the recruiting center told me it is already full and I have to wait until March 2027. Finding a job is very hard, especially since I am a visible minority and don't have a lot of experience.
On the other side, I have the option to go to the reserve since the job is available, but I need to drive 1h to go to the closest base. I plan to stay until I finish the BMOQ and the occupational training at least.
Also, I can choose another base in 45 min by subway and bus since it is very hard to find a parking spot. This base can only offer an infantry officer position. Should I wait and apply to the regular force, or should I apply in the reserve as a logistics officer or infantry officer? At the reserve, the training is on Tuesday from 7 pm and one weekend from Friday 7 pm to Sunday afternoon. I read that some people take one year to transfer to the regular force.

 

[oldcpu]

I can't answer your specific question.

I don't know how much experience you have with the regular force military, but typically, it is the military that dictates where one goes and what one does. One can make requests, but nominally after being inducted into the military, and after basic training/officer training, it is a career officer in Ottawa who decides which one's next postings may be. That may be something for you to keep in mind.

The Canadian Armed Forces in general, from what I have read, are in crisis mode in terms of a large shortage of trained personnel. I suspect you may have chosen one of the very few classifications as an officer, where positions are full.

 

[sarahsmom]

Hello

I am currently unemployed and looking for a job in civil supply chain management around Montreal. I speak French as well. I was going to apply to the Regular Force as a logistics officer, but the recruiting center told me it is already full and I have to wait until March 2027. Finding a job is very hard, especially since I am a visible minority and don't have a lot of experience.
On the other side, I have the option to go to the reserve since the job is available, but I need to drive 1h to go to the closest base. I plan to stay until I finish the BMOQ and the occupational training at least.
Also, I can choose another base in 45 min by subway and bus since it is very hard to find a parking spot. This base can only offer an infantry officer position. Should I wait and apply to the regular force, or should I apply in the reserve as a logistics officer or infantry officer? At the reserve, the training is on Tuesday from 7 pm and one weekend from Friday 7 pm to Sunday afternoon. I read that some people take one year to transfer to the regular force.

Keep in mind the reserves is part time, t least until you are fully trained. So until you are done BMOQ, you will only be working 1 night a week. BMOQ can be done part time on weekends for 11-13 weekends (every other weekend) or full time in the summer. You could get full-time summer employment (FTSE) for the first 4 years of your career, but full time contracts (outside of FTSE) are very competitive and hard to get until you are trained in your trade.
I wouldn't recommend joining a trade you are not interested in, as switching trades can be very difficult.

 

[brihard]

It sounds like a big part of your motivation here is a roof over your head and paying the bills. You’re unemployed. The longer you’re unemployed the more that gap on your resume will become a problem.

Repectfully, right now you may may need a’job, not the job. If your focus is logistics, starting in a noncommissioned trade working at the coal face may not be glorious, but it would get you great experience at the worker bee level… and you’ll be able to afford groceries.

If you were a compelling candidate in your field, you would have a job in your field. You don’t. That may not be your fault, it may just be the realities of supply and demand. But it may not be the time to be picky.

If you’re open to the demands CAF presents in terms of flexibility and work ethic, also maybe consider working for the railways. It’s relatively tough work to start and the schedules can suck… But that goes for CAF too. And it doesn’t get much more supply chain that the railways. CP and CN are always hiring people to work trains, and there’s opportunity to move up from there.