Several Questions.

[owa]

Hey,

I'm new here...  Hopefully in due time I will be on the otherside of things and actually around to help others on this site, but right now I'm new and I have a number of questions I want to fire at you guys!

Let me start by describing myself and my situation.

I'm 20 years old, I'm going into my 3rd year of University at UPEI, and I'm looking to join the CF Regular Forces as part of the Infantry full-time.

Here are my questions:

1.  I have heard that I may not get my first choice occupation (Infantry), but is there anything I can do to better my chances?  I understand it's needs of the Army, but during training or something else can I better my chances of getting my first choice?

2.  I want to finish my first semester of school before I apply, so that means I'm about 5 months away from ideally going to Basic Training.  My friend has told me that the application process is long and tedius...  I was thinking about passing it all in at the beginning of December, would that be ample time for someone who'd like to be sent sometime in January?  I understand that it's different for everyone, but there is probably an average I can bank on.

3.  I'm 5'9" and 195 pounds.  Over the next 4-5 months, besides aiming to shed about 20 pounds, what other types of things should I strive for in regards to my fitness?  I know all the minimum standards, and I know I want to do much better than the minimum standards, so is there an exercise routine someone would recommend to a new recruit who has a good amount of time to get in perfect shape?  As it stands, I've been working hard over the past few weeks to build muscle strength and endurance and have lost about 20 pounds in the last year.  So I'm not starting from a blank slate.

4.  Any tips that might make the process a little faster and worry-free?

I emailed my recruiter similar questions a week ago, but I'm still waiting for him to respond

 

[Nauticus]

1.  I have heard that I may not get my first choice occupation (Infantry), but is there anything I can do to better my chances?  I understand it's needs of the Army, but during training or something else can I better my chances of getting my first choice?

No. They simply are not hiring more infantry until April 2010. That said, you can try to remuster to a new trade after... a few years... someone else will have to tell you the exact amount of time.

2.  I want to finish my first semester of school before I apply, so that means I'm about 5 months away from ideally going to Basic Training.  My friend has told me that the application process is long and tedius...  I was thinking about passing it all in at the beginning of December, would that be ample time for someone who'd like to be sent sometime in January?  I understand that it's different for everyone, but there is probably an average I can bank on.

Just my opinion, but I suggest applying when you're done the semester. Or, if you're really hell-bent on Infantry, apply near the end of your second semester (around April 2010).

3.  I'm 5'9" and 195 pounds.  Over the next 4-5 months, besides aiming to shed about 20 pounds, what other types of things should I strive for in regards to my fitness?  I know all the minimum standards, and I know I want to do much better than the minimum standards, so is there an exercise routine someone would recommend to a new recruit who has a good amount of time to get in perfect shape?  As it stands, I've been working hard over the past few weeks to build muscle strength and endurance and have lost about 20 pounds in the last year.  So I'm not starting from a blank slate.

As long as you can beat the minimum standards, that's good. I suggest long-distance jogging and sprinting, a lot.

4.  Any tips that might make the process a little faster and worry-free?

No.

 

[erik.hillis]

I just finished the process... so I'll try and help a bit.

If you want infantry, you have to wait until April (~) when they start hiring again. If you want infantry, and only infantry, just put infantry as your #1 trade choice, leave 2 and 3 blank.

The application process depends on you. Do you have good references, which they're able to get into contact with? do you have a criminal conviction? past/present health problems? past/present mental health problems? financial obligations/debt? are they swamped full of applications? (etc.)

I handed in my forms around July 10, did my CFAT on the 20th, medical on the 23rd and interview on the 13th of Aug. During the wait my medical went off, was approved, and was merit listed right after the interview.

I just missed out on infantry myself, so I had to pick another trade.

 

[PMedMoe]

I just missed out on infantry myself, so I had to pick another trade.

Not necessarily, you could have waited for the intake next year.

owa, this site has a great search function.  Also, if you read some of the recruiting threads, you will find most of your questions have been answered.

 

[owa]

Not necessarily, you could have waited for the intake next year.

owa, this site has a great search function.  Also, if you read some of the recruiting threads, you will find most of your questions have been answered.

Well my questions were promptly answered and now I know what I should do, so searching wasn't really necessary.

Thanks for the speedy responses.  I have no health issues, my contacts are solid and I have no convictinos of any sort.  I was thinking about it the other day after reading another thread on these boards, and my buddy is trying to get into the reserves; which might have caused his processing to go little slower than someone attempting to get into the Regular Forces.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Loachman]

Well my questions were promptly answered and now I know what I should do, so searching wasn't really necessary.

It will be next time, though. Don't expect other people to do all of your work for you.

If you honestly try and still cannot find an answer here, people will do their best to get you one.