The "VOID"

[Prophet]

I have started thinking about joining the Canadian Forces last couple weeks. Well its been in the back of my head for a couple years now. But I've felt like there's been something missing in my life like a void and I think the CF will fill that void, the only thing I know about the CF is what I've read on the this website and the national defense website, and I was wondering if any of you that are in the CF had the same predicament that I'm in and if you could share experiences of living on base and just what its like in the CF. I know this has been discussed in other forums I have read a lot of them like  http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/33120.0.html and that's helped but..


That's all over the place so I'll list the questions I have

1. If anyone was feeling that same "void" and if the CF helped?
2. How hard is it to join? (not your physical abilities)
3. Are the prices of housing on base the same as regular? Or do the give you a break?
4. How much personal/free time do you have?


BTW - If I were to join I would most likely but infantry.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fry]

1. I'm about to find out in 3 weeks.
2. Not hard for me, 4 months from time of application to BMQ start date
3. Probably cheaper, not sure, do a search.
4. Not much during training, outside training, not sure. You do get a month paid vacation starting off though.

Infantry is a hard trade, but I'm guessing it's definately rewarding too. You shuold visit your local CFRC as a start.

 

[Jaxson]

i actually have a question about that month off.... Do you have to use it? or no.

 

[George Wallace]

i actually have a question about that month off.... Do you have to use it? or no.

Shake your head.....What do you hear?

 

[Fry]

Shake your head.....What do you hear?

:

 

[Jaxson]

im not saying i wouldnt use, im just saying... Would they truly force you to use that paid month off? or can you do extra training and get the vacation payout anyways... i mean thats what i do with my current job.. i give up 2 weeks of paid vacation just for extra work, its more money and i dont care for really taking time off, i like to work.

 

[Island Ryhno]

Jaxson, it's a salaried position, you don't get paid hourly. So you can't take your "vacation pay" and work and get regular pay as well. You just take time off and get your regular pay cheque in the bank on the 15th and 30th. Besides if you don't take your time off, you're just burning yourself out.

 

[Thirstyson]

i actually have a question about that month off.... Do you have to use it? or no.

All leave must be used up every year. It does not accrue. Special circumstances exist but are rare.

 

[Jaxson]

i figured you would have to take it but i was just double checking.. ah i guess it wasnt that bright of a question.

 

[P-Free]

Don't worry...all of us asked silly questions before...even me. hehehe

Yes you have to take the leave. In regiment, you take it all as a group, called BLOCK LEAVE. Everyone is off at the same time. During Christmas and usually for a couple weeks in the summer. In other situations you can take it whenever you'd like, say if you are posted to a shiftworking position that operates yearround..

And yes, there are circumstances where it carries over from one year to the next..like if you are on a deployment. Can't take it while you are there so you get to use it when you come home...


It used to be different but they changed it because people where accumulating it for years and then taking really long times off..


P.....

 

[Bradboy]

  Speaking of vacation times, does anyone know for sure how long Christmas leave is? My BMQ finishes December 16th and I am wondering when we'd return to work. The reason I ask is that my family is planning a trip and they need to know if I'll be able to attend or not. I talked to my recruiter about this and she said that my leave will start on December 16th when I graduate and I'll most likely return on January 9th. If anyone knows for sure and can shed some light for me I would appreciate this very much. Cheers. 

 

[Kat Stevens]

Contact your Unit Orderly Room and ask them.  Or, you could worry about finishing the course before you worry about leave blocks.

 

[Bradboy]

Or maybe in order to be a part of this trip I have to book in advance so it'd be nice to know. And trust me I'm worrying about finishing the course. But thanks for your enlightenment. I can now tell my family I'll be attending this trip.  :

 

[Kat Stevens]

Did you read my first sentence  :? Or did you just automatically cop a juvenile attitude at someone who attempted to answer your question :, you impertinent little twot.

 

[Bradboy]

LOL Don't be hatin'! I'm just trying to develop the sense of humour that one must possess in the army. And being the "impertinent little twot" that I am could you please tell me how I would go about getting in touch with my unit orderly room?

 

[Kat Stevens]

Okay then.  If you are Res, you were recruited into a specific battalion, Regiment or Unit.  That formation should have an orderly room, where such administrative information can be accessed. you should have some contact info somewhere.  If you are a Reg, you will either have to find out course dates for further training after X-Mass,  Or find out which unit you are posted to after training, and contact that units orderly room for leave block dates.  Every unit does not necessarily shut down, or return to work, on the same dates.

 

[Bradboy]

  So after basic I'll be training in Meaford if my information is correct. You're saying that I should call up Meaford to find out when the next SQ course is starting up? And how does one do that?

 

[Kat Stevens]

Don't go over anyones head.  Ask your course staff to find out for you.  Explain that you need a firm date, as travel arrangements need to be made, or unmade, as applicable.  Be patient, as the Green Machine grinds pretty slowly, sometimes.

 

[Bradboy]

As I have just had my first experience with. Thanks for all your help Kat. And my apologies for my infamous juvenile attitude that you so passionately despise. Surely the Army will straighten me out.  :'(

 

[Kat Stevens]

No blood, no foul.  I have 4 teenagers at home, I'm used to getting attitude when trying to help out.  A word of advice, fill out your profile a bit more, it helps people here know who they're talking to.