Thinking about joining - questions

[mimi_jones]

I am considering joining but have a few questions...

Since I‘m fat but am working on losing weight, should I just not bother applying until after I reach an ideal weight? Or, if I can complete the physical entry test, is that good enough to apply since there will likely be a wait before getting sent to basic?

Is there an army "job" for computer programmers (DEO since I have a degree already)

What happens if you are married? Other than in basic, does your spouse get moved with you? For example, some positions (all?) require 7 months language training - what happens with a spouse during this time? What if you have pets?

 

[combat_medic]

I can‘t answer all of your questions, but I‘ll answer what I know...

Physical fitness: if you can pass the test, you‘re more than welcome to join then, but the better shape you‘re in, the easier your training will be. If you can only *just* pass the minimum requirements, then your courses are going to be very hard on you physically.

Computer Programmers: While there isn‘t a specific trade that is simply "computer programmer" there are certain trades in which having a degree of this kind is helpful. I don‘t know offhand which exact trades, but I think Signals Officer would be one. Contact your local CFRC to find out more.

As for moving a spouse, that is not covered when you‘re on course. If you go away for 7 months, you CAN have your spouse and pets move out to spend time with you, but you‘re responsible for all associated costs, including their housing and the cost of bringing them out there. Also, if you rent an apartment and don‘t like in barracks, you lose your separation pay. You won‘t pay for rations and quarters, but in the end you‘re losing money. Again, your choice, but it‘s much easier to just leave the spouse and pets at home.

 

[mimi_jones]

Is it just me or isn‘t 7 - 9 months away from your spouse a bit long?

What‘s separation pay? What are the barracks? (single sex? co-ed? Private or shared rooms, etc)

I‘m working on a fitness program so will improve over time. I can meet the minimums now but was thinking that if it takes 3 months to get processed I will have that long to get fitter, but if it only takes a week, I‘m in trouble on the fitness end since I‘ll be fighting the whole time just to keep up.

 

[scottyg_20]

once again i cant answer all questions either, but id like to add, i talked to a recruiter once about computer science, and they have the course at RMC for computer science degree, and i believe there was a field called information technology, now i dont know if its a trade or not, but tahts what she passed on to me, and for that you have to be commisioned anyway so i do not know, but those are my 2 cents

:fifty:

 

[kurokaze]

Hi mimi,

Just a word of friendly advice. You may not want to join the army doing the same job you do in civie land. I myself am a computer programmer as well in civie land but I joined the artillery.

Not saying that you can‘t, just suggesting that you might enjoy the change of pace more. In addition to what combat_medic said, there‘s no actually "IT" job in the army, except maybe intelligence as an operator, but you could join the sigs and that would be fun. But keep in mind as an officer you won‘t be playing with the toys as much as you will be ordering the troops around (that fact was made clear to me when I inquired into sigs).

If you want an interesting sounding position, check CSIS. They are looking for intelligence officers and programmers.

 

[mimi_jones]

Thanks for the heads up about not being allowed to play with toys... I LIKE toys... I‘m not so sure I‘d like ordering troops around. Perhaps it‘d be just too much stress. Being ordered around, on the other hand, might be kinda fun...

YES SIR! Right away SIR! heheheheeh...

 

[combat_medic]

Is it just me or isn‘t 7 - 9 months away from your spouse a bit long?
-Yes it is. It‘s part of life in the army. Without sounding overly gruf and heartless, you just have to deal with it. If you can‘t handle that kind of separation, then you may want to reconsider the army as a career choice.

What‘s separation pay?
-It‘s money that you make in the regular force when you‘re posted or tasked temporarily away from home, such as being on course, or going overseas

What are the barracks? (single sex? co-ed? Private or shared rooms, etc)
-Depends. My basic training I slept in a tent with 8 other men and 5 other women. My QL3s I slept in a classroom on a cot with 9 other women. My QL4s I had a room to myself, and my PLQ I shared with 2 other women. Usually they‘re single sex, but there are some pseudo-co-ed arrangements now and then.

As for physical fitness, the recruiting process can take a long time. For me, it was only a few weeks, but I‘ve never ever encountered anyone else who made it through that quickly. Typically it‘s 6 months to a year, give or take. That should give you plenty of time to work on your physical fitness.