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I decided to write a timeline guide for anyone looking to OT via AVOTP. I had a lot of help with my OT and figure I should pass on my knowledge. Everything written is from my perspective as a Cpl/MCpl, so this won’t apply as much to the other OT programs. As well, some things may be different with each unit.
Before you OT decide why you want to:
Good reasons to OT:
a. Want a new and exciting challenge
b. Want better career opportunities and education
Wrong reasons to OT:
a. New trade has spec pay/better pay
b. Hate your current job: Chances are you will at times hate your new job
Oct-Jun
1. Fill the BPSO referral form below and get it signed off by your supervisor. Book your appt with the BPSO to make sure you qualify for your new trade; specifically aptitude test. Some trades have additional requirements, ie Aircrew worthiness, or eyesight requirements for GeoTechs.
2. Request from your CoC formally or informally if you can get time to meet someone in your preferred choice of trade. This will ensure you are knowledgeable about your new trade, and lets your CoC know you are serious about your OT. So for example, if you wanted to be an AVN tech, you could request to shadow an AVN tech at a local Sqn for the day. As well, you may have friends in the new trade, so don’t be afraid to absorb everything they tell you.
BPSO Referral form for DWAN: http://armyonline.kingston.mil.ca/LFCA/143000440020735/BPSOCONSULTRERQUESTF.PDF
3. Make your OT memo. Include in your memo why you would be good at the new trade, and previous qualifications (which could include operational experience) and acknowledge the fact that you may be posted to another unit. This lets your unit know you are fully aware of the process.
Jun-Aug
4. Book your yearly medical check up. Bring in page 5 as per below of your AVOTP application and have it filled in by the doctor.
5. Fill out the Application. Use the digital copies to keep it neat and tidy. No handwritten stuff. Download via DWAN here http://lfcms.kingston.mil.ca/Default.aspx?sectionid=143000440021452&type=D. Second form from the bottom:
Page 1. This all your Personal info
Page 2. Questionnaire. Confirms that you know you may lose rank, pay and be posted. Read it
Page 3. Doesn’t apply to AVOTP.
Page 4. To be filled by your unit.
Page 5. Book your medical as above.
Page 6. For the BPSO only.
Page 7. CO's comments. Generally your Tp/Pl leader will fill this in. If your CO knows you well enough to fill in the comments yourself, you’re probably not getting your OT…
Page 8. To be completed when you accept your OT.
Sep-Oct
6. When the application is finished two hole punch it and place it on the right side of a Protected A document folder. Place the OT Memo on the left side. On the front place a Sheet of paper taped on with a list of contents and a signature block for accountability. This way things are less likely to get lost… Then hand it in to the chain of command. You can ask for the inter base mail slip confirming its been sent to the BPSO or ask the BPSO. Your CoC shouldn’t take any longer than a month to finish this. It has to be in NLT mid Nov, though this is always subject to change.
Nov
7. Once your paperwork is received by the BPSO, you can book your appt for your personality test, and your interview. As long as you’re not off your rocker, and have a personality, you shouldn’t have a problem with the personality test. As for the interview, as long as you are knowledgeable about the trade, show an interest, and prove that you going to the new trade is in the interest of the CF, you wont have a problem.
Nov-Dec
8. Once the BPSO finishes the paperwork, they will send it back to your unit to be finalized. The CO will sign off on the OT, and your Chief Clerk will send it to Ottawa. Make sure you get the memo like paper that confirms your OT was sent to Ottawa; gives you piece of mind, and a place to start a grievance if your paperwork is lost.
Jan-May
9. Complete despair and depression waiting for your OT to come in. Don’t let it affect your day job.
Mayish
10. The arrival and acceptance of your OT. Complete jubilation.
Jul
11. COS to BTL approx mid July and await training. Depending how long it is tell your course starts, you can apply for OJT.
Before you OT decide why you want to:
Good reasons to OT:
a. Want a new and exciting challenge
b. Want better career opportunities and education
Wrong reasons to OT:
a. New trade has spec pay/better pay
b. Hate your current job: Chances are you will at times hate your new job
Oct-Jun
1. Fill the BPSO referral form below and get it signed off by your supervisor. Book your appt with the BPSO to make sure you qualify for your new trade; specifically aptitude test. Some trades have additional requirements, ie Aircrew worthiness, or eyesight requirements for GeoTechs.
2. Request from your CoC formally or informally if you can get time to meet someone in your preferred choice of trade. This will ensure you are knowledgeable about your new trade, and lets your CoC know you are serious about your OT. So for example, if you wanted to be an AVN tech, you could request to shadow an AVN tech at a local Sqn for the day. As well, you may have friends in the new trade, so don’t be afraid to absorb everything they tell you.
BPSO Referral form for DWAN: http://armyonline.kingston.mil.ca/LFCA/143000440020735/BPSOCONSULTRERQUESTF.PDF
3. Make your OT memo. Include in your memo why you would be good at the new trade, and previous qualifications (which could include operational experience) and acknowledge the fact that you may be posted to another unit. This lets your unit know you are fully aware of the process.
Jun-Aug
4. Book your yearly medical check up. Bring in page 5 as per below of your AVOTP application and have it filled in by the doctor.
5. Fill out the Application. Use the digital copies to keep it neat and tidy. No handwritten stuff. Download via DWAN here http://lfcms.kingston.mil.ca/Default.aspx?sectionid=143000440021452&type=D. Second form from the bottom:
Page 1. This all your Personal info
Page 2. Questionnaire. Confirms that you know you may lose rank, pay and be posted. Read it
Page 3. Doesn’t apply to AVOTP.
Page 4. To be filled by your unit.
Page 5. Book your medical as above.
Page 6. For the BPSO only.
Page 7. CO's comments. Generally your Tp/Pl leader will fill this in. If your CO knows you well enough to fill in the comments yourself, you’re probably not getting your OT…
Page 8. To be completed when you accept your OT.
Sep-Oct
6. When the application is finished two hole punch it and place it on the right side of a Protected A document folder. Place the OT Memo on the left side. On the front place a Sheet of paper taped on with a list of contents and a signature block for accountability. This way things are less likely to get lost… Then hand it in to the chain of command. You can ask for the inter base mail slip confirming its been sent to the BPSO or ask the BPSO. Your CoC shouldn’t take any longer than a month to finish this. It has to be in NLT mid Nov, though this is always subject to change.
Nov
7. Once your paperwork is received by the BPSO, you can book your appt for your personality test, and your interview. As long as you’re not off your rocker, and have a personality, you shouldn’t have a problem with the personality test. As for the interview, as long as you are knowledgeable about the trade, show an interest, and prove that you going to the new trade is in the interest of the CF, you wont have a problem.
Nov-Dec
8. Once the BPSO finishes the paperwork, they will send it back to your unit to be finalized. The CO will sign off on the OT, and your Chief Clerk will send it to Ottawa. Make sure you get the memo like paper that confirms your OT was sent to Ottawa; gives you piece of mind, and a place to start a grievance if your paperwork is lost.
Jan-May
9. Complete despair and depression waiting for your OT to come in. Don’t let it affect your day job.
Mayish
10. The arrival and acceptance of your OT. Complete jubilation.
Jul
11. COS to BTL approx mid July and await training. Depending how long it is tell your course starts, you can apply for OJT.
Cheers!
