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University and the Reserves

deerguy

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I am currently in my third year of university and I am considering joining the NSR in Saskatoon.  I was wondering if there was anyone out there who has been apart of a reserve unit while attending university.  I would like to know about the time conflicts with school and training exercises.  Any help would be appreciated.  I know for sure if I can do both, I will join up right away.  I'd rather not have to wait until I'm done school because of the time commitments.  Thanks.
 
I found the the University time of my life was the easiest to fit in my Reserve training.  You are usually done classes by 5:00 p.m. and you usually have weekends off. Unless you take summer classes you have the summer to go on course. It is usually a pretty good fit.

The Reserves give you the flexibility to work when you can and support your efforts to pursue your education. Not many employers give you that.

Just my two cents.
 
Welcome to Army.ca.

I went to the U of S in Saskatoon and nearly joined the NSR, but on my interview I kinda blew it when I responded with something along the lines to my loyalties to the 64 Fd Bty, 10th Fd Reg't RCA.  I landed up going to UPEI, and joining the PEIR.  I paraded two nights a week and on weekends.  In the end, the Reserves basically paid my way through university, with minimal Student Loans.  Today's Reservists have it much better as university students, in that they can apply for and get an Education Reimbursement of up to $2000 a year for completed studies.  I never had that, but when I left university with my Degree, I was still able to pay off my Student Loans within a period of three years. 

Many Reservists are university students.  The Reserves provide them with additional "Life Skills" and "Professional Development" to better prepare them for the Work Force or the CF when they graduate.  It gives them a full-time part-time job and almost guaranteed summer employment.  It could also provide you with a 'new family' and camaraderie that you will find nowhere else.



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As a current university student who joined the reserves after beginning University, it shouldn't be much of a problem. If you have an exercise or weekend course that are interferring with an exam - the University - as I've experienced it - will generally accomodate you if you provide the documentation and such. Fits pretty good, though time management is always fun (like taking BMQ with a few Political Studies courses that  always have 10-20 page papers due).
 
You will parade one Tuesday evening a week from 1900 hrs to 2200 hrs.
One weekend a month for exercises.

If you start the process now you will probably be able to go in for a summer BMQ course that will start close to the time the U of S gets out for summer.

You will find that many of the troops within the N Sask R are university students like yourself. If they can do it, you can do it.

Give the Recruiter a call or go down and talk to him Tuesday through Friday 0800-1600 hrs an then on Tues Night during parade hours.

GF
 
Being in university and the reserves is a good fit.  In my unit I have no problems getting out of training nights or exercises in order to study for exams or big tests or whatever.  It's a good go over the summer too because you can make some money and get some qualifications under your belt at the same time.  If you have any more questions just PM me
 
TRhanks to the reserves, I finished University DEBT FREE!!!

One thing, don't let the Reserves distract you from your studies.
Have known several individuals who found reserve work to be "easy money" and delayed their continued formal education... some went back, some did not!
 
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