Wanting to join the Canadian Air Force

[SuperSonicKimboSlice]

          Hi there, I am a 21 year old "autistic" male, from Vancouver, looking to hopefully join the Canadian Air Force, as an Aviator, to fly the CF-18 Hornet. I believe I have a few barriers in my way, as I feel that I lack the time to start my journey, so I'm looking to find some answers on this subject.



1. . Is it too late to start going to University now? (I have pretty much felt like a fail for the past 10 years, as I have been struggling to find something I could truly enjoy doing for the rest of my life, and be good at doing, which is why all these questions are really important to me.)



2. Do my grades in high school matter that much to a University? (I never even thought of actually becoming a pilot until flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet on Battlefield 3, as I always had other plans, and didn't realize I could possibly be a good asset.  I never had an interest in most classes in school, other then Earth Science. (Which I ended up getting poor grades for anyway, from what I can remember.)



3. Is it true that I have to show a history of leadership?  Not sure what it would take to be a leader, but I am a good team player, and work well with others.




(I really don't think my "Learning Disorder" (autism) is a big deal, as I function the same as a normal Human Being, and it isn't really a disorder at all, as I wasn't actually interested in the subjects they tested me on at the time. I also seem to learn faster then others at the thing's that I'm actually interested in. (If I'm wrong please tell me otherwise.)




Any help is greatly appreciated and I will do what I can to help others. Thank-you. 

 

[PMedMoe]

I really don't think my "Learning Disorder" (autism) is a big deal, as I function the same as a normal Human Being, and it isn't really a disorder at all

Not to be rude, but it doesn't matter what you think.  It only matters what the CF enrolment standard is.

 

[SuperSonicKimboSlice]

Not to be rude, but it doesn't matter what you think.  It only matters what the CF enrolment standard is.

So does this mean I am not aloud to join?? I haven't talked to the enrollment yet, as I don't even have the basic requirements to even be considered, which I understand to be a Bachelors Degree.

 

[dapaterson]

Two quick Points:

(1) The CF-18 is a Hornet, not a Super Hornet.

(2) Canada's CF-18s are not naval air; they are entirely ground based.  While there may be one or two exchange positions with the US Navy, the overwhelming majority of CF-18 pilots will never be naval aviators.  Sea King pilots, on the other hand...

 

[Jarnhamar]

Notquitesureifserious

 

[SuperSonicKimboSlice]

Two quick Points:

(1) The CF-18 is a Hornet, not a Super Hornet.

(2) Canada's CF-18s are not naval air; they are entirely ground based.  While there may be one or two exchange positions with the US Navy, the overwhelming majority of CF-18 pilots will never be naval aviators.  Sea King pilots, on the other hand...

Thank-you, I seem to have mistaken, I do play a lot of battlefield. lol

 

[Pandora114]

*note, my daughter has Aspergers so I kinda know where I'm coming from on this.

Think about it long and hard.  This is not like Video games.  You will not respawn if KIA.

Basic Training/Basic Officer Qualifications, are controlled chaos.  You will not know what will be happening from one day to the next.  Are you able to handle that kind of stress without going into meltdown?  I mean, you will not know what they will pick you up for, you don't know what you will be doing after the morning trifecta of PT/Food/Inspection.  They keep you on your toes, to just react, and not think.

After that you will be in controlled "Hurry up and wait" Chaos for pretty much your entire career.  Semper Gumby, be flexible.  You go where you're told...

I'm asking this, because, my daughter turns into a puddle of meltdown goo when she starts to expect things to go a certain way, and they don't.  She needs a very long lead up time for any kind of change.  They don't do that for you in the forces. 

How long of a lead up time do you need before a big change..

How do you deal with sudden changes in routine?

How do you deal with a crazy amount of stress?

Please look at these things and understand that the military may not be the right kind of environment for an Autistic individual.  My daughter has a hard time being a dependent...it's even more stressful being a member.

 

[Gunshark]

A good place to start would be your local Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre. Go in with a professional attitude and ask your questions there, and get a sense for your chances given your medical and academic history. Take it from there. Pilot trade is very competitive, and if your medical history checks out, you will still need to show a strong application, in terms of grades, extra-curriculars, etc etc. If you are not competitive now, you can become competitive over time, if you want this bad enough. But I'd start with your medical aspects first. Good luck.

In the mean time, if you are interested in learning more about the Pilot profession in the CF, do some reading here:

http://www.forces.ca/en/job/pilot-32
http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/index-eng.asp

...as well as on this forum.

 

[SuperSonicKimboSlice]

*note, my daughter has Aspergers so I kinda know where I'm coming from on this.

Think about it long and hard.  This is not like Video games.  You will not respawn if KIA.

Basic Training/Basic Officer Qualifications, are controlled chaos.  You will not know what will be happening from one day to the next.  Are you able to handle that kind of stress without going into meltdown?  I mean, you will not know what they will pick you up for, you don't know what you will be doing after the morning trifecta of PT/Food/Inspection.  They keep you on your toes, to just react, and not think.

After that you will be in controlled "Hurry up and wait" Chaos for pretty much your entire career.  Semper Gumby, be flexible.  You go where you're told...

I'm asking this, because, my daughter turns into a puddle of meltdown goo when she starts to expect things to go a certain way, and they don't.  She needs a very long lead up time for any kind of change.  They don't do that for you in the forces. 

How long of a lead up time do you need before a big change..

How do you deal with sudden changes in routine?

How do you deal with a crazy amount of stress?

Please look at these things and understand that the military may not be the right kind of environment for an Autistic individual.  My daughter has a hard time being a dependent...it's even more stressful being a member.

I understand how it will be very stressful, but even since I'm a fast learner it will be stressful? No need for re spawning, I don't really die in the hornet unless I'm being locked onto by a chopper, 2 jets, and all the ground trying to mark me with stingers, even then I'm not that easy to kill, but I understand that flying a jet in real life is a HUGE difference to a video game. As for the mathematical side to flying, I think I might have that down already. Also I am willing to do whatever it takes to get in. I really am on the same level as every other human I feel the same, I really do think it's true that autistic people are smarter and learn faster, but just need more motivation, unless I was wrongly diagnosed. (again correct me if I'm wrong, just how I feel about this.)

 

[Bruce Monkhouse]

No one here can help you at all..............only going to see a recruiter will give you the answers.
Locked and,

Good luck.
Bruce