Anyoner here in the CAF Reserves?
 

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the actual time commitments etc. as opposed to the sales version on their website. I've been kicking around the idea of joining with the intent to be either a hull tech in the Navy Reserves, or a Materials Tech in the Army Reserves. Either way, my motivation is a blend of having my education looked after in exchange for service to the country. Pretty standard boilerplate I guess. To make an educated choice, I'd like to know the real ins and outs from some members first, as well as finding out if the hours I work in those trades can be counted towards my ITA training on top of the regular welding and fabrication hours I'm working. That info I can find out elsewhere.

Talk to a recruiter; they have people paid to answer the types of questions you have. Also, think about which unit you would be interested in joining and give them a call.

Do it asap if you are actually serious in joining because the application process takes quite a long time, lasting anywhere from 3 to 12 months.

You want to talk to Lincoln/ Weeman on BimmerClassics.. he is a mechanical engineer and in the CAF reserves

http://www.bimmerclassics.net/forum/member.php?u=1196

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Usually you parade 1 day out of the week and go for 3 day weekends/training exercises. Your BMQ and Sq courses are usually done in the summer months and last 7-8 weeks. Then you learn your trade. I'm with the Westies ( infantry) so can't comment on the the tech stuff. I find it to be very flexible and a great way to fire weapons and drink beer.

The BMQ and SQ can be done in the fall to spring time also... which I am doing as of right now (the BMQ).

And it's pretty tight to see another Westy in here. Give me a shoutout when I'm out of depot lol.

yeah like everyone else said.

tech stuff, the trades training is much longer than the combat arms trades.

combat arms is usually about a month of training. tech stuff ranges from 2 months to 4... maybe 6 for some other stuff (usually split into two courses).

uh if you live in vancouver (lower mainland)... you're probably not gonna find materials tech for reserves. that's a reg force trade.

for reserves the only techs you can get into are:

vehicle tech (mechanic)
weapons tech (gun smith)
supply tech (you basically work in the quartermaster and you're a warehouse manager)
medical tech (medic)

uhh i think that's it.

if you go to the employment forum and look up "reserves" you'll find a huge ass ... fuck i'll just do it for you:

http://www.revscene.net/forums/showt...light=reserves

if you have ANY more questions after u read all those pages, just post in the thread and im sure one of us that are in or have been in will answer.

that thread should pretty much answer most of your questions.

and yes, you can get compensated on trades skills. ie. you're a mechanic in real life, or in the army or whatever vice versa. hours can be counted to civilian life or army life and you get exempted from certain courses.

i am seriously considering quitting all my pot related stuff after my birthday this month and start training to become apart of the CAF, call me retarded if you must its something i honestly been thinking about.

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Thanks for the heads up guys. From what I can tell on the Army website, after some digging, Materials Tech is available part time, but not with the 11th Service Batallion here in Victoria. Hull Tech is full time only, for obvious reasons, same for Aircraft Structural Tech. I'll have to re-evaluate my priorities I guess. Again, thanks for the tips gang.

of course.. i was planing on quitting nov.1 and start training and get ready to sign up in 2 years or so.

i havent decided on waht i want to be though lol kinda wanted to be a plumber or whatver if the army has any services in that but if there isnt i plan to join so i can get my plumbing school and stuff paid for

Man, I was just praying that the medical officer would approve my application for a combat arm. I can't wrap my head around joining up with the aim of getting into a service battalion... I just assumed they were filled with combat arm rejects ;)

What unit are you with atm? Or have you just sent in your papers?

Combat arm is not for everyone, hell, the army isn't for everyone, but I like to get down and dirty so Combat arm (Infantry) appeals most to me... even if I am just a 'weekend warrior' :D

I'm just a shitty recruit in depot doing BMQ atm though :(

So I went out and did the Soldier For a Day event yesterday, hosted by the 11th Service Battalion in Victoria. We went out into the woods, checked out some interactive displays with camo/ concealment, communications trucks (interesting dudes working the coms, they're all like Radar from MASH), and some service trucks. We did some map and compass work from one stop to the next, and then had IMPs for lunch. Way better than the C-Rats we had in Cadets. After lunch we took part in a well staged vehicle chckpoint, complete with suicide bombers etc., and then loosed a few blanks from a C7 and C9. We also got to shoulder a Carl G, but unfortunately they don't make 84mm blanks for some reason :(. At the end of it all, I learned that while what I originally wanted to do with the reserves isn't possible (all the welding repair here gets sent over to CFB esquimalt for the Navy Hull Techs and Civilian welders to deal with), the MPs and Service Truck Operators both look like groups I could fit in with and learn from. Going to check out a wednesday night parade night soon and see how it all goes before making my commitment. Good times overall.

He already knows that a la Zombie Survival thread.

here is the thing that is holding me back, the bmq, how do people leave their regular jobs for this amount of time? my boss would shit if i just rolled in and told him i was going to be gone for any length of time playing soldier.

i think their has been some serious subliminal messaging going out tho, cuz just in casual conversation it turns up alot of people i have met recently are considering some type of service. wheres previously most people didnt even know we had a regiment here in kelowna

If you work for a crown corporation, you get as much military leave as you want. This is for training purposes or whatever.

Just give your boss a heads up. I don't know of many bosses that won't let you go on a course less you have been a terrible employee.

You also do not have to complete the BMQ and SQ courses all at once. They offer the courses on the weekends as well as they recognize they need to be more flexible. BMQ blows. SQ was at least entertaining.

Has anyone tried the Sweet and Sour Chicken IMP?

It's a fucking joke. I'd join if I didn't have to cut my hair.

We were told there is a modified BMQ for reservists that takes place on a series of weekend exercises. I'm in the same boat with leave from work.

IMPs now a days aren't too bad.

Except for the baked cherry. That shit was disgusting. The fudge brownie will give anyone a heart attack and diabetes.

I have no idea why, but I agree. I had 6 kids that were fucking pinner telling me to join the army at work on friday, and that they all joined and they are happy as fuck and stuff, just seems weird that ALOT of people are mentioning military duty.

LMAO..Good advice.

does full time army and reserve get paid the same hourly wage? for infantry

I highly doubt that, Should be mentioned on the CAF website?