In partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces 
Are you one of those people who believe that a military person is only a combat soldier? If so, think again! The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is made up of almost 100 different trades. There is no single model of “service member”. The CAF is looking for unique talents, qualities and personalities specific to each of these trades. Chances are you’ll find that at least one of them fits your aspirations. Becoming a military member means choosing an exciting lifestyle in which one gets to live one’s passions!
We challenge you to find your dream job and discover that it may be hiding under a military uniform! First, let’s determine in which broad category of personnel you could find your passion: officers or non-commissioned members (NCM). This depends largely on the level of education you’ve attained or want to achieve. Second, do you want to do what you love full-time or part-time? We will explain the difference between the Regular Force and the Primary Reserve. Finally, we will explain who you should contact if you want more information.
Enjoy your reading! We look forward to having you among us!
Leadership, planning and decision making: I am an officer.
You can browse the list of officer jobs here: https://forces.ca/en/careers
Officers occupy command positions and make informed decisions to accomplish their missions. They are engineers, managers, directors, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals. At a minimum, they hold an undergraduate university degree (e.g. bachelor’s degree) or are in the process of obtaining one. Officers are often responsible for the supervision, safety, welfare and morale of a corps of soldiers, sailors, or airmen and airwomen. Their duties include analysis, planning, decision making and providing advice.
It is interesting to know that post-secondary education can be fully subsidized and paid at a military college. The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) allows young Canadian high school graduates to obtain a CAF Officer’s Certificate, a pre-university college diploma and a university degree. Instead of attending a civilian school for post-secondary studies, candidates are admitted to the Royal Military College Saint-Jean (CMRSJ) or the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) and enrolled as officer cadets in the CAF.
Manual work, action and precision: I am a non-commissioned member (NCM).
You can browse the list of NCM jobs here: https://forces.ca/en/careers
Having acquired a minimum of 24 units during high school or, in some cases, a technical college diploma, NCMs are personnel qualified in various fields who provide operational and support services within the CAF. They are technicians, operators, administrators and soldiers. They may work in areas such as tactical and security operations, manual trades, marine or aerospace navigation, administration, supply, cooking, health care, science, mechanics and technology.
They begin their careers as recruits and are trained to perform specific tasks planned by officers. Once qualified, like the officers, they become ready to respond to threats, natural disasters or humanitarian crises in Canada and around the world. Based on their experience, NCMs may be assigned management and supervisory duties to assist and advise officers.
Full-time jobs: The Regular Force
For those of you looking for full-time employment, the Regular Force offers the opportunities you need as early as the age of 17. You can serve and train full-time in a variety of fields such as tactical and security operations, manual trades, marine or aerospace navigation, administration, supply, cooking, health care, science, engineering, mechanics or technology. Throughout your career, you will be called upon to serve on various bases across Canada, as well as to participate in domestic operations and international missions.
The length of military service will vary depending on the trade you choose, but the minimum initial commitment is three years. On average, the work schedule, which includes hours of sports and physical training, is 40 hours a week from Monday to Friday. However, depending on the needs of the trade and operations, you may be required to work non-standard or night shifts. You will receive your military and professional training for free within the CAF, while receiving a very attractive starting salary.
Part-time jobs: The Primary Reserve
From the age of 16, you can serve and train part-time in various fields such as tactical operations and security, mechanics, high technology, health care, administration, supply, cooking or marine navigation. You will enroll in a unit in your area and you will not have to relocate as Regular Force members may have to. Typically, a reservist’s schedule consists of one evening per week and two weekends per month from September to May, then full-time from June to August, which is ideal for a student.
As you work on a voluntary basis, there is no mandatory length of service or long-term commitments. Likewise, you will not be required to deploy on a domestic operation or an international mission if you choose to not do so. It is also easy to request leave for family or school reasons. The Reserve adapts to your civilian lifestyle!
Questions? Chat with us online!
Quite frankly, choosing the right path in the Canadian Armed Forces can be overwhelming! If you would like more information on the trades and the recruiting process, here’s how to get it:
- Would you like personalized service? Contact a recruiter on our Facebook page now: https://www.facebook.com/ForcesJobsQuebec/
- You can find the nearest recruiting centre (Regular Force) as well as the various Primary Reserve units in Canada by clicking on the following link: http://bit.ly/ContactFACe
Ready to apply? Visit Jobboom by clicking here to view all available job offers.
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