Joining the Canadian Forces

If you were a Campbell, you'd walk up right, treat sheep as a source of food and wool only ......and have a family tree that forked

Keep scratchin' that itch... you'll figure it out.

I believe that as a direct entry you would still have attended basic officer training, unless of course you have had previous military training and even then you may have still had to repeat basic under certain circumstances.

If one owns a university degree or higher education and wants to join the CF, can he get hired as an Officer without going through the non-commissioned ranks first?

The answer might be somewhere in these 17 pages but that's going to be hard to find.

Yes with the right degree, you can enter a profession in the CF direct entry. Of course, in my humble opinion, many of the professions ask for a relatively short list of what is considered to be an accurate and qualified degree for each profession with little to no room for flexibility. That is why I am applying as a NCM.

I have considered it, but I would prefer Army.

You say that now, but you'll change your tune after a winter ex in February. :mrgreen:

First a comment to Ben, if your friend was turned down and had a crim degree, he flunked out on something else; their testing, or his background didn't check out (too many tickets, bad credit, etc), or he flunked the polygraph test, a host of reasons.

Now to Ginger, you really have to take seriously what I told you about upping your leadership profile, if you don't take it seriously, the CF does. Even in the CIC world (cadet officers), the basic you take there (roughly 10 days) is a mini version of a Reg Force Officer basic. You want to become familiar with the CF world and feel comfortable in it.

To the bad news I wasn't going to tell you, but use this as a wake up call. My son was the only one chosen out of 40 applicants in BC. He felt about half of the 40 weren't serious applicants, but that left the remaining 20. Recruiting liked him because he tested the highest in recruiting out of all 40 applicants, plus he had a strong understanding and living of a military background.

Across Canada 26 were chosen out of roughly 1200; those 26 were flown to Borden for assessment, 13 were chosen and my son came in number one. He then went to Officer basics, where he came in number one (he commanded the parade and won the sword, a military type will understand the sword reference). He then went to basic infantry officer combat school where he came in number one.

If he hadn't been a cadet since he was thirteen, having gone to Vernon Cadet Summer Camp since he was that age, then again every summer as an officer, he wouldn't have come in number one, simple as that. He would have done very well, but not number one. He learned leadership, experienced life living in a regimented world, polishing shoes, ironing shirts, mopping floors, making a tight bunk, living in a communal area, being assessed all the time, learning chain of command, learning how to write orders, how to organize, implement, assess and after action reporting, he wouldn't be where he is currently.

Its very hard to become an MPO, you are weak in several areas that you can rectify as another MPO course may not be on for a couple of years. Go back to university and major in crim, join a cadet corp as an officer, go to summer camp and be paid for it, learn the military life. You will be given sevaral courses in the CIC officer stream that will serve you well.

Officer basic is identical to NCM basic, they do everything the NCM does, but added to it is leadership tasking and evaluation. The more comfortable you can be when you enter the Reg Force, the more you will most likely succeed, the more likely you will be chosen to become an MPO.

MP's aren't liked in the CF and Officers aren't liked by many NCM's; its been that way in the Forces for the past 100 years. MP's are called "meat heads" it isn't a term of endearmont. So you have to have leadership potential and courage to work in a closed society where you won't always be welcome. In CFB Edmonton, my son who is now commissioned is entitled to use the Officer's Mess, but while there he was told by his boss to stay away from it and use the mess set up for the MP's – you will often be living in a closed society, within a closed society. So make sure being an MPO is what you want, and don't go the NCM route; try the DEO (direct Entry Officer) route first, and if it doesn't work, then go NCM. Aim high.

If you haven't seen this, enjoy:

http://www.forces.ca/en/job/militarypoliceofficer-74

Capt RS Nicholson

Thanks rsn48 for the info. As far as taking my application seriously, I am not sure what you are referring to; There are of course a number of things that I could have done. If I could go back in time and join the cadets, I wouldn't, but that's not to say that I am not taking a military career seriously. I have experience as a Program Manager. That's leadership experience. Sorry, I'm 25 years old. I didn't get a lot of opportunity to have a host of leadership skills, but I've tried.

Also, as I've noted, I have applied as a NCM - not an Officer. That can come later WITH EXPERIENCE. I applied in August as an MP. A week later, I had my medical and interview. My file has since been on the merit list. I am anxiously waiting to start the MPAC. I am not going as direct entry as an officer. Honestly, the more I think about it, I don't think anyone should really go direct entry as an officer without doing basic. I really feel like you'd be missing out on a major component of what the military is all about.

Again, I apologize for not having joined the cadets when I was 13. I have no doubt that I missed out on a great learning experience. I don't come from a military family. For shame. Weakness comes in many forms I suppose. I would like to think leadership comes in many forms. I come from a family that, although they respect the military, turn their noses up at public service. I, however, have always wanted to be in public service, and since talking to a recruiter at 19 (again, sorry, 19 not 2) I have wanted to join the Military. Rather than apply at 19, I chose to finish my degree, and participate in many programs that offered leadership skills, communication skills, discipline, and respect. Sorry, I did not apply these skills while in uniform or polishing boots.

As for joining the military - I am so serious about my wanting to join the CF that I will join any profession. Infantry, cook, flag pole polisher, whatever. MP seemed interesting.

I should also note that I first applied when I was 21, thinking I would be accepted by the time that I got my degree at 22. They turned me down for ridiculous medical reasons at the time. I was applying for Artillery Officer. I was heartbroken when my file was closed for medical reasons (especially since they didn't make any sense). But I charted on, became an RCMP cadet, then a program manager. But I couldn't stop thinking about the military. I then got my medical clearance and my application then went through... FINALLY! A little bitter about losing all those years for no reason, but whatever. I gained a lot of experience in the meantime. Not the equivalent of joining the Cadets, but again, I try not to waste time with regrets. I have many. But I've learned from them.