I'm planning on joining the reserves soon, (something I've been thinking about throughout high school), but I'm kinda torn between choosing an MOC. I can't decide between being a Field Engineer or an Armoured soldier.. (both have reserve units at the local CFB) So... from people who are in these MOCs, especially reservists, what are they each really like? what do you do as a reservist in them?

Also, I'll throw in another question.. has anyone taken the 20 weekend part time basic? I wish I'd joined earlier and taken full time baisc this summer, but I had some other big things that needed to be done this summer, and in the fall I'm off to Uni.. I'd like to do basic asap, but am aprehensive about losing 5 months of weekends (no skiing this winter.. aaaaagh!), especially with my studies., and on the other hand don't want to wait much longer to join and do basic..

thanks..

~Roko~

Good on you for checking out both eng and armour.

I am an armoured soldier. The armour MOC is divided into armour and recce. In both you start out by taking your QL2 basic course which is common to all Mocs and then you begin to specialize. You become a crewman and in the armour world you either drive,shoot or load a tank while in the recce world you drive,observe. In both at some further stage in your training you crewcommand the tank or recce veh (Iltis).

From my own experience I and my unit have done both roles. As a tanker you stomp around the battlefield area trying to pick a fight with the enemy. As a recce soldier you use stealth and concealment to gain info on the en and ground. Both require drive, initiative, cunning and guile.

Both have an echelon system to support their call signs c/s in the field(veh and crew). Again you may drive a supply veh, issue kit, repair veh, cook, clerk or repair weapons/radios and tend wounded. Some of these tasks are in specialized MOCs like medic but crewman also do the task.

The leadership skills you learn and the field experience you gain will make you a better citizen more confident in your own abilities. You will also hone team building skills which you can apply to most work places.

And lastly you will be a part of a regimental family where you will count on others and in turn be counted upon.

Engineers are like trolls.You find them on roads, bridges and minefields. Just kidding..., they are a noble race of soldiers with particular trade and technology skills and you really should talk to one of them about their craft.

It's been a long time since I took my recruit course but I still have friends from that course over _ _ years later. Some swear that if you don't do a total immersion you don't get all the military culture. Others claim that weekend work can give you the same challenge. Go find a soldier in one of the units M/Cpl, Sgt or Warrent Officer and get him or her to advise you as they will know the instructors and leadership cadre and hence the tempo and tone of the course. Then jump in with both feet.

Good Hunting

I asked the local reserve recruiter, and was told it would last about 20 weekend, but wasn't told if it was every weekend or not..

hmmm... :confused:

[ 02 August 2001: Message edited by: Roko ]

~Roko~

As for the infantry, I've only so far heard bad opinions about it, but those where only from ppl in the service regiment, who, well, weren't real soldiers (not sayig that all service ppl aren't soldiers, just the people I know..), so I didn't really take those 'opinions' into account... (they where about how it was too hard, and you break fingers and stuff, as compared to sitting in a warm truck with a cup of coffee in the service.. one of my reasons for joining the army is a physical challenge, so...)

What has the infantry been like for you?

Also, Bill Green, your info say's you're a Major.. My question is where you an NCM before becoming an officer, and how did you go about doing it? I'm going to uni this fall, and am thinking of joining the regular forces as an officer after uni, but want to get a taste for military life, and experience as an NCM (at least in the reserves) before becoming an officer, so I'm joining the reserves now...

~Roko~

Started out as a recruit pte took my trades courses then leadership courses and became a senior NCO (Sgt) and then commissioned from the ranks(CFR) to 2/lt. and then took my officer training. I recommend this route because it allows you to gain the experience of knowing what it is your soldiers are experiencing. i found that valuable.

You should also know that the CF values education and will assist you at university whether you are a pte or officer. There is a 2000$ gratuity per year that can be applied to your tuition costs through to your 4 year max degree. But you must choose to stay in the reserves while in school. Of course they will also attempt to give you summer employment and of course evening and weekend work Sep to May.

After you have been in awile you will know your way around and you can put in for officer training. This will take the concurrence of your CO and a PSO interview.

~Roko~

All arm twisting asiode, what ever MOC/Regt you decide to join, if you have the dedication will become the best in the CF. The is the pull of our Regimental system. buddies, Detachment, Troop, Battery, Regiment, Brigade, Area. And who ever you are with, none is better.

The new QL2 is 20 days long. Whether it will be in effect for this fall , I couldn't tell you (one now is 16 days). However which ever unit/garrison you go to find info, find out (ask, they should give you a straight answer) and find out how it is running. every weekend, or alternate.

Ubique

I did a weekend QL2 course and I have to say that it is vastly inferior to a summer course. It doesn't prepare for Gagetown (which is where you go if you are an Engineer) or for any further military training. However, since you already missed the summer course it is better to take it on weekends than try to do the "superman" (a QL2 course immidiatly followed by a QL3). A lot of people injure themseleves on those courses and don't get to finish the entire thing. If you do the weekend course though make sure you physically prepare yourself. (ie make sure your P.T. is up to snuff and that your feet are used to walking in combat boots)

Also, the QL2 is shorter now, just this year, I think it's 3 weeks or something like that.

I really regret not being able to take my QL2 this summer, and I don't really want to put it off until next summer, although I'm not sure if I'll take it part time or not yet..

I think I'm pretty fit right now.. I've been swimming every day (except when sick) for over 3 years, and have been running o-noff since before then.. (going to start running again regularly.. I can still run 5k at a fairly good clip non stop)

I'm kinda worried about my upper-body strength, though, since I'm fairly lean (I prefer the term 'hydro-dynamic' and tall. It's primarily because I've got small bones, and don't really have an excess bodyfat.. I can do more than the minimum of pullups, pushups (twice as many on a good day) and sit-ups as prescribed by the PAR-Q, and can do the run under the 'superior' time..
I've been doing some weight training, although I'm going to increase my program (it's pretty small right now, I'm giong to add more excersices, reps and sets.. I know what my body can take, so I shouldn't injure myself..)

Even though I consider myself in good shape now, I feel I can always improve, especially for the QL2..

~Roko~

No matter what shape you are in I would still not reccommend doing your 2's and 3's in one summer. My friend is a marathon runner and she screwed up her feet and got RTU'd (returned to unit) off her 3's. Go for the part time 2's, less chance of you injuring yourself.

quote:

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Originally posted by Recce41:
Well all you Weekend warriors can relax,
-so add it up 31 weeks. If u get hurt after 4 weeks you should have not bothered joining. The Army is hard work! You are Weak if a week of hard work hurts go back to Mcdonalds.

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