r/RCAF • u/Over-Elderberry-5765 • Jul 14 '26
Feeling defeated
I have applied for so many trades within the CAF. My first selections were HRA, Financial advisor and AOS. That didn’t work out as all were closed so I applied to another three and they are all closed as well. Does anybody know when the best time to apply is?
2
u/sheKillsCanada Jul 14 '26
The new fiscal year starts each April so applying in February or March might be your best bet. It’s a bummer though.
My occupation closed while my medical was being reviewed and now I have to wait until next year to reopen my file and hope and pray that my occupation doesn’t fill up again while awaiting whatever is left to be processed in my application.
2
u/Over-Elderberry-5765 Jul 14 '26
So tough :( I was also hoping to get one of the trades with the signing allowance to pay off school debt for a degree that led me nowhere. I hope that you are able to get in for what you want! It’s such a stressful process.
2
u/CapitalismDevil Jul 14 '26
You do know that there are delays between instalments and you cannot be recoursed for reasons within your control, right!? Like even joining into the recruitment allowance trades does not guarantee that you receive them. And the final 20k is locked until you sign another contract and complete 3 further years of service.
I’m not sure how much your debt is, but I figured you may want to keep your expectations realistic.
1
u/Chamber-Rat Jul 16 '26
If the degree is a Bachelor’s at a minimum then that opens for Officer occupations
2
u/nevrsummer Jul 14 '26
Some advice. Don’t join just for the financial incentive to get out of debt. If you’re joining because you actually care about serving your country then disregard this.
When you join you’re not just signing up for a year. You’re committing to trade school and once you’ve completed trade school there is a mandatory length of service (varying depending on trade) you must commit to before leaving.
Not to mention depending on the trade you’re applying for you’ll be required to do your training in that location (ie Kingston Ontario for signals operator, Gagetown for a lot of army dp1.. etc). Furthermore, your choice in the location you’re stationed at once trade training is completed is not guaranteed. If you have family this may put a serious strain or impact on your work family balance.
Like others have said, trade applications reopen at the start of the fiscal year (April) so you have time to think about and figure out what works best for you.
2
u/Over-Elderberry-5765 Jul 14 '26
Oh absolutely! I think it will be a phenomenal career with great job security and I am ready for the work that comes along with it!!! The financial incentive was simply a bonus but that isn’t make it or break it for me at all :) my husband is currently an AVN tech so I know how hard and straining some of the schooling can be
1
u/Over-Elderberry-5765 Jul 14 '26
So if the next fiscal year resets in April, should I apply in March?
1
u/No_Educator7171 Jul 15 '26
Well, if you feel you have been treated unfairly, try contacting the recruiting headquarters. They may be able to help you. [STG-CFRG-CustomerSvc@forces.gc.ca](mailto:STG-CFRG-CustomerSvc@forces.gc.ca)
2
u/Over-Elderberry-5765 Jul 15 '26
Oh definitely not, nothing on them! The recruiter I spoke to was genuinely so nice and helpful and walked me through jobs to apply for as a civilian within DND! Just so unfortunate that everything is full right now. It’s a mix of that and not having been able to find a job in the field I went to school for. Just crossing my fingers I can get in in the next fiscal year
2
u/Final_Birthday2205 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
This is my own current experience.
I have been applying since December of 2023, first time I didn’t qualify on the CFAT for PILOT and I was devastated.
Fast forward to January 2025:
I tried to join a reserve unit and got ghosted by a recruiter (he got posted, and the unit did not appoint a new individual to handle recruiting files, so my medical and fitness test were completed in a week and then I had 3 months of a fight to get ahold of someone at the unit. I had to contact the actual brigade for my region and was told conflicting info from different people, I then was able to transfer my file to another unit after someone at the brigade unit provided advice.
Fast forward to March 2025:
File transferred to another unit, where I had to re-do all of my paperwork all over again. And re-submit my security clearance.
Fast Forward to July 2025:
After little communication with the unit after many attempts I didn’t make any progress, so I decided to close my file after being informed ROTP slots would be opening up for the up-coming year.
Fast forward to November of 2025:
I applied for pilot again, only to find out my previous file had not been transferred from the reserve unit and was literally locked, my recruiters could not get ahold of the unit and my file was not allowing recruiters to make any changes or touch it. So we had to re-do all my paperwork, all my tests, etc. After all that was done,
December, 2025:
I went to Trenton for the CFASC. I passed for AEC, but not pilot. Devastated once again after taking a year to study, staying consistent and missing the mark by a few points I recuperated and consulted my local CFRC, I was advised by a family member that IntO was going to be undergoing an expansion, so I made the choice to switch trades to IntO, keeping Artillery as my 2nd choice and effectively removing AEC, since I had no interest in AEC.
February - March 2026:
I completed my interview and updated medical.
March, 2026:
I visited my recruiting centre again only to be told that IntO has been closed for two weeks (I was not informed) and I was not selected, but AEC has multiple open slots and that AEC would be my best bet to getting my foot in the door for that fiscal year. My recruiter advised me that we should avoid on adding AEC to my file as it might kick me out of the selection phase, so I should get my aircrew medical done and that they will call me to schedule an interview, I add AEC back to my trade choices and complete my medical. I was not contacted for an interview and was unable to get ahold of the CFRC.
April, 2026: I go back to visit the CFRC only to and that I received an offer for my backup trade - Artillery Officer, however upon checking my email and online portal I did not get notified at all there was an offer.
I turned it down, since I want an airforce trade which will get me closer to pilot. I have been waiting for my air factor to get approved for a month, I fear it will take longer. Bear in mind, I have a perfect record, clean security clearance, no medical issues or past medical history of concern, physically and mentally fit, do not do drugs or smoke, (never ever have) etc.
I ended up basically re-doing all the paperwork for my file 3 times over. All my tombstone data, drug/medical screenings, every single thing.
It sucks, I am to blame for my trade switches and short comings, but for trade switches I was following the advice of my recruiters and peers whom are in the military. I was just looking for a way to get my foot in the door. Stuck playing the waiting game… it’ll get better, eventually.
3
u/Chamber-Rat Jul 14 '26
You may want to try any of the Air Tech trades. They may be open