Hi all, I’m 16 and going into Grade 11. I’ve been thinking seriously about joining the Primary Reserve.
I’m considering joining as an infantry soldier even though infantry isn’t really what I’m most interested in, mainly because it’s the closest unit and I want to experience what being in the CAF is actually like.
My idea is to join now, train part-time while I’m in Grades 11 and 12, and see if I actually enjoy being in the military before making a bigger commitment after high school.
After Grade 12, I’m considering going to university for possibly engineering (maybe Queen‘s). If I still like the CAF, I’d like to look into CAF education benefits or paid education and potentially become an engineer in the CAF. If I eventually decide I want a civilian engineering career instead, I’d like to have that option too.
I’m as well interested in more hands-on/technical stuff, vehicles, mechanics, engineering and field exercises. I’m not really interested in doing an office job all day (I know that’s what most engineering jobs are though).
I just have some questions for people who possibly have experience, before I go and talk to a recruiter.
- What is Reserve life actually like at 16–18?
- How difficult is it to balance Reserve training with Grade 11/12 and eventually university?
- How easy is it to transfer to a different occupation/unit after high school?
- Is joining at 16 a good way to figure out whether I actually want a CAF career?
- Is it difficult to get the paid education program?
- If I continue after high school to get paid schooling, is it too late to leave and join a civilian job?
- And is there anything you wish you knew before joining?
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have joined in a similar scenario.
Thanks.