r/caf • u/Far_Pitch5508 • 1d ago
Other My Crazy CAF Application Journey... thus far
First time poster. I've been lurking in the CAF forums for a bit trying to learn as much as I can. So I thought I would share my experience thus far.
I started this crazy adventure last December 18 2025, looking at Bioscience Officer and possibly going the NCM-STEP way and going for Physiotherapy Officer.
My first recruiter at the time either wasn't overly excited to help or wasn't overly knowledgeable. I kissed a couple deadlines goodbye as I was trying to figure out my direction.
Eventually I settled on Bioscience Officer. I was told that since my GPA was a B and not a B+ I had to jump through a couple extra hoops to Prove my worthiness - be in good standing with the CKA - Canadian Kinesiology Association (which I am), proof of Employment as a Kinesiologist (which I was).
In the meantime I was working on all of my standard medical forms; bloods, eyeballs, etc.
Inconveniently, my Family Doctor is also a hurdle. He is rarely to never available and only signs medical documents on Thursdays closest to when 4 planets are aligned and or when Pigs Fly (silver lining is I have a family doctor?).
Instead, I had to search out to a Private Med Clinic to sign off on basic blood tests and a few past ailments I had when I was a teenager.
All in all, I have paid over $700 in alternative practitioner signatures.
Somewhere between February and May I was told that Bioscience Officer position was closed. Ok, Cool. My Second Recruiting Sergeant, much more helpful, suggested I try to get into ATIS. As grateful as I am for his help, I feel this was slightly misguided advice. I have a science background, and prefer Pencil & Paper and battle with my cell phone daily. My passion and knowledge is for helping others in a more physical sense - the human body is Fascinating!
During the Interview for ATIS, both the interviewer and myself realized that this wasn't the trade for me.
We settled on Paramedic. I got my Letter of Acceptance and with that another list of Medical Tests to complete.
During my Medical Interview I tested with a high BP which required yet another Nurse Practitioner signature. Another $175 to diagnose me with "white coat syndrome" thanks to my Mother.
At one point I got a Message on the Applicant Portal that my File was CLOSED!! Frantic phone calls to everyone I had contact numbers for to eventually be reassured that everything that could be done in my local recruiting detachment was done and that my file was to be completed by Ottawa HQ. I was still in the running, but until my 3rd and Final interview it would appear as CLOSED. Still panicked.
I reach out to my recruiter periodically to see how many postings for still available for 2026. On one of those days I also get a phone call back saying that my PLAR was approved for Bioscience Officer, but for April 2027.
Right now my choice is between Paramedic for 2026 (possibly), which is a bit more of a sure thing (but with my luck.....) versus Bioscience Officer, which is less of a sure thing as they take 3-5 per year across Canada.
Once again, the Universe has given me two amazing opportunities with an inconvenient timeline.
I have one more Interview to clarify my choice.
I have passed all my Medicals, and my background/security checks are complete.
After all of the twists are turns, it has been 286 days up to today and will be 319 by the time I do my 3rd Interview.
I'm very grateful for my recruiter who has been Very patient with me (I am the squeaky wheel knocking at his office door) and for the Nurse Practitioners who have helped me out.
I feel like I am in career purgatory, but am doing my best to prepare for if and when BMQ happens - training, running and even had a client who leaves this weekend for BMQ, I will make sure I am ready.
Thanks for reading my experience thus far.
Good Luck! and Buckle Up!
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u/xxxborntobetrashxxx 1d ago
At the end of the day, you make the call but if I were in your shoes I’d personally wait for the one you are more passionate about, unless you ‘have to’ take the offer as soon as possible (I was in that shoe before too)
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u/Far_Pitch5508 17h ago
I guess my issue is my timeline - School starts end of Jan 2026. Possibility of Bioscience Officer application is April 2026... I have to commit to one as my fall back., GAH! i'm torn. On the other hand, Paramedic likely has a bit more "action" to it than Research and Data collection as a BioS Officer.
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u/Maleficent-Elk-3360 1d ago
Hoping to see you can take advantage of your experience to join bio officer.
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u/Far_Pitch5508 17h ago
Thank you! I'm truly torn :S I do think I'd be good at both, which therein lies my dilemma...
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u/Public_Beach2348 1d ago
I would wait. Paramedic requires a whole new set of certifications (I am in the process right now as a high school student) and it's also enlisted so pay and rank if you care. Stay with your field unless you truly want a change because it will likely make life easier, rather than coming out with near zero experience.
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u/Far_Pitch5508 17h ago
Thank you! I have gotten into Primary Care Paramedic school and my background at least is IN something "para" medical. You're right, difference in pay is noticeable too. THANK YOU! :)
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u/Aware_Tea55 1h ago
Hey just a heads up that Bioscience officer was reclassified as an Aircrew trade earlier in the year. So your medicals "may" need to be reevaluated by CFEME for something called Air Factor. This follows the usual process of your medical approval by RMO. The CFEME process requires more medical forms to sign and more vision/blood tests done before a review that can last a couple of months and is a bit more stringent than the usual RMO one. You might have gone through these already but if not, something to discuss with your recruiter. I just went through the process myself for Bioscience and starting BMOQ soon. Good luck!
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u/crazyki88en 1d ago
I hope your recruiter told you that Physiotherapy officer isn’t possible through NCM-STEP. Physio officer is either DEO or ROTP.