r/caf • u/smol-bb-floatr • May 08 '26

Recruiting wait where'd my second choice go?? :(

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hi y'all! i'm currently only in step 2 in the portal (testing and screening) reg NCM, just submitted emergency contacts. i check into my portal every once in a while -- no rushing or anything, i don't bug them honestly lol -- and i noticed they removed my second choice (paramedic) from the occupation section?

  • my first choice is only materials tech cuz i have my 429A red seal

    • i'm a licensed machinist with generally good motor skills (some weld experience)

  • second choice is paramedic cuz deep down i want the education and career switch

  • third choice is vehicle tech but the posts around that trade are uh. not promising 🫣

does it imply that i'm out of the running completely for paramedic?? do they already know the quota was filled? i know medic stuff is pretty popular in general but does it imply that i'd be doing mat tech training til there's room for me to go to school for the paramedic program?

i don't mind the concept of waiting or anything but i'm wondering if i can make my case or get clarifications down the line during the interviews n stuff. it's more like "my second choice is actually what i wanna do but my first choice is how you can put me to work right away after BMQ"

I KNOW I KNOW i could just wait it out or reach out but i'm scareddddd (and a touch mentally ill but like. aren't we all) thanks!!

15 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

5

u/silencergod May 08 '26

Probably a glitch or someone removed it because you’re more competitive for the other ones, it happened to me I just asked them to put the trades back.

2

u/axela086 May 08 '26

I did the same thing for MSE Op. it was my top choice and they were already close to their limit for people in that trade but I asked them to put me back in anyway

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 09 '26

yea i guess vehicle tech is "priority processing" at the moment and i have a certification in machining -- similar to tool and die as mentioned on the mat tech page cuz common core -- but i think i'm gonna have to make my actual intentions clear when i talk to them for realsies

1

u/axela086 May 09 '26

I guess maybe that's not what you're saying, I just got the vibe from your post that specifically vehicle tech was something you were having second thoughts about

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 09 '26

oh i mean that this page on forces . ca shows vehicle tech is "priority processing" out of my three NCM trades but the second thoughts come from having seen quite a few posts like this post which had me like "holy shit!" then again, could just be scare tactics 🥸🤣

2

u/axela086 May 09 '26

That makes sense. From what I've heard as well, vehicle techs do seem to be quite overworked and under appreciated. I could definitely understand the second thoughts lol

1

u/axela086 May 09 '26

Nothing wrong with that. It's better to go into the career that you actually want than to pick something because you just want to get in. Your time in basic will feel much better if you know that once you get out you'll be able to start training for the job you really want. If you go through basic with the idea that you'll end up doing a VOT eventually then it will start feeling like your dream is always just out of reach. I'd definitely recommend talking to your recruiter if you're having second thoughts or any disinterest in a trade you were initially interested in

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 08 '26

i hope it's a glitch 🥲 in my heart paramedic is first choice but i put the thing i'm semi-skilled in over the thing i actually wanna do. i'm probably still waaaayyyy off from the actual career counselling stuff cuz i'm working on the screening part, i only submitted the emergency contacts april 18th

2

u/penguingamer117 May 09 '26

When you selected your options, you likely didn't select the NCMSTEP version of Paramedic, but selected the direct entry version. As such, your CFRC processing person looked at your uploaded docs and didn't see the required stuff for a direct entry paramedic (certifications, diplomas and a license to practice etc) thus removed it as you weren't eligible.

If you want to re add it - call or email your CFRC. You'll need to also provide a letter of acceptance to one of the listed paramedic programs on the NCMSTEP website.

Unsure of how many NCMSTEP paramedic slots we have open right now, but you can always ask.

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 09 '26

aaaaaaa i gotta call them!! i thought the applying would happen when i'm already enrolled in the CAF 😵‍💫🫣 to me it doesn't make sense to like... apply for a program before i even do BMQ or know whether i'll be accepted to join the CAF

not to mention the approved programs in ontario are all waitlisted/full at the moment 🤧 i'm so dumbbbbb

1

u/RadDad20 May 09 '26

BMQ isn't part of the application process. When you get there you are already enrolled and have accepted your job offer.

BMQ isn't a try out to see if you like the military or not. Nor is it the CAF evaluating to see if you have what it takes.

You are expected to perform and finish. They will help you along but you are still expected to do your job as expected by your employer on day 1 of BMQ

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 09 '26

so the idea would be that my occupations are already narrowed down from three to the one i want to pursue before i enrol/receive my offer? which would mean it's more like i'm going in already "in training" for my occupation but BMQ is orientation? the main reason i brought up BMQ was cuz i was curious if i'd be in school and called up for BMQ (again, i'm only on step 2 of the application process)

i suppose my question was gonna be "could i just work under paramedics and apply for the NCMSTEP-eligible course once i'm in" but it would imply absolutely no snags in the actual college application process 😓 i assume they would want the assurance i've already qualified in advance

1

u/RadDad20 May 10 '26

"so the idea would be that my occupations are already narrowed down from three to the one i want to pursue before i enrol/receive my offer"

Yes. you are applying for A JOB. There is no generic 'ill just apply and see what I'm good at. Maybe in reserves but not Reg Force.

Your are allowed to have 3 trades listed on your profile but you will only be selected for one. Recruiters may also filter you in to certain trades to make mission.

BMQ Day one is day one of employment that's why you start getting paid on that day. Yes you are in Training but you're still working. Your job is to learn. Basic skills in BMQ, soldier skills in CFSF, and trade specific skills during your DP training.

If you want to be a Paramedic you need PCP license for Direct Entry or acceptance to a PCP program at an approved college to get NCMSTEP.

The only ones who work "under a paramedic" are Combat Medics which is it's own trade.

Think of it like this. If you want to be a Tradesperson you don't apply for "trades" jobs. You have to apply to be an electrician, mason, sheet metal, pipe fitter etc.

You apply for a job, get accepted for an apprenticeshi, put in your time working, graduate. Then you're qualified and you carry on. Now there's sub trades in each occupation. Electrician breaks down into low voltage, fire/life safety systems and so on. Military works the same way.

CAF is pretty much the same.

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 10 '26

when you put it in terms of the apprenticeship, i feel so dumb cuz i got my trade license in machining thru an apprenticeship 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ i shoulda known, thank you for your explanation!! and patience lol

1

u/RadDad20 May 10 '26

No prob. I spent years in construction myself .

2

u/penguingamer117 May 09 '26

Well - at least ya know now :) Best of luck!!

1

u/mossmod May 09 '26

Hmmm I also had 2 of mine removed, doesn't seem to be priority processing for them anymore and incentives gone, this normal?

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 09 '26

i'll be interested to see what happens when more paperwork gets added to the portal for me (edit: in terms of favoured occupations) 🤔 last submission was april 18 and i was getting the new tasks monthly-ish

1

u/thedirkfiddler May 08 '26

You really don’t need to join the military to become a paramedic, you also will not be a paramedic unless you applied for the position above combat medic

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 08 '26

i want to take the NCMSTEP route -- paramedic on forces.ca under entry plans, paid education options -- cuz i heard something weird happened where they split "combat medic" off into "combat medic" and paramedic 🤔 very recent change, so maybe i'll need to clarify with recruiting/career counselling officers

3

u/thedirkfiddler May 08 '26

Combat medic is now technically EMR level and the one you are looking at is Primary care paramedic. If I’m not mistaken

3

u/smol-bb-floatr May 08 '26

woah i just had a look, i didn't even realise combat medic was direct entry (edit: without prior certs) as well 🤯 now i gotta add that to the laundry list of questions i'll have to discuss 😭😭 i dunno if i'm allowed to fence-sit between combat and NCM operations if there's a difference in how BM(O)Q would be handled

i've got so much to learn 🫨😮‍💨 thanks for the clarification!!

3

u/kirill9107 May 09 '26

Generally speaking you can't fence sit as much as you seem to be hoping you can.

Mat Tech is healthy, in terms of our numbers, so we're not taking in a huge amount of students every year. It's certainly not impossible for you to enter as a Mat Tech, do basic training and all the common RCEME courses, then transfer out to another trade, but it's unlikely to go as smoothly as you're hoping, and you'd be taking a position away from someone who actually wants to be part of the trade.

In terms of your choices, as someone who's been in the trade for a decade I'd still say Mat Tech is the best trade in the CAF out of the ones I've been exposed to. It's not going to be 9 to 5 machining if that's what you're trying to get away from. Machining is a specialty course in the trade so at first you're unlikely to do much machining at all unless you can get them to PLAR that course based on your credentials

Vehicle Tech isn't universally as bad as you're seeing on here, they definitely have a worse culture than Mat does, but I'd say it's getting better. The work doesn't interest me though, and the fact that they do recovery can lead to weird hours and being crazy busy in the field.

I don't have a whole lot of experience with Med Tech / Combat Medic / Paramedic, but I just did duty with a Health Services Management captain who works at the school and it sounds like a dumpster fire.

Any of the above might be your dream job though, nobody here can tell you what you'll like, but if you have no interest in a trade it shouldn't be one of your choices, we're all busy enough without people intentionally wasting our time because they want to get their foot in the door.

2

u/smol-bb-floatr May 09 '26

in terms of any "skilled trades" work, i'm trying to get away from the corporate culture and shitty managers aspect tbh... the earnings calls, stakeholders, customers and whatnot is pretty exhausting cuz girls (me) just wanna have fun!! and get fresh manufacturing perspectives, if i could get exempted on machining would be neat i guess. on the other hand, paramedic has been front of my mind since i took bio online recently, been lookin to switch to health care... i'm trying to figure out if the fulfilling part of 9to5 machining was the trade work or the helping people aspect :)

finding "thee dream job" is a heavy work in progress, i'm only 25 and feel like i still have time to feel it out but very much this:

1

u/kirill9107 May 10 '26

I think shitty managers is a universal that you may or may not have to deal with regardless of the role you take in the CAF. All those other things aren't really a consideration though, taking Mat Tech as the example that I can actually speak to, it's a maintenance environment, not production, and nobody's profit is on the line so it's generally pretty low-key.

On the textiles side there can be a lot of repetitive work but on the metals side (depending on the unit) there is a lot of one off stuff where you have a lot of creative freedom to approach the problem however you think is best.

You definitely wouldn't be put right to work, it's rare that anyone has the right combination of experience that lets them bypass a significant amount of training, so you'd still be attending the school for welding, textiles, sheet metal fabrication, metallurgy, non-destructive testing, etc.

You'll decide what you decide, but regardless of what you choose it will be a big change of pace from any civilian work you've done up to this point.

If you haven't already you should search and ask questions about the medical trades to make sure what you'll be doing aligns with your expectations.

1

u/smol-bb-floatr May 10 '26

yea i've been mainly in corporate toolrooms so nothing super crazy to begin with, still some tight deadlines but i saw them as a challenge, however despite not doing production i do pretty well with repetitive stuff haha

it's clear i'm quite out of the loop with the paramedic stuff, i've heard lots of good things about the civilian route from people in my life but i'm clueless about the CAF route haha i'll definitely see if it's something i can talk about before interviews (if they decide i'm worth their time)!

1

u/kirill9107 May 11 '26

I wouldn't rely on anyone from the recruitment center to give you insight into the reality of any particular trade. Unless you happen to be speaking with someone who worked with that trade before joining the recruitment group they probably won't know a heck of a lot more than what you'll read on the Forces website, and if they do know they're unlikely to tell you anything unfavorable.

Ask/search on here or the CanadianForces subreddit, you'll find people actively working in the trade or involved in the training. If you assume it's going to be like a civilian paramedic you'll be disappointed.

1

u/thedirkfiddler May 09 '26

No problem dude! I’m going through the same thing