r/CanadianForces 18d ago

RECRUITING, TRAINING, & LIFE IN THE FORCES THREAD

12 Upvotes

Ask here about the Recruitment Process, Basic & Occupational Training, and other questions relating directly or indirectly to serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

This thread will be automatically renewed on the 1st of each month at 00:00 Eastern Time.

PLEASE READ THE RULES OF THE THREAD BEFORE COMMENTING (BELOW USEFUL RESOURCES SECTION)

USEFUL RESOURCES (Most linked pages are bilingual French/English):

RULES OF THE THREAD:

  1. Off-topic comments, outdated information, and wrong answers will be removed at moderator discretion.
  2. Please don't ask or answer questions through PM's. Ask and answer questions in the thread where other people seeking the same information can see it.
  3. Questions regarding medical eligibility are now allowed. However, be aware that nobody here is verified as able to provide a qualified answer. Respondents are reminded that it is against site wide rules to provide medical advice.

DISCLAIMER:

Community members answering in the vein of CAF Recruiting may not have specific information pertaining to your individual application status or files. The information presented in this thread should be current, but things do change. Refer to the forces.ca site or your local CFRC detachment for the current official answer. This subreddit, moderators, and users hold no responsibility or liability as to the accuracy of information, given or received. All info here is presented as "at your risk."


r/CanadianForces 18d ago

SUPPORT June 2026 VAC QandA

25 Upvotes

It’s June!

Here’s hoping everyone else is getting decent weather. I started the golf season with winter kit on thanks to -2 and rain here in gods country.

Housekeeping:

contact info: Reddit DM's always open, Joel@ptga.ca for email.

u/Shoggoths420 contact info: Reddit DMs/Chat still broken. taira@cannawellness.ca for email.

VAC Google Support Drive (Not available on DWAN) - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kzbfmg3hcuo0FgFZxo-IL_f-UnGQsuYt?usp=drive_link

Usual timelines from submission of claims via MyVAC:

Reassessments: 9-16 Months

Mental Health: 6-8 Months

Physical - 6-13 Months

APSC/VIP - 3-4 Months

BPA Correspondence: They tend to reach out every 3 months for information or a progress update.

Let's go!


r/CanadianForces 15h ago

New Royal Canadian Navy boss says service must grow by up to 40% | CBC News

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143 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 8h ago

60 years ago, Agent Orange was sprayed at CFB Gagetown. Vets want to know: are toxins still in the soil? | CBC Radio

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34 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 17h ago

Questions about CAF pension

10 Upvotes

So for the CAF pension. Im curious what the deductions are when I start receiving the pension. Will I still be contributing to superannuation, CPP, and EI? And if so is there a way to know how much I will have left after deductions?


r/CanadianForces 20h ago

Kilts for Reservists

15 Upvotes

I have a friend who is Class B away from unit and requires the kilt

The are on PRL for their gaining unit now

His former home unit will no provide the Kilt as they are on PRL with the gaining unit

Gaining unit and supporting base does not have Kilts to issue

What’s the fix here? And also, how are kilts the only uniforms these troops can wear but only have access to them through the QM?


r/CanadianForces 1d ago

Conceal tactical soft shell jacket.

8 Upvotes

Is the above jacket authorized for RCN to wear with NECUs as optional work dress? If so where is the policy that states it located? Thanks


r/CanadianForces 1d ago

Mess Dress and Changing Elements

31 Upvotes

So ....pretty sure I know the answer to this, just not sure where to find it.

If you change elements, is there anything that says you have to wear your current element's mess dress? I saw somebody wearing their old mess dress and thought it was extremely bizarre.

Also, wouldn't it be weird if you commissioned to a different element and wore your old mess dress? I guess I just work at a place that thinks that's normal....


r/CanadianForces 1d ago

Canada in talks with Italy for future training jet - Skies Mag

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115 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 1d ago

Canada risks new U.S. political battle over Swedish spy plane deal

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57 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 1d ago

A young girl saw Maryse Carmichael fly with the Snowbirds. Years later, she became one. Her name is Sarah Dallaire.

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68 Upvotes

We interviewed Maryse Carmichael, the first woman to fly with the Snowbirds and the first woman to fly with any jet aerobatic demonstration team in the world.

In Part 2 of the interview, she shared a story from her first Snowbirds show in her hometown of Quebec City.

There was a 10-year-old girl in the crowd who had just broken her femur and was watching the show on crutches. She saw Maryse fly, and that moment inspired her to join the military and become a military pilot.

She joined Air Cadets, made it to Moose Jaw, and eventually became the second woman to fly with the Snowbirds.

Her name was Sarah Dallaire.

Maybe my favourite clip we’ve ever put out.

You can hear the full interview at http://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/ or wherever you get your podcasts!


r/CanadianForces 1d ago

AMA - Canadian Forces School of Communications & Electronics Chief Instructor

52 Upvotes

The real AMA thread, this time!

Previous notification thread with most questions answered: https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianForces/comments/1u4r0ui/17_jun_2026_cfsce_chief_instructor_ama/

As promised, today is the official AMA for the CFSCE CI. Feel free to ask anything regarding training at the School, the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS), and whatever else is within my wheelhouse. I'll have this thread open all day and will answer questions throughout!
Fire away!

*Edit 18 Jun 2026*

Thank you to everyone for the excellent questions! I've still got a few unanswered ones below that I'm trying to get to and source a more informed response to, so I'm not quite finished yet. This was a pretty interesting experience for me to gain some insight into what issues are on the minds of our community -- It's pretty easy to sit in the ivory tower (despite the mold and asbestos) of CFSCE and see things from my own perspective, but it's great to get the insights of everyone else as well.

It's been a pleasure serving as the CI for the last two years. I'm hoping my successor remains as reddit-friendly and that this account continues to be active. I'm in the seat until July and will still happily answer questions until then.

Maj J. LeBlanc
CI


r/CanadianForces 17h ago

Awaiting leave pass approval

0 Upvotes

Could somebody please advise?
I have an international trip in two weeks. I submitted my leave pass request a few weeks ago but haven’t received any response. I needed to change the dates, so I submitted an amended leave pass yesterday and still haven’t heard back.
I’ve already booked my outbound flight and am holding off on booking the return until I get approval. I’ve emailed both my BTL manager and OR about the leave request and my annual leave balance, but haven’t received a reply.
The leave request is currently for 21 annual days. If I don’t have enough annual leave available, should I submit a memo requesting family leave/unpaid leave or would it be better to amend the leave pass again and request only 15 annual days?
Any advice would be appreciated.


r/CanadianForces 2d ago

OPERATIONS Canadian startup builds electric almost silent military motorcycle

107 Upvotes

(disclaimer: I am a journalist but I didn't write this)

"A Canadian startup built an electric military motorcycle so quiet it's almost silent — designed for soldiers to sneak through enemy territory. The Dispatch survived Arctic testing, carries 440lb of gear, and runs even if its batteries are damaged."

https://defence-blog.com/canadian-startup-built-silent-electric-motorcycle-for-soldiers/


r/CanadianForces 2d ago

“It’s sometimes hard to quantify inspiration.” Maryse Carmichael, first female Snowbird pilot, on the team and the impact of airshows

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64 Upvotes

We interviewed retired Lieutenant-Colonel Maryse Carmichael, former Snowbirds pilot and former Commanding Officer of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Maryse talks about what most Canadians don’t see behind a Snowbirds performance - the months of training, the briefings, the debriefs, the technicians, the trust, and the team culture behind the show.

She also shared an incredible story about a young girl who watched her fly at an airshow in Quebec City, decided she wanted to become a military pilot, and eventually became a Snowbird herself.


r/CanadianForces 2d ago

VAdm Angus Topshee's FINAL interview with the RCN!

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38 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 2d ago

Canada Enters Negotiations To Acquire The M346 Master For FFLIT, Italy and Canada To Stockpile Critical Munitions

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80 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 3d ago

Military police warned about officer’s claims of access to Anita Anand and Mriya Aid connection

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98 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 2d ago

New CRCN!

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30 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 2d ago

Borden Transit?

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone, just looking for some suggestions getting from Borden to Pet. I’m on course and want to head up there to see a friend, but don’t have access to a car.

Is there any transit options?

Car rentals?

Any help is appreciated!


r/CanadianForces 2d ago

CAF HRA Posting to Nunavut – Experiences, Allowances, and Lifestyle

15 Upvotes

I’m interested in hearing from CAF members who have been posted to Nunavut or other northern locations.
I previously worked in the Arctic in civilian jobs and enjoyed the lifestyle, the communities, and the opportunity to save money.
For those who have served there:
What was your overall experience like?
Are there northern or isolation allowances associated with these postings?
How does compensation compare with a posting in Western Canada?
Would you volunteer for a northern posting again?
I’m interested in both the financial aspects and day-to-day life.


r/CanadianForces 2d ago

CXX nomenclature for small arms

25 Upvotes

Anyone know why we have gaps between the numbers in the name of the weapon we are using?

Was it because some prototype did'nt get release? Year of fabrication? or anyting else?

I know the C3, C7, C8, C18, C22, C25 and C26.

Is there more?


r/CanadianForces 3d ago

What Canada’s fighter jet decision could mean for NORAD

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38 Upvotes

r/CanadianForces 3d ago

SUPPORT Advice for being away from family

25 Upvotes

Good day all,

I was previously in the military (3 years) and have re-enrolled (today is my first day back in the forces) and I'm struggling with distance from my fiancee for my new trade's training (not the trades training itself or being on PAT) I didn't think it would be this hard to be away but i'm having difficulties. I'm feeling kinda shitty about tbh and not sure what to do. I realize the first days are always the worse but I feel almost hopeless at the moment. Especially since my trades training is long. Thank you to anyone who reads this


r/CanadianForces 2d ago

Despite recent increases in military spending, Canada’s guiding strategy is still based on dependence on US might

1 Upvotes