INDEX
THE PRIMARY RESERVES
MY SUMMER EXPERIENCE
THE CF RANK STRUCTURE
HOW TO JOIN
The Primary Reserves
The Reserve Force is one of three components of the Canadian Forces (CF). The
task of the Reserves is to "enhance the combat readiness of the CF, and to
support Regular Force activities in peacetime." The Reserves consists of
four elements-navy, army, air force, and communication. The biggest difference
between the Reserves and the Regular Forces, is that while the Regular Forces
is a full-time activity, the Reserves is only a part-time activity. Similarly,
a difference between the Reserves and the Army Cadets, is that while Reservists
get paid, the Cadets don't.
My Summer Experience
This past summer ('97), I took my first military course at Area Training Center
(ATC) Meaford, near Owensound. The course lasted nearly the whole summer
vacation, and was a great experience. The first week or so is utilized to get
familiar with the kit and new friends. Then, the real training starts. We
spent about three weeks in the field, one of which was at CFB Borden. I made
many real good friends at this course. Our platoon is divided into four
sections, and you get to know the members of your section really well. Some
of the stuff that we did include: weapons training, drill, repelling,
navigation, stalking exercises, battle procedures, section attacks, defensive
and offensive techniques. You learn how to dig trenches, construct
entanglements and obstacles. You train with a variety of weapons including
machine guns, rifles, grenades, anti-tank weapons, and so on. I definitely
recommend this course to anyone who wants to do something many times more fun
than laying on the couch and watching the TV.
The CF Rank Structure
Military people may be referred to in two ways: by rank or by appointment.
The rank is the highest level of promotion that a person has achieved, mainly
through courses. Rank is indicated by insignia-chevrons, bars, crowns and so
on. Army and Air force ranks share similar names while the Navy has entirely
different names. A person's appointment however, is the job that he/she has
been given to do. Examples are Commanding Officer (CO), Chief Clerk and so on.
The following table gives all the ranks in the army, and its corresponding
ranks in the Air Force and Navy. It goes from the highest to the lowest rank.
How To Join
Joining the army consists of the following steps:
Signing up at your nearest Canadian Forces Recruiting Office (For Toronto residents, it is 4900 Yonge St. in the Government of Canada building). You can learn from them what documents you should bring to sign up. Here are the requirements you must meet:
You have to be at least 17 years old.
Once all the required documents have been handed in, they give you a date for your test. It is usually done during the morning and lasts around 4 hours. It is just to determine which field of the Forces you are more
Suited for-infantry, armored, artillery, and so on. The test is not that hard. Out of 20 or so people who wrote the test with me, only two did not make it. That was because they were suspected of cheating.
You get the results immediately, and then you get a date for your medical check and usually at the same time, you have an interview with an army personnel. Once you pass your medical check, and if your interview was OK, then you will be asked to select a regiment (unit ). Depending on your area, there might be many or few units to choose from. The following regiments are some of the many that can be seen in the Toronto area-Toronto Scottish Regiment, Royal Regiment of Canada, and 48th Highlanders. I am a member of The Toronto Scottish Regiment. It is a great regiment with excellent traditions and people. Once that is done, you will be called to your regiment to get your uniform and kit issued to you. Then your own your way to what could possibly be the most fun thing you've ever done.
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ARMY AIR FORCE NAVY
GENERAL GENERAL ADMIRAL
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL LIEUTENANT-GENERAL VICE-ADMIRAL
MAJOR-GENERAL MAJOR-GENERAL REAR-ADMIRAL
BRIGADIER-GENERAL BRIGADIER-GENERAL COMMODORE
COLONEL COLONEL CAPTAIN(N)
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL LIEUTENANT-COLONEL COMMANDER
MAJOR MAJOR LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER
CAPTAIN CAPTAIN LIEUTENANT(N) LIEUTENANT LIEUTENANT SUB-LIEUTENANT SECOND-LIEUTENANT SECOND-LIEUTENANT ACTING SUB-LIEUTENANT OFFICER CADET OFFICER CADET NAVAL CADET CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. Ist CLASS MASTER WARRANT OFFICER MASTER WARRANT OFFICER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER. 2nd CLASS WARRANT OFFICER WARRANT OFFICER PETTY OFFICER Ist CLASS SERGEANT SERGEANT PETTY OFFICER 2nd CLASS MASTER CORPORAL MASTER CORPORAL MASTER SEAMAN CORPORAL CORPORAL LEADING SEAMAN PRIVATE PRIVATE ABLE SEAMAN
You must be a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant with all necessary papers.
At least high school credits. A school transcript showing all courses and credits is required.
Passport.
Birth Certificate. 
for further detailed instructions on how to join (The homepage of the Department of National Defense), and go to "Recruiting" on the left panel. Have fun.
Dec.7, 1997
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