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What They Do
Logistics Officers provide the various means of transportation, equipment and supplies for the movement of Canadian Forces members and all types and sizes of cargo throughout the world.
The responsibilities of a Logistics Officers include:
- Procurement
- Warehousing items and material control
- Distribution and disposal of military material, equipment, and ammunition
- Coordination of food services, postal services, human resource or financial services
Working Environment
Logistics Officers can be employed in the Royal Canadian Navy, Army or Royal Canadian Air Force and experience the unique challenges associated with these environments. They may work at on a base within Canada, at a home port, or be deployed during operations.
Logistics Officers that work in the Royal Canadian Navy will serve at sea as a Ship’s Supply Officer early in their career. A Logistics Officer in the Army will be employed as a platoon commander in a General Support or Close Support Service Battalion. Logistics Officers in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early stages of their career will be employed in an entry level junior Logistics position at an operational Wing where they will learn about the unique aspects of providing support to air operations. This experience will be followed by a position at a squadron. Subsequent tours will provide you with opportunities to further develop your knowledge and experience within one or more of the main Logistics disciplines.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Logistics Officer is $51,000 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Regular promotions through the junior officer ranks take place based on the completion of required training and on the length of service as an officer. Once promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Navy) or Captain their salary is approximately $74,000 per year.
Logistics Officers who demonstrate the required ability, dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training. As they gain knowledge and experience, Logistics Officers may work at National Defence Headquarters performing tasks related to the management of Joint and Combined Operations, logistics systems, and general logistics.
After enrolment, you start basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 15 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Canadian Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.
Second language training is available following basic officer training; depending on your ability in your second language, it may take from two to nine months.
If assigned to the Army, Logistics Officers go to the Infantry School at the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick. You will build upon the leadership training you received in basic officer training in addition to learning the skills required of all Combat Arms Soldiers, including more advanced weapons-handling, field-craft, and section-level tactics.
If assigned to the Navy, Logistics Officers attend a nine-week Naval Environmental Training Program held at the Naval Officer Training Centre in Victoria, British Columbia. This course introduces the Naval environment and includes four weeks onboard a minor war vessel for officers to experience life at sea.
Logistics Officers attend the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics in Borden, Ontario, for a common introductory course on logistics support. Then Logistics Officers will undergo logistics training relating to the branch of the service to which they have been assigned.
Logistics Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training.
If you already have a university degree, the Canadian Forces will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.
Regular Officer Training Plan
This position is available for part-time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part-time for a Reserve unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required in order to specialize skills, arrangements will be made by the home unit.
It is also possible to set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to take courses leading to a university degree related to this job, and upon successful completion, be reimbursed for up to 50% of tuition and other mandatory costs. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
This position is available through the Reserve Entry Training Plan. Through this program Reservists attend the Royal Military College, and are eligible for tuition reimbursement up to $2000 per year. They are paid as a part-time officer cadet for any additional military training required.
Typically, Reservists work or train with their home unit for at least four evenings and one weekend per month, from September to May of each year. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.
