Career Options

Careers in the Canadian Forces

As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) you can choose to work full time in the Regular Force or part time in the Reserve Force. You also have the option of becoming an Officer or a Non-Commissioned Member (NCM), depending on the job you choose.

Officers are trained to be leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces and are responsible for the soldiers, sailors, air men and air women in their command. To become an Officer, you will need a university education and leadership training.

Non-Commissioned Members are skilled personnel who provide operational and support services in the Canadian Armed Forces. Some Non-Commissioned Members are trained as operators or technicians while others may work in the administrative or health services fields.

The next step is to choose a job that fits your desired career path, be it Officer or Non-Commissioned Member, working full or part time.           

Browse Jobs

Members of the Regular Force serve full time protecting Canada and defending our sovereignty, contributing to international peace and security, and work with the United States defending North America. They are ready to respond at a moment’s notice to threats, natural disasters or humanitarian crises at home and around the world.

Back to top

Depending on the job you choose, the length of service in the Regular Force can range from three to nine years, not including paid training or education. Please speak with a recruiter for details specific to your situation.

Back to top

All new members of the Canadian Armed Forces must complete basic training. For the Regular Force, this takes place in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. After basic training, you will continue on to one of the many Canadian Armed Forces establishments in Canada where you will be trained for your chosen career.

You will then be posted to a military base, wing or unit in Canada. Although your preferences will be taken into consideration, the Canadian Armed Forces will post you where your skills are needed most. Usually, you can expect to move to a different base every few years.

You may also be deployed overseas if a military mission needs your skills and abilities. Missions can last a few days or weeks when responding to a disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti, or up to one year as part of a long-term commitment like Canada's participation in the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan.

Back to top

There are two plans available for entry into the Regular Force. You can apply online but you should talk to a recruiter first to discuss the best entry plan for you.

1. Direct Entry plans are for applicants who have the minimum education required for their chosen career.
2. Paid Education plans are for applicants who will have their education (college or university) paid for by the Canadian Armed Forces.

Back to top

The minimum education required to join the Canadian Armed Forces is grade 10 or secondaire IV (in Quebec), combined with the successful completion of a written aptitude test. However, there are a number of jobs and specialized fields that require post-secondary education, specific courses, a professional certification or licence.

If you meet the minimum education requirements for your chosen career and join the Canadian Armed Forces through a Direct Entry Plan, you will be fully trained in your chosen field to become a technician, operator, or a member of a support trade.

When you enrol through the paid university or college programs, the Canadian Armed Forces will pay your tuition, books and academic equipment in addition to providing a salary and benefits while you attend school.

In exchange for paying for your education, the Canadian Armed Forces requires you to serve for a period of time following graduation. Time served is calculated on the basis of two months service for each month of paid education.

Find out more about Paid Education opportunities.

Back to top

Pay and Benefits

As a Regular Force member, you will receive a competitive salary, continuous support to advance your career, the chance to travel the world, and many other benefits and services such as:

Education and Training

The Canadian Armed Forces has outstanding education, training and professional development opportunities, such as paid tuition, second language training and financial support for continuing education related to your job in the Forces.

Health & Dental Care

As a member of the Regular Force, you will receive health and dental care when you join the Canadian Armed Forces. Benefits for your family, through the Public Service Medical and Dental Care plans, will begin three months after you join.

Vacation

Members of the Regular Force receive 20 vacation days per year, which will increase to 25 days per year after five years of service. Vacation can be requested anytime, depending on training and operational requirements.

Pension

The Canadian Armed Forces provides a generous pension plan that is designed to provide you with a retirement income on completion of your military career.

Maternity & Parental Leave

Maternity and parental benefits give you the freedom to spend time at home after the birth or adoption of a child. The Canadian Armed Forces will top up your Employment Insurance or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan benefits to 93 per cent of your regular salary as long as you have at least six months of service.

Personal Support

The Canadian Armed Forces offers you and your family a wide variety of support programs and services, including:

• Family support through the Military Family Resource Centres
• Retail stores, CANEX, on Canadian Armed Forces bases and in surrounding communities
• Financial planning services
• Financial assistance programs
• Counselling services
• Group term life insurance
• Comprehensive long term disability
• Sports and Fitness programs
• Quality of Life services and programs (Healthy Eating, Quitting Smoking, among others)

Leisure Time

Canadian Armed Forces bases are equipped with facilities for a variety of sports and activities, including intramural and local league sports. Most bases have swimming pools, gyms and sports fields, while some have skating rinks and golf courses. There are also libraries and community centres that host a wide variety of personal interest clubs and activities.

Moving Costs

When work requires that you move to another town or province, the Canadian Armed Forces covers the costs. Other financial assistance is available depending on your family situation, where you are posted and for how long.

Members of the Reserve Force serve part time in the Canadian Armed Forces. They may serve a few evenings a week or on weekends at locations close to home. However, in the event of a threat or crisis, reservists may be asked to serve full time as part of a mission in Canada or overseas. As a reservist, the choice to go is always voluntary. The main role of the Reserve Force is to support the Regular Force at home and abroad.

Each Reserve unit offers a variety of interesting and challenging jobs so explore what each unit in your area has to offer before making a choice. Reserve unit locations and jobs can be found on the Find a Recruiter page of this Web site.

Back to top

Service in the Reserve Force is voluntary and for an undefined period. Most Reservists serve on a part-time basis and many have non-military, full-time careers or are full-time students.

Back to top

There are Reserve Force units in hundreds of communities across Canada. Reservists train and work close to home. They do not have to serve overseas, but many choose to do so. Currently, over 400 reserve personnel are serving on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions around the world. In the past, up to 40 per cent of all peacekeepers have been reservists.

Missions can last a few days or weeks when responding to a disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti, or up to one year as part of a long-term commitment like Canada's participation in the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan.

Back to top

Your first step is to contact one of your local Reserve units to find out which positions are available and then apply online. Your local recruiting centre will process your application and ensure that you complete the required steps of the application process.

Most people join the Reserve Force through a Direct Entry plan. Direct Entry Plans are for those applicants who meet the minimum education required for their chosen career.           

Under the Reserve Entry Training Plan (RETP), a few places are set aside each year at the prestigious Royal Military College of Canada. Students are required to pay part of the costs but may be eligible to apply for scholarships, bursaries and reimbursements.

Several Aboriginal Entry Plans offer candidates the opportunity to learn more about military life before they decide to join. These plans are only open to Aboriginal peoples.

Back to top

Back to top

Pay and Benefits

Your pay as a Reservist is based on your job, rank and whether you work full or part time.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.

Education & Training

All reservists have access to education, training and professional development opportunities, and financial support for continuing education related to military employment.

Health & Dental Care

Full-time and deployed members of the Reserve Force receive the same medical and dental care as Regular Force members.

Vacation

Part-time Reservists do not receive vacation time. Full-time and deployed Reservists are eligible to receive one vacation day for each 15 consecutive calendar days of service to a maximum of 24 vacation days per year.

Pension

Full- and part-time Reservists are eligible to pay into the Canadian Armed Forces pension program. The pension calculation is based on whether you worked full time or part time and the number of full days served.

Canadian Armed Forces Officers hold positions of authority and respect. You will lead by example and be held to a high standard of ethics and professionalism. You will be responsible for the safety, well-being and morale of a group of soldiers, sailors, air men or air women. You will supervise their activities and performance, and ensure that the equipment they use is properly maintained. Analyzing, planning, making decisions and providing advice are a few aspects of your role as an Officer. 

Back to top

To become an Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, you must have a university degree that relates to your chosen occupation.

If you are already a university graduate, you will join under the Direct Entry Program. In this case, you are one step ahead in your new career. Following basic training, you will begin occupation training which will introduce the basics of your chosen career in a military environment. You may also be required to complete some on-the-job training before being assigned to your first position.

If you join under the Paid University entry plan or you are attending the Royal Military College of Canada, you will complete the Basic Military Officer Qualification course during the summer between first and second year. In the following summers you will do career training courses and on-the-job training with the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Basic Military Officer Qualification course focuses on honing the leadership skills required by all Officers in the Forces. In addition to rigorous fitness training, basic training for Officers ensures that each candidate has the leadership potential, motivation and ability to lead in a military environment.

To ensure that you have the skills necessary to effectively lead small teams in simple operations, you will have opportunities to apply your military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. Second language training is also available and is based on the individual needs of each cadet.

 

Back to top

Officer Jobs

 

Officer jobs require a high level of expertise in a specific field in addition to the responsibilities and tasks that come with leadership.

• Aerospace Control Officer
• Aerospace Engineering Officer
• Air Combat Systems Officer
• Armour Officer
• Artillery Officer
• Bioscience Officer
• Cadet Instructor
• Chaplain
• Communications and Electronics Engineering (Air) Officer
• Construction Engineering Officer
• Dental Officer
• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Officer
• Engineer Officer
• Health Care Administration Officer
• Infantry Officer
• Intelligence Officer
• Legal Officer
• Logistics Officer
• Marine Systems Engineering Officer
• Maritime Surface and Sub-surface Officer
• Medical Officer
• Military Police Officer
• Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer
• Nursing Officer
• Personnel Selection Officer
• Pharmacy Officer
• Physiotherapy Officer
• Pilot
• Public Affairs Officer
• Signals Officer
• Social Work Officer
• Training Development Officer

Back to top

The Basic Military Qualification course focuses on teaching the skills required to succeed in a military environment.  In addition to fitness training, basic training for Non-Commissioned Members ensures that each recruit has the potential, motivation and ability to work as an effective team member. 

You will have opportunities to apply your military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training and navigation.

After completing basic training, you will continue training specific to your career in the Navy, Army or Air Force:

• Navy recruits attend a five-week fleet school where they learn about naval history, watch keeping and firefighting duties, and skills necessary while at sea.
• In the 20-day Soldier Qualification course, Army recruits undergo more in-depth physical training, weapons handling and tactical maneuvers specific to the Army.
• The basic Air Environmental Qualification course is a four-day overview of the history of the Air Force, evolutions in aviation technology, and Air Force customs and traditions.

The next step is occupation training which will introduce you to your new military career with some on-the-job training. This phase can last from a few months to a year.

Back to top

Royal Canadian Navy

Careers in the Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy is a highly adaptable and flexible force. While being Canada's outer line of defense, it conducts sovereignty patrols, search and rescue operations, and assists other government departments in everything from disaster relief to law enforcement, such as conducting fishery or drug patrols. The Navy also supports Canadian foreign policy by remaining engaged internationally in everything from humanitarian assistance to peace support operations to maritime security operations.

The Navy has a variety of sea trades and positions with training unique to Canada and envied around the world. Explore all careers available to members of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Navy Jobs

Careers in the Army

The Canadian Army’s mission is to provide trained, combat-ready, agile and quickly responsive troops to meet Canada’s defense objectives. The Canadian Army is ready to respond to conflicts across the globe. With an international reputation for excellence, the well-equipped Canadian soldier is instrumental in the fight for freedom, stability and human rights around the world. Through the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), the Army is also prepared to send soldiers and equipment to assist international and national authorities with natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, storms, and forest fires.

The Canadian Army is the largest component of the Canadian Armed Forces with 35,000 soldiers. Many Army jobs focus on combat related skills. 

Explore all careers available to members of the Canadian Army.

Back to top

Royal Canadian Air Force

Careers in the Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force protects Canadians, Canadian sovereignty and Canadian interests at home and abroad. The Air Force defends Canadian airspace and, working with the Navy, Army and other government departments, conducts maritime and northern patrols, search and rescue missions, and intercepts of vessels carrying illegal drugs. The Royal Canadian Air Force also airlifts military personnel and supplies at home and abroad, and moves disaster relief supplies to stricken regions. Abroad, combat-ready forces take an active role in multinational missions, representing Canada's interests and helping maintain global stability.

The Royal Canadian Air Force offers a wide variety of aviation related jobs. Explore all careers available to members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.