Hello everyone, thank you for such a fantastic forum with so much helpful information. I've spent a great deal of time trying to answer some of my questions by reading existing threads, but feel there are a few gaps, so please forgive me for the elements of this that do overlap. New recruit for Reserve Signal Operator here, and hoping that I can get some fellow signallers or reservists to help me clarify a few things with regard to basic training.
During my recruitment process, I only had a few opportunities to ask questions, and they were right at the end of the recruiting process I think due to the re-arrangement of recruiting steps during COVID-19. As soon as I had an opportunity to ask questions in an interview, I attempted to get a clear picture on training requirements so I could make sure that it's possible to integrate the reserves into my life. I am 32 years old, have a full-time job in IT that I love, and feel incredibly lucky to have, so I am not willing to jeopardize my continued progression there. I also hold a relatively critical role in a small organization where it isn't as easy to offload work temporarily to others. I understand from much of what I have read that there is legislation and policies protecting my job, but I'm honestly not in a position where I want this to become adversarial with my employer / tell them they have to let me.
At the same time, I love everything I've read about the opportunity in the reserves - getting out from behind a desk and training in the outdoors, becoming more disciplined, and training to be even remotely useful if our country faces an emergency or existential threat. Silver linings would be the potential that trade-specific training adds to my IT skillset over time, and the pay is probably lowest on the list of priorities, but a nice bonus.
Anyways, during recruitment I spoke to a general recruiter for the brigade, and the signals recruiter. At this stage, prior to swearing in, I was told a few things: that despite the first two steps being possible over weekends, there IS required summer training. That being said, they ALSO told me that the signal trades had recently started a pilot/trial to do trade-specific training in more modular format with opportunities to do components of it remotely or online. I was hesitant, getting the impression that this more flexible DP1 format wasn't guaranteed, and that I could be wasting Army resources by committing to something I wasn't likely to be able to do (large periods of time in the summers off work and away from home). But... I was assured at the time that there is a lot of flexibility, and they will do what they can to make it work if I am willing to do what I can (I don't know how far that extends).
Fast forward I have now enlisted, and receive a welcome note from my training section commander. He confirmed the ability to do BMQ and SQ(?) on weekends throughout the fall/winter/spring (great), but that he had never heard of anything other than two successive summers with two months each being full time and in person at either Kingston or Borden. So, now I'm quite worried and confused as I feel like I've heard conflicting information. So I have a few questions:
During my recruitment process, I only had a few opportunities to ask questions, and they were right at the end of the recruiting process I think due to the re-arrangement of recruiting steps during COVID-19. As soon as I had an opportunity to ask questions in an interview, I attempted to get a clear picture on training requirements so I could make sure that it's possible to integrate the reserves into my life. I am 32 years old, have a full-time job in IT that I love, and feel incredibly lucky to have, so I am not willing to jeopardize my continued progression there. I also hold a relatively critical role in a small organization where it isn't as easy to offload work temporarily to others. I understand from much of what I have read that there is legislation and policies protecting my job, but I'm honestly not in a position where I want this to become adversarial with my employer / tell them they have to let me.
At the same time, I love everything I've read about the opportunity in the reserves - getting out from behind a desk and training in the outdoors, becoming more disciplined, and training to be even remotely useful if our country faces an emergency or existential threat. Silver linings would be the potential that trade-specific training adds to my IT skillset over time, and the pay is probably lowest on the list of priorities, but a nice bonus.
Anyways, during recruitment I spoke to a general recruiter for the brigade, and the signals recruiter. At this stage, prior to swearing in, I was told a few things: that despite the first two steps being possible over weekends, there IS required summer training. That being said, they ALSO told me that the signal trades had recently started a pilot/trial to do trade-specific training in more modular format with opportunities to do components of it remotely or online. I was hesitant, getting the impression that this more flexible DP1 format wasn't guaranteed, and that I could be wasting Army resources by committing to something I wasn't likely to be able to do (large periods of time in the summers off work and away from home). But... I was assured at the time that there is a lot of flexibility, and they will do what they can to make it work if I am willing to do what I can (I don't know how far that extends).
Fast forward I have now enlisted, and receive a welcome note from my training section commander. He confirmed the ability to do BMQ and SQ(?) on weekends throughout the fall/winter/spring (great), but that he had never heard of anything other than two successive summers with two months each being full time and in person at either Kingston or Borden. So, now I'm quite worried and confused as I feel like I've heard conflicting information. So I have a few questions:
- Is anyone able to give me an idea of realistically how much flexibility can be offered? For instance, how modular are the SigOp trade DP1 training? Is a module the size of 2 months, or can it be done in smaller bite-size pieces. 2 Months will be hard or impossible to get off work. 3 weeks is almost guaranteed, 1 month would be a big ask, but perhaps possible. Yes I understand this could end up taking a much longer amount of time to become DP1-trained, but I'm in the mindset of making this part of my life and would be in it for the long haul. I am committed to it, and I want to provide value to the CAF even if it takes me longer to complete training.
- Does anyone know anything about these highly modular/online/remote training components of trade-specific training that my signals recruiter mentioned to me?
- I'm also just interested in general advice others might have to offer based on the situation I feel I'm in. I don't want to be a problem child for my regiment. I'm here because I want to be trained and ready for my country in the time that I do have available.
- Should I do the weekend BMQ/SQ and see what training options are open to me at that point, or should I express upfront to my section commander these points that I've articulated above right away, and be prepared to bow out just as I'm getting started?
- Is two months on two summers the extent of base-level required trade training for SigOp? I thought I read somewhere (but can't find now) that there was significantly more basic training required / up to 12 months full time? I might just be getting my wires crossed on this one...
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