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I have a Computer Science Degree from the University of Alberta with 16 months worth of industry experience and I am interested in joining the Regular Forces as a Direct Entry Officer (DEO). I have been talking to recruiters about the DEO program, browsing these forums, and talking to friends in the Reserves. I haven't been able to find much information related to the DEO program that can clarify some concerns I have. Can anyone help clarify these for me?
The wages posted on the DND recruiting website (http://www.recruiting.forces.ca/media/pdf/other/RegularForcePay.pdf) seem much lower than the normal wages a person with my degree would receive (2LT DEO Base IPC = 3255 * 12 = 39060 annual), Alberta Salary surveys from the past 3 years have an average starting salary between $40000-50000 for people with my qualifications; which, even considering the $40000 over 2 years signing bonus, is still higher within 5 years (factoring salary increases both in the Military and in industry)
I'm interested in going into a trade that will have a lot of time spent in the field (I'm trying to decide between engineer, armour, signals, or electrical and mechanical engineering officer), and some of the discussions I've read here have led me to believe that field pay is substantial for long field operations. I've also got the impression that cost of living in the regular force, especially while on overseas deployments is almost non-existent compared to the normal civilian cost of living. My belief, then, is that the actual income from joining as an officer is actually about equivalent to what a normal civilian working in industry would receive. Does anyone have any incite regarding this?
I've read up about the training provided for officers, and I'm curious, how are posting preferences handled? For example, I would like to be posted with a unit here in Edmonton as my family lives here and I know there's a big military presence in this city. If I joined up, upon completion of my training, could I request being posted here (if I joined in a trade that has a unit here)? If so, how good of a chance would I have at actually being posted here?
I've spent my entire childhood in the Cadets and in fiercely regimented private schools. I am a Canadian citizen with no criminal record. My interests include martial arts, competitive shooting, orienteering and marathon running. From my industry experience, I have Top Secret security clearance with CSIS (I did web-development for the Government of Canada on an 8 month coop). Almost all of my family members are former (or present) serving members of the Filipino Army, and they all encourage me to join the Army here in Canada, so I feel up to the challenge. That said does anyone have any "unofficial" information about anything I can expect upon joining the regular force as an Officer?
Thank you!
The wages posted on the DND recruiting website (http://www.recruiting.forces.ca/media/pdf/other/RegularForcePay.pdf) seem much lower than the normal wages a person with my degree would receive (2LT DEO Base IPC = 3255 * 12 = 39060 annual), Alberta Salary surveys from the past 3 years have an average starting salary between $40000-50000 for people with my qualifications; which, even considering the $40000 over 2 years signing bonus, is still higher within 5 years (factoring salary increases both in the Military and in industry)
I'm interested in going into a trade that will have a lot of time spent in the field (I'm trying to decide between engineer, armour, signals, or electrical and mechanical engineering officer), and some of the discussions I've read here have led me to believe that field pay is substantial for long field operations. I've also got the impression that cost of living in the regular force, especially while on overseas deployments is almost non-existent compared to the normal civilian cost of living. My belief, then, is that the actual income from joining as an officer is actually about equivalent to what a normal civilian working in industry would receive. Does anyone have any incite regarding this?
I've read up about the training provided for officers, and I'm curious, how are posting preferences handled? For example, I would like to be posted with a unit here in Edmonton as my family lives here and I know there's a big military presence in this city. If I joined up, upon completion of my training, could I request being posted here (if I joined in a trade that has a unit here)? If so, how good of a chance would I have at actually being posted here?
I've spent my entire childhood in the Cadets and in fiercely regimented private schools. I am a Canadian citizen with no criminal record. My interests include martial arts, competitive shooting, orienteering and marathon running. From my industry experience, I have Top Secret security clearance with CSIS (I did web-development for the Government of Canada on an 8 month coop). Almost all of my family members are former (or present) serving members of the Filipino Army, and they all encourage me to join the Army here in Canada, so I feel up to the challenge. That said does anyone have any "unofficial" information about anything I can expect upon joining the regular force as an Officer?
Thank you!