[ginger]

I am 25 years old with a University Degree. I have always been interested in joining the CF. However, there seems to be a recruiting slow-down right now. I am assuming since they are thinking of pulling out of Afghanistan. I was just wondering if it was still possible to be recruited - I have been to recruiting centres, and they all just encourage me to apply without giving too much detail on the possibility of being hired. I just really hope to be a member of the armed forces some day. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

[Guy_Fawkes]

ginger ginger:

I am 25 years old with a University Degree. I have always been interested in joining the CF. However, there seems to be a recruiting slow-down right now. I am assuming since they are thinking of pulling out of Afghanistan. I was just wondering if it was still possible to be recruited - I have been to recruiting centres, and they all just encourage me to apply without giving too much detail on the possibility of being hired. I just really hope to be a member of the armed forces some day. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

You are just asking at the wrong time, every fiscal year recruiting gets a quota of what they need. The positions are probably filled but will open again some time around April. Still it can take up to 3 months to process an application and spots can open up out of no where. It really depends on what you are applying for. Unless you are shooting for a job you cant get, or are unemployable, the military will eventually take you.

The withdrawing from Afghanistan really wont effect the acceptation rate of applicants, since we aren't (necessarily) recruiting to replace the dead or injured. There are some yes, but more and more baby boomers are hitting the age of retirement. Now if you are looking to get into the reserves that's a whole other story, they are chopping their numbers into order to push people into joing reg force.

[ginger]

I am hoping for regular force, Military Police Officer, which is apparently still open (depending on who I ask in recruiting). I am willing to wait until the next fiscal year begins. I just want to eventually join the CF. It has always been my dream.

[Guy_Fawkes]

ginger ginger:

I am hoping for regular force, Military Police Officer, which is apparently still open (depending on who I ask in recruiting). I am willing to wait until the next fiscal year begins. I just want to eventually join the CF. It has always been my dream.

Ya, as long as have some police sciences courses it shouldnt be too difficult to get in as a meat head. Just fill out the application and wait.

[ShepherdsDog]

A degree in liberal arts likely won't get you too far, unless it's in psych, criminology or linguistics. However, if it is a hard science degree you shouldn't have too much trouble getting made an offer....mind you there is more money to be made as a civilian.

[coltsrmint2]

To join the forces as a MPO, you will need, to be an Ideal applicant a degree in Criminology, Police Sciences, Criminal Justice, Computer Science, Finance, Business Administration, Law, Psychology, Socilogy, to be an acceptable applicant, you will need any undergraduate degree with some policing experience. I can tell you there are still around 4 spots left in MOP and it takes around 5 months or more to get in.....
I hope this helps....

[ginger]

Well I have a communications and business French Degree. Many courses I did take were law-related (my University didn't have a criminology program). It doesn't state that the degree must be in criminology necessarily. I took a college course in Canadian Criminology soon after graduation, and I do have some police training, so hopefully that works. I just wish that there were more openings. Hopefully more will open up in April. I would work for the CF for free right now if I could.

[Benn]

Just so you know in case recruiting did not tell you. A Commissioned MP does not do real policing as a cop on a beat would. Its all policy and admin stuff and .....ugh sorry I fell asleep thinking about it. But thats me, you might enjoy it.

Recruiters anywhere will rarely tell you not to join since their success often comes from numbers applying rather than numbers of good quality applicants applying and number of people hired who remain on the job and do a good job. You will find this anywhere. Its one reason the RCMP is so backlogged in their recruitment process. They spent 4 years blowing smoke up anyone's butt who came to their door telling them, "You meet the minimum requirements just apply and see what happens." Well 75% of Canadian citizens meet their minimum requirements so....

[ginger]

Oh I understand that it's not the same as, say, Urban policing, and that's just fine. I just want to become an officer in the military, and MPO has proven to be the most interesting. I really just want in with the CF, preferably as an officer. If it's only a matter of time, that's fine. It's a profession that's worth the wait. I hope it's not too long, as I would like to get a career in the military kick-started. Less people apply to the military than police services, and the military, according to articles I have been reading, rarely, if ever, meet its recruiting targets. My hope is to be hired as an officer within the next year. I hope that's realistic. Even though they are pulling out of Afghanistan, many personnel will be retiring within the next couple of years. I hope that leaves openings!

[EyeBrock]

ginger ginger:

I am hoping for regular force, Military Police Officer, which is apparently still open (depending on who I ask in recruiting). I am willing to wait until the next fiscal year begins. I just want to eventually join the CF. It has always been my dream.

Why not just become a real cop? MP's.........tsk.

[ginger]

regular police services seem harder to get into, and are really not hiring that much. I was an applicant with Ottawa Police, but recruitment slow-downs have ended that process. Besides, I would really just rather join the Canadian Forces anyway. More of an experience.

[EyeBrock]

There are three intakes a year into Ontario Police College. Hiring has barely slowed down during the 'recession' in Ontario.

Having been in the military and having worked with MP's outside the military, I wouldn't be going into the MPs to get 'the experience'.

MP's are kinda not the most popular members of any military. Their police training and experience is not equal to their civilian counterparts and really, being an MP is hardly the most fun job in the Forces.

They are as popular as a fart in an NBC suit.

[SprCForr]

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

They are as popular as a fart in an NBC suit.

Drop an SBD in your suit then ask your buddy to check the zipper up around your neck. When he leans in you pull out the suit a bit and let it air...

Ahhh, O'dirty early army guy fun...

[Wullu]

Eyebrock yer full of it.

I have been at this a long time and no one I know who has worked with the MPs, myself included, has had anything negative to say about them. They are just one more trade in the CF. Like any trade they have their assholes, but like every other trade the vast majority of them are pros.


Now for the OP, each recruiting centre has a quota that they are given based on the population and average number of applicants they get. If you don't get the response you are looking for at one, try another, if that is logistically possible. Not sure where you are, but southern Ontario for instance is lousy with recruit centres. But get the paper work started if you want in. It can take a while, based on volume at the centre, back ground checks, trade availability etc etc. I was lucky and only waited three months from the day I walked in the centre until there was this crazed artilleryman screaming in my ear in Cornwallis.

[ginger]

Yes, I know people who are MP, and I don't remember them saying that everyone hated them. But every position has its enemies I suppose.

Well I would love for my process to take only 3 months, but I try to remain realistic. I am in Ottawa, so yes, not exactly a "military town," which leaves me often seeking other resources such as this to get information on recruiting. Not that they haven't been helpful, they have, but there have been inconsistencies.

Wullu, may I ask how long ago you joined? What position did you get hired for?