I am an Environmental Applied Science Technology graduate and I have a year of BioScience Technology under my belt. I have applied for the military this week and I am in the process of recruitment. I understand that being a Meteorological Technician is in demand. I have a few questions regarding this trade if you have the time to answer them.
1) In the process of training, I understand that you go through basic in Quebec then you get your environment training (air, land, sea), then you go for your trade training, is this true? Where is the location for the environment training?
2) My first choice is the Air Force, what is the likelihood that I will be able to pursue it?
3) I have a deep desire to live in both Manitoba and B.C. short term, what is the likely hood of being in B.C.? Could you please explain to me the 4 locations and the type of training you receive? and for how long. I read that the program in Manitoba is around 5.4 months, then you go to Gagetown, then you go to Esquimalt, is this true? Also, where does Halifax fall?
4) Where are MET's located on a base? Do you have your own building, who do you associate with? Where would you be located on an air force base? Where would you be located on a land and navy base? Do you go to a food hall to eat?
5) What is the shift work like? I am a bit of an introvert, is it true that you work the majority of shifts alone? Can you read?
6) Can you get married while in the military? and does the CAF accommodate for military couples (both in military) for placement?
Thank you very much for your time,
Thanks for your interest, I will attempt to answer your questions as best I can. I have been in for ~21 years, so some of my experiences may be out of date.
1) You are correct, basic military training is conducted in St. Jean, Quebec. It's about an hour outside of Montreal, an in the course of your training you will have opportunity to travel to Montreal to experience Montreal. Environmental training is a bit more complicated than just uniform selection. As a Met Tech you ill go to Gagetown, NB to await trade training in Winnipeg. If after basic occupational training you are selected for environmental training, it will be assigned at your unit. Not all RCN Met Techs sail, and not all RCAF Met Techs go to an air wing.
2) As a Met Tech, you will be sent where you are needed. I have been RCAF for 21 years, I have spent more time working for the army, and navy than I have spent with the RCAF. There is o such thing as an "air force" Met Tech. We serve where required, as required. That said, the navy is the best place to work in the CAF. Sailing sucks, but you're doing it with 250 of your best friends.
3) You go where you're posted. I'd live in Uculet, or Port Renfrew if I had any say, but I don't...
There is a chance to be posted to Victoria, but there is a much greater chance to be posted to somewhere else. Postings are based on job openings, and family situation. I'll be blunt, joining single, you're at the bottom of the pile. If you have a family you move up a notch, but it's no guarantee of a posting you want.
From experience, sometimes the places you least want to be, are the places that make you a better leader.
4) Met Techs are employed under different conditions based on where they are posted. In Gagetown, it's a massive unit of Met Techs, so you have a big group of like minded people to be friends with. On a ship, there are two of you, so you need to know how to make friends outside of work. On an air base the met section is alone, though some bases are good about making them feel welcome.
5) Most Met Techs work alone outside of the JMC in Gagetown. If you enjoy working alone, getting out of the JMC is in your best interests. Shifts range from 8-12 hours, and often the Met Tech is alone for the entire shift.
6) Do what you want, so long as there is no inappropriate interpersonal relationship between supervisor and staff.
If you have more questions feel free to ask, I may not have the best answers, but I will always try to answer.
