Joining The Infantry

[mariomike]

I've read a little about the standards expected for BMQ but could someone tell me more about the timed runs, etc that are required for being an infantry soldier?
I heard somewhere that the battle readiness test happens every other month and that it is pretty much 10 consecutive 10 minute miles with a 75lb ruck (15km).  Is this correct?  Sounds pretty intense.
What are the daily runs like in terms of distances and times expected?
Are there any other timed runs?  This is the only part that worries me haha.
Is qualification (1,2,3) with the carbine challenging?

This may help,

Bettering Fitness Standards while Waiting for BMQ 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/17044.0.html
3 pages.

Running: Training, Problems, Techniques, Questions, etc 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/22788.100
19 pages.

Fitness for Operational Requirements of CAF Employment ( FORCE )
https://army.ca/forums/threads/80513.200
44 pages.

etc...

 

[Somethinginteresting]

This may help,

Bettering Fitness Standards while Waiting for BMQ 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/17044.0.html
3 pages.

Running: Training, Problems, Techniques, Questions, etc 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/22788.100
19 pages.

Fitness for Operational Requirements of CAF Employment ( FORCE )
https://army.ca/forums/threads/80513.200
44 pages.

etc...

Thank you. [

 

[mariomike]

Thank you. [

You are welcome. Good luck. 

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

Hello all, good morning,

    I have been interested in the CAF for some time now (I am 15 years old), I want to be an NCM because I want to be out in the field doing the cool army stuff and not riding a desk. I am interested in the infantry because they are the boots on the ground and the ones that really fight the wars. When I told my mother that I was thinking of joining the military she encouraged me to do so if I wanted (which surprised me greatly) but one of her comments was that she did not want me to “just be a grunt” because it won’t give me useful skills for later in life.
    I was wondering if our modern infantry was mostly grunts who don’t have half a brain? Or if our infantry was a fairly intelligent lot?
    Thank you in advance


EDIT: OFF TOPIC: How often are our infantry deployed on humanitarian aid missions? E.G. Haiti the other decade, or even Irma (and all of the current hurricanes)


(P.S.: First post hope I did this right and this ends up in the combat arms — infantry sub-forum, I have searched and searched and can’t find the answer to this question)
(P.P.S.: Sorry for any grammar/spelling errors, spell check wouldn’t load  ;D)

 

[mariomike]

I was wondering if our modern infantry was mostly grunts who don’t have half a brain?

Search: Infantry "grunt"
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&q=site%3Aarmy.ca+infantry+grunt&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca+infantry+grunt&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.0.126021.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.ABG3paNg00k

How often are our infantry deployed on humanitarian aid missions?

Chances of going overseas for Peacekeeping/Humanitarian Missions?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/122872.0

Possibility of deployment 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/124754.0

Can someone throw me a friggin deployment????!!! 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/103498.0

Chances of Deployment ?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/105273.0

Deployment probabilities 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/104102.0
2 pages

Curious about deployment rates if anyone can help?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/121073.0

Voluntary Deployment??? 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/98932.0

Wanna join, but what if I don't wanna deploy? (merged)
http://army.ca/forums/threads/89177.0/nowap.html
4 pages

Reserves and Deployment 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/102409.0
2 pages.

Deployment Tempo 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/39949.0/nowap.html
2 pages.

TOURS AS NCM INF PRIVATE
http://army.ca/forums/threads/122685.0

Deployment length?
http://army.ca/forums/threads/110691.0

Deployment duration
http://army.ca/forums/threads/36345.0
2 pages.

Timeframe before deployment for infantry res
http://army.ca/forums/threads/110399.0/nowap.html

BMQ to Deployment Timeline 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/87928.0

Deployment
https://army.ca/forums/threads/104765.0

etc...

See also,

Operations update
"The Canadian Armed Forces operations monthly public affairs narrative is designed to give an up-to-date overview of ongoing Canadian Armed Forces missions in Canada, North America and around the world."
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations/update.page
Date modified: 2017-09-07

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

Infantry "grunt"
https://www.google.ca/search?rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-CA%3AIE-Address&rlz=1I7GGHP_en-GBCA592&dcr=0&q=site%3Aarmy.ca+infantry+grunt&oq=site%3Aarmy.ca+infantry+grunt&gs_l=psy-ab.12...0.0.0.126021.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0....0...1..64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.ABG3paNg00k

Chances of going overseas for Peacekeeping/Humanitarian Missions?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/122872.0

Possibility of deployment 
https://army.ca/forums/threads/124754.0

Can someone throw me a friggin deployment????!!! 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/103498.0

Chances of Deployment ?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/105273.0

Deployment probabilities 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/104102.0
2 pages

Curious about deployment rates if anyone can help?
https://army.ca/forums/threads/121073.0

Voluntary Deployment??? 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/98932.0

Wanna join, but what if I don't wanna deploy? (merged)
http://army.ca/forums/threads/89177.0/nowap.html
4 pages

Reserves and Deployment 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/102409.0
2 pages.

Deployment Tempo 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/39949.0/nowap.html
2 pages.

TOURS AS NCM INF PRIVATE
http://army.ca/forums/threads/122685.0

Deployment length?
http://army.ca/forums/threads/110691.0

Deployment duration
http://army.ca/forums/threads/36345.0
2 pages.

Timeframe before deployment for infantry res
http://army.ca/forums/threads/110399.0/nowap.html

BMQ to Deployment Timeline 
http://army.ca/forums/threads/87928.0

Deployment
https://army.ca/forums/threads/104765.0

etc...

See also,

Operations update
"The Canadian Armed Forces operations monthly public affairs narrative is designed to give an up-to-date overview of ongoing Canadian Armed Forces missions in Canada, North America and around the world."
http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations/update.page

Thank you MarioMike for your reply,

I have actually read most of those that you listed and some gave vague answers or partial answers, but most didn’t really answer my main questions I guess.

I wanted to know if our infantry was a smart bunch of guys who knew what they were doing, which is a hard one to answer I see, because of the fact that each regiment is different, not to mention once you are comparing platoons.

I also really wanted to know how often our infantry is deployed for humanitarian missions? (not including combat missions) I am interested greatly in humanitarian aid work, and was wondering if the infantry did this kind of stuff often.

For example, the other year (2011 and 2014) we had some big flooding issues around Winnipeg. In my area infantry soldiers from 2nd Battalion PPCLI (from Shilo) came and helped sandbag the area and prepare it for a lot of water. I was wondering how often this type of stuff took place and who normally does it?

Sorry for the long sentences, I am not well right now and the spell check thing won’t load.

Thank you again

 

[mariomike]

Thank you again

You are welcome. Good luck. 

 

[LightFighter]

I wanted to know if our infantry was a smart bunch of guys who knew what they were doing, which is a hard one to answer I see, because of the fact that each regiment is different, not to mention once you are comparing platoons.

I also really wanted to know how often our infantry is deployed for humanitarian missions? (not including combat missions) I am interested greatly in humanitarian aid work, and was wondering if the infantry did this kind of stuff often.

For example, the other year (2011 and 2014) we had some big flooding issues around Winnipeg. In my area infantry soldiers from 2nd Battalion PPCLI (from Shilo) came and helped sandbag the area and prepare it for a lot of water. I was wondering how often this type of stuff took place and who normally does it?

For the most part, our Infantry is a smart, adaptable group of soldiers. A number of troops also take advantage of the ILP to take online courses as well.

As for domestic Operations within Canada, eg forest fires and flooding. It happens when required; also your unit would have to be on the IRU when the call for military assistance is made. As for overseas humanitarian work, I personally don't know anyone in the Infantry that has done it. Not to say it won't happen, it just hasn't happened too often lately. 2RCR did deploy to Haiti in the early/mid 2000s, I'm not sure if their role went past providing security though. Don't expect to join the Infantry and be deploying on multiple humanitarian missions overseas. Also predicting overseas deployments are hard as there are far to many variables. Right now, the Infantry has deployments to Eastern Europe as part of the NATO mission to deter Russian aggression and train up our allies in the region.

The mission of the Infantry is to close with and destroy; if you don't want to do this as a full time job, the Infantry won't be for you. Dont expect overseas humanitarian deployments.  If it does happen for you than great; but you may never have that opportunity.

 

[mariomike]

As for domestic Operations within Canada, eg forest fires and flooding.

See also,

CF Domestic Disaster Relief Ops (merged)
https://army.ca/forums/threads/73744.100
5 pages.

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

For the most part, our Infantry is a smart, adaptable group of soldiers. A number of troops also take advantage of the ILP to take online courses as well.

As for domestic Operations within Canada, eg forest fires and flooding. It happens when required; also your unit would have to be on the IRU when the call for military assistance is made. As for overseas humanitarian work, I personally don't know anyone in the Infantry that has done it. Not to say it won't happen, it just hasn't happened too often lately. 2RCR did deploy to Haiti in the early/mid 2000s, I'm not sure if their role went past providing security though. Don't expect to join the Infantry and be deploying on multiple humanitarian missions overseas. Also predicting overseas deployments are hard as there are far to many variables. Right now, the Infantry has deployments to Eastern Europe as part of the NATO mission to deter Russian aggression and train up our allies in the region.

The mission of the Infantry is to close with and destroy; if you don't want to do this as a full time job, the Infantry won't be for you. Don’t expect overseas humanitarian deployments.  If it does happen for you than great; but you may never have that opportunity.

Wow, thank you for that, that was very informative and included just the answer I was looking for “I personally don’t know anyone in the infantry that has done it” and “Don’t expect overseas humanitarian deployments”. I have nothing against “closing with and destroying the enemy” it is just that I would like my job (trade) to also include directly helping people in times of natural disaster.

Thank you very much for your response, it was very helpful and very informative to me.

(To MarioMike: I will read through that post and reply right away! Thank you too!)

 

[mariomike]

(To MarioMike: I will read through that post and reply right away! Thank you too!)

My pleasure. 

 

[daftandbarmy]

Hello all, good morning,

    I have been interested in the CAF for some time now (I am 15 years old), I want to be an NCM because I want to be out in the field doing the cool army stuff and not riding a desk. I am interested in the infantry because they are the boots on the ground and the ones that really fight the wars. When I told my mother that I was thinking of joining the military she encouraged me to do so if I wanted (which surprised me greatly) but one of her comments was that she did not want me to “just be a grunt” because it won’t give me useful skills for later in life.
    I was wondering if our modern infantry was mostly grunts who don’t have half a brain? Or if our infantry was a fairly intelligent lot?
    Thank you in advance


EDIT: OFF TOPIC: How often are our infantry deployed on humanitarian aid missions? E.G. Haiti the other decade, or even Irma (and all of the current hurricanes)


(P.S.: First post hope I did this right and this ends up in the combat arms — infantry sub-forum, I have searched and searched and can’t find the answer to this question)
(P.P.S.: Sorry for any grammar/spelling errors, spell check wouldn’t load  ;D)

I'll have you know that my 'half brain' is fully employed figuring out how to smash bad people and break all their stuff.  [

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

Wow, thank you for that, that was very informative and included just the answer I was looking for “I personally don’t know anyone in the infantry that has done it” and “Don’t expect overseas humanitarian deployments”. I have nothing against “closing with and destroying the enemy” it is just that I would like my job (trade) to also include directly helping people in times of natural disaster.

Thank you very much for your response, it was very helpful and very informative to me.

(To MarioMike: I will read through that post and reply right away! Thank you too!)

Sounds like you want to become a firefighter, paramedic or Work for an NGO.  The military is the government's tool of last resort and will be called upon when crap hits the fan and there is no other option.  We are a security tool, pure and simple, and will use any means necessary to maintain security at home or abroad.  Dependent on the situation, we will adapt our approach but the spectrum is anywhere from handshakes and teddy bears to shooting someone right in the face at the extreme end. 

In other words, be prepared for anything  ;D

 

[medicineman]

2RCR did deploy to Haiti in the early/mid 2000s, I'm not sure if their role went past providing security though.

The operation in 2003 was initially a NEO mission - Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation - to extract Canadians caught up in bad destabilization of government...we ended up staying significantly longer than the initially planned 2 weeks to assist US, French and Chilean forces there to help re-establish some semblance of security and bolster the Haitian National Police to help them do their job safely and effectively.  There was the occasional humanitarian op done, but otherwise it was essentially a stability assistance op.  This isn't to be confused with the post earthquake deployment of DART in I want to say 2009-10.

MM

 

[ConsideringCareers…]

Sounds like you want to become a firefighter, paramedic or Work for an NGO.  The military is the government's tool of last resort and will be called upon when crap hits the fan and there is no other option.  We are a security tool, pure and simple, and will use any means necessary to maintain security at home or abroad.  Dependent on the situation, we will adapt our approach but the spectrum is anywhere from handshakes and teddy bears to shooting someone right in the face at the extreme end. 

In other words, be prepared for anything  ;D

The word “also” was there for a reason, I want to help protect Canada and our interests from threats, but I ALSO want to directly help people after natural disasters.

I hope you understand.

(To daftandbarmy: I hope that didn’t come off rudely, I meant no insult to the infantry, I was trying to ask a question using terminology that I had heard people (non infantry personnel) throw around, either in poking fun or in trying to make themselves sound better than the infantry/other combat arms.)

(To MarioMike: I read that post, it was quite interesting, it definitely made it seem that the combat engineers did most of the humanitarian stuff, expecially with bridging and road building, that is one of the trades I am considering (originally because being a sapper and getting to blow stuff up sounded cool, but everything I learn about them makes me like it even more), would it seem that this is the case, that Combat Engineers do lots of the humanitarian work?)

(To MedicineMan: interesting, I didn’t know that, I guess I got the haiti missions mixed up into one. Learn something (or 100 somethings) everyday!)

Thank you all for your replies!

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

The operation in 2003 was initially a NEO mission - Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation - to extract Canadians caught up in bad destabilization of government...we ended up staying significantly longer than the initially planned 2 weeks to assist US, French and Chilean forces there to help re-establish some semblance of security and bolster the Haitian National Police to help them do their job safely and effectively.  There was the occasional humanitarian op done, but otherwise it was essentially a stability assistance op.  This isn't to be confused with the post earthquake deployment of DART in I want to say 2009-10.

MM

You forgot the part where the CIA, maybe supported by us (who knows) quietly whisked away the then President

We swear HNP, we are here to help  ;D ...........
Help give you a new President that is  >

 

[daftandbarmy]

(To daftandbarmy: I hope that didn’t come off rudely, I meant no insult to the infantry, I was trying to ask a question using terminology that I had heard people (non infantry personnel) throw around, either in poking fun or in trying to make themselves sound better than the infantry/other combat arms.)

Oh, you have no idea how much we revel in that 'brand'

Here's an example of our Infantry 'Poster Boy' at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxFgSmR0i3A

 

[Old Sweat]

You forgot the part where the CIA, maybe supported by us (who knows) quietly whisked away the then President

We swear HNP, we are here to help  ;D ...........
Help give you a new President that is  >

That would be President Aristide, who originally was removed in a 1991 coup, but reinstated by American intervention a few years later. Unfortunately he proved no better than any of his predecessors and was invited to move to Africa in 2003.

In 1991 I was in J3 Plans and was tasked to write a non-permissive NEO plan. I subsequently updated it a couple of times until I retired in 1994. In 2003 I was watching the CNN coverage, including a report that the USMC were going to seize Port-au-Prince International Airport (PAPIA) by air landing Marines by Hercules. When Wolf Blitzer reported that Canadian special forces had occupied PAPIA, I let out a colossal bellow of YES and then settled down to later enjoy seeing a Canadian "Follow Me" vehicle lead the Marine Hercules to a parking place on the tarmac.

 

[Humphrey Bogart]

That would be President Aristide, who originally was removed in a 1991 coup, but reinstated by American intervention a few years later. Unfortunately he proved no better than any of his predecessors and was invited to move to Africa in 2003.

In 1991 I was in J3 Plans and was tasked to write a non-permissive NEO plan. I subsequently updated it a couple of times until I retired in 1994. In 2003 I was watching the CNN coverage, including a report that the USMC were going to seize Port-au-Prince International Airport (PAPIA) by air landing Marines by Hercules. When Wolf Blitzer reported that Canadian special forces had occupied PAPIA, I let out a colossal bellow of YES and then settled down to later enjoy seeing a Canadian "Follow Me" vehicle lead the Marine Hercules to a parking place on the tarmac.

I think the only question we really ever need to ask to confirm we are still G2G is "Can we successfully invade and occupy Haiti with little to no difficulty?"

If the answer is yes, all is well in the CAF :rofl:

 

[Journeyman]

....I hope that didn’t come off rudely, I meant no insult to the infantry, I was trying to ask a question using terminology that I had heard people (non infantry personnel) throw around, either in poking fun or in trying to make themselves sound better than the infantry/other combat arms.)

I thought it was your mother's term, according to your first post? 

If so, you should both try to incorporate the terms "zipperhead" (Armour) and "thumperhead" (Combat Engineer) more often in your daily chats.  :nod: