WinterGhost said:
Hello,
I have some questions about recruiting that I haven't had answered yet. I've tried contacting a recruiter but they're only available one day a week at the base I am applying to, and I haven't been able to contact them even on that day. I haven't had time to go up to the base either to actually meet a recruiter. I've spoken to a person in the military currently and someone who used to be in the reserves, but I still have some questions that I need answers to. I turned 16 last June and I am really interested in a career in the Army.
1. I saw that the minimum time needed to serve every month was 4 evenings plus a full weekend. Would those 4 evenings be allowed to translate to 4 full days? If so, would more than one full weekend be allowed? I heard on the evenings that it was things like marching and such, so I wasn't too sure.
Minimum is one evening per month.
2. I've heard that lodging and food is provided while at the base training, and such. Would it lodging and food still be provided if you served more than the minimum time bracket?
You normally get rations and quarters while on courses and taskings. If its local to your area you may be able to stay at home.
You are not guaranteed to be able to work more than the normal parades, but you can request it. If a tasking is local to your area, you may not be offered rations and quarters.
3. To apply you need to give certain identification, what kind of documents should I look at getting to apply?
4. What is the exact time schedule? Say for evenings what time would I need to arrive, what time would it end. Same for weekends.
Depends on the unit.
5. To join the reserves do I need to enter with a trade? I have no trade experience, so I wouldn't be able to join in with a trade. If you don't need a trade, would it lower your chance of getting in?
You choose a military trade. There may be a handful of civilian equivalencies granted. But the reserve targets recruitment to training their own. Some people join the reserve in part to get relevant training for their civilian career, such as vehicle techs (mechanics).
6. Will I need a drivers licence?
No. Its often helpful for getting to an armoury. My first day after basic took three hours one way to get from the burbs to the armoury.
7. How long would basic training be? I've heard its done over a set of weekends. I'd prefer to do it all at once to get all I can out of basic training. I prefer a challenge.
Last full-time courses I saw were four weeks BMQ, four weeks SQ. You may not be offered a choice in course format. Expect approximately 40 day-equivalents. I may be corrected on that.
8. After an application is filed, how long am I looking at before I get a reply?
There's a big range.
9. When you earn ranks in the reserves and later join the forces full time, does your rank carry over or do you need to start from scratch?
There's a big range. It depends on experience and differences in training.
10. After basic training is done, what kind of things will I be doing for work?
Courses related to your occupation, preparation for courses, familiarization with your trade, support of your unit's operations, and individual soldier skills.
I'm sorry if these are fairly common questions with answers found quite easily, it's just that I personally haven't found answers to them myself and these are things I've been wondering about for well over a year. Also, I've already set my mind to join the reserves/army regardless of any of the answers to the questions above, so please answer 100% honestly and as best as possible.
I look forward to hearing your replies.
Learn to effectively search for answers yourself. Go to local armouries, shadow somebody, and ask questions. Find out more about your options for trades.
