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What They Do
An Infantry Officer performs a wide range of duties, from commanding and leading soldiers as part of a team to occupying various staff positions involving planning, training, intelligence, logistics and personnel administration.
As commissioned members of Canada’s Infantry regiments, which belong to the Combat Arms, Infantry Officers are capable of operating anywhere in the world, in any environment including Arctic tundra, mountains, jungle or desert and in any combination of arms, including parachute, airmobile and amphibious operations. The primary role of Infantry during operations is to be involved in combat.
Working Environment
Infantry Officers experience the unique challenges of working outdoors in various weather conditions. When not in the field, Infantry Officers are responsible for garrison duties, which include physical training, office work and supervision, mixed with instructing staff and outdoor field and weapons training. Office work is focused on personnel administration and maintenance of weapons, equipment and vehicles. These duties usually occur during regular working hours.
Infantry Officers will be posted initially to one of three regiments: the Royal Canadian Regiment, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the Royal 22e Régiment.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Infantry Officer is $51,000 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Regular promotions through the junior officer ranks take place based on the completion of required training and on the length of service as an officer. Once promoted to the rank of Captain, their salary is approximately $74,000 per year.
At the beginning of an Infantry Officers career, they serve either in a mechanized battalion equipped with armoured fighting vehicles or a light infantry battalion. They will be a Platoon Leader in command of 30 to 35 soldiers, and be responsible for the training and combat efficiency, discipline, morale, physical condition and well-being of the soldiers under their command.
After enrolment, you start basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 14 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Canadian Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.
Second language training is available following basic officer training; depending on your ability in your second language, it may take from two to nine months.
The required training for Infantry Officers takes place at the Infantry School in Gagetown, New Brunswick. Infantry Officers receive the skills, knowledge and experience to command and lead a platoon through all phases of war, both in theory and in practice, in the field. As well, they are introduced advanced weapons-handling and tactics training. As their training advances, the course focuses on more advanced tactics, and the techniques of cooperating with the other Combat Arms in field exercises. Infantry Officers learn how to problem solve and take command of a mechanized Infantry platoon equipped with armoured fighting vehicles.
Infantry Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Reconnaissance Patrolman
- Sniper
- Anti-Armour Gunner and Section Commander
- Gunner, Small Arms Coach
- 25mm Gunner and light armoured vehicle Crew Commander
- Parachute training
- Mountain, Winter (Arctic) and Jungle Operations
- Patrol Pathfinder
- Close Quarter Battle Instructor (Urban Operations)
- Close Quarter Combat Instructor (Unarmed Combat)
- Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence Instructor
- Tactical Intelligence Operator
As they progress in their career, Infantry Officers who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- Instructional Techniques
- Primary Army Leadership
- Infantry Soldier Section Commander
- Infantry Soldier Platoon Second-in-Command
- Infantry Soldier Company Sergeant-Major
If you already have a university degree, the Canadian Forces will decide if your academic program matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training. basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.
Regular Officer Training Plan
Because this position requires a university degree, the Canadian Forces will pay successful recruits to complete a Bachelor degree program at a Canadian university. They receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Canadian Forces for a period of time. Typically, candidates enter the Canadian Military College System as an Officer Cadet where they study subjects relevant to both their military and academic career. In some instances, the Canadian Forces is able to pay for Officer Cadets to attend other Canadian universities in a relevant degree program. Officer Cadets who attend other Canadian universities typically attend university during the regular academic year and participate in additional military training during the summer months. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Canadian Forces and the Canadian university of your choice. For more information, click on Paid University.
This position is available for part-time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part-time for a Reserve unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required in order to specialize skills, arrangements will be made by the home unit.
It is also possible to set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to take courses leading to a university degree related to this job, and upon successful completion, be reimbursed for up to 50% of tuition and other mandatory costs. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
This position is available through the Reserve Entry Training Plan. Through this program Reservists attend the Royal Military College, and are eligible for tuition reimbursement up to $2000 per year. They are paid as a part-time officer cadet for any additional military training required.
Typically, Reservists work or train with their home unit for at least four evenings and one weekend per month, from September to May of each year. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.
