Benefits
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Regular Force (Full-time)
As a Regular Force member, you will receive a competitive salary, continuous support to advance your career, the chance to travel the world, and many other tangible services and benefits, including the following:
Education & Training
The Canadian Forces (CF) has outstanding education, training and professional development opportunities, such as paid tuition, second language training and financial support for continuing education.
Health & Dental Care
As a member of the Regular Force, you will receive health care and dental care from the time you join until the time you leave the Canadian Forces. Similar benefits for your family will begin three months after your enrolment in the Regular Force.
Vacation
As a member of the Regular Force you will receive 20 vacation days per year, which increases to 25 days per year after five years. Vacation can be requested anytime, depending on training and operational requirements.
Pension
The CF pension plan is designed to provide you with a retirement income on completion of your military career. It is one of the best and safest pension plans in Canada.
Maternity & Parental Leave
Maternity and parental benefits help you balance work with the responsibilities that come with the birth or adoption of a child. In addition to financial benefits, you can take time away from work to care for your children.
Personal Support
The CF offers you and your family a wide variety of support programs and services, including:
- Family support centres (Military Family Resource Centres)
- Retail stores on CF bases (Canadian Forces Exchange System - CANEX)
- Financial planning services
- Financial assistance programs
- Counselling services
- Group term life insurance
- Comprehensive long term disability
Leisure Time
Canadian Forces Bases are equipped with facilities for a variety of sports and activities, including intramural and local league sports. Most bases have swimming pools, gyms and sports fields, while some have skating rinks, golf courses and rod and gun clubs. There are also libraries and community centres that host a wide variety of personal interest clubs and activities.
Moving Costs
When work requires that you move, the CF covers the costs. Other financial assistance is available, depending on whether you are married, where you are posted and for how long.
Reserve Force (Part-time)
There are many advantages to joining the Reserve Force, such as working part-time without long-term commitment, serving in the local community, and gaining valuable skills that will apply to alternate careers.
Members in the Reserve Force are entitled to receive additional benefits based on their service in the CF. Reservists have the option to serve part-time, full-time, or on a mission (deployment). How a member chooses to serve in the Canadian Forces will determine the benefit package they are eligible for.
Education & Training
All reservists have access to education, training and professional development opportunities, such as paid tuition, second language training and financial support for continuing education.
Health & Dental Care
If you are serving part-time in the reserves, the CF will cover your medical expenses while you are on duty. Full-time and deployed members of the Reserve Force receive the same medical and dental care as Regular Force members.
Vacation
Part-time reservists do not receive vacation time. Full-time and deployed reservists are eligible to receive one vacation day for each 15 consecutive days of service, to a maximum of 24 working days in a year.
Pension
Full and part-time reservists are eligible to pay into the CF pension program, similar to the Regular Force. The pension calculation is based on number of full days served and offers several payment options depending on the length of service.
