For Parents
An Exciting Career
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The Canadian Forces offers a broad variety of career paths to suit the aspirations and personalities of its members. There are three main decisions that your child can make when choosing which path is best for them.
1. Work Full-time or Part-time
To work full-time in the Canadian Forces, your son or daughter will most likely join the Regular Force 
. Similar to a civilian full-time job, members in the Regular Force are educated and trained to perform specific tasks and functions. The normal work week is similar to most that you would expect in any industry or service sector with nights and weekends free for socializing with family and friends. Regular Force members live on or near one of the many Canadian Forces bases throughout Canada. Depending on their chosen occupation, the initial length of service in the Regular Force will last a minimum of 3 years.
. Similar to a civilian full-time job, members in the Regular Force are educated and trained to perform specific tasks and functions. The normal work week is similar to most that you would expect in any industry or service sector with nights and weekends free for socializing with family and friends. Regular Force members live on or near one of the many Canadian Forces bases throughout Canada. Depending on their chosen occupation, the initial length of service in the Regular Force will last a minimum of 3 years.
If your son or daughter prefers to work part-time and in close proximity to home, then he or she has the option of signing up for the Reserve Force . The majority of members in the Reserve Force have full-time civilian jobs or are full-time students and choose to spend their spare time pursuing military training and experience.
. The majority of members in the Reserve Force have full-time civilian jobs or are full-time students and choose to spend their spare time pursuing military training and experience.
2. Join the Navy, Army or Air Force
The Canadian Forces is made up of three environments: the Navy , the Army and the Air Force . Each environment has an equally important role to play in protecting Canadian interests at home and abroad, and each environment has many different careers to offer.
, the Army and the Air Force . Each environment has an equally important role to play in protecting Canadian interests at home and abroad, and each environment has many different careers to offer.
When helping your son or daughter choose a career, it is important to note that some jobs are specific to one environment (e.g., Pilot is primarily an Air Force occupation), while others are offered in multiple environments (e.g., Supply Technicians can be found in all three environments). As such, the job that your son or daughter decides to pursue can determine the environment in which they will be placed. If your son or daughter chooses a career that is offered in more than one environment, the Canadian Forces will place them in the environment where they are needed the most.
3. Serve as an Officer or as a Non-Commissioned Member
If your son or daughter is interested in holding a leadership position, and enjoys analyzing, planning, making decisions and providing advice, then they may want to consider a career as a Canadian Forces Officer . Officers are the “senior management” of the Canadian Forces and receive specific leadership training. Officers require a university degree related to their chosen occupation.
. Officers are the “senior management” of the Canadian Forces and receive specific leadership training. Officers require a university degree related to their chosen occupation.
If your son or daughter enjoys working with their hands, or is interested in becoming a technician, technologist, mechanic or in joining one of dozens of other exciting occupations, then they may want to consider a career as a Non-Commissioned Member (NCM). NCMs form the backbone of the Canadian Forces and are often responsible for operating and maintaining specialized technical equipment, or for performing administrative or health services tasks.
(NCM). NCMs form the backbone of the Canadian Forces and are often responsible for operating and maintaining specialized technical equipment, or for performing administrative or health services tasks.
A Wide Variety of Job Opportunities
Once your son or daughter has chosen their career path, they will choose from over 100 full- and part-time occupations ranging from doctors and musicians to sonar technicians and engineers. Your son or daughter is sure to find an occupation that suits their unique skills and interests.
Before enrolling in the Canadian Forces, your son or daughter will be invited to meet with a recruiter to discuss his or her future career. The recruiter will go over their qualifications, and will offer advice on the careers that are currently available.
Prior to the meeting, your son or daughter may first find it helpful to do some research using the Browse Jobs section of the website. They can obtain an overview of specific jobs, including: education and training information, work environments and related civilian occupations.
section of the website. They can obtain an overview of specific jobs, including: education and training information, work environments and related civilian occupations.