Canada's Reserve Force is an important part of Canada's national heritage. The Reserve Force officially came into being with the passage of the Militia Act of 1855. The Naval and Air Reserves were established in 1914 and 1924 respectively.
The primary role of the Reserve Force is to augment, sustain, and support the Regular Force. In recent years, reservists have made substantial contributions to Canada's international efforts and domestic relief operations.
There are over 9,500 reservists on full-time employment within the Canadian Forces. Since the year 2000, more than 4,600 primary reservists have been deployed for Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Haiti, and other international hot spots.
At home, reservists have contributed in numerous ways over the years. They have assisted during Search and Rescue operations; provided aid to the homeless during bitterly cold weather in Toronto; responded to public needs following severe snowstorms in British Columbia; aided during flood relief operations in Quebec and Manitoba, ice storms in eastern Canada, the Swissair Flight 111 crash recovery operation, forest fires in Alberta and British Columbia and a host of other situations. Thousands were standing by in the event of disruptions following the Year 2000 rollover. In addition, reservists often help at or participate in cultural events, parades, festivals, and other public events in communities across Canada.
Many reservists have full-time careers outside the Canadian Forces in a wide range of civilian health care professions, including medicine, nursing, and social work, while others are full-time students or members of other trades or professions.
Service in the Reserve Force is voluntary and is for an indefinite period of service. Reservists are enrolled to serve on a part-time basis but they may volunteer for full time employment in the Canadian Forces.
Reservists can work close to home. Reserve Force units are located in hundreds of communities across Canada, with a total strength of about 25,000 personnel. It is estimated that up to 55 per cent of them work either full or part-time in civilian employment. About 28 per cent of them are students.
They are not obliged to serve overseas, but many choose to do so. Currently 412 primary reserve personnel are serving on peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. In the past, up to 40 per cent of all peacekeepers have been reservists. In addition, 290 naval reservists are serving on 10 costal defence vessels.
Here are just a few of the reasons to consider joining the Reserves:
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Primary reservists usually train on evenings and weekends. However, most of them need two weeks of full-time service every year to keep their qualifications current. From time to time, they also need to attend courses to progress in rank, or to prepare for operational missions.
The Non-Commissioned Member (NCM) is the backbone of the military. NCMs start out as recruits and are then trained to do specific occupations in the CF. Some are trained as technicians to keep the equipment repaired; some are operators that use specific and complicated electrical and mechanical equipment; and some are users of general equipment.
The Officer is a leader. From the first day, officers are trained to be responsible for a group of people. They oversee the sailors, soldiers or air personnel in the conduct of their activities - this could be on a base or on board a ship. The educational requirements to be eligible to apply as an officer are higher than those of the Non-Commissioned Member.
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