Civilian to Soldier Ep. 3: My Canadian Forces Application Timeline

[@Mike_Lorusso]

QUICK NOTE - I just realized I put in BMQ Start for Jan. 6, 2024 and I meant 2025!

[@jaleelsayal8181]

Thanks for sharing your time line. Any suggestions for the interview? And what is next after interview?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@jaleelsayal8181 the video mentions what is next after the interview, the interview is not your typical civilian interview, it’s more or less making sure you know what you’re getting into and going over what to expect, still dress professionally

[@coontimetv9917]

Good luck! I graduated BMQ in St Jean February of this year

[@jaleelsayal8181]

@@Mike_Lorussowhat should be my focus while i am going into interview. I would appreciate it if you could generally give me the overview of type of questions they usually ask?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@jaleelsayal8181 i’m actually not allowed to disclose that, it’s part of the agreement and waiver that you sign going through the process, what I can say is just be prepared and knowledgable about your chosen trade

[@gallagher_-iy2kc]

I leave for bmq on Nov 18th, good luck with yours

[@superoli9]

Am at BMQ right now 😅 if I can give some advice train yourself to get up early and run 🏃🏽

[@gallagher_-iy2kc]

@@superoli9 thanks :) hopefully it goes well for you

[@jaleelsayal8181]

@@superoli9 best of luck! when was your interview? i heard there is atleast a gap of few months between interview , enrolment ceremony and bmq date

[@superoli9]

@jaleelsayal8181 yess be patient the process took about 4 months

[@jaleelsayal8181]

@@superoli9thanks man

[@lauriea2971]

Hi I’m new to ur channel and a retired reservist from Edmonton. Congratulations on ur accomplishment joining the CAF. I will be watching ur videos. Enjoy BMQ. Some ideas for u always use Kiwi boot polish it’s the best. If u have any questions pls ask them the instructors r there to help u and it’s alll about team work. Plus if someone needs help pls help them cause like they say u r only has fast as the slowest person. Good luck on ur new live in the CAF

[@JohnSmith-tv2kb]

Congrats. I’m waiting to finish nursing school next August to enlist. I’m so excited.

[@jonthelamb4549]

Enlist now

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Dont wait, it could take that long for you to be selected and sworn in

[@TamunoOpuboCooksCookeyGam]

Don't wait if you want to enlist. Plus, ask if it's possible that they pay for your nursing school plus pay salary while in school.

[@bpeterman2712]

I start BMQ on Jan.6 too. Likely I will see you there

[@Mike_Lorusso]

If you’re on facebook, we have a group chat started for Jan. 6 BMQ

[@gabcarbone8245]

Lol same Ill see you there 😂

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@gabcarbone8245 sweet!

[@alphaisdank42069]

Not even trying to demoralize you guys but ive had two BMQs get cancelled, they get cancelled all the damn time.

[@Ponchoooooos]

I’m Jan 6th too in Edmonton

[@sam-al77]

I’m 47 years old. My CFAT and medical test is on November 16.

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Keep in mind that at 47 years old, you’re maxing out at 13 years of service as retirement in the CAF is 60.

[@ScaredDonut]

They got rid of CFAT. You'll do SEAF instead

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@ the CFAT still exists…I had to do it just a few months ago

[@ScaredDonut]

@@Mike_Lorusso They got rid of it last week. You'll still have to do it at BMQ but the score wont be used to determine what trade get to do. They'll just use it for analytics purposes.

[@mehrokm1]

Great and very informative, a suggestion the music in videos is a bit loud otherwise great. Thank you and sorry

[@ronaldostaffe6728]

I did select signal technician tooo bro, I am stilll waiting on my medical and interview, hopefully I would get a call by this week

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Signal Tech and Signal Op are two different trades, but same regiment

[@ronaldostaffe6728]

@@Mike_LorussoI know

[@vaelicusthepaladin]

Congrats! Might be on the same boat, same trade. Did they ask you about posting preferences or is that after trade training at Kingston?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

from my understanding, they ask you about that during BMQ later in the course, however at my interview it was discussed where a Sig. Op. can be posted, there's 6 or 7 options I believe

[@MoeezCanada]

Hi mike, did you also gave TSD-PI test?

[@norajohnston1763]

Where can one go see their application progress like in 0:38 of the video?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

On the online portal that you would have opened when you submitted your application

[@christianlopez3706]

Hi I was just wondering so I just got done yesterday with my first appointment with my recruiter and now I’m waiting to do my medical and interview how long did it take for you to receive an email to book your appointment

[@Mike_Lorusso]

It’s different for everybody, you have to do your SEAF test first (replacement for the CFAT), and then it’ll likely be a couple months or so from then

[@MarcusOutdoors1]

This is awesome to see the whole application process! I'm going to take my CFAT in a week from now, and was wondering how you prepared yourself for it, and if it was at all relatively challenging compared to the practice test?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Tbh I didnt do any practice tests or as much prep as I should have, but it had some easy parts and some more difficult areas, I’m not at liberty to discuss any specific details of it

[@MarcusOutdoors1]

@Mike_Lorusso Ah okay fair enough. Thanks anyway!

[@Drangotang]

What dental work what was in the way explain 🙏 please.?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

I personally had to have an extraction done

[@Drexler638]

Cant wait to join, i really wanna join the forces

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Submit your application

[@Drexler638]

@Mike_Lorusso I would just need my PR papers to be completed

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@ why not join in your home country then?

[@Drexler638]

@Mike_Lorusso I've already immigrated to Canada, so I've decided to join

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@ get your papers done first

[@venovaflorida2747]

I have been waiting for my background check since last year July. For now I am still waiting...........

[@Mike_Lorusso]

I would contact your recruiting centre

[@venovaflorida2747]

@@Mike_Lorusso I even walk in my recruiting centre monthly. But they just told me keep waiting........

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@venovaflorida2747 are you a Canadian Citizen or PR?

[@venovaflorida2747]

@@Mike_Lorusso I am pr

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@venovaflorida2747 that might be part of the reason for the delay

[@ShuaiXie]

There should be backgroud check for not born in Canada

[@Mike_Lorusso]

There is, and it takes longer for PRs

[@tito_jerome]

Thanks for the info! Just wondering what kind of dental work you had to take care of. I had a filling pop out and it took part of the tooth with it.

[@Mike_Lorusso]

I had a broken tooth that had to be fixed/pulled

[@tito_jerome]

@@Mike_Lorusso Thanks, I should visit the dentist regardless but it's good to know doing so beforehand could help avoid a bottleneck.

[@uzmaqureshi5678]

Is Bmq for all trades, i applied for HR administrator ?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

All forces members start their career by going through BMQ, there is no bypassing it

[@sam-al77]

My first interview was at the recruitment center here in Edmonton. Did you prepare yourself for the CFAT?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

I didnt prepare nearly as much as I should have, but I still qualified for my trade easily

[@1anre]

Good on you man. Any reason you didn't go in as a Signal officer cause you seem to have some work experience under your belt already and maybe a degree too?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

I don’t have a degree, I have a college diploma. I more or less chose a position doing something I have interest and passion for, with the goal of gaining more experience and commissioning later.

[@romanempire89]

How long did it take for your security clearance get the ok? And congrats !

[@Mike_Lorusso]

That info was never disclosed to me actually

[@romanempire89]

@@Mike_Lorusso I ask is because I'm waiting for that to clear. Everything else I got the greenlight.

[@romanempire89]

In fact I'll be surprised if I see you in Jan 2025.

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@romanempire89 just be patient, like I mentioned in the video as well, the application timeline is different for everyone. A lot of factors come into play, whether it’s your trade and how in demand it is, whether you’re a citizen or PR, how quickly BMQ classes fill up, etc. i asked recently if I could get bumped into an earlier BMQ and they told me that right now courses are full.

[@1anre]

Funny you said BMQ slots are fully packed and loaded up, as on the recent CAF patrol pathfinder you're video, you could see comments stating that BMQs aren't being run because there aren't enough staff to man them but I guess those folks are just being mischievous if you're getting feedback that slots are packed with students all the way to January 2025 ​@@Mike_Lorusso

[@Sciaovostro]

Hello and Goodluck! if you have any questions we can help you! my trade is IS Tech but I can also introduce you to my Sig Op friends Pro tip always have a soft copy of all files saved to your computer.

[@Sciaovostro]

I also checked your Episode 1 and notice you are also live in Calgary! I can totally help you. Your nearest Reg Force will be here in Edmonton 1 CMBG so if you are interested I can even help you.

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Much appreciated!

[@Nik-kh2ew]

So there was no physical ability test?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Not in particular during the application process, but there is once you get to BMQ

[@Nik-kh2ew]

@Mike_Lorusso so it means when you go to bmq you have to pass the test in order to continue in the force, if am i right?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@ you have to pass the screening test or you will be put on TRP to bring your fitness level up

[@asiangamer-db7mh]

There's no aptitude test anymore

[@Mike_Lorusso]

correct, they've replaced it with a new type of test, not familiar with what it is as I had to take the CFAT for my application

[@cjthebomb5518]

lmao I didn't even get the portal

[@Mike_Lorusso]

If you submit your application online, it’s automatic

[@cjthebomb5518]

@@Mike_Lorusso where do I go to find it under the email confirmation I got it just says I should expect a phone call shortly?

[@Mike_Lorusso]

@@cjthebomb5518 it’s the same site you would have been directed to to submit your application, when you use your sign-in partner or GCKey

[@andresalza5024]

We going to start togueter lol

[@Mike_Lorusso]

Do you start January 6th?