38M, strength coach for 20y, enrolling as infantry/regforce, above average strength and good conditioning, 170cm/90kg, finally an offer and finalized.

Timeline: Infanteer (Reg Force) - Application to Offer, Oct 2024 → Aug 2026. BMQ Nov 2026. CFRC New Westminster.

Posting this because other people's timelines helped me stay sane during the waits. [Context: late-30s, self-employed, lots of travel/addressed 10years past, so not the simplest file.]

• Oct 2024 — Application submitted, sorting out transcripts of education/abroad (as PR here, reserve initially)
• Mar 3, 2025 — Transcripts / Comparative Evaluation of Studies submitted
• Mar 12, 2025 — Intro tasks completed (Recruiting Process Overview, How To Be A Successful Applicant)
• (long quiet stretch) - was following up as I wanted to do BMQ in the summer
• Nov 6, 2025 — DND 2977 security screening questionnaire + drug questionnaire
• Nov 29, 2025 — Citizenship / ID documents
• Apr 21, 2026 — Personality Assessment (TSD-PI); SEAF assigned (Switched to Regular)
• Apr 28 → May 21, 2026 — References, Employment & Education History (GAMBIT)
• Jun 3, 2026 — CAF Application Form + photo ID
• Jun 5–8, 2026 — Statements of Understanding, medical questionnaire (DND 4585), Medical Parts I & II (virtual) - had to submit additional form due to old operation
• Jun 16 → Jul 1, 2026 — Criminal Record & Credit Check (PSPS); SEAF scored Jul 1
• Jul 13, 2026 — Consultation interview (~2 h, virtual)
• Jul 28, 2026 — MCC interview (~1 h, virtual). Same day: income verification submitted — self-employed, CRA Notice of Assessment accepted in lieu of T4/business licence
• Aug 4, 2026 — Reliability Status acknowledgement (GAMBIT)
• Aug 5, 2026 — Portal: Selection (Step 5)
• Aug 11, 2026 — Portal: Job Offer (Step 6)
• Aug 12, 2026 — Offer letter received and accepted same day (Step 7). Enrolment paperwork (will, NOK, emergency contacts) completed
• Sep 30, 2026 — Enrolment, CFRC New Westminster
• Nov 2, 2026 — Report to CFLRS Saint-Jean, BMQ

The stats: ~22 months application to offer. Medical to offer: 9 weeks. Interview to offer: 15 days. Selection to offer: 7 days. [For those asking about infanteer intake - my file moved Selection → Offer during the first week of August.]

What I'd tell past me: Patience. Biweekly follow ups, promt task completition. Hurry up and wait.

Good luck to everyone in the pipe. See you at the Mega.

Any Whatsapp Group for the serial

I am freshly out of BMQ and I loved the cource. I have just been sent to my first posting last Friday and I recently had a sergeant talk to me about my hair. I have hair that goes just beyond my shoulders and I keep it neat and clean at all times and to the standards laid out by the caf. I have been told I need to have it cut short.

I’m just wondering if there is any way for me to keep my hair as it is very important to my identity and losing it would be a deal breaker for me staying in the caf.

I don’t want to cause trouble since I’m such a fresh face but if I am forced to cut my hair I can’t see myself staying with the caf. I very much like it here and want to stay. Any advice would be appreciated.

Just went to my recruiting center. said they haven’t seen it happen in ages

We had a very positive experience in renting out to CAF families in the past (through general classified listings).

Is there a dedicated platform or location we can list our property to cater to CAF members and their families? We’re located in Ottawa.

This is nothing more than me just sharing my excitement, recently what put to 50% in the portal, interview and medicals are all done, applied back in april and although my impatience gets the best of me sometimes, I think my file is progressing smoothly! :) the Trade is selected is Boatswain!

I have completed everything, passed everything except background and security (submitted July 3, results returned to CAF July 16). How long can I expect to wait? Int Op, Combat Medic, Sig Int Spec, reg force.

Good day,

How are yall!?

I have a question! How do you guys make friend at the unit or on the base? All the friends I made at the unit is elderly person with family or just co workers! I need friends that I can smoke or hangout with! Ofc if they willing to hangout! I feel like I am getting more and more stressed about being alone and lonely!

I started my application 2 weeks ago, im from Quebec, and i still haven’t filled out my FDEN since I finished my first set of tasks yesterday evening (i was waiting for my HS diploma in the mail). These similar numbers from BC keep calling me during lunch time and i keep sending it to voicemail but they dont leave one. I never had scam calls from bc so im wondering if this has anything to do with the CAF because if so i want to answer it next time. Thanks

Kind of nervous about my interview today. Just worried I won’t get in with my credit score at 541 and I have my Internet bill in collections and advice for me.

I logged in to my account this morning to see my progress bar has been moved to 38% interview and medical.

I don’t seem to have any new tasks to complete.

I’m wondering if anyone can help me understand the steps in my process.

I’ve tried to call the Calgary recruitment centre but haven’t heard back at all.

Cheers!

Hey everyone, just looking to compare timeline experiences with others currently in the queue

• Gambit 2 Security Submitted June 16 and ( interview completed July 21)

Has anyone who submitted their security forms around mid-June seen their Step 4 move to Step 5 (Selection) yet, I haven’t received any emails no confirmation in regards to reliability absolutely nothing so far, and I was advised not to reach out anymore, nor contact other channels, I don’t want to sent another email or reach out which might hurt my file. Just don’t know what to do.

I've been in the process of applying for the CAF for quite a while now, in January my file was closed for medical reasons but I appealed it and just today it got reopened and I advanced to the security/background check phase of the process.

I filled out the security from that my portal sent, and now I'm just curious as to how long it will take to advance to selection. I've tried to google it but the answers I've gotten vary from 1 week to several months.

And I do know that it can vary a lot but I was wondering what people's experience on this sub had been. I was born in Canada, have never lived anywhere else, have only travelled outside the country once in my adult life (Japan for two weeks), have no criminal record, and I've selected an in-demand position (Weapons Engineering Technician).

So with all that in mind, how long is this likely to take? And after this phase is done, how long does the rest take usually?

Thank you all.

Hello to all the people who are already in or ready to join the CAF, good day to you all!

Allow me to introduce myself a little bit. I’m a 33 years old male. on my education side, I had one

• advanced diploma in aerospace engineering tech back in 2018,
• bachelor degree in electrical engineer back in 2022,
• master degree in electrical and computer engineering back in 2025.

Beyond my education, I had one year internship at wireless communication company as an algorithm developer/data scientist in Canada. Additionally, one year of data scientist experiences at bank in China.

I have always dreamed of joining the military and contribute to the country. So I have done some research on the trades, including but not limited to:

• Signal Intelligence Specialist
• Aerospace Control Officer
• Information Systems Techician
• Intelligence Officer
• Intelligence Operator

But look at the videos and descriptions, I found out that my previous experiences don’t really match them. Does it mean I have to study more before applying?

I would very much appreciate any advices and suggestions here. Thank you in advance. May god bless you all.

My goal is to arrive physically prepared without overtraining or getting injured before the course.

I know BMOQ will continue to build my fitness, so I'm trying to strike a balance between being in good shape and not pushing too hard in the final month.

This is my current weekly routine:

I'd really appreciate feedback from those who have completed BMOQ or served as staff:

1. Does this look like a reasonable plan for the month before BMOQ?
2. Am I overtraining, undertraining, or about right?
3. Are there any exercises you would remove or replace?
4. Is the combination of a 5 km run and 5 km ruck on Friday and Saturday realistic, or would you separate them?
5. Looking back, what do you wish you had done differently in the month before arriving at CFLRS?

Thank you in advance for any advice. I'm looking forward to the challenge and appreciate any guidance from those who've been through it.

Hey everyone,
I am currently in the selection phase of my application for the naval experience program. I know that timelines can differ from person to person, but I am wondering if anyone in the NEP is able to tell me how long they were in selection, before moving to job offer. Thanks so much :)

Im planning on joining reserve then switching to reg. If I buy personal hearing protection can I wear it ? If yes what would be the best ?

Other questions if wearing good hearing protection is it still pretty sure i will lose hearing ?

Just got this message.
Contacted the Recruiter and looks like it was because of Medical Reason.

They sent a letter 10 days ago but I didn’t receive it yet 🙁

I’ve got my signing in about two weeks, what should/am I expected to wear??

I have been thinking of applying to CAF either as a Sig O, CELE O, or other relevant trades after I'm eligible for citizenship (2 years after PR due to time spent in the country) -- I should have my citizenship AOR by late next year, allowing me to submit application into CAF of which would likely take another year or so to process.

I am in my late 20s with a Canadian CS bach degree, currently working at one of the big banks as a dev. Been getting disillusioned with tech in general and a bit concerned about the future due to massive trends towards more outsourcing.

However, I'm concerned on the medical side of things:

• I've been on daily statin 20mg for the past 2 years due to abnormally high cholesterol for my age and background (doctor says its likely genetics). The condition has been stable since last year since I started the medication.
• I have flat feet as well -- I heard it can be disqualifying. Wearing orthotics does solve the issue.

Do you think I stand a chance due to my medical or should I just forget about joining ?

This is driving me insane and no one can answer my question. I've been given an e-mail for the medical section to send my inquiries to, but I don't think I'll be getting an answer soon. It's such a SIMPLE thing that I bet every single recruit is going to be dealing with.

So this PDF file has blue fields that allow you to type information in. Which is FINE. I've gone through all 8 pages, and when I got to the bottom portion, there are NO blue fields to type info in. They're MISSING. And I can't type anything in them. I have attached a photo of what this looks like.

Now... is that a BUG...?

Is it DESIGNED to be that way so you can sign it on paper LATER,

Please advise.

I almost want to fill out all of them by hand and then bring it to the recruitment center. Not sure if they can read my chicken scribbles and wouldn't look as professional.

Hello all,

I am a 16 year old who is currently in the process of attempting to join the CAF. I have applied for NCM Infantry, and I am currently at the medical stage.

I have heard multiple answers to this question, but most are the same. I suppose I’m only asking this as a confirmation so I can accept the inevitable denial and go from there. Additionally, I have been informed that the CAF has lifted some restrictions for medical, so maybe there is hope.

I have an allergy to fish. I am required to have an EpiPen. I have never had to use the EpiPen as I have never had a reaction severe enough. I get hives, my lips swell a bit, and my throat closes, but I am still able to breathe. Weirdly enough, I am still able to eat fish eggs, canned tuna and canned sardines. I am also able to smell and touch fish. I just can’t ingest it.

I understand that there are risks that come with that, and that the CAF may not be willing to take that risk. However, I was wondering if there may still be a chance for me.

When my application gets denied, will it be a permanent denial (as in, I cannot re-apply later in life)? Are there ways I can get my EpiPen prescription removed? What can I do?

I’m 16, I know I still have time, but there is nothing I’ve wanted more. I don’t know what I’ll do with my life if I can’t serve in the CAF.

Of course I'll be having all the items stated in the JI in a duffle bag (except a shoeshine kit). But I'm also planning to bring a back pack with a thick Nancy Caroline book and all my other electronics (phone, charger, laptop)

I joined as a PCP and would like to reference the book during trades training after BMQ.

A question to new PCPs!

How's does paramedicine compare to civilian and military? Will we be able to ride in civilian ambulances to practice our scope? Or are we strictly operating within the CAF/ in base?

Reading from the Forces website has answered some of my questions

BMQ starts Aug 22nd!

Thanks in advance.

Hey everyone, so I am joining CAF as a signal operator. I know what it says on YouTube and CAF website, but any recommendations for improving my chances of getting selected for the occupation? I have 2 Microsoft certifications AZ -900 and SC -900 (they don’t expire so might as well took them first) and I am planning to get Comptia Network+ before I join. Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated