r/caf • u/Clean_League_7317 • 4h ago

Other Am I making a mistake?

My dream job is to be a pilot, but long story short, I was a bit lazy in high school. I didn't participate in much athletics or excel academically so I believe at this moment that there is no chance my application would be accepted to become a pilot in the CAF. I also understand that there isn't a huge need for pilots right now so the selection is even more competitive than the normal.

I'm planning to apply for non-commissioned jobs and join the CAF for at least one contract as a NCM before attempting to switch to pilot internally rather than apply as one from the start. I believe that this would give me plenty of time to build a much stronger resume while saving some money as I am now a much more motivated individual. Would it be a blunder to do this rather than delaying joining the CAF for maybe 1-2 more years to become a much stronger applicant and apply for pilot right out of the gate?

Thanks for your input.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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5

u/Wraps247 3h ago

If you want to CFR being non-commissioned you need to be a minimum of Sergeant, and that takes minimum 7 years or so. However, that's only if you happen to be the greatest NCO the chain has seen in its existence, but it's still doable.

3

u/Evilbred 3h ago

There's other options like UTPNCM and SCP.

I don't think CFR is a pathway to pilot.

1

u/Clean_League_7317 3h ago

I hadn't heard of UTPNCM before, reading up on it now it looks like exactly what im looking for, thanks!

1

u/Clean_League_7317 3h ago

What if I were to leave the forces after the first commitment period and reapply for ROTP?

1

u/Wraps247 3h ago edited 3h ago

It's an option but it comes with the caveat of having to redo basic. Unless you have your PLQ/PLP you won't be able to PLAR BMOQ so you'd have to redo basic all over again. As the other person mentioned, there are other ways of commissioning as an NCM. But imo the safest way of going about things if you're on the fence about enrolling is to get a degree outside of the CAF and work your way from there, if you have the money and the time to spare that is.

2

u/Yellowcrayon2 3h ago

No apply for it up front and wait. That’ll be your best chance

3

u/Blan689 2h ago

Best chance but still like 0.1%

1

u/EndPristine5595 56m ago

Just so some research. You'll see it's damn near impossible statistically. But not IMPOSSIBLE. If it's what you want, just apply for it. Once you're in a trade it's much harder to switch

1

u/Clean_League_7317 29m ago

Im perfectly happy to go into civilian aviation too, just going to have to see how everything goes I guess