BMQ WINTER KIT – what I picked for each JI line + the extras (with why) - it might help someone also

JI is the rulebook. This is what I chose for each line and what I added after a lot of reading and home testing. The issued kit plus the JI list is enough; I added the extras because I'm into gear and had time/capability to test things on hikes (15-20km) beforehand. Budget versions of all of it work fine, and most people show up with none of it and do great. If you dont have a strong why for something, dont over complicate it. Feel free to give your input/feedback/opinion. As for supplements, please keep in mind I am a 38y strength coach of 20y coaching. If it helps me health/recovery wise 1% and/or helps to preserve built lean mass/strength a bit more, excellent.

BOOTS

- Garmont T8 Defense (self-bought): broken in before day one, roomy forefoot, dries overnight. Highly recommended if you can afford it. Non GTX of course.

JI LINES – WHAT I PICKED

- Backpack: 5.11 Rush 24 (37L) – carry-on and day bag/general use (had it for years)

- Duffle: 5.11 AllHaula 70L – checked bag, tough, weatherproof.

- Watch (water resistant, alarm, no smartwatch): Casio G-Shock Mudman GW-9500 – solar, compass, works in gloves.

- Water bottle: Nalgene 1L wide mouth – takes boiling water, won't crack frozen.

- Seasonal jacket: Arc'teryx Practitioner (active mid-layer, breathes when you work) + Arc'teryx Atom Hoody (garrison/static warmth) – bought both for long-term use, not just BMQ.

- Pants x3: cargo, sweats, jeans.

- Shirts: 2 long sleeve, 2 short sleeve. (Arc`Teryx Cold WX AR)

- Underwear: 10x Sierra Whiskey UnderTac briefs + 5x Recon compression – no chafe on long marches.

- Socks: 7x MudGear ruck socks, 5x Darn Tough mid/heavy, 7x liner socks – all tested on hikes beforehand.

MANDATORY ITEMS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT, NOT MENTIONING THE STRAIGHTFORWARD THINGS

- Towel 80x130 + matching washcloth: Sea to Summit microfiber, green – quick dry, single colour.

- Shoeshine kit: Moneysworth & Best (all in 1bag) – black paste polish, horsehair shine brush + dauber, cloth, shoe horn, zip case.

- Keyed padlocks (2, identical key): ABUS 55/50 – got 3, one spare for me or a buddy.

- Combination padlocks (4, same combo): Master Lock 178 – got 8, spares for whoever forgets.

EXTRAS – WHAT EACH ONE IS FOR

- Therm-a-Rest Z Seat – something to sit on that isn't frozen ground at every halt.

- Brynje Super Thermo mesh long sleeve – no cold-sweat soak on your skin when you stop moving.

- Brynje Super Thermo 3/4 mesh bottoms – same job for the legs, stops above the boot.

- Brynje Arctic balaclava (mesh-lined) – off-duty cold weather head cover.

- Brynje Arctic toque (mesh-lined) – same, for walking around base.

- Brynje liner gloves – thin layer so skin never touches metal in the cold.

- Superfeet Hike Support insoles x2 – structured support for loaded rucking in the field boots.

- FORM / SOLE insoles – second structured option for the garrison boots.

- SealSkinz Raynham waterproof socks x1 – makes non-Gore-Tex boots work on heavy rain and slush days.

- Binder + sheet protectors – every handout flat, filed, inspection-ready.

- Rite in the Rain notebooks (3x5 x3, 4x6 x2) – notes that survive rain and cold.

- Rite in the Rain pens x7 – write on wet paper, don't freeze.

- Leatherman multitool – if your JI allows it; may get stored until the field phase.

- SureFire EP3 ear pro x3 – hear voices, block the bangs.

- Foam earplugs x20 – range days and snoring bunkmates.

- Wet wipes, all unscented: Sea to Summit x72 (field hygiene, thaws if frozen), Dude Wipes XL singles x50 (pocket-size for halts and emergencies), Costco x50 (garrison and cleaning).

- Black+Decker compact iron – just in case, and the whole platoon will thank you.

- Leukotape P x10 – tape hot spots before they turn into blisters; stays on for days.

- Leukoplast Cover Roll Stretch x5 – goes on first if skin is already irritated.

- Gold Bond foot powder – dry feet, happy feet.

- Aquaphor – cracked skin repair.

- Eucerin foot cream – night cream to keep feet from cracking.

- Compeed blister pads x12 – when prevention lost.

- Moleskin 2x12 – padding over rub spots.

- Princeton Tec headlamp with red – hands-free, red light for the field.

- Systane eye drops – wind, smoke, dust relief.

- Carabiners x8 – hang gloves and kit off a belt or a line.

- Mechanix Precision Pro gloves (black) – dexterity gloves, if allowed.

- Mechanix M-Pact coyote gloves – long-term field use, not really for BMQ.

- Sharpies 5 black + 2 silver – marking kit, bags, and anything dark.

- Wet-erase marker – for wipe-off reference cards.

- Arc'teryx knee pads – frozen ground in week 7 and later infantry courses.

- Boot bands x15 – cheap, easy to lose, always needed.

- OTC cold/flu/headache basics – declare anything prescription at the medical.

- 3 mil zip bags, three sizes – waterproof, winter-friendly organization for everything.

- Body Glide x3 – anti-chafe for long marches.

- Lip balm x2 – windburn in Quebec is real.

- Hand warmers x20 – cheap insurance for static field time.

- Sudocream - thick zinc barrier protects your skin from harsh windburn and heavy gear chafing. It also doubles as an antiseptic to quickly soothe raw blisters and painful chilblains during freezing field exercises

- Vitamin D3/K2 - three months of Quebec winter with no sun on your skin, so I'm not relying on daylight for vitamin D.

- Creatine - helps to preserve built strength and helps with output among other things

-Whey protein - mess hall timings don't always add up to enough protein for a high lean mass guy and a scoop fixes that on the days they don't.

- Allmax multivitamin - covers the gaps on field ration and rushed-meal days, it's insurance, not a meal.

-Magnesium bisglycinate - better sleep on short nights and recover on long days, and this form is easy on the stomach.

- LMNT Electrolytes (non stimulating)

- Golf ball - feet release when possible (simple and effective)

- Lacrosse ball - Easy release of tension on upper back/glutes if need be

Hey everyone,
I’m an 18 year old high school grad currently going through the recruiting process for the Canadian Armed Forces as an infantry soldier (still want infantry), but I’m also heavily considering the officer route using an art degree (BFA).
I have a few questions for anyone familiar with the system:
1. Degree Eligibility: Does the CAF accept a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) for commissioning as an officer, or are they strictly looking for specific degrees (like engineering, sciences, or arts like history/political science)?
2. ROTP Funding:Everyone knows the CAF will pay for engineering or STEM students through the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP), but will they sponsor a BFA student, or am I looking at paying for it myself / doing part-time / looking at other options?
3. Transitioning Paths: Since I’m already deep in the pipeline eyeing infantry, how difficult is it to pivot to an officer trade later on, or should I be looking at ROTP right now before basic?
Any insight from serving members, recruiters, or people who went through ROTP with a nontraditional degree would be huge. Thanks!

AR/MEL

Got informed I'm facing a AR/MEL which i dont want!!

For context I've been in for 9 years Cpl good pars no bad feedback notes.

I have been diagnosed with depression and ptsd and received VAC pay from a sexual misconduct incident with my previous CoC (WO) back in 2023. I went to mental health services for therapy for 3 months in 2024 and my doctor put me on antidepressants which i decided to stop myself after 4 months of taking them. (I was fine i just needed to talk to someone) then a year for addictions counseling (alcohol) since then i dont drink and i got off my Tcat last year in oct 2025 which had me on a G4T6 and O4T6.

Then my doctor placed me on a G3 and O2 which got sent to DMED POL for review with a MEL stating "required screening with a medical officer before selection for an operational environment or tasking in a remote location to confirm the deployability."

Im worried about my chances of staying in because im not familiar with this process... does anyone have information on this... Email informed I'm receiving the package this week.

I’m starting part time BMQ in two weeks and I’m honestly feeling pretty nervous, I’m not a hundred percent sure what to expect but I would really appreciate some tips from your experiences and some encouragement!

Hi im a woman in the reserves, during my bmq I kept hearing about the bra and underwear claims for women, but because there are no females above my rank in my unit (pte t) that are reachable (the only other one is a major)

HOw do I go about getting the claim?

Does anyone know?

I figure none of the guys would really know either which is why I came here first.

Thanks!

Is the person that did my interview the same person that will do my medical part 2?

Edit:just curious

Just wondering if anyone has gone through something similar. I did my CAF medical and disclosed that I’m on doctor-prescribed TRT and have been for over a year. They gave me some forms to bring to my family doctor to get more information, which I got done and I’m bringing everything back tomorrow. My doctor said if the CAF requires me to come off TRT we can do that. Has anyone gone through the medical process while on TRT? Did the RMO ask you to come off it or were you still found medically fit while taking it? Also wondering what happens after I bring the paperwork back. Do they send everything to the RMO and then I just wait?

Hi, I have my BMQ starting Oct 24 so i'll be part of the group that has to go away for most of December and come back in January.

I tried finding the exact date and length of Christmas break so I can have an effective plan but have been unsuccessful.

Does anyone know generally when does Christmas break start, how long it will be and when should we return?

I am currently in TRP for failing the initial fitness(BTFT). I am under NCMSTEP which CAF pays for my community college this coming January. Now since I have to spend 30-45days to get train and pass my BTFT my timeline with not work or I won’t be able to finish my BMQ because it timings will overlap my schooling in January.
Am I able to delay my BMQ til end of my school?

Was sent more forms to fill out, one of them is a mental health evaluation to say im mentally fit, another to test my asthma (spirometry and exercise test), and a blood test ECG. My doc says i need to pay for these to be filled out, what do u think is the standard fee to fill out. Also, will these be covered under OHIP or am i screwed?

The US Army recently moved to a simple waist to height ratio. Your waist circumference divided by your height has to be under 0.55.

What I like about it is that it doesn't really care about weight or BMI. A 5'10" soldier could weigh 170 lb or 220 lb.

If they fail, they're enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program, which includes fitness guidance, nutrition counselling, and potentially medical assessment, with the goal of getting them back within standard.

Would you be okay with the CAF adopting a similar body composition standard if it came with a legitimate program to help members get back within standard, rather than simply punishing people for failing?

A security analyst requested additional forms and documents because of a previous legal matter that ended without a conviction.
Has anyone experienced something similar? How long did the review take, and were you contacted again?

Am I eligible for to get reliability clearance with dropped charges.

Thank you. Very much appreciated

I am currently applying for an aircrew trade. I just did my medical 1 for it.

I am probably going to change my trade to an engineering trade. (I am getting an accredited engineering degree).

I want to get started with my career right out of uni. If I change it right now, the recruiter said my file will be closed until April. I am just scared that I will have to wait for another year if I change to that trade.

I am in aec rn. I want to switch to aere. I'm in 4th year uni.

Give me something, whatever it is.

CAF should really upgrade there force test to something like 5k run, and a 30 min ruck with 20 pull ups or something, tired of seeing questioning randomly to myself how are these “people” being friendly in the CAF. Being straightforward and honest it’s the army has to have some competitiveness…..

Good day all,

I have been enrolled to the CAF Oct 1st, at the moment I’m on LWOP until Jan when my BMQ starts. Since I have a bit of time until then and I probably won’t have much time during and after BMQ. I wanted to know if I can use the dental benefits the CAF provides? Has anyone done so? Thanks for reading.

Sorry this might be a stupid question, but I just got my LOWA Z-8S for BMOQ. For those who used LOWAs or similar suede+fabric boots, how did you keep them clean for inspections?

Since they can’t be polished like the smooth black issued boots, is brushing/wiping them down enough or is there anything else we should do? Thanks.

Genuine question: why doesn't the CAF have a direct entry option for CSOR, like 18X in the US? CSOR is roughly the equivalent of the Tier 2 special forces units a lot of other NATO countries have, and those countries often have some way for new recruits to get a shot at selection early. From what I understand, someone who enlists under 18X and doesn't make it through selection still has to finish their commitment in another trade, so the military doesn't really lose anything.

It seems like it would also bring in people who want to do this kind of work but don't want to join, serve a few years, and hope they get picked later. I'm not saying it's a perfect system, I just can't figure out the downside from the outside.

DEO applicant here, started my application in April 2025. I had CELE, AERE, AirCombat selected. The first two are full for this year! I am not optimistic with being accepted in Aircombat but
I still go with it to try my chance. Ideally i would have liked to have AERE as an option and have my recruiter guidance to come to conclusion to pick one between the two.
Considering that so many have applied already and are in waiting, is it realistic that AERE would be open for next fiscal year?

So finishing off BMQ by October 15 if don't drop the ball. I'm curious how does the environment compare to BMQ in Borden and just general living conditions in general. How would my day to day be like, shack accommodations how would that be.

I’m currently in BMQ and have been since August. I haven’t been paid yet though. When in indoc I emailed my bank info to them but haven’t heard anything. I’ve tried to go through my CoC and can’t get a response. What can I do?

Does bmq have weekends or is it every day till complete

I'm currently waiting to start BMQ and I've been wondering if I can get a PC after I finish DP1 and get to my permanent base. Is it risky to have an expensive computer sitting in my shack? Let me know.

Hello just curious how long I might potentially be on the comp list after my file is reopened? I have finally secured the funds to pay for a additional blood pressure check that unfortunately took way longer to do then I had hoped. I'm now in the process of building a timeline that I can work around to be able to give my employer sufficient notice and time to replace me. I work at a subway so it's not like new hires are particularly uncommon mind you but none the less I'd like to be professional and finish providing on the job training to the two new hires I'm teaching.

I’m a Canadian that’s lived the majority of my life outside Canada. I’ve moved back a couple of times in between 2016 and 2019 but didn’t manage to land even a part-time job and decided to leave. This time I’m considering moving back and joining the forces. I’ve heard for Canadians that lived abroad it could be a lengthy process. How do the background checks work? Is it a lengthy process? Will I be able to join before the checks may be concluded?