Joining the military. What are the odds?

[JPaterson]

I've decided that, as a personal decision to further myself, I'm going to join (or attempt to) the military.

I've signed up at a gym for four months, and hired a personal trainer, so that I can get in shape for the tests.  I'm hoping that within two weeks (I've been preparing for two weeks already), I'll be able to pass.  I'm healthy, fairly fit, and don't have any medical problems.  I have no problems doing the nineteen pushups/situps, and from testing at the gym, my squeeze test was above what the army wants.  My only problem is running the 2.4KM in 11:56.  My best time so far is 13:22, but then again, I've got two weeks ahead of me.

What are the odds of getting in the military?  The three choices I've picked are all for army, and they are, in order: Infantry, Armored Vehicle Infantry, Vehicle Technician.  Nothing for the navy, as I get seasick, and nothing for the air force.  Is there a long waiting list?  Are they anxious for recruits?

Any opinions would help, from people currently in the army, people wanting to join, people who've been refused, people who've done research, whatever.  Thanks.

 

[paracowboy]

this topic has been covered in great detail and depth in the Recruiting Forum, which is where this thread is headed.

MSN and ICQ "short hand" -  http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/33247.0.html

Regarding the use of "MSN speak" versus the employment of prose which is correct in grammar, spelling and punctuation, please see: http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/34015/post-260446.html#msg260446

Army.ca Conduct Guidelines: MUST READ - http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/24937.0.html

FRIENDLY ADVICE TO NEW MEMBERS - http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/24937/post-259412.html#msg259412

Recruiting FAQ - http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/21101.0.html

Infantry FAQ - http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/21131.0.html

Canadian Forces Aptitude Test - http://army.ca/forums/threads/21101/post-103977.html#msg103977

Fitness requirements at enrolment, see page 12 of this brochure:
http://www.recruiting.forces.ca/media/pdf/physical_fitness_en.pdf

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To summarize. Welcome to Army.ca, start reading.

 

[ACS_Tech]

I don't think you'll have any problems.  The fact that you've motivated yourself enough to get ready in preparation for a career in the military shows that you have good potential to succeed physically.  Understand, though, that it may be some time between when you fill out your application and the day you are officially sworn in.  Hopefully you can keep the drive to continue your physical training during this time.

While I don't think it is required to do any training before you go off to Basic, you be silly not to.  The better shape you are in before you get there, the easier it will be, physically, for you.  I have never considered myself a physically fit person by any stretch of the definition, but there were people who were in much worse shape than me when I went to St Jean 8 years ago who still managed to make it to Grad.  Mind you, they were belittled and picked on by the instructors and made it harder for the rest of us, but they got sorted out quick.  Don't think times have changed too much since then, although the minimum standards probably aren't where they should be.

Where, by the way, do you get 11:56?  Is that somewhere on the recruiting site?  I don't ever recall having to do a 2.4km run on enrollment.  That seems somewhat quick for pre-enrollment, although it certainly is a good goal to shoot for.  I don't know if I could do 2 miles in under 12 min...then again, in the best shape of my life I could only ever get up to 9 on the Xpres test...

 

[Zell_Dietrich]

Congrats on deciding to join up,  I'm sure you'll have an easier time of it than I'm having.  When they test you for the physical I think most of the time they make you go up and down steps to a really amusing song.  They stop periodically and check your blood pressure.  As far as the pushups go,  make sure you practice the right way.  I can do 50 pushups,  arms wide,  but I wasn't prepared to do them they way they want,  I was caught off guard and "just passed".  

There is also a written test,  well computerised test.   http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc/grt_test_e.htm or in french http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca/ppc/grt_test_f.htm

That is NOT the test you're going to do, completely different government agency,  but the style of the questions are similar.  The recruiting website also has lots of tips.  My suggestion for the test is to slow down,  do it right so you don't have to do it over, a minute a question is a long time. Also in that link above,  if you look at the patterns of numbers,  look at the differences between the numbers.  +4 then -2,  +5 then -3, +6 then ? (-4)  As for the verbal section,  if you can watch an episode of Frasier with comprehension,  you're fine.  If not,  hit the library and snag a "vocabulary builder book"

Thats all I've learned of the process that would be helpfull.
Good luck,  not that you'll need it.

 

[FAULK]

JPaterson,
About the 2.4k: Don't worry about it. The test is a step test so they test your heart rate, not if you can actually run somewhere is a certain amount of time. Jump on a treadmill and run at 7.5 miles per hour for 12 minutes. If you don't feel like your gonna have a heart attack or pass out then you should be good.
I made sure I should run at the 7.5 mph for 20 minutes before I did my test and I passed easily.
Get your heart used to working.

Good Luck!