Waiting for Ottawa

[natalie23]

  Hi,

Everything is sent off , just need to hear back from Ottawa!  Not sure how long it will take?

 

[kratz]

Each application has too many variables to say how long it will take before an offer is made.

This question is asked so often here, a search brings up some of the following topics:

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/13322.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/12906.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/17130.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/12771.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/13709.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/13193.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/18037.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/13596.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/13685.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/12981.0.html

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/12776.0.html

 

[natalie23]

okay thanks

 

[ufm101]

hey im in the same situation. I've sent my stuff July 2 and I haven't heard back from them yet. I tried calling but theres always some hold and plus my recruter is starting to get pissed cuz there slow haha so... still waiting hopefully for a good answer

 

[nmjg77]

My file has been in Ottawa since August 21st.  We're now September 28th and still no response, negative or positive.  I was initially told 2 to 4 weeks to be reviewed by the RMO.  This has been more than 4 weeks.

I'm not sure what the hold-up is, but it is a bit reassuring to see that others are going through the same thing.

 

[PMedMoe]

My file has been in Ottawa since August 21st.  We're now September 28th and still no response, negative or positive.  I was initially told 2 to 4 weeks to be reviewed by the RMO.  This has been more than 4 weeks.

I'm not sure what the hold-up is, but it is a bit reassuring to see that others are going through the same thing.

You know for a fact your file has been in Ottawa since 21 Aug?  Or was that when it was mailed out?

2-4 weeks to be reviewed, which doesn't include transit time to and from the RMO.  Not to mention, during this time period, people may have been on leave, courses or taskings so there may have been a shortage of personnel.  Be patient!!

 

[nmjg77]

I know for a fact it's been in Ottawa since August 21st.  It says on my file in the computer.

So we're looking at 5 weeks since the arrival of my file in Ottawa, and I just spoke to the recruiting centre and it still says "ON HOLD".

I also know for a fact that people who applied around the same time as I did are on their way to basic training for November 1st, and they applied for the same trade as I did.

 

[PMedMoe]

Well, every case is different.  At this point, all you can do is be patient and keep in touch with your CFRC.

 

[Larkvall]

I have been waiting since late June for my file to come back from Ottawa.

I was told the wait time is now 17 weeks. Some medical files require additional review that is why the wait times are different.

 

[nmjg77]

17 weeks?  Aie!  That's insane.  You would think they would try and get some help to clear that, wouldn't you?

 

[PMedMoe]

17 weeks?  Aie!  That's insane.  You would think they would try and get some help to clear that, wouldn't you?

You don't think they've been trying?  :

 

[Larkvall]

17 weeks?  Aie!  That's insane.  You would think they would try and get some help to clear that, wouldn't you?

Well I don't know what the doctor situation in the CF is like, but Canada is short of doctors. In my area there is a 3 year wait to get a family doctor. Also, reading medical files all day may not be for everyone. Also, we just came out of summer when many of the reviewers probably took their leave. It is just one of those things. You just need to be prepared mentally, physically and financially to possibly wait for a few months. Hopefully it does not take that long. I am joining the Reserves so maybe the wait is longer because we are a lower priority. I really don't know. It is only a speedbump.

 

[nmjg77]

Reserves?  Ok that's totally different.  I applied for reg forces.

You know what's funny is in 1964, an age with no computers, no cell phones, no fax machines, etc...  My father walked into the Montreal recruiting centre and a week later he had his job offer, sworn in and sent home on leave for a week before going to Camp Borden for BMQ.  45 years later, and almost 6 months later, I still don't know if I have a job offer or not.

Something is wrong!  I know it's case by case, but this is getting a little ridiculous.  I suppose that's where the motto "Hurry up and wait" comes from...

 

[Neolithium]

Times change.  I have my CFAT, Med & Interview this week, but I'm expecting things to come to a slow crawl once that is done with, since paperwork needs to get sent farther down the line.  Still, even if I end up waiting 6-8 months longer, I still consider it worthwhile in the end.

 

[Larkvall]

Yes, Reserves is different, but it is not 'totally' different. Recently I have seen people on these forums applying to the Reg Forces posting that they have been told it will be a minimum of 12 weeks before they get the news. I am just saying this so you can prepare yourself if necessary.

 

[PMedMoe]

Reserves?  Ok that's totally different.  I applied for reg forces.

You know what's funny is in 1964, an age with no computers, no cell phones, no fax machines, etc...  My father walked into the Montreal recruiting centre and a week later he had his job offer, sworn in and sent home on leave for a week before going to Camp Borden for BMQ.  45 years later, and almost 6 months later, I still don't know if I have a job offer or not.

Something is wrong!  I know it's case by case, but this is getting a little ridiculous.  I suppose that's where the motto "Hurry up and wait" comes from...

In 1964 they probably didn't do an "in depth" medical (and people probably didn't try to enrol with myriad medical issues).  I know my father joined in 1950 and only did a week-long BMQ.  That is no longer the case.

 

[FDO]

Today we no longer have 3 distinct services. Back in the early 60's the Navy, Army and Air Force did their own thing. Now EVERYTHING goes through one office. On top of that we now have to do longer and more indepth security checks. Some of these are done by civilian agencies. And because of past lawsuits we have to make sure you are fit for training or the CF ends up paying a lot of money in disability payments because we didn't do our job properly and you got hurt or agrivated an existing injury.

Consider how many files have to be gone through from across the country. Right now like everywhere else they are shorthanded. We are tryng to get them done as quick as possible. On top of that, priority trades are going to get looked at first then the rest. Hang in there it will happen. Rome wasn't built in a day and we are moving at the speed of Government!

 

[nmjg77]

Today we no longer have 3 distinct services. Back in the early 60's the Navy, Army and Air Force did their own thing. Now EVERYTHING goes through one office. On top of that we now have to do longer and more indepth security checks. Some of these are done by civilian agencies. And because of past lawsuits we have to make sure you are fit for training or the CF ends up paying a lot of money in disability payments because we didn't do our job properly and you got hurt or agrivated an existing injury.

Consider how many files have to be gone through from across the country. Right now like everywhere else they are shorthanded. We are tryng to get them done as quick as possible. On top of that, priority trades are going to get looked at first then the rest. Hang in there it will happen. Rome wasn't built in a day and we are moving at the speed of Government!

Well I have already cleared security clearance, etc...  It's that final word from the RMO that I'm waiting for.

You mention high demand trades, but isn't RMS CLK in high demand?  They are currently looking for about 150 across Canada right now.  I'm seeing alot of folks going through to basic so this means a course will be ready and waiting for them when they finish BMQ.

I may not be in a high unemployment area, which I know is also a factor in who gets to go in right now, but I am struggling for stable employment.  When I see others moving in so quickly, including people who applied long after me, it is frustrating.

 

[FDO]

First of all high unemployment areas do not put anyone to the top of the list. Currently we are looking for 124 RMS clerks out of the 365 we needed in April. What you have to look at is we wuill fill theose positions before the end of March. The priority trades are the ones we will probably not fill. If there are RMS clerks in your centre beinr enrolled before you that started after you you need to look at why. Are they re-enrolling? Are they Component Transfers? Is there something in your Medical that may be a concern? What element are you looking at? Right now we  have no Air positions and only 40 sea. Are you looking at If people are being enrolled that are not RMS then it could be they are priority trades, or they need to be in now so they can make a trades course on time.

There are so many variables that it would take a ong time to mention all fo them. All I can say is hang in it will come.

 

[Sturbs]

Regular Force (DEO)
Trade Choice: Pilot

-May 12, 2009: Completed Aircrew Medicals. I expected file to be sent to Ottawa shortly afterward.
-June 24, 2009: When checking to see if my file had come back from RMO in Ottawa, I was informed that in fact the file had never been sent.  Someone accidentally forgot to tell me I needed to have an ECG done.
-June 25, 2009: ECG Completed.
-June 29, 2009: File Sent to Ottawa.
-July 8, 2009: File received in Ottawa (As stated in my file on computer at CFRC)
-September 28, 2009: File still on MED HOLD (As stated in my file on computer at CFRC)

Time Since I Thought My File Was In Ottawa: 20 weeks
Time File Actually In Ottawa: 12 weeks (and counting)

It's likely that due to the current status of my trade choice my file does not have a very high priority.  It just seems a little ridiculous that medicals are only valid for one year, and that I'm approaching 50% (26 weeks) of that time to simply get my file approved.  It's painful to think that soon after I get approved (if i do), the medicals will be invalid and I'll have to start the process all over again.  Anyway, the point is if you've only been waiting like 6 weeks, that's nothing, suck it up.  No doubt there are people out there who've been waiting longer than me.